Immune/NK cells pred thread #31

[VenusStarr]

Hi all, we've fill up the last thread, so starting a new one. Will start tagging but feel free to add anyone I miss!

@VenusStarr has he got a date for his op? (Sorry if you said and I missed it). Eugh 6.30am! Good luck! Have you been to the little cafe a few doors down from CRP? A bit past m and s. I love it!
I am okay, I am def having a break. The remaining embryos will get used up at some point. Hope you don't mind me sticking around on this forum for a bit 🙏for good news for you all!

@Zest11 I know what you mean, even IVF isn't guaranteed which is so frustrating. I feel like I'm going crazy with googling all the time, its so hard when you don't really have answers and just see everyone fall pregnant so quickly. That's interesting you may have had a faint line? Do you think its worth trying that again while you wait to see what you want to do? Does anyone else feel like their days are just so up and down like one minute you feel hopeful and the next you wanna call it quits?!

@VenusStarr Started AF today and I've just emailed the nurses to book a scan next week so looks like were cycle buddies again. Yep were doing superovulation again this month, I think I want to give it the full 6 months before moving to IVF again as even that I had some disaster rounds so it worries me in case that happens again. Glad you managed to get your procedure booked in fingers crossed this does something for you. Will you be able to try naturally this month? Hope dh's op goes ok sorry to hear he's not too well.

Does anyone know anything about the ReceptivaDX test? I feel like I need to get this done as I've always wondered if I am dealing with any silent endo what with being unexplained too. Is anyone else here with a positive ANA? I find it shocking how much drs differ on whether this is a cause for infertility/miscarriage some say it doesn't affect anything, others say it does..

@Zest11 a break is definitely a good thing 🙏 do stick around here though :)
Dh's op is 2 weeks today, hopefully it'll sort him out, he's barely sleeping and really struggling.

@star2022 that makes sense about giving superovulation 6 months.threy do say majority conceive in months 4-6 (what's this one for you?) My next one will be 4 🙏
I really don't think we'll be able to try this cycle if dh doesn't improve 😕

I've wondered about silent endo too, but not tested for it. I do have adenomyosis. Remember when I thought I had an endometrioma? I was reassured that using immune suppression is generally the treatment, although removing endo might also help as well. It's so hard to know whether to go for further tests.
I do have positive ana as well 👋 I definitely think there's some undiagnosed autoimmune issues for me but hopefully the treatment helps even if we don't know what it is.

Going for my thyroid bloods this afternoon. They're doing my 3 month bloods as well.

@star2022 It's good you're giving yourself a time frame I think. If you end up getting to 6 months (hopefully not though!) you will know you gave it a good amount of time and most success comes within that time frame. I hate unexplained infertility, I wish we knew what was wrong and then could treat that specific issue. And yes, I get cross when people fall pregnant so easily. I have heard of that test but it's in the USA? And would the treatment we're having here not be helpful if that was the issue? I'm not sure though. Does a lap reveal silent endo? Or is that the point...silent...you can't see it? Sorry for the dumb q. Can you push for a lap on the NHS? I had one a few years ago...nothing was found. Yeah maybe I will just use up my left over pred and progesterone whilst I work out what to do. I took myself off for a dheas test today but I'm not overly convinced that's the issue as I do get blastocysts.

@VenusStarr 4 cycles in? As you said, they say the success is seen mostly during cycles 4-6. I hope that that, combined with your hyfosy brings you success. I hope your husband feels better soon...an added stress you don't need!

Thank you @Zest11 🙏 yes. Our next superovulation will be number 4. Feel like time has gone so fast and not much happening... hopefully we'll get to do it in my June cycle.
Just in the gym car park, waiting for zumba 💪😅

hi everyone,

Apologies for not posting in a while, work has been crazy and we have guests over.

I am still waiting for an appt for my hysteroscopy from NHS. I am thinking I definitely want to do the EMMA/ ALICE tests as I think I may have chronic endometritis. When I had my D&C March 2022 for my 14 week loss, I did end up having an infection and was put on liquid antibiotics. I had to stay in hospital for 4 nights because of this so there is no harm in testing. Anyone know how I can get these tests done on the NHS? Is it possible for Prof Regan to do my biopsy during my procedure?

