Yes, and I believe it is needed to be done mid cycle. I also believe that TTC that cycle would not be advised. The procedure is not painful and is done in the clinic - Dr S has a pathologist who works with him & counts the NK cells personally - so it's a fairly time exhaustive procedure. NK cells are there for all of us - just when there is an over abundance is it a problem.
You will be given some fairly strict instuctions if I know Dr S . Sometimes the meds have to be commenced prior to pregnancy or at least during the luteal phase of your cycle each month.
If I may add. If NK cells is the issue the ivf pgd process will not avoid miscarriage. So, it is important that you rule the NK cell issue out. NK cells basically fight off the pregnancy so it doesn't differentiate on how the pregnancy was conceived iykwim???
You also mentioned that one of your babies was female and that the docs questioned the validity of the test???
So you may understand a little more. When a currettage is done and the baby is female it cannot be clear weather the chromosomal material came from the mother or the baby so therefore a chromosomal defect cannot be completely ruled out. It is possible that the chromosomes were yours and not your babies. I hoep that makes sense.?
Flowerchild - that is what my OB said about the validity of the test. This will sound morbid, but I am actually hoping this little bubba had a sporadic, non-inherited chromosonal error. There would not have been anything I could have done to have prevented it. That way it would not necessarily be related to me or my body and we might have a better chance of TTC again.
Do you think Dr Sacks will do an biopsy on the spot of my initial consult?
Am I going to get in a bother going through him and the program at the same time? Oops!
You probably need to ask the receptionist for an appt that he can do the biopsy in... I would phone and say yiou will be cd15 and could you be booked for a biopsy. Say you have a referral (then quickly get one from your gp! ). This will save going back in for the biopsy. Dr S's receptionist will know the how whens and whys about it all. Give her a call and have a chat.
If it were me and I had Dr S accessible I would just see him - I would find it a bit messy going to a few different specialists...
Flowerchild - thanks for the headsup on booking the biopsy. I rang Kogarah and they have put it as a possibility on the day. Hopefully it can be done this cycle.
You are right about clashing OBs. I am going to be completely up front with Dr Sacks about doing the other program and see what he has to say. I get the impression he is really nice and won't mind. But it may put my local OB's nose out of joint.
Have really appreciated all your advice this morning. One more question: If I had a little girl three years ago (first ever pregnancy), how likely is it that this NK thing could have developed since then? You had normal pregnancies, too, to begin with, didn't you?
Like Flowerchild said most of the time you don't get a reason. I was one of those. I don't know if I've given you my story before so I'll post it just in case I havent (if I have feel free to skip this post). After 3 years of trying in my marriage (10 years ago) I suffered an early loss - no reason found. Investigations with a leading IVF FS determined unexplained infertility. IVF recommended. My then husband was not interested at all in that process. We parted 5 years later (and never managed another pregnancy).
Fast forward to two years ago. My new DF and I decided to try for a baby. I felt I had no hope whatsoever as I was over 40 and I'd had no luck in my twenties and early 30's. Nine months later I was pregnant (early loss). I think it was 3 months later pregnant again (early loss again). No reason given for either loss - perhaps a small fibroid but more than likely it was just my age. Chromosonal testing found nothing. I was told IVF was my only chance of a successful pregnancy. After the 1st loss last year I was put on a waiting list for a fibroid resection and all the usual stuff they do with a lap before deciding if we should go the IVF route.
I was still waiting for it when I found myself pregnant for the third time in the year. I was off all my vitamins, drinking loads of coffee, drinking alcohol (in moderation), doing everything they tell you not to do when TTC. I was not actively TTCing when this pregnancy occurred. Despite the odds (supposedly about 5% for a successful unassisted pregnancy at age 42 at time of birth) this one stuck.
I guess what I'm saying is don't lose hope if the medical profession can't give you an answer. Miracles can and do happen. My little miracle came along when I least expected it.
It's very possible to develop a proliferation of NK cells - especially as we get older. I don't belie4ve I had NK cell proliferation though. As I said NK cells tend to present as early pregnancy losses - whilst I did have 3 of those it is not outside the realms of "normal" given my age (38 - I am now 41). However, we treated me as if I did have the nk cell issue as time was running out for me. I also had a gut feeling that prednisone was needed for me.
Satya - thankyou for sharing your story. Miracles do happen!
Satya - yes, thank you for sharing your story. Like a lot of women on this website, I am joining the queue for a miracle.
Flowerchild - WOW. I have no idea what it is but that prednisone seems to come up quite a bit on these forums. I will keep you informed as to how my appointment goes with Dr S, if you like.
Thanks for all your words and wisdom, today, ladies.
WTH xx
Prednisolone is a very powerful steroidal drug. It is a drug that Dr S treats his nk cell proliferation patients with. It isn't something to be taken lightly as it does have some nasty side effects.
It is also used to treat autoimmune diseases amongst other things.
. Sometimes the meds have to be commenced prior to pregnancy or at least during the luteal phase of your cycle each month.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks