Short Luteal Phase Thread 4!

[maplebaby]

Hope you don't mind the newbie starting the new thread but thread 4 for those with a short LP!

Will try and add previous thread link later - no idea how to on my phone!

Thank you Sunshine. You hang in there too. You should do something for you and treat yourself as you've really been through the mill. I hope your body recovers soon from all you've been through

Sunshine, keep plodding on Friendly is right, you deserve a treat so enjoy that time with family. You've been incredibly tough, especially with your hate of needles.

Friendly, I hope all is ok on the job front. Another worry you could do without. It sickens me the amount of money it costs for you both.

It must be difficult with friends having babies. They are just caught in their own little bubble and I assure you they don't mean to be insensitive even though it hurts. I had a friend message me recently saying how lovely my boy was and it hit me, she was obviously struggling. When I messaged back thank you she opened up that she had been trying over many years and I felt awful for even sending one picture, it made me reflect on those tough days. I told her about how hard it was to conceive him and of course she didn't know. I suppose what I'm trying to say is I didn't mean to gloat, but he was my little stroke of luck in life and I wanted to tell her the same could be possible and not to give up. She really appreciated the honesty.

In light of everything last time, we are going to jump back on the TTC game in October with the old let's try and see method for the few months at least. I guess I'd feel more knowledgable this time around and at least I have a plan of action to get pregnant, whether it will work again. My LP seems shorter, AF much longer. But I'll try not to analyse any of that for the time being.

Take care ladies and I'll drop by soon to see how you are.

Thanks Mascara xx

How are you Sunshine, were you able to enjoy your week off? I've been thinking of you and hope you are ok xx

I saw the miscarriage specialist last week and have had some more blood tests, mostly immunology related. I get the results in 3-4 weeks, more waiting :(

Urgh. I'm so fed up. I've just got a call from my clinic as they got the results from the tissue they tested following my D&C. Most miscarriages (approx 70%) are caused by chromosomal abnormalities but they said the chromosomes were fine so there must be something else causing the miscarriage but they don't know what! It's all so frustrating and I just want answers now. I'm so glad I had all those immunology tests as maybe I have high natural killer cells and that's the problem.

Also, thought I'd let you know that I've come off DHEA. I've got big red spots on my forehead and I never get spots so think that's down to DHEA

I really hope you're ok Sunshine, thinking of you xx

So sorry to hear you're feeling so fed up with it all Friendly, hopefully the results of the immunology tests will give you some answers. What have they tested for and if the results did show something do you know what the treatment would be? Its all so frustrating isn't it, so sick of it all.

Have been away this week with family which has been a welcome distraction, have been enjoying a few too many drinks and just relaxing in a way I've almost felt like my old self, apart from the fact I've pretty much been ignoring all my friends but in a way I just can't be bothered with all that right now.

That's interesting re the DHEA, so its taken a few weeks for the spots to come out then. I've just started taking it this week but only on a low dose currently as thought I'd build up to the 75mg a day. xx

Thanks Sunshine. The immunology tests I had test for a whole host of things that I don't really understand.. I've bought a book called 'Is my body baby friendly' to try and get my head around it all. The big thing is natural killer cells, basically if you have high levels then the cells don't like the foreign DNA and a miscarriage happens.

I feel really vain mentioning the spots but they're really bad! Not like anything I've ever had before and the only thing different is I've been taking DHEA. Good idea to start on a low dose and build up gradually, hopefully you don't get any side effects.

I am so glad you've managed to enjoy your week away, it must have been just what you needed. I know what you mean about friends, I'm giving all those with kids a very wide berth and I feel better for it.

Look after yourself Sunshine xx

A friend of mine had what you are referring to Friendly. She needed to have injections to stop her body considering a baby a foreign body. I hope you get answers soon.

I hope you had a good week Sunshine, I'm glad you managed to relax x

Just wondered if you have had your results for you immunology tests yet Friendly? Also have you had any news on your job? Hope you're ok.