June is going to be a crazy busy month for us and husband has decided he needs a lad's holiday. That is his way of releasing his stress because he does not have anyone to talk to about our trouble as nobody knows. I have my parents as they are the only ones who know what's been going on with us...

Don't think we will be able to try this month either as I am having the hysteroscopy done and if I do end up having endometritis I think the treatment is a round of antibiotics that you have to start from CD1.

I hope everyone is keeping well and positive (given the circumstances)🙃

Hey all. I hope everyone's doing okay. Haven't really been keeping up with this thread well over the past few weeks as it's been busy.

@VenusStarr I'm okay thanks. Not much to report on the ttc front. Going to do LIT again as LADs came back low 🥲. Also waiting for 2nd follow up with my ivf consultant.
When's your hyfosy booked for? Also remind me what the op that your husband's having done? I know it's soon...

@star2022 I didn't do a receptiva test but did have an exploratory laparoscopy in Greece last year to rule out silent endo. I don't have it btw.

@comingsoon786110 as far as I know, EMMA/ALICE tests are private only.

@VenusStarr Ooo lucky number 4 hopefully for you!!! This will be my 3rd cycle (would have been 4th but one of the cycles was aborted to get the polyp removed). I don't have high hopes for this one but I do feel hopeful for the 4-6th month 🤞🏼 Dh and I had a really good convo today and now really trying to not put so much emphasis on these cycles working so that it's less pressure and just attend appointments without overthinking so much and try and just get on with our lives as normal as possible so were going to book a mini getaway this month for the 2 week wait, and i've booked up next week to get my nails done, hair done, acupuncture etc! I need to get my life back!!! I'm gutted you can't do a cycle this month but i'm glad you've got the hyfosy a at least and you never know this break might do you good having these 2 months off. Hope your thyroid bloods come back fine! Fingers crossed they're normal which will be amazing - in time for SO4🤞🏼

@Zest11 Exactly, I'd rather do the whole 6 months so that I know i gave it my all and have no regrets later. Good question about the silent endo I have no idea. Just annoying that you need to do a lap to investigate it. I did see my gp to get on the wait list for it, but she was saying the wait list is like 18 months! Either way, i've got myself on it so we will see if ever i need it at that point. I think you have a good plan too and you never know it could just work naturally too, I see so many stories like that 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Also random Q, has anyone been to see any clairvoyants during this process? Or believe in them?

Not clairvoyants but I did rate acupuncture (are they in the same category of things?) and thought i could feel something going on, like an unblocking of blood/energy and some strange tweaking/pinging sensations. They said I had a "cold womb" which was charming but it did also feel therapeutic just to have someone look after my body for a bit and make some attempt to find the nub of the issue.

I'm on FET number 4 at 10dp5dt and coming out of a 5-day unhinged splurge of preg testing and sobs inbetween meetings. I think I have now internalised the BFN! Weighing up how to make the most of a final FET and how to ask for as much meds as possible as it's definitely the last one. Any advice on what to add in once you've tried the pred + intralipids?

@comingsoon786110 definitely ask them to do a biopsy during your hysteroscopy to check for endometritis - I had mine at crp but they took a biopsy for me. Hope you're not waiting too long to get booked in.

@Danni8 Hyfosy is today!! 🙈 just got to Epsom, had some toast and regretting booking this. Just taking some painkillers....
Dh is having his gallbladder out, he's got a stent in his bile duct (the op when we were abroad). Hoping they can take it out at the same time. Otherwise he'll need a second op. He told me last night that he has to wait 2 weeks to have sex... worked it out if we do superovulation it'll be just over 2 weeks, so think we can do it. He's said he's up for non-scheduled sex after the hyfosy. If my cycle is normal ovulation will be about Wednesday/Thursday this week.

@star2022 I saw a medium years ago and she told me I'd end up with a guy who wears a white shirt to work (dh is a chef!) And I'd have 2 kids 🤔 but I'm too scared to do an actual fertility one now in case they give me horrible news.

@nottsgdns ❤️❤️❤️ Dr Shehata uses hydroxychloroquine as well as pred abd intralipids. I'm also on gcsf injections as that protocol didn't work for me. I'm not sure they're standard though. Is your ivf clinic managing your immunes?

