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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

ERA/EMMA/ALICE Testing thread 4

987 replies

Janefx40 · 02/05/2022 21:22

New thread ladies! @Gardenlady543 @MyEasterEggs @seven201 @VenusStarr @Violette22 @Yuliaaa

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Janefx40 · 02/05/2022 21:24

@StillTrying10000 @XjustagirlX

OP posts:
VenusStarr · 02/05/2022 21:26

👋

seven201 · 02/05/2022 21:42

Hello! @Janefx40 how are you doing? I think I read you were worried your last period was lighter and it could have been the humira. My last period was light too, and I also had done the humira! I was hoping my adhesion surgery had helped my lining but I don't think it's fully fixed it, so could just still be rubbish for me. It is interesting though. I didn't read all the possible side effects as the list was sooooo long on that leaflet! Is it Friday you get your humira result (can't remember the name of the thing!)?

VenusStarr · 02/05/2022 21:43

@seven201 I can't do a FET until June at the earliest, got an appointment on 11 May with our ivf doctor but my period is due 2 days later, so not enough time t get my meds. So we're going to do a medicated cycle next month 😬
Interesting that you've had a neupogen wash, don't think Dr S uses that but I'm keen to try the injections. It'll be every 3 days until 10 weeks 🙏

Yuliaaa · 02/05/2022 21:48

Thank you @Janefx40

seven201 · 02/05/2022 21:54

@VenusStarr oh wow, every 3 days and you'll have to travel down from the midlands? Crippes! I'd do it too though, part of the battle isn't it I suppose. It would be so good if Dr S had some satellite mini clinics wouldn't it! Sounds a good plan to do a super-ovulation round while you're waiting.

VenusStarr · 02/05/2022 21:58

Just injections every 3 days @seven201! Although think they only come in packs of 5 and they are pricey.

StillTrying10000 · 02/05/2022 22:04

@Janefx40 thanks for the add.
@VenusStarr no need to rush things but just so you know CRP order meds through Stork and they do next day delivery if you order before midday. x

seven201 · 02/05/2022 22:10

@VenusStarr can you self administer them or have to go to CRP?

VenusStarr · 02/05/2022 22:15

Thank you @StillTrying10000 that's good to know. I've got one prescription to start me off.

@seven201 yes self-minister the injections. Think they start from 6 dpo x

Janefx40 · 02/05/2022 22:26

Hello properly everyone. Yes @seven201 I have my follow up on Friday. Did you already have your post-Humira appointment?

Interesting that you had a light period too. Hopefully your lining was helped by the surgery and the light period is just a random side effect that will pass.

@VenusStarr when does your "super ovulation" thing start then ? What do you have to do?

OP posts:
seven201 · 02/05/2022 22:30

VenusStarr · 02/05/2022 22:15

Thank you @StillTrying10000 that's good to know. I've got one prescription to start me off.

@seven201 yes self-minister the injections. Think they start from 6 dpo x

Oh phew! For some unknown reason I thought you had to travel to london or Surrey every 3 days for an injection in the clinic! Doing it yourself is so much better!

seven201 · 02/05/2022 22:31

Janefx40 · 02/05/2022 22:26

Hello properly everyone. Yes @seven201 I have my follow up on Friday. Did you already have your post-Humira appointment?

Interesting that you had a light period too. Hopefully your lining was helped by the surgery and the light period is just a random side effect that will pass.

@VenusStarr when does your "super ovulation" thing start then ? What do you have to do?

Good luck for Friday. I was lucky in that I was within the range for just needing the two doses with no need to re-test.

seven201 · 02/05/2022 22:32

It's a bit depressing that we're all still here for a fourth thread isn't it Hmm

seven201 · 02/05/2022 22:33

Although, there has been much progress made. Mainly new problems for most, but hopefully solutions are here, or on their way!

Violette22 · 03/05/2022 06:32

Thanks for adding me to the new thread @Janefx40 🤗

The neupogen sounds interesting! Do you know if Dr S doesnt believe in Dq alpha @VenusStarr ?

Iam getting my blind intralipids as I write this. Decided to also get hcg done, it terrifies me 😢😫

Violette22 · 03/05/2022 07:09

@myeastereggs This is another Greek clinic where Im considering to get Chicagos, it is called Life Clinic Athens. Im pretty sure they use the real Chicago because they have the Unviersitys logo and everything here on their site

www.lifeclinic.gr/en/services/price-list/

And the doctor told me that the Chicago tests take 7-10 days, does this sound in line?

I agree that Serums Chicago tests propably arent the real deal also due to the price, I think it is really bad they are using the Chicago name, it is basically lying!

MyEasterEggs · 03/05/2022 11:49

Thanks for the add @Janefx40 xx

@seven201 every 4 weeks would be much more manageable! Was it DQ-alpha? And thanks for sharing that documentary. Think I’ll tune in too.

@Violette22 I think you’re right. They do Chicago! I feel quite disappointed with Serum tbh because we had such a good experience on a personal level. I was genuinely considering doing IVF with them. I’m sure there’s an explanation and they probably just go with the popular names because people know what they mean but when it’s not comparable it’s just plain misleading and dishonest. Glad you’ve found an alternative xx

Gardenlady543 · 03/05/2022 14:50

Boo to the light periods on humira now I'm down to 5mm again it looks like that won't be an option for me if it could make them even lighter. I still haven't got the treatment plan but I did ask about humira and the doctor at fertilysis didn't think it would be used.

