Immune/NK cells pred thread #34

@MC8 @Fletchasketch @Jecca88 Good luck for your scans, we are rooting for you all 🥰

@SWMum9 At least you have a way forward now and it was worth doing 💪

@TammyinCork I've nothing really to add because I don't know enough but IVF might potentially be a quicker option 🤔

Lots of love to all ♥️ gearing up to my 2nd round of Superovulation. A bit nervous because Dr E is away 😥

@TammyinCork thank you. I didn’t know that stat… with all you’ve said, it sounds like IVF would be a positive next step.

Thank you, all!

@Fletchasketch: Yes, really keen to speed things up, especially as I know most clinics probably stop doing IVF with own eggs when the woman turns 43 (I will be 43 next June). Worried that if we keep trying naturally, I will continue to get BFNs. I've heard of people on the FB group saying that they did superovulation for six months but got nowhere, and wished they had done IVF with PGTA straightaway instead.

@Jecca88: You got great results on the IVF! Really hope you start to feel better soon on the GSCF...

@Objectiontime: I found Dr Thum very clever, relatable and sensible, and yes, willing to listen!

@MC8: Sending every good wish for the 6-week scan. Apparently there is a noticeable decline in fertility between 41 and 42, according to Professor Quenby, which could be why I always got pregnant on first try, even a month before turning 42 (which was my sixth miscarriage) but since turning 42, nothing! Maybe it is a combination of that and the immune meds?

@SWMum9: The Greek clinic are right. A lot of women don't take the immune meds until they get the first squinter of a positive, at 7 or 8 DPO. But then Dr S says taking them too late can also lead to miscarriages. It's so hard to know what to do...

@SWMum9 really glad to hear your trip to Greece was productive with a plan to move forward, but I'm so sorry for all you've been through. Super frustrating that it wasn't diagnosed earlier - you had an inkling something else was at play and the protocol wasn't right for you. I'm under Dr S privately but a scan wasn't part of my initial tests either. It sometimes feels they're so tunnel vision the immune side of things that other factors and a more holistic view isn't considered..

@TammyinCork that sounds like a great result! It's a hard decision though... I guess it depends on how quickly you want to keep things moving, and what you can afford. Do you have a gut feeling about it?

@Jecca88 sorry to hear you've been having a rough time on GCSF, the anxiety is the worst without all that as well! Really rooting for you on Friday.

@Hopeandfaith1990 hope you're recovering ok.

Hope everyone else is ok? I've got my 6wk scan tomorrow, extremely nervous, absolutely no idea what to expect. xxx

@Jecca88 sorry to hear you're struggling with the GCSF. Do you think it's something your body will gradually get used to with time? All the luck and solidarity for the scan on Friday. I will be thinking of you. My NIPT/10 week scan isn't until the end of the month, mainly because Dr Edge is on holiday and the thought of seeing someone new makes me want to cry, so I pushed it out to 11 weeks. Hopefully that means I'll be more likely to get a clear result, but also means I need to go back there the following week for the nuchal scan, which feels like a lot in a short space of time. I hope the next few days go quickly for you. xx

Hey Ladies,

Thanks @Rainbowchaser87 so i was still on Hydroxy but we were waiting for our frozen transfer date and we literally DTD twice on holiday - not tracking or anything and got pregnant. I started on the drugs as soon as i found out and presuming i am 5.3 weeks now based on when we did the deed.

I am really struggling with the GCSF - it gives me the achey back and hips and upper thighs. I feel so out of it too, sleeping better but also had some light brown discharge which always sends me into a panic. I have been extremely anxious and can't even begin to think about going to the scan on friday, who knows what they are going to see. I have been testing every two days and the tests are coming up straight away and stronger which is reassuring for all about 10 mins.

@Hopeandfaith1990 have you had any results post hysteroscopy?

@Fletchasketch when is your NIPT testing? did they say how long results take?

@SWMum9 We went for IVF - my AMH was 4.4 and folicle count was 13, but we managed to get 12 embryos, 4 good euploids and 2 untested. Your numbers seem really promising. How do you feel about it?

@SWMum9 wow how had this never been found? Are the greek clinic going to do the op for you?

Dr Thum is who I went to. Absolutely loved him because he listened to my views and didnt laugh at the fact that I had strong research based opinions. It is so hard to make decisions when different consultants have different views isnt it. Anything that speeds things up is helpful but the financial cost can be prohibitive.

@SWMum9 So glad you have got some good and useful info in Greece and completely understand why you a bit peeved about having had all the drugs. Makes sense about the NK cells too. All sounding very hopeful, so I have everything crossed for good news for you soon.

The Greek clinic were very strict that I take the protocol no earlier than 3DPO as it can interfere. When Dr S protocol made me have irregular bleeding and negative OPK I queried this month on month and was told just work out mid cycle and take the protocol… so I could have been taking it too early and preventing ovulation. Got to love NHS

@TammyinCork Such a difficult decision. I have heard such good things about Dr Thum, my acupuncturist really rates him. Your results sound really positive though, so perhaps IVF with PGTA testing might speed things up? Sorry, really not an expert here, but rooting for you! Thanks for the good wishes, I'd never expected to get as far as the NIPT test and am so grateful, but that is now the latest thing occupying every waking moment 🙄.