Wish me luck! It's at 10am and feel sick now.... 🤢😫

Omg @VenusStarr sorry I thought yours was next Friday!! Good luck 🤞 hope it goes well and hope this is what works for you ♥️ so glad you can squeeze in a superovulation cycle this month!

@nottsgdns so sorry about the bfn! Sending you love x

it’s so interesting about the clairvoyants isn’t it? So the reason I ask is, I’ve had about 3 readings from 3 different people and they’ve all been so so accurate. One of them picked up on the fact that we are struggling to conceive and that we will get pregnant but need treatment to do so. The other lady told me March-May this year is significant for me and based on that will determine a success and the window of opportunity will be open (this one was weird as I did find the polyp in march and got it removed in April). And yesterday my husband did a reading, this lady was super accurate about everything (eg work, our marriage, family) and went on to say that we’re longing for a family and to just hold on a bit longer because she sees success very soon (and was 100% confident of this) and she knew we had a loss and that my nan is looking after our little soul 😢 (she passed away few years ago) I was in tears. I mean, I’m taking it all with a pinch of salt but it’s given me a bit of hope to hold on to when we were both at our lowest points last week 🤍 happy to pass on details if anyone wants to try it.

Hi everyone, I hope people find this hopeful rather than upsetting but I wanted to share that I had my daughter last week after being on Dr Shehata’s protocol.

We started trying over 5 years ago and suffered both infertility and recurrent miscarriages. For a long time I thought it was my age as I was in my mid-thirties when I started trying but when we tested my second loss and it was chromosomally normal I knew something else was going on. My diagnosis from Dr S was PCOS, highly activated NK cells and high TNF alpha. For my successful pregnancy we did IVF with PGTA with Create St Paul’s and from Dr S I was on humira, prednisolone, metformin, hydroxychloriquin, fragmin, intralipids, inofolic alpha, aspirin, omega 3, progesterone. I also did acupuncture and took ubuiqional for the IVF cycles and my husband took impryl but I don’t think he took it very regularly. I also have adenomyosis but we didn’t do anything specific to treat it.

The embryo that became my daughter was made just before I turned 39 and I gave birth at 40.

The pregnancy was smooth until 36 weeks (aside from bleeding from a subchorionic haematoma in the 1st tri) when I started to develop preeclampsia and gave birth just before 38 weeks. Professor Aloekar at CRP had warned me at 12 weeks that I was at risk of PE and told me to stay on aspirin until 36 weeks. I am very grateful for that as has I not been on aspirin the PE could have occurred earlier in the pregnancy. Also a note for any IVF patients that a medicated FET carries a greater risk of PE - had I known that I would have pursued a natural FET.

Wishing everyone on this thread the very best.

Omg!! 🤢 the sensation is absolutely vile. But, good news! Both tubes are clear! 🙌 woop. Dr Edge is so lovely, she was so excited. She checked 3 times and wanted to show me and I was like 'mm-hmm!' 😅 but really good to know its all clear she did say the foam can push the gunk out so hoping if there was any debris it's all gone now.
Dh messaged me just before I went in to say that he loved me and anytime I want to stop all this we can and it won't change how he feels 😪 I'm not ready yet, got a bit of a boost now to keep trying a bit longer.

@star2022 that's so interesting. I really hope that is good news for you 🙏 I think when hope comes to you, always take it ❤️ it's a roller coaster, I'm sorry you were both low. We lost my first 2 months before my nan died and at her funeral, I asked her to look after our little one. Hopefully she's got the whole brood up there with her 🥰

@Ifitistobesaid congratulations on your little girl ❤️ I'm so pleased for you. I'm sorry you had pre-eclampsia, but glad she's here safely. I had no idea that medicated FETs put you at an increased risk. Was there any other reason Professor A said you were higher risk of PE?
Hope you're both well xx

@VenusStarr I think it was a combination of things that made me high risk for preeclampsia. Age, IVF, and some markers that were seen on the 12 week scan.

Hi everyone, sorry for my radio silence. I got myself in a not very good place mentally and had to take a break from everything.

