ERA/ALICE/EMMA testing thread 2

[seven201]

Link to the old thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/4187520-era-testing-after-multiple-implantation-failures-anyone-had-it-done?msgid=110302437&utmsource=mentions&utmmmedium=email&utmcampaign=2020-10-19&utmmterm=You+have+been+mentioned+in+a+post&rei=438192#110302437

Welcome to the new thread. Anyone welcome.

Hi @Janefx40 good luck with your tests this month. In my era cycle I had a scan on cd6 then cd10 and I was able to start progesterone the next day. Are you using progesterone, or just fully natural cycle?

I'm impatiently waiting for af... Thought she might arrive early as started spotting last night but barely anything today 🤔 I think it'll be tomorrow now. Which means I'll start my meds exactly a year from miscarrying my 4th baby 💔 I've been so anxious all week. I'm hoping once I get started, I'll feel better as I can actually do something, this limbo bit is hard x

Limbo is definitely hard @VenusStarr I always feel better when something is happening. Even when it was my ERA EMMA repeat cycle, the gaps inbetween seem like I'm just static.

I think she's here! 🙌 Kicked off about 5ish, would you say tomorrow is cd1? I had light bleeding this morning but then nothing until early evening, but definitely a flow now.

It's like life is on hold when I can't be proactive. How are you doing today @Gardenlady543? X

@VenusStarr great to be able to get started. The clinics I've been to count the next day as Day 1 if they come in the evening. What's next?

Thank you @Janefx40, that's my thinking too. Hoping this is my last period for a long while... Its quite painful now.
I'll start progynova on Friday, then hopefully have a scan next week, probably Friday. Eek.

Are you waiting for hour period to start your era cycle? X

hi everyone.
ive been told to do a era/alice /emma as 2 failed ivf cycles.
i also need to have a hysterosalpingography to investigate why its not working. i want to know if both can be done at the same cycle.. dont want to wait endlessly. i understand it will be at different times of the cycle --im guessing...any thoughts are welcome.!! thanks everyone

That's great that you can start your transfer cycle @VenusStarr I'm feeling a bit rough to be honest, I really don't know what's up with me, just constantly tearful and feeling rubbish. The counselling is on Friday so not long for me to wait.

Hi @Harley1977 I probably wouldn't do both at the same time. I had antibiotic cover during the HSG, the lab ask if you've had antibiotics in the last 3 months for the EMMA ALICE. I'd also wonder if the dye could have some impact on the receptivity test. The HSG is usually done in the first half of a cycle, so I would do the ERA EMMA ALICE, usually this is done around day 21 of a medicated mock FET cycle, you then stop the meds after you've had the biopsy and get a bleed and you really have to have a month off to wait for the results. So you can book in the HSG in the early part of this cycle off. They should know the results from the HSG when they are doing it/shortly after. So I'd do it that way round.

Thankyou so much for that , I think that’s a much better idea ! I’ll do that then . Thankyou for replying so quickly ! Really appreciate it ! Thanks

Hi @Harley1977 I'm also 1977 (old username!). I was told that I couldn't do the ERA in the same cycle as the saline scan which I'm assuming is the same thing. They would have done the Emma, Alice and NK tho if I wasn't doing ERA. No one mentioned the antibiotics - Hope it's ok that I had them!!! Yes waiting sounds better to me too.

@Gardenlady543 I'm so sorry you're feeling like this. It is a very hard road to be on. Sending lots of love and hoping Friday is a positive help.

@VenusStarr yes waiting for period. I ovulated about a week later than normal (no surprise after 3 rounds of stims maybe) so period should be another week away

Best of luck with getting started xxx

@VenusStarr congrats on the start of a new FET round!

@Gardenlady543 good luck for your session tomorrow

@Harley1977 I think it sounds a good idea to do all those tests. It's annoying when they cause such a delay though!

@Janefx40 I don't think I was asked about antibiotics either. Sorry your saline scan was so painful.

Thank you @seven201 definitely cycle day 1 today. Booked in for my scan next Thursday 🤞 feeling a bit excited now. How are you?

I'm sorry you're feeling rough @Gardenlady543 I think we sometimes underestimate the impact of all of this. It's hard when it's a heavy day ❤️❤️

Not long for you to get started on your tests @Janefx40 🤞

When I did my era, emma and alice tests I was asked if I'd had antibiotics within the last 3 months x

Exciting! Just a week til the scan @VenusStarr

I really hope these antibiotics aren't an issue since it was the same clinic that gave it to me!!

Thanks guys, the first appointment went well and the plan is for me to work with the psychologist weekly now, so hopefully it will be helpful moving forward.

It's so great that you're progressing on @VenusStarr

How are you feeling about next week @seven201 it will be good to have the coil out!

I will try naturally this month but not too much because of the microflora. I have seen there's a specialist in the USA that has his patients take Diphenhydramine (over the counter nytol) 25mg three times a day after 2 unsuccessful transfers from when the progesterone starts (ovulation) to the day of a positive test. Think I might give it a go this cycle. It is supposed to calm down the immune system. I don't think taking sleeping pills during the day would be a good idea though so will just take it at bed time. Worth a try I suppose!