Today I've had a busy day, we sorted my husbands semen sample for dna fragmentation and the microbiome, honestly it was so complicated I'm glad it's out of my home and hopefully on its way to the lab in Greece. I also had a blood test which will be my 2 months on levothyroxine test.

Violette22 · 03/05/2022 15:19

@MyEasterEggs yes maybe that's the case: maybe for them chicago testing = immune testing...but it is indeed really missleading, I can understand your disappointment with them after having those positive encounters in Greece 😟

@Gardenlady543 are you doing the male microbiome test with Fertilysis?

I got my hcg.....it was 278 and Im 16dpo (maybe 15)...the nurse said it is a good level but I still worry, actually because I think my test line was a bit lighter today than yesterday, it is really hard for me to be optimistic after so many losses 😔My progesterone is 220 but I am also injecting it so that's the reason.

I listened to this other podcast with Dr Shehata on it. Has anyone else listened to it?

podcasts.apple.com/mk/podcast/a-labour-of-love-world-renowned-obstetrician/id1562872396?i=1000548670959

He has quite a background with the imprisonment and all! I love his positivity and how he says "there are no hopeless cases" but I must admit that a couple of things he said made me worried... He said that success rates are better for those who have recurrent losses between weeks 6-9 than for those whose losses happen at 4-6 weeks. I have had both but more of the earlier ones....Another thing which wasnt nice to hear being pregnant was that each loss causes more damage for the second one....although I new that each miscarriage raises the likelihood for next but he explained it in a bit different way saying that a miscarriage makes the situation sort of worse for the next one...but that is a bit contradictory as he also says that there is hope after 20 losses, dont you think?

Gardenlady543 · 03/05/2022 15:33

@Violette22 I think I need to listen to some of these podcasts, is this the best one do you think? Yep the dna fragmentation and semen microbiome are through fertilysis, really hoping they come back with normal results.

I hope things keep looking good for you, I think it is really hard to have any optimism or positivity with recurrent issues :(

"Every blood test and scan is both welcomed and dreaded and the ultrasound screen is scrutinized with concern. Only when a healthy baby is safely wrapped up and placed in their arms can these women finally celebrate and stop imagining the worst. This is what it feels like to have a new pregnancy after years of suffering failure and loss"- from the is your body baby friendly book.

Violette22 · 03/05/2022 15:47

thank you for your words and for that quote @Gardenlady543 💙 I can really relate with it like I think all of us here. I really need to read that book by the way!!

The episode I posted was more about Shehatas life and near-to death experiences in Sudan and the other episode that was posted here is more about his work and views on reproductive immunology. But I recommend both episodes!

Gardenlady543 · 03/05/2022 17:58

@Babydustt12 we are on this thread now :)

"wondering if anyone had any advise.
I’ve just had my ERA results and it’s says it’s pre-receptive and that I need to get another biopsy confirmed with 6.5 days of progesterone? Has anyone had this result? Is another biopsy worth it or can I just do a transfer at between 6 and 6.5 days because anyways you get a +/- 3 hr window?
waiting for my Emma and my Alice just showed secretory endometrium and negative CD 138, is that all it shows?
thank you all in advance really appreciate any replies 💕"

A few of us have come back as prereceptive, have they told you to take an additional 36 hours of progesterone? My first said to take an additional 24 hours they said I didn't need another test but I repeated as I was having a repeat EMMA and at the new time it said take another 12 hours. I do wonder now if my undiagnosed hypothyroidism had an impact on this, so I'm keen to repeat the ERA before another transfer.

That's good if you're negative for CD138, your EMMA ALICE will tell you what types of bacteria you have.

Babydustt12 · 03/05/2022 18:27

@Gardenlady543 thank you the transfer :)

the result says to take it for another 24 hrs and repeat the biopsy

This is my report -
“The gene expression profile shows similarity to an endometrium that has NOT reached its receptivity status yet and whose window of implantation is displaced. A new biopsy to confirm the displacement of the window of implantation and guide the embryo transfer is recommended. This biopsy should be performed 1 day later (P+6.5) in the same type of cycle in which the first endometrial biopsy was obtained.”

so did your result change from the first ERa to the second? Then is it not a reliable test? Do you know what CD138 is?

Is it because you are on thyroxine now that you want to repeat the ERA? I thought it’s all to do with the progesterone and not even the estrogen xx

seven201 · 03/05/2022 18:33

MyEasterEggs · 03/05/2022 11:49

Thanks for the add @Janefx40 xx

@seven201 every 4 weeks would be much more manageable! Was it DQ-alpha? And thanks for sharing that documentary. Think I’ll tune in too.

@Violette22 I think you’re right. They do Chicago! I feel quite disappointed with Serum tbh because we had such a good experience on a personal level. I was genuinely considering doing IVF with them. I’m sure there’s an explanation and they probably just go with the popular names because people know what they mean but when it’s not comparable it’s just plain misleading and dishonest. Glad you’ve found an alternative xx

Just checked (I have a shitty memory) and it wasn't. It was TNF alpha