I've just had a disastrous cycle where my body did not respond at all to high dose letrozole - so I've been forced to take a break - which I don't think is a bad thing now I've gotten over the disappointment of it all but it was a real blow...

@VenusStarr that's great news that both tubes were clear! I hope all goes well timing wise so you can fit in a try around your husbands surgery.

@Ifitistobesaid congratulations on your little girl - that's wonderful news and sounds like you've been on such a difficult journey to get there.

@star2022 I don't think I'd dare ask a clairvoyant just incase it wasn't what I wanted to hear. My Mum is spiritual and she had this vision years ago when we were struggling to get pregnant - of two children - a more serious older boy and a lively wild little girl... I've since found it really difficult because we went on to have a little boy (in the end) but now I feel so upset we have lost our babies as it feels I've lost this little girl!

Does anyone else here feel they are looking very old very fast from taking all the drugs and messing with their hormones? I look at myself now and I just feel I look so old and I've even noticed my skin has changed and looks older on my body. Worried I'm peri-menopausal and that's why my body isn't responding well to the drugs and I'm aging more quickly! But Ms Edge assured me I'm still fertile and my body is still working. It's so hard to keep the hope!

Hoping everyone else is okay and are enjoying some of this sunshine! X

Good to hear from you @HopefulH I'm so sorry to hear your superovulation cycle didn't work ❤️ Were you on 10mg pf letrozole? I think back to back for me isn't good and had a better cycle after no hormones for a while. Will you be trying gonal f? I hope the break is manageable for you. Its horrible when it's not your choice but sometimes I think we need it.

I definitely relate to looking different and I feel uncomfortable in my own body. My face shape is completely different to how I was 4 years ago. My stomach is different from the ivf drugs too. I think if I was pregnant or the treatment had worked, I'd find this easier to cope with.

We've been gardening today, I'm loving this weather ☀️ hope everyone is ok xx

@VenusStarr I'm so glad it all went well! And I'm glad its given you a boost to try that little bit longer! This journey is so crazy isn't it, one day you just feel like giving up but then you randomly have days where you feel hopeful again. Ah thats cute about your nan, I'm sure she is looking after them all ♥️

@HopefulH I'm sorry your cycle didn't work again and that you're not in a good place mentally. Are your follicles not growing with the letrozole? Is there not something else they can try you on? I definitely can relate to the looking old part, I feel sad when I look in the mirror because all I see is dry brittle hair that falls out ( I used to have such lovely thick glossy hair!) and now also have bags under my eyes, spotty face and just look and feel older in general. Also have added weight because of the hormones too even though I really try and stay active. It's just so rubbish as you just want to go back to your usual self before all this :( and like you said you don't mind going through it all if you know it will work 😒

No updates from me, just on my last day of letrozole today, I have my scan booked in for friday CD10. I usually have it on day 9 but the clinic is closed for some reason? And then I asked for a scan on wednesday day 8, but that was fully booked! So i've had to risk it and just do day 10 - really hope I don't ovulate by then. Its also with Mr Jan for some reason - anyone had him before for a scan? He did my hysteroscopy so wasn't expecting him to be doing my scans too as I usually have Dr Edge.

Hey @star2022 I think Dr Edge is on holiday. I'd originally asked for tomorrow for the hyfosy and they said there were no doctors in tomorrow. I've had Mr Jan before for a superovulation scan, he's lovely too. Fingers crossed for you.

I am in a foul mood today. Dh and I have barely spoken. I feel like shit in myself and I'm feeling deeply resentful - there's been an influx of baby and pregnancy announcements and I'm just over it to be honest. I know that social media is making me feel like shite but I just keep torturing myself. We're definitely going to miss my ovulation. We've not had sex at all and I had ewcm earlier today on day 8. So that's pissed me off too. I'm having a beer and then might have a vodka later. Fuck it.
Sorry for the grumpy, negative message xx

Hi all,

I saw this quote earlier this week and thought it was worth sharing… “You were only born with 2 arms. Stop trying to hold it altogether. Drop some shit. Have a cry. Use both hands to give people the middle finger!”

I’m looking for some advice, I have my MVA review appointment on Wednesday following our fourth miscarriage and wondered if anybody’s had a similar experience, could suggest any questions we should ask? This will be our second MVA review but remember the first being quite overwhelming and leaving without really taking things in / asking anything before agreeing to a new medication.