Hi Mascara, hope you and your little one are doing well x

Hi Sunshine. I get my immunology tests in a couple of weeks. Amazingly, my recurrent miscarriage referral from the NHS came through so I have an appointment on Wednesday (I thought I may as well try both routes). Still no news on my job but we should find out if the takeover deal has been agreed next week

How are you getting on with DHEA? Hope you're feeling ok about everything xx

Good luck with the appointment Friendly. Keep us updated.

Hope all is going ok Sunshine. X

How did your appointment go Friendly?

I'm ok, to be honest I'd been doing a pretty good job of blocking it all out my head, until yesterday which was the 1st time I've seen my Director at work (the only person who I've had to tell about treatment) so was the 1st time I've really had to speak about it not working again, and then my friend brought in her new baby. So now I can't stop thinking about it all again and feel horrible, just so frustrated that my body won't do what it's meant to do!! Had a break from the DHEA for the last week as my pot ran out and it took ages for more to be delivered (coming from US) but has finally arrived today. Going to start taking it again for the next 12 weeks hopefully, and then maybe try IVF number 3 ( but really, really hoping I get a natural BFP before then.) Xx

Hi Sunshine. My appointment went ok thanks. It was my first appointment with the NHS recurrent miscarriage clinic and I had an internal scan to check things looked normal (as if I haven't already had enough bloody scans!) and blood tests to check for sticky blood etc. Apparently I'll get a follow up appointment with a consultant in 6-12 weeks time. I thought I may as well go down the NHS route too but this now means any IVF funding will be delayed even further . I'm glad I've gone down the private route too, I get the results of those blood tests next Wednesday and then we'll decide next steps.

I'm glad to hear you are ok and have been able to block things out. It's crazy how you can feel ok and then boom, out of nowhere, something happens that triggers the painful thoughts again. It's terrible but I've felt myself pulling away from friends with children as feel like there is a huge thing we have no common ground on. I hope you haven't had any side effects from DHEA? Sounds like a good plan to carry on with it and I have everything crossed for a natural BFP in the meantime xx

I know what you mean about pulling away from friends with children, today was the first time I've been to see my close friend's baby and he is now 4 weeks old, I don't think I would have even done that if she hadn't brought him into work earlier in the week so I felt I had to really, and to be honest now I'm home I keep feeling like I'm about to burst into tears.

My skin hasn't been great since I started the DHEA but I'm hoping its also from drinking again when we went away for the week. I'll see what happens now I've started taking it again.

Hope you manage to have a good Easter weekend Friendly, and please keep me up to date when you get your results xx

Hi Sunshine, how are you?

I got my immunology blood test results on Wednesday and I have been diagnosed with complex high natural killer cells. I have mixed feelings about it. I'm upset and angry with my body that it could attack a pregnancy but I'm also glad that I finally have some answers. My consultant said that without treatment, I would very likely have further miscarriages. I have been prescribed a cocktail of drugs for my next ivf cycle to include aspirin, clexane, steroids (prednisone), cyclogest and intravenous intrilipid infusions. I am so thankful I was in a position to see the private consultant as I have got nowhere with the NHS.

I think I'm going to start down regging tomorrow and therefore start a fresh ivf round next cycle. Please keep everything crossed for me as this feels like our last hope. I'm praying the treatment will lower my NK cells enough to sustain a pregnancy if I'm lucky enough to get a BFP xx

Hi Friendly

I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were getting on. Although its horrible to hear something like that I suppose in a way it is good to know the reason behind the miscarriages and also that it is something that can be treated. Could that also be what was preventing a natural BFP? Will you need to keep taking all the steroids etc throughout the pregnancy? Will be keeping absolutely everything crossed for you Friendly.

