ERA/EMMA/ALICE Testing thread 4

[Janefx40]

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

I am ok, thank you ladies for asking. I am going to see an infertility acupuncturist next week who is also an gynecologist, so perhaps he can offer some advice or some fresh perspective. Perhaps I should have taken a break from everything, I don't know. I don't know if I want to start ttcing again this cycle, but at the same time I am afraid that time is running out. I feel sad and hopeless, especially that AF arrived today and I can't help thinking it could've been different. I simply can't hope that future will be brighter for me. I am so sorry for the negativity. 💔

@Janefx40 I really hope your lining will improve next month. Perhaps it was just one of those months. I have never imagined that the lining can be so fussy but here we are a lot of us struggling with it.

@VenusStarr and @seven201 🤞 I am hoping for the best for you ladies. I know you are scared and I know how the thoughts are racing. I am sending you both a big hug.

@Violette22 Big hugs to you too 🤗💖 if don't feel right, just book another scan.

@StillTrying10000 🤞for your scan on Monday. I really hope it will work out perfectly in the end.💜

@Gardenlady543 hugs to you too. I think you've asked me about immunes. I did all the testing and showed nothing wrong. This transfer I was on predni and intralipids just in case and they didn't do much, that's why I am inclined to suspect the embryo or the uterine lining/environment were at fault. So the next thing on my list is the endometrio test.

xx

Thinking of you @StillTrying10000 ❤️

@Yuliaaa @VenusStarr I literally can't believe it but the 3mm baby is there and has a heartbeat. There is a subchorionic hematoma which when I asked Mr Jan if I should be worried he was very honest and direct and said 'yes it is a concern' as it can come away and take the baby with it. I will have a scan each week for the next two weeks and then two weekly from there. If we can get through the next two weeks that will be a big step. He said stay at home and minimise movements which is a relief as I was so worried about heading to London and have a day event in Birmingham this week I can now get out of. So this is the happiest news, but I'm still terrified. The good news is the Tacrolimus has absolutely done it's job so far, this is just another random thing. I hope this might mean Dr S considers the drug for some of you too now. Although the last time he saw me he said the sooner I'm off the drug the happier he'll be.

@StillTrying10000 I am so happy for you!!! You've just made my day! 💖

YAY!! ❤️🥰 this is amazing news @StillTrying10000 I'm so pleased for you. I'm sorry you're have the subchorionic haematoma, has Dr Jan stopped your aspirin and blood thinners?
I'm keeping everything crossed that your little one continues to grow well and thrive

How far along are you? Xx

@VenusStarr thank you! ❤ I know I'm so happy when I hear other people have success but know it can also feel like I was the one being left behind, so I hope it's not too hard for you to hear. Yes they rung on Saturday and said stop Fragmin as well as the aspirin. That in itself scared me but Mr Jan said it's more something to help at the beginning with implantation so I shouldn't worry and we need to stop the bleeding. I'm 6 weeks 2 days. It's so odd after such a long journey to get my head around that any, let alone epic heavy bleeding doesn't mean it's all over xxx

I can imagine it's such a roller coaster of emotions for you @StillTrying10000 Honestly, your experience does give me some hope 🙏 I've been feeling very hopeless. Please don't worry ❤️❤️ you know sometimes you feel left behind, but your news has given me a boost today, knowing that there are options and hope.

Make sure you get lots of rest, are you off work, or just working from home? Get yourself set up comfy with lots of snacks and water xxx

I am so happy to hear the news @StillTrying10000 💛💚💜Congratulations on the heartbeat 💓😍

Im glad to hear you will have regular scans due to the hematoma. Did the doctor mention anything about the hematoma's position? Ive been told it also plays a big role where it is situated.

Does your doctor ever prescribe tranexamic acid (a drug that stops/prevents bleeding) for bleeding situations? My doctor uses it to stop bleeds, Ive used it during this pregnancy when Ive bled although my bleeds were not big. Im not sure if it can be useful in a case of hematoma or if they want the hematoma to rather bleed out but maybe something to ask?

