@VenusStarr it's so hard to have losses under the protocol. It's like where else can we turn to? Do we start to consider adoption? Is surrogacy an option? I don't want to do either of these things but I don't know how to contemplate life without children.
Our plan once this current situation is resolved is to get PGT testing done on any more embryos before transfer, we didn't do it on this one as we only had 2 and I had read bad things about it identifying mosaic embryos as abnormal when actually they may be viable but legally you can't use them in the UK once labelled abnormal. But obviously now regretting not doing the testing as maybe it could have avoided another miscarriage. What are your thoughts on PGT testing?
I also plan on purchasing some doxycycline as this is what they do on Prof Quenby's trial.
I've not been on aspirin as I had an off putting bleed from my bum (!) last time I was on it right at the start of treatment last year but that could also have been the Humira (which I will now be due again as it will be a year in September).
So a few things to do differently even before a potential protocol change which I feel positive about.
@Sophi81 that's so nice to hear you had a positive outcome! Dr S can be quite blunt at times can't he 😂 I have emailed the CRP clinic with my scan reports just to see what they say. I expect them to be negative/realistic. Sorry this cycle hasn't worked for you 😞
From reading around, IVF protocols can vary depending on your situation and the clinic, you'll get a better idea once you have an initial consultation (if you do decide on this route). My protocol didn't change for IVF, stayed on pred, intralipids, cyclogest although they did add in daily fragmin injections to thin the blood even though I don't have any identified clotting issues I think there risk goes up slightly with IVF so it's just a precaution. Then on top of this from CRP clinic, the IVF clinic give you drugs for about 10 days to stimulate the ovaries and to mature the eggs and stop you naturally ovulating. Normally the IVF clinic would also prescribe progesterone as well, I didn't need any extra as we were on enough from CRP. Once the eggs are collected there isn't anything different from the usual CRP protocol I don't think. Just timing of when you do stuff with the transfer.
I was terrified and quite depressed about the idea of IVF at the start but once you get going it's fine, some physical discomfort around egg collection but totally manageable. I'm a total convert now 😂 I also think we have all been through so much already that is much worse. IVF is only a positive for me now. Apart from the financial side 😬 the price can vary between clinics as well.
Have a look around your local clinics as sounds like Epsom would be a bit far for you to go. Take a look at www.hfea.gov.uk
for a list of them. You can search by location and see their success rates.
In terms of diet yes I have changed it, been making real efforts to eat plenty of dark green veg, very little red meat, reduced (but not none) carbs, increased protein, more olive oil, more fish. I buy a big bag of kale each week and shove some in every dish. I'm so sick of kale. We still get takeaways every other week as that is basically our only "fun" thing as we've been isolating since May.
@Ralowi I've been struggling to sleep as well I think it's partly the pred and partly the progesterone. I've been doing sleep breathing/meditations from my yoga teacher that have helped me sometimes. I woke up at 4am today and didn't get back to sleep 😴 Ubiquinol is supposed to be a key thing you can take to improve egg quality though so keep taking it if you can!