Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no. 22!

Hi all, I’m a former patient of Dr S and just wanted to say I really recommend the sperm comet test. My DH’s usual sperm tests were all fine and after being told I had high NK cells I was on the super ovulation plan for about 6 months. When I didn’t fall pregnant during this time I went for IVF and they suggested we did the sperm comet test. We went to a brilliant urologist and he explained that he believes sperm DNA fragmentation is a leading cause of infertility and miscarriage. He thinks it would save the NHS lots of money in failed IVF cycles if they tested for it. My husbands level came back extremely high but was luckily easily treated with antibiotics. I followed Dr S’s plan during my IVF and was incredibly lucky that it worked and I have my DD.

However, I’ve since fallen pregnant naturally and have not followed Dr S’s plan. It was a really hard decision and I felt really vulnerable but I’m now in my third trimester and fingers crossed it all looks ok so far. I’m not saying that I don’t believe in Dr S’s plan but I think it’s really important to look at the man in more depth too.

@Megan234 your AMH sounds good? I think once it goes past a certain number it suggests PCOS but I dont know what that number is. I’m 37 and 3.2 so much much lower. The reserves of a 40 yo according to Dr S. My partner is on Condensyl too. I agree it being a lottery and people go on to have healthy babies both on and off the treatment. Sometimes there’s not even a known reason which seems so unfair. Resilience to keep going seems to be the key x

to be honest the whole thing feels like a lottery!
I still read of people have 7 or more losses with no reason explained and then they suddenly have a healthy baby with no new treatment or medication.

Hi @megan234
I really don’t know. She’s had numerous miscarriages with no known cause but more recently (in the last year) has struggled to conceive at all.

@DaniMERL I must be very unlucky 😔 but if the miscarriage in September was normal does this mean that my DH sperm is ok? X

@megan234 I think that’s good. I’m nearly 38 and mine was 7.something and he said it was fine but on low side.
A friend just did the Sperm comet and has found unexpected problems and Mr S has recommended ICSI IVF for them.

@Sunshineblond1 Thank you means a lot that you are thinking of me x
After my miscarriage in September the pregnancy was tested and everything came back normal, we haven’t done Sperm Comet, but my DH is on Condensyl now. Also I’ve done the AMH test through medichecks and the results came back at 11.2 not sure if that’s good or bad I’m 38 ? X

Hey @Megan234 just wondered did you do the Sperm Comet already? Could IVF be an option? Have been thinking of you today and created an energy ball earlier at yoga which I sent to you might sound cheesy but I hope it helps to know we are all thinking of you x

@HappyApple05 My GP has been prescribing me all my medication. I’m also with the RMC at the Epsom hospital and they are happy to give whatever medication I need. The only reason I went privately is because you can’t get intralipids on NHS and I’m seeing Mr Shehata instead of someone else from his team x

@DaniMERL I will be ttc again this month NHS consultant told me that I can try this cycle and have enough medication. It was probably chromosomal issues but who knows x

Well I guess there could be a number of possibilities:
Chromosomal issues
Or the steroids not being taken from ovulation

I thought there were some other medications he could try?

Will you tell him about the steroids?
In your situation I would be really tempted to just try again if you have enough drugs because of the possibilities above. But I’m no doctor!

@DaniMERL I’ve been on HCQ since July and now on steroids as well I don’t think he can give anything else. I know he won’t be happy because I didn’t take steroids from ovulation.
I also found this miscarriage easier because it ended early and I had my hCG check every 48 hrs and I knew the pregnancy wasn’t progressing how it should be. Thank you for thinking of me, we will get our babies soon Xx

@Megan234 can you see if there are any cancellations by calling them regularly? I was a bit the same. I waited until the miscarriage was resolved before calling to make the next appointment and now that has delayed things for me as I have to take the Hydroxy for 6-8 wks. If I’d called sooner I could have still got the medication and started when I was ready. It was the only appointment they had for a while as well.

I can’t remember, are you already on the Hydroxy now?
Thinking of you. Take it very easy.

In some ways after the initial shock and disappointment, I’ve found this loss easier because there was literally nothing at all to see on the scan, so I guess it was a chemical pregnancy. I know this is still hard but for me not so bad.

