ERA testing after multiple implantation failures. Anyone had it done?

[seven201]

I've had four transfers so far (first 3 from 1 batch, fourth from a second egg collection) and 4 BFNs. I have a naturally conceived 4 1/2 year old and had a natural pregnancy with early miscarriage a bit over 3 years ago. My lining struggles to get to thickness, I have polycystic ovaries (on sukkarto), a fibroid, slightly high thyroid thingy (on levothyroxine), high bp (on meds) and a midline septum (ridge/divide in the uterus). I had surgery to unblock a tube 2 years ago. I'm in the healthy weight range.

My clinic have suggested PGS testing (we have 5 embryos in the freezer) but I'm really not keen on it as I've read about actually fine embryos being shown as poor and therefore being disposed of.

They also suggested ERA (endometrial receptor assessment). Has anyone had that done and found it useful? I just hate anything that delays the next FET but I think maybe it will be worth it?

Any other suggestions? Last FET I was on lots of estrogen, extra progesterone injections, clexane, neupogen infusion, aspirin and probably a whole load of other stuff I've forgotten.

I am so fed up with it all!

It definitely does get harder (also not talking about cervix' now!) the more you do. I've had three cancelled part way through (various reasons) plus the era one. That's a ridiculous amount of drugs and emotional battering to take. The initial excitement and hope you have in your first tries wears off and becomes about surviving. Although I do think you can just be in a stronger place mentally that can help you cope better.

@Gardenlady543 came on to hear how you got in and was so hoping for good news. Delighted to hear you’ve gotten the all clear. Brilliant.

Sounds like a good plan re ERA & EMMA. Hopefully it shows your implantation window this time. I’m due to do mine on the August cycle and I’m only repeating EMMA/ALICE so I don’t need to be on any meds thank god.

I was tempted to do the ERA again on much higher progesterone but then they might not find the window and it’ll be a whole mess again.

@Gardenlady543 phew what a relief. I suspect oestrogen can prob make us get lumps and bumps. Least u can shelf that as a worry. Glad u have a plan in place. I love a plan!

@seven201 well done for holding out till Sunday hoping for good news u just won’t know till u take the test

@ForeverAintEnough3 that’s great U won’t need the meds I absolutely hate taking them. Hope ur clear from the repeat tests

@Gardenlady543 I was thinking if u hadn’t gone down ivf route and went down the infertility route wouldn’t they have done a lap for endo? Ivf docs don’t seem to think it effects ivf outcome but I’ve seen it twice in close friends who just couldn’t get pregnant until it was removed. Both had no symptoms. Just wondering if it’s worth having a look inside? Infact both didn’t even need ivf once it was sorted. After years of failed ivf (one had done 4 cycles at argc) they got naturally preg after excision of their silent endo 1-3 months later. You have good egg quality so maybe it’s not an issue but might be worth exploring….

Thanks for checking in @ForeverAintEnough3  I got myself so worked up about the biopsy. Now I can go back to worrying about IVF! It's good that we'll be on similar timelines, we'll have a buddy while we're doing the repeat and then hopefully a transfer around the same time.

@Cream123 How are you doing? have you got any more scans booked in?
I've been learning about endometriosis over the last few weeks. I watched this video which was really interesting and it made me shelf the idea of a lap for now. They cite lots of research and conclude that endometriosis doesn't cause implantation failure. But egg quality is often very poor leading to poor outcomes until it's treated, one piece of research that they cite is how women with endometriosis do well with donor eggs despite not implanting embryos from their own eggs. I think it may be something I would consider in the future but probably later down the line. I think because it's the most invasive of investigations I'd have to know it could make a difference. If I ever did do it I'd want them to look into the paraovarian fluid collection at the same time because I often get pain in that area and the fluid collection has been there for 6 months. Nobody seems concerned about it though.

Oh guess what I was told, my clinic had another lady with an estradiol of 8000 in a FET this week! So I'm not alone!