I have recently been contact with a clinic called Serum in Athens, I'm not sure if you've heard of them but they have a really good reputation. I'm really impressed with them so far, they have been really helpful even responding to emails discussing recommended supplements for me at midnight. Anyway, when my next AF arrives I'm going to send off a sample (I know it sounds disgusting) and they can check for various hidden infections and depending on the outcome, might go over there for a hysteroscopy. We still have another round at LWC that is already paid for so will use that before we cycle there, but I do feel a bit better to have a backup plan.

Will be thinking of you Friendly, please keep me updated as to how you're getting on xx

Hi Sunshine,

I have heard of Serum in Athens and so glad to hear you have made contact with them and have had a good experience so far. I have also heard very good reviews. That's interesting that they've asked you to send a sample of your AF.. I think it makes perfect sense as that is the blood flow that will be sustaining a BFP. One of the downsides of the blood tests I had is that it tested the blood in my body rather than the specific uterine conditions but I'm really hoping the treatment my consultant has recommended will be successful. He has very good reviews so I'm encouraged by that. My consultant thought my elevated NK cells also explains why I haven't had any luck with getting a natural BFP. I've been prescribed a complicated protocol of what drugs should be taken when. I'll need to continue with it until I get to 16 weeks.

Please do keep me updated on how things progress with Serum. I am so glad to hear you have found an excellent back up plan. I'll be thinking of you Sunshine xx

Hi all! Hope it's ok if I join in and this is the right place to post. Also that this doesn't sound a bit daft.

DH and I are going to start trying this cycle. We agreed on May 2017 as our start time a good few months ago, so I decided to brush up on my nonexistent TTC knowledge. I was on the copper coil, and since it is not supposed to affect ovulation, I decided I would start charting in January just to get an idea of my cycle. From the first month of charting, I noticed that I had a short luteal phase (about 10 days). However, I wasn't overly worried, as the copper coil can apparently shorten the luteal phase, and I hoped my cycle would right itself once it was out. Just to be on the safe side, I started taking B6 (50mg) in March.

I had my coil removed on 27th March, the day my period was due. Got my period bang on time that afternoon, so this past month I've been able to have a complete cycle without the coil. I actually ovulated 3 days earlier than normal, on Day 16, and was delighted, as I took this to be my LP going back to a standard length.

However, I then got my period after a 25 day cycle, and a 9 day LP - my shortest ever. DH says that my body probably just needs more time to adjust after having had the coil. But everything I've read online says that your body will revert to normal immediately after the copper coil. If this is my 'normal', then I have a short luteal phase.

I have decided to up the B6 dose to 100mg daily, but apart from that don't really know what to do. I know a lot of people will think it is bonkers to worry about this before we've even started trying, but I just can't deal with the thought of trying unsuccessful for months when I might have already identified a significant problem.

You ladies are obviously a good few steps ahead of me. Based on your experiences, WWYD in my shoes?

Friendly I am so glad you have answers, this is exactly what happened to my friend and she has a healthy happy one year old now. They had many years of heartbreak until the got the same answer as you and then once the plan was put into place all worked out. I have everything crossed for you. Please keep us updated.

Sunshine I've never heard of them but it sounds interesting. I am so glad they are being responsive and more so pro active! Likewise wishing you all the best.

Hi Rosie, my LP was 9/10 days. I would say get some ovulation tests and work out for sure when you are ovulating if you are not doing so already. Then just dtd over your fertile time and see what happens for the first few months. A short LP may not be a problem for you, you can still conceive. In my case my progesterone levels dropped causing AF to come early so it made it hard for the egg to fertilise. I also took B6, the doctor gave me vitamin D as I had low levels (apparently that can affect ovulation) and for absorption I took vitamin C and of course folic. However a good conception tablet would have these in. I needef cyclogest in the end, a pessary form of progesterone to sustain the pregnancy in the first few months which I took a few days after ovulation.