@SWMum9: That's awful - I am glad you finally got some answers and that they can treat you and hopefully remove the septum first. I agree that these protocols are way too strong sometimes, or at the very least, taking the meds from ovulation really doesn't work for a lot of people!

@Objectiontime: Hope you can decide on a good birth plan... Sending you lots of warm wishes!

@Hopeandfaith1990: Wishing you a speedy recovery...

@Fletchasketch: Fingers crossed for the NIPT test, and great news re: measuring ahead!

@Deerdancer34: Hope you are doing well!

@Jecca88: Hope the reduction in pred has helped you sleep better!

Sending positive vibes to everyone, including anyone I might have missed!

I just had my second big fat negative on Dr S's plan, despite taking the prednisolone / omeprazole / progesterone from 3DPO this time, instead of from ovulation (and I nearly always used to get pregnant on first try). Last week, we went for a follicular scan at my local IVF clinic in Ireland and it turns out I have 15 follicles and an AMH of 8.4, which is considered good for my age (I'm 42).

I had gotten a second opinion from Dr Thum and he said to definitely do IVF with PGTA testing, plus an immune protocol (but taking the meds later on).

Feeling quite lost now. Should I do the IVF with PGTA testing and immune protocol? Or try superovulation for a few months? Or just keep trying as we are naturally?

No they didn’t because I’m under the NHS pathway 🥲😒

@SWMum9 sorry that u have been through so much!!! I am just trying to catching up but didn’t CRP scan u and notice all this?!? How are you feeling now?

@Jecca88 congrats darling!! How are you doing. ❤️How come u were off meds when u fell pregnant? Was the month break after 6 months? Xx

Hi everyone, I hope you are keeping well. Sorry for the silence on here. I was logged out of my mumsnet account and couldn’t get back in!!

We had a successful trip to Greece. Surgery showed I had a LARGE septum in my uterus, endo back with a vengeance… my left ovary was stuck behind my uterus and attached to my bowel. My right tube was blocked and I have high inflammation. The doctor agreed that Dr Shehatas protocol was way too strong for me and said she thinks the reason for miscarriage and the gestation I had them at is consistent with the septate. Two NHS doctors looked at this before and decided I didn’t have it…

feeling very glad to have some reasons why we haven’t been getting pregnant but also annoyed I’ve been pumped with drugs for the last however many months when actually a scan would have shown other issues at play.

She said NK cells could be high due to inflammation. I’m on anti biotics and then we will try again naturally

@Objectiontime Yes, what I would do at one of the later appointments (think its 32 weeks or something like that), book in or plan what you want because you can then always cancel/postpone if you don't then want the sweep/induction/c-section or whatever you decide but its good to have the options in place ready for if you want to use them 😘

@Hopeandfaith1990 Glad it is now over for you. Have a lovely relaxing weekend hun xx

Thank you so much for this. I think it is a hard decision . Might have to consider how things are moving along later before a final decision is made xx

Thank you so much for this. I think it is a hard decision . Might have to consider how things are moving along later before a final decision is made xx

Ahh then that makes a lot of sense, thank you xx

@Hopeandfaith1990 Well done my dear, go home and relax and put the biopsy out of your mind. Just think at least you are being thoroughly checked and so you are now ready to proceed with even more confidence 🥰When will they discuss your results? Lots of love xx

That makes sense then. If I get there (please, please God!!) I think I will probably go with the CSection option rather than a lengthy induction that has a good chance of failing xx

@Objectiontime Dr Edge noticed a small bleed on me too and said best to come off the aspirin.
Dr E also said to me I want your baby home by your due date (so that would be 40 weeks). I think because the placenta does start to deteriorate around 40 weeks and after all we've gone through they want to make sure all is good. However, I was a bit confused by it, so when I was closer to full term I asked CRP and they said 40 weeks would be the ideal situation but it depends on your consultant and Trust's policy. For me personally, I felt fit, well, really good pregnancy and the baby was fine and I really didn't want induction as I think it's best to give your body the chance to start labour naturally (of course sometimes you have no choice!). My midwife was excellent and really supportive. So I booked in for Membrane sweep at 39.5 weeks and if that didn't work induction at 40.5 weeks. However because I felt fine and not worried, I delayed it so Membrane sweep 40.5 weeks and induction at 41.5 (they won't let you go past 42 weeks anyway). I didn't actually need either as my waters went at 40 weeks. I think have plans in place so you can have a sweep/induction and then just go with how YOU feel and nothing is right or wrong when it comes to birth! I would say I've heard induction from having no contractions is quite painful so I wanted to give myself the best chance for things to start naturally before going down induction route. But if you are feeling anxious and ready for that baby at 37 weeks, do it. Make sure you do what YOU want and hopefully your midwives/consultant are really supportive?
I don't know if that's helpful at all!? Ask if any other questions!

Lots of love to all 💓

Good luck today @Hopeandfaith1990 will be thinking of you. Plenty of rest and treats after :)

Thanks for the tips guys, actually slept so much better the last two nights.

I have definitely heard this before. I think in my case it was discussed early on with the midwife because of my age, but issues with the placenta can be a big concern.