I’ve got a scan today. Am shitting myself!
Good to have it on the back burner hopefully u won’t need it but worth not ruling it out. I must say both my friends did have poor egg quality with it too which u don’t have….but this is just anecdotal stories obv.

@Cream123 I mean anecdotal stuff is super useful in complicated scenarios, like how I found someone in the USA with a high oestrogen level like me.

I hope the scan goes well you'll have to update us!

All ok here x

@Cream123 Great news! I'm sure each scan helps reduce the stress a bit!

@Cream123 excellent news

@seven201 so much luck for tmrw. Hope u sleep tonight! I rem waking at 3am and managing to wait till 5am to test!

Good luck 🤞 @seven201

Thank you! A big part of me doesn't want to test tomorrow and hold off any bad news until Wednesday. But that would not be a good idea work wise! Aghhhh.

I woke up at 3am and couldn't back to sleep as thinking about needing a wee. Had a wee at 4am and it is sodding negative. AGAIN .

Oh @seven201 I’m so sorry. Hugs.

I just don't understand it. I've had two natural pregnancies (1 baby) before, admittedly the last pregnancy was 3 1/2 years ago now and my dd is 5. I don't know why it never implants. It's the 5th transfer. Rationally I know this is the first cycle after probiotics and starting progesterone.

I wish I could quit my job and not have to do ivf while teaching. It would be ok if I had a supportive headteacher, but I don't. Then throw in covid and it's a right old mess.

I am fed up! I'm trying to summon the energy to get dressed and go to the garden centre.

Oh @seven201 I am so sorry ❤️ this is such a cruel process, sending love.

Sorry I've been quiet, just catching up. Good news @Cream123. I'm pleased to hear that you had good news @Gardenlady543 :)

I've got a consultation in a couple of weeks to plan my biopsy / mock cycle, I'll be doing a medicated FET but no down regulation. Good timing as I think I'm ovulating now, so hoping we can do the tests in early August.

Have a good day x

@seven201 I’m so sorry it’s so crap. U still have a good no of blasts left so hopefully one of them will stick. Maybe this one wasn’t chromosomally normal but u got the right timing and u just need the right embryo?
I suppose you could ask for some empirical immune tx - ie steroids as your on the other stuff. Maybe ask about asprin too? Is your section niche big as that can cause infertility I had mine cauterised when my ashermans was fixed as my consultant said it would help implantation. I don’t know anything about septum’s but can that be hindering I know some people get this fixed. And is ur fibroid big? Sorry just random thoughts I’m having

Oh it’s so frustrating :(

Just stay in bed eating cake if u need to x

@VenusStarr glad your not waiting too long.

@seven201 I'm sorry it's so rubbish. I've been trying to see the recent cycle I had as the first cycle since I've been reset, so I'm looking at it as bad luck. Does your school have occupational health input? If so ask for a referral. It is so tough to balance all the appointments with work. My counsellor said teachers have it the worst.

@VenusStarr it sounds like you'll be having the biopsy cycle at the same time as me and @ForeverAintEnough3 I'm waiting to ovulate at the moment and then will start the cycle about 2 weeks from then with my bleed.

I’m so sorry @seven201 I hope that school goes ok today.

Thank you all. I'm hunkering down in my misery for a few days and will then pick myself up and look at your tips/advice properly. Xxx

@seven201 hope your holding up ok hugs x

I hope you're ok @seven201 there's a few of us here with complicated issues, so don't worry you're not alone. We'll keep supporting each other on here 

@ForeverAintEnough3 I've tried sending you a private message on here about someone, but it won't let me. Have you changed your name again? Can you private message me and I'll try to reply with the message.

Thank you both. I think I'm doing ok. Just massively disappointed and frustrated. But it's not sent me into a spiral of despair this time although there is still time!

I'm wondering if it worth going to see one of the specialists to get a second opinion on my section niche, midline septum and lining issues? Would it be mr trew or mr lower that's best? I can't keep up with who does what!