Thinking of you xx

@HappyApple05 thank you for your kind words and support x
@DaniMERL Thank you I’m absolutely devastated but looking at the positive side at least it ended early. I emailed the nurses but Mr S hasn’t got any appointments until March. I want to ttc now under the same treatment plant but they told me to wait until I see him. I’m not going to wait and wast another month for him to tell me to carry on on the same plan. I feel like the medication kept this pregnancy going for a lot longer but I know it wasn’t right from the start x

Oh @megan234 😥😥😥
I’ve been thinking of you and worried about the silence. I’m so sorry. Also awful that the increasing HCG prolonged the agony.
Glad to hear you aren’t giving up and I’m right here with you.
Will you go back to see Mr S soon?

I also had the expensive intralipids for no good reason. It what choice do you have? None at all sadly. Wasted money makes it all a little harder though.

Keep in touch xx

@megan234 that’s the spirit! The show must go on. Where there is a will, there is always a way. Self care comes first, the rest follows as and when the universe decides it’s the right time. Sending lots of healing thoughts your way x

@sunshineblond1 @chickjen thank you for the lovely messages. I’m ok and I will keep going not ready to give up yet.
@sunshineblond1 Yes I’m straight back on ubiqunol. You need to think positive that this pregnancy will work out for you. I do yoga, running, headspace and hypnotherapy, I will try this visualisation technic as well anything to feel better X

@megan234 I can’t temember whether you are on Ubiquinol already? If this one doesn’t work out for me I’m getting bang on it x

Oh @Megan234 so sorry to hear that Hunni. Sending you a huge hug, I really feel for you xx I couldn’t put it any better than @chickjen said. Let yourself feel the pain but dust yourself off, take a deep mofo breath and try again it’s not over yet and there are still options to explore. We can do this!!!!! Conception is just one step of the hurdle and it’s so great you achieved that in the first place. Take that positive thought and carry it with you for the next baby dancing session. We are at the beginning of the journey and we will all get there in one way or another. Definitely treat yourself this weekend Hunni you SO deserve it.

@chickjen I hadn’t even prepared myself for the steroids. That took me another 3 months to get my head around - I’m such a fanny 😂! You’re miles ahead then I was :) we will all be here to support you on your journey whatever happens!
Eck to the work firewall banning Mumsnet - yikers!! I often wonder whether my work can see what I’m up to here as I have been messaging on my work laptop with gay abandon 🤪x

@HappyApple05 glad it is working for you!
@Nixwix first hurdle crossed, big congrats. Might the fact your tube is removed actually help here? If the sac starts growing in that direction it can only grow into the small opening and not in the whole of the tube, might make it quickly realise turning right is a better option

@Sunshineblonde1 oh my god I realise how unprepared I am too. I have thought to myself would I be prepared to take steroids, would I be prepared to inject myself everyday, but it never occurred to me that moment when someone actually confirms this is what you have and this is what to do and here is all the money you need to spend! I will probably stare blankly then burst into tears!
Alcohol is totally my go to in times of need too, perhaps we will bump into each other after all, I will still be in the pub staring in shock at my glass of wine, when you come in for your celebratory orange juice

I couldn't work out why I couldn't sign in to post today when you all could, I think somehow the work IT dept has blocked it, I only managed to sign in now on my phone. Does that mean they have read my posts too!! About the pessaries!! Eek!
My internet at home is also disconnected thanks to BT and openreach not talking to each other and cutting us off early for our move, so I maybe quiet for the next week or so until we move and get reconnected but I will still be here following and supporting

Oh @Megan234 so sorry to hear that, I hope you are ok. It is heartbreaking. Try to draw some positives if you can, the intras were not a waste as such, you will have peace of mind that you did all that you could, and you can try again straight away without waiting months for everything to resolve. Give yourself a treat at the weekend, next time will be the one big hug

Hi Ladies
Unfortunately it’s bad news from my side, my hCG didn’t increase much and I started bleeding yesterday. At least I don’t need to have another d&c and with chemical pregnancy we can start ttc this cycle. Having the intralipids last week was completely wast of money, but I felt under pressure to have them done. I wish you all the best of luck and the best possible outcome. Hopefully my dream of having a baby will come true one day 😢 Xx