Thank you! x

@VenusStarr sending you a big hug. I’m sorry things are so tough atm, pregnancy announcements are the worst. Maybe delete your social media for a while or at least unfollow those who announced (if you haven’t already). I hope things get easier between you and your DH and you don’t miss your window, as I know how incredibly frustrating that can be. Your cycles are nice and short compared to mine, I’m on CD 21 and only just noticed ewcm today! (Although not TTC this month.) Thank you for your message about my Dr S appointment last week too, really appreciate your support xx

@RJayne love that quote! I’m so sorry about your fourth miscarriage. Is this appointment about management of the miscarriage, ie whether MVA, pills or waiting? For me I wanted to know when the soonest date I could have the procedure was, as that impacted my decision for what option to go for (as wanted it sorted asap). I also asked about pain and infection likelihood of various options. In the end decided to have the procedure under general anaesthetic as I could have that sooner than MVA with local. Sending love and strength to you xx

Thank you @Lily1990, it‘s our review appointment following the baby being tested. Sorry I wasn’t sure how to word it! So hopefully tomorrow will tell us if it was genetic or my body again…

Not too sure how I feel about it and want to make sure I get the best out of our time with Dr S! x

@RJayne ahh sorry, wasn’t sure if I understood properly! I don’t have experience of that but if it is a genetic issue, might be worth asking whether IVF with PGT would be recommended? Wishing you the best of luck x

Hello everyone,
I hope you don’t mind me joining this thread. I’ve read the past threads with interest, and they’ve been so helpful.
I have a 7 year old daughter and ever since everything’s been going downhill. An MMC (natural) followed by 2 IVF chemical pregnancies and another chemical in March. Tests showed I have APS (a blood clotting disorder) and the Clexane and aspirin didn’t help in the last 3 cases. I’m due a follow up with Dr S on Monday to see if these are immune related, have already done all the bloods so will see the results.
My husband has poor DNA frag but we haven’t retested since he’s taken supplements so I don’t know if it’s worth doing that, I know he has a varicocele but I don’t want to ask him to do surgery (he’s also a doctor and current NICE guidelines state it’s unnecessary for fertility). The reality is it could be a combo of suboptimal sperm (although his count and other parameters are fine) and maybe immune issues. We’ll see. I should also say I’m 40 going on 41, and my husband is 50.
Thank you for sharing your experiences so openly, they’ve really helped me cope thus far.

@RJayne how did your appointment go yesterday? I hope you are OK ❤️
Thank you for sharing the quote, I think we all need that reminder at times.

@Lily1990 thank you for the hug. I do feel like my mental health has dipped 😕 but I guess it might be a delayed reaction to dh being sick. His op is less than a week away now and just really hoping that it fixes things for him.
I'm pretty sure I ovulated, so definitely missed this month - dh is too unwell and didn't want to push things. My cycles are short, so will be starting a new one in a couple of weeks and hopefully dh is feeling OK to try. Think we'll do superovulation again. Although when I had the hyfosy, I saw I had 2 follicles - she didn't measure them as I said we weren't trying. But kicking myself as wondering what my lining was like. So not sure that letrozole is doing much but don't want to go higher than 7.5mg but maybe the trigger injection can help 🤔

Good news is my thyroid is in range again - 1.2, but they want me to continue on 75mcg. So just need to sort that with the GP.

@star2022 hope all goes well tomorrow 🙏

@HopefulH thinking of you, hope you're OK 🫂

@Zest11 and @Danni8 hoping you're well 💕

@Newbeginnings22023 welcome, I'm sorry you find yourself here but it is good to know there are others who understand ❤️ I'm sorry for your losses. I hope your review goes well and you get some answers. My dh has increased sperm dna fragmentation but we have tested 2 of our babies and they were healthy so they don't think it was a factor (for those). He's not done the follow up but is on impryl (although not been doing for a month or so due to being ill). Are you continuing with ivf? We've had a break after 2 losses and I'm debating doing one more round later in the year, feel quite despondent about our chances now though 😔

Love to all xx

@comingsoon786110 hope you're well too ❤️