ERA/EMMA/ALICE Testing Thread 3

[Janefx40]

Hello all,

This is a continuation of the ERA/EMMA/ALICE Testing thread.

New posters are welcome. On here you will find a group of women who are either doing these tests or have done them already and are further on the journey

This is the friendliest and most supportive group so feel free to join and post

Xxx

No, they just said as long as I wasn't bleeding @Loz2467 but I likely will have ovulated as I seem to be anywhere from cd9 to cd12 and it's next Friday (I hope!) so it'll be cd13 I think. Which is actually the exact cycle day I had my scan last cycle where they saw the white spots in my lining.
I'm going to ask them to check for inflammation too, I had the Emma and Alice tests before this pregnancy and was clear but I'm worried I'll have developed it now

@VenusStarr ahh right that’s reassuring to know! If my flow comes then I can’t go Tuesday! If it’s still awol maybe I should take a chance and go. So frustrating as I’ve had to shift so much around and my body has trolled me this month with my cycle.

do they think the white spots are the scar tissue or inflammation? There is so much to consider isnt there but I’ve only got this CE after my miscarriage for sure! Plus the fact that I lost to chorio is a big sign of it apparently

My ivf doctor thinks scarring @Loz2467

Sorry - I hate this update 🙄

@Loz2467 he said its exactly where they'd place an embryo, so he wasn't happy to go ahead with my FET until I had it checked. I've spoken to a couple of other women who've had suspected scarring and their scans were similar to mine, then they had the hysteroscopy and confirmed it. But I don't think it's typical to see it on scans, it's usually other symptoms like pain and lighter or no periods. I've definitely got pains, from ovulation really and even though my period stopped abruptly yesterday, I've still got some discomfort. But I do have adenomyosis too, but never really had symptoms of that until after my last miscarriage.

No-one has said anything about inflammation, but for peace of mind I just want it checked while they're in there.
I'm sorry you're body is trolling you, it's so stressful xx

My hysteroscopy next week has just been cancelled 😢😢 no idea when they can reschedule it. I just feel done with it all x

@VenusStarr sorry haven't been very present. Have had issues with my Mumsnet.

I'm so sorry. Why has it been cancelled?

Thank you @Janefx40 they said the couldn't get an anesthetist. I managed to get hold of one of the nurses on the phone and don't feel reassured to be honest. She said Mr Jan is in on Monday so she's going to talk to him. There's a very small possibility that they could do next Wednesday but unlikely. She's checking if he can do 6 May but if not it'll be mid-May. But she said the anesthetists don't know their availability until very last minute. So it could happen again.
I looked into Mr Lower and Mr Trew yesterday and I just don't think I can afford them. I was quoted £5000-7000 for Lower and Trew said they don't even know what he charges.

I thought about doing an egg collection cycle, but I don't think with timings it would work.
I hope you're OK xx

Eek! It's back on! What an emotional roller-coaster. I had a phone call this morning and one of the other nurses has taken control and sorted it. We need to be at the clinic for 6.15, so it'll be a 3am set off! 😂 But I don't care, its happening and feels positive that I can find out what's going on in there x

I had logging in issues earlier this week but fixed now. Oh phew! What a roller coaster!

@Loz2467 I hope yours goes ahead too and your period doesn't arrive at the wrong time!

@VenusStarr what?!! This is crazy. But great news. Could you stay over in Epsom the night before? 3am sounds a bit much!

@seven201 i had issues logging on too and also with my direct messages which still isn't properly fixed. Weird!

@VenusStarr glad it's sorted out! Fingers crossed eveything goes smoothly! 🍀
I did the MRI on Monday, and fortunately it showed something (same as the ultrasound did) in the right breast, but non-cancerous.
At this point, I should start the medicated FET with our last embryo at the beginning of May. I have taken a few days off before the whole thing starts. I'll be trying to relax a bit, although the thought of it freaks me out! It's been 7 months since the last failed transfer!

Hugs all! 💜

Brilliant news. Bet you are super relieved. Time off after that so you can process is a good plan, and of course get yourself in the headspace for a FET.

@Janefx40 how are you doing? What's your latest?

I'm glad you had your MRI @Yuliaaa and pleased to hear that it's nothing sinister ❤️ I'm g you have a bit of time before you FET, I understand that apprehensive feeling, I've got everything crossed for you that it all goes smoothly.

Good to hear from you @seven201 how have you been? Did you say you're doing your FET in May too?

Hope you're doing OK @Gardenlady543 and @StillTrying10000 xx

@VenusStarr ahh that’s such a relief! I’m pleased you are getting that sorted. I hope it goes smoothly.
I’ve finally started my period, the longest cycle ever of 28 days so I expect I’ll be in for my first scan on Wednesday and transfer around 10 May. Feeling a lot of pressure that’s this likely going to be our last chance before needing to look at other options such as adoption as we just can’t spend any more £££ on this. We’re now at £60,000 and it’s just getting to be an unsustainable amount of debt now but it breaks my heart to think we’ll have to give up. I’ve just got the big decision on if we’re doing a single or double transfer this last time now. If anyone has any thoughts please do share x

@StillTrying10000 oh wow! 10th of may is soon! That is a lot of money. It's just so hard to know when to stop isn't it. How many embryos do you have frozen? How old are you? I was sort of lucky in that my doctor has always been clear that I shouldn't put two in due to my complicated pregnancy with my dd. I think it would be very tempting to go for two. My friend put two in and ended up with one. There's been quite a few women on the infertility board who put 2 in and ended up with 2.

@VenusStarr when is your predicted transfer? Mine is the very start of June. Just crossing everything that I don't have another cancelled cycle. Stay away fibroids, covid, new problems and my lining needs to thicken up! I'm worried I'm getting my hopes up too much. I've never gone into an ivf cycle with much hope, which has been quite handy, so I'm worried I'm setting myself up for a big fall.