Try not to overthink it in the beginning, if you want to know when your fertile time is find it using the CB tests I would say rather than the cheapies and maybe start wondering after six months about other things. The docs won't act unless you have been trying a year unfortunately. As you can see most of us had to go down a private route to some extent but fingers crossed for you it will all be fine and you'll get that bfp in no time!

How are you getting on Friendly? Have been thinking of you and hoping its going well xx

Hi Sunshine, thanks so much for thinking of me and sorry for my delayed reply. I am on day 4 of stimming. I've just been to my miscarriage clinic to have my first intralipid infusion. Unfortunately I didn't react very well to it - my blood pressure dropped very low (scary) so they had to stop it and I've now been given some other tablets to take instead which ideally should be taken for 6-8 weeks before starting ivf. I'm feeling really fed up with it all and so angry that my body isn't doing what it's meant to do naturally. I'm also worried about the future impact of all the drugs I'm taking. I have my next scan on Monday so I'll know then how things are progressing follicle wise. I'm on a slightly higher dose of Menopur this time so I'm hoping for more eggs than last time.

How are you Sunshine? Have you been able to send a sample of your AF to Serum? xx

That does sound scary Friendly, hope you are feeling ok now. Are you still at the Lister and having to visit the miscarriage clinic in addition to going to the Lister for scans etc?

I sent off my sample to Serum at the start of the week so hope they receive it soon. It's all so hard isn't it, I also feel angry that my body won't do what it's meant to and all the effort just feels pointless I feel like its never ending. I have started thinking alot now about how our life will be if we can't ever have a family.

Really hope you're ok Friendly and take good care of yourself, above everything else you have to put your own health first. xx

Thanks Sunshine, it was pretty scary but I feel ok now. Yes I'm still at the Lister but under the Miscarriage Clinic's care for the immunology side of things. I won't need to go back to the Miscarriage Clinic now until after the IVF cycle is done and then only if I get a BFP. The Miscarriage Clinic would want to do some pregnancy scans too to check if any amendments need to be made to the immunology medication. It feels like a real slog at the moment and I too have been imagining what life would be like if we couldn't have a family. It's a hard one to get my head around I have to say.

Keeping my fingers crossed you get results from Serum soon, really glad you've had a positive experience so far xx

I've got my follow up appointment at London Womens Clinic next week before we cycle again, probably in July. I'm scared they will suggest using donor eggs but I want to try a few more rounds with my own first, I'm not really sure about that just yet I'm so up and down with it all at the moment. If the next round doesn't work then think we will give Lister a try too as have heard many good things.

What are the tablets you have to take now? Hope you don't get any side effects with them. Have you got time off work booked? Really hope it all works out for you, its all so unfair. xx

Please do let me know how your follow up appointment goes Sunshine. I can absolutely understand you're not ready to hear any suggestion of donor eggs, I'm not ready for that either.

The tablets I've been prescribed to replace the intralipid infusion are hydroxychloroquine (more usually used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatoid arthritis). The thing is, there have been no clinical trials about the long terms effects of these drugs on mother and baby so that makes me really nervous. I sometimes wonder how much trust we should place in doctors?

I really hope things go well for you next time with the London Women's Clinic. I have to say that I've generally had a very positive experience with all the doctors and nurses (without exception) at the Lister so I would whole heartedly recommend xx

I can understand your concern about the long term effects of the drugs if there haven't been any proper trials of it, it is a worry isn't it and hard to know what to do for the best. How long do you take them for?

To be honest, we aren't overly pleased with LWC. The consultant at our local clinic has changed 3 times now since we started there in November, the opening hours constantly change and you just get a feeling that no one really cares. I booked this follow up appointment about 6 weeks ago and to get in with this consultant (the only one we have any faith in) next week was the earliest appontment she had available, and even for that we have to travel into the main clinic in London as she doesn't work from our local clinic at all anymore. When you're paying so much money you just expect a bit more.. Its good to hear you have also only good things to say about the Lister.

Keep in touch Friendly, will be thinking of you and hoping its all going well xx