Glad your appointment went well and you've got a plan of support @Gardenlady543

Started progynova today, absolutely knackered already. Must be psychosomatic!
Do any of you have acupuncture? I'd booked in with my lady next week and she called to cancel and said she's taking some personal leave for 6 weeks! I've booked in with someone else but I don't know now, I don't know this person - had quite a good relationship with my lady. But I can't help but feel I need to do everything possible and if I don't do it, it'll fail... Argh. X

@VenusStarr sorry you feel rubbish! Yes I do acupuncture. Similar thing happened to me on one of my collection cycles. I did Nik with someone else and had one session but didn't feel she was particularly right for me so didn't go back. I think if she'd been good I would have carried on.

Whereabouts are you? Maybe we could get some recommendations?

X

that should have said I did "book" with someone else

@Gardenlady543 so pleased the psychologist was helpful and you have a plan moving forwards. I've not heard of people taking that before. Do you have other treatment for immunes? X

Thanks @Janefx40 I'm in the West Midlands. I did speak to a guy earlier but he seemed to not listen, he kept saying they needed to understand why I'm miscarrying (I have a reason and a protocol) but he just kept ignoring me. I said will you do treatment in the first appointment or take a history? And he said oh we're really radical, we'll just go straight into treatment, you'll be amazed 🙄 I didn't book with him.

I've got an appointment on Wednesday with a different clinic who is Zita West trained.

I keep thinking I haven't taken my meds but I know I have, going mad. X

@VenusStarr I'm sure you didn't forget!!

Ah yes the Zita West thing is good. My wonderful acupuncturist is a Zita West person too. I love her so much - she was a midwife for years before she trained in acupuncture so she's great to talk to about all things IVF and health generally. Sadly I'm not near you so don't know anyone there but I would take Zita West as a good sign

Xxx

I found out today it's going to be even longer til I can transfer. I thought we could do it on my next cycle after tests (because it's natural anyway so nothing happens until ovulation. I thought that would be 3-4 weeks so we could start and if tests come back with issues we could stop and treat. But I hadn't factored in that taking progesterone then stopping after the biopsy will bring on my period early. So there would only be 2-3 weeks from tests to potential transfer which isn't long enough. I've enjoyed the break but ready to go now!!!

@Janefx40 I had a Nk biopsy which came back as normal, but waiting on a second one right now. I'm not sure what to think as the professor seemed sure there was something immune going on as I never implant. It makes me think: with all the other immune tests that exist that I could have something else could be going on.

By the way you can take progesterone for an extra week to hold off your period, just make sure you're prescribed enough.

@VenusStarr I had acupuncture in my last FET, I don't think it made any difference but some people feel really relaxed doing it. I still have some sessions left in the package so will probably go back. My acupuncturist also went away at a crucial point, right before the transfer, so I just had a couple of sessions leading up to it. He stuck a seed plaster thing on my ear and another on my wrist, one for nausea and one for anxiety.

I thought the same as @Gardenlady543 could you keep taking progesterone after your biopsy @Janefx40? After my biopsy I started my period 3 days later. I hope you aren't on hold too long. My results were back within 8 working days which really surprised me.

I've been really anxious and I thought the acupuncture could help a bit @Gardenlady543, I'll see how the session goes next week. Just kind of feels like a hassle now that will stress me out. I'll see if this one uses the seeds, my other lady didn't.

Hope you aren't waiting too much longer for your test results x

@VenusStarr I'm sure it will be relaxing too, just go into it open, this new person won't be the same as the person you're used to, but maybe see it as a chance to try something that might be even more relaxing.

I haven't got my results yet, I think it's been about 8 working days since the lab have received the sample. I have my review appointment with my fertility specialist this Friday, I'm hoping the results come in before that.

@Gardenlady543 I'm glad your first psychotherapist appt went well. That really will help I'm sure. Did they say how long the nk results should take?

@VenusStarr I also do acupuncture. Although she only works one evening a week so when I had my last FET I ended up having two extra sessions in her bedroom, which was a bit odd! I know what you mean about it actually adding stress sometimes.

My coil is coming out tomorrow but I've had lots of period cramps (and am a snappy cow) all most of the week and some light bleeding that's getting gradually heavier. I'm not sure if I should take extra progesterone tonight to try and keep it from fully starting tomorrow. I've just had one tablet a day for the past 6 days. For my FETs I've had extra progesterone (lentogest injections and suppositories) as after my first transfer my period arrived 6 days later. I've also realised I haven't taken aspirin for the last 2 weeks ish and am meant to be for 4 post surgery . I'm really annoyed at myself! I'm waiting for my treatment plan from my care clinic so I can get properly booked in for the FET. I've found them really hard to get hold of - not answering emails or the phone. I have to go stand outside my work in a break between lessons to get reception, so it's really annoying me. I think the pmt has just made me super grumpy and impatient. I'm now in a cafe with hot chocolate and a cookie to try and drag myself out of my pity party!

Is the resistance assessment of antibiotics included in the test?