@seven201 fingers crossed for you that everything goes to plan for you for the beginning of June!
I have 5 embryos PGT tested. I know that sounds a lot but it scares me to use 2 now and only have 3 tested left which doesn’t give me a huge amount of options for future as I’d love to have two babies one way or another. There’s also no way I could afford another collection. I always thought I’d stick with one as I wouldn’t want to make a pregnacy riskier but my consultant suggested it as a way to increase my chances and as this feels like my last hope maybe I will go for it. I’m really torn. I’d love to try two but it would break my heart to loose 2. x

Thank you ladies! 💜

I've pondered it, but then always had a legitimate reason to dismiss seriously considering it. It is seriously tempting. If your doctor has suggested it then it's definitely worth considering fully. Maybe a good old fashioned pros and cons list written down would help. What does your partner think? Can you afford twins? For me, twins would mean quitting my job until they were at school, potentially having to move to a cheaper house and area, as we wouldn't be able to afford 2 in nursery.

@StillTrying10000 I feel the same about putting 2 back, if they didn't work or I lost them both, it would be really hard. It wasn't easy to get them but we only had 2 left to try. I think as they are pgt-a tested, I'd be inclined to go with one. But I also know that if we are lucky enough to get a living child, that will be it, even though we'd wanted more, I'm not doing this all again.
@seven201 's idea of pros and cons is a good one. Do you think it could be one of those, "what if we'd tried that?" questions you'd have, if so, maybe it's worth trying, especially as you still would have 3 frozen.
I've started to see money as monopoly money, like it's not real and my perception of it is skewed. So I think nothing of spending hundreds on medicine but would never spend that amount so freely in other areas of my life.

I had a dream about my hysteroscopy last night, but it was like I was awake under sedation while he was doing it and he was telling me what he'd found. But then someone came in and asked him a question and he said "oh I can do this later" and left. 🙄 Gotta love an anxiety dream.

@seven201 we haven't got that far for planning my FET. I cancelled my nurse appointment this week as I think I'll need to see my doctor again for a scan to check he's happy. It'll also depend on what they find and if I need any ongoing treatment. I'd like to think maybe we could plan for June.

Xx

@seven201 thanks for the considerations. In terms of actually having twins that would be a dream. To get two children but never have to go through this ever again! I’m so lucky that my mums a childminder and desperate for a grandchild. She’s cared for twins from the age of 3 months when I was living with her so I feel like I got a really good taste of how to manage two. Then I’m super privileged that she will caring for any child I might have when I go back to work. She’s used to 5 children a day and plans to retire when she finally has some grandchildren to look after.
@VenusStarr honestly as much as I know I need to stop the spending I’m not sure I will ever bring myself to, so maybe that’s my answer. If I really do run out of embryos somehow I’ll find money for another EC. Hubby pretty useless in helping make any meaningful decision either way as always. Happy to support what ever I want. Love him but some input would be really helpful! :-)

Did you cancel you FET as you think you’ll likely need another hysteroscopy to check anything they do from this one works?
I’m sorry your brain won’t even let you rest when you are sleeping! You must be exhausted. Good luck tomorrow x

Hi everyone.

@Yuliaaa this is great news! What a relief and great that you can now plan for the next cycle.

@StillTrying10000 the money is terrifying isn't it. I think we're at £70K but too scared to check!

If it is your very last chance and you have a good number then I would might go for two. But then it depends doesn't it on why the embryos aren't implanting because if for some reason everything was aligned this month then you would have twins potentially. As you say that's not an issue though then maybe go for it?

If you are going to continue with transfers of the others then I'd probably go for one.

These decisions are tricky aren't they?!

Not much going on for me. Have my follow up with Mr S on 6th May to find out if Humira worked or not.

Love to all

The money is crazy isn't it? I think having this setback has made me realise I'm not ready to stop yet. I don't want this to just fizzle out, I'd rather it was a conscious decision by us.

@StillTrying10000 yes, I delayed it because my ivf doctor wants to scan me again to check and confirm my protocol. So timings wise, we wouldn't have had much time to see him and order meds etc as my next period is due around 11 May. I also heard there's a lubion shortage? And in a way, I think having a break to heal, get my consultation and nurses appointment booked, June feels more realistic.
Also, it's our last embryo from that round, so I'm wanting the give myself space to do acupuncture etc. I've only just started back on hydroxychloroquine this weekend as well. I have done the loading dose, but want to give that a bit more time too.
I saw something on Instagram about when is it time to stop and it's such a personal thing. Ultimately, I think it's down to when you feel it ❤️

@Janefx40 🤞 that the humira has done what you needed. When will you be able to plan your FET if alls OK? Xx

Hi everyone @Yuliaaa glad you got some good news from the MRI scan.

@VenusStarr does this mean your surgery is this coming Wednesday? That would be good to get in so quickly.

I hope everyone is ok, I am feeling hopeless at the moment, with the complete dq alpha match, it just seems to be an awful position to be in and then I keep seeing people with just one of my other issues: thyroid antibodies, progesterone hypersensitivity, thin lining, fibroids pushing into the uterus, microbiome issues, massively prereceptive on ERA. It just seems so hopeless. I've got the sperm test kit here now so hoping to get that sent off this week, although not sure what I'll do if I get another issue to deal with. 2.5 years and not a single positive pregnancy test and all these hurdles to overcome probably for it still not to work :(

Hi @Gardenlady543 it's on Friday this week. After a bit of will it happen, won't it!

I'm sorry you're feeling overwhelmed with it all, its a lot ❤️ are you under a reproductive immunologist now, or will you wait for your partner's sperm analysis? It's really hard to feel hope when you've had so many setbacks. Xx