@VenusStarr thank you 🤗I'm pleased it gives you hope, I really thought we were at the end of the road so it's just amazing this new drug works. My boss is amazing and said I should take two weeks off paid sick leave (then I have a week hols anyway) but I begged her not to make me as the last 4 days have been hell. I'll just be lying there stressing out. I love having work to distract me, I'm working on some cool new campaigns for BT and EE at the moment and can easily do that sat at home relaxed.
How are you getting on? Are you waiting for test day? xxx

I'm glad your boss is so supportive @StillTrying10000 that definitely helps. And having some distractions is a positive thing too. I'm really pleased you were able to try the new drug. How long will you be on it?

Test day is next Monday. I think I ovulated on Friday in the end (my bbt chart doesn't agree. It says Wednesday when I did the trigger), so only 3dpo today. Not feeling like it has worked. Getting a lot of horrible progesterone cramps. But have lots of energy on pred! 😅 xx

I just logged on to check how it went @StillTrying10000 . Oh my goodness, what an amazing thing! I have everything crossed for you. I'm so glad your work is being so supportive. X

@StillTrying10000 wow!!! This is amazing news. I'm so pleased for you. Xxx

How are you feeling since you cancelled @Janefx40 ? Did you ovulate yet do you think?

Hope you're getting on OK @seven201 ❤️

@Yuliaaa how are you?

Xx

Hi @VenusStarr emotionally I'm ok. I have a consultation with my consultant tomorrow morning. He is good to find time so soon.

Physically I feel rubbish. My left ovary was hidden and the scans really bruised me. I thought I was getting a UTI on Saturday but was just bruising I think. Yesterday I had a really bad back from the same cause. Today I have a migraine. Wondering if it is the Hcg?

I ovulated Saturday. I did a trigger Thursday night and had scans over weekend.

I really need some time to sleep and do relaxation etc but not going to happen. Life is busy between work and volunteering!

How are you? 2WW is awful. Sending hugs to you and @seven201

@VenusStarr I have been thinking a lot about what happened so I have decided to make some changes. My DH, who usually doesn't get too involved in ivf things, is really upset about the outcome and refuses to do another round until we get some answers to what's been happening. I've made up my mind and I'll do the endometrio test in the future. At this point I am pretty sure the lining was ok because my AF has been heavy, so it's the embryo or the uterus. I am also taking into account changing my consultant or at least getting a second opinion. Also I am going to ask for some monitoring while trying naturally. But the most important thing I need to change is my mindset. I have been so caught up in the whole medical process that I've forgotten the end result, my desire and myself. So it's time to reconnect with myself.
I am sorry to hear about the cramps, they are so unpleasant. I hated prednisone, it gave me a horrible insomnia. I hadn't been sleeping properly for so many nights. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!💗
@Janefx40 hugs! I am so sorry you are in pain! Hopefully you will get a little time to relax.💜
@StillTrying10000 💜 thinking of you!
@seven201 🤞 💗

Sending everyone else lots of love!

@Janefx40 sorry you've been so sore. I hope the consultant is helpful tomorrow.

@Yuliaaa the endometrio is a good idea I think. It's a really hard decision as to whether to switch consultants. Are you tied in to a package? I wish I'd moved clinics, but I was tied in to a 2 cycle deal.

TWW is driving me mad. I spent far too long googling when is the earliest to test after a FET. Hope you're hanging in there ok @VenusStarr

@StillTrying10000 hope you're doing alright after today's big news!

@seven201 oh, I am so sorry! 🤗There is something about googling, it's like an addiction or something and TWW is a nightmare.
I am not tied in any package, so it's easy, but it's a hard decision indeed. I am having an ultrasound next Tuesday to check the lining, so I'll talk to her about our options.
Hang in there!

@seven201 2WW is awful. The trouble with testing early is that, if it is negative, you then convince yourself it was too early and just go through it again the next day. I used to see it as a more gradual way of getting used to a negative result but I think it just prolonged the agony. And if it is positive you just worry it will be a chemical. So for me it's best to wait until at least 13dpo when I can't convince myself it could be wrong. Agh even the thought of it makes me feel sick!!!

@Yuliaaa you've talked before about testing versus not testing embryos. It's a very personal choice but I thought I would talk you through my decision in case it is helpful.

I decided to do embryo banking and testing. I might not have tested without the banking but in combo this was the right choice for me.

This was because I was then 43/44 so the potential for me to find euploids was low and I didn't want to waste months with failed cycles or go through potential miscarriage. Each failed cycle loses you a minimum of 2 months and a loss even longer (ignoring the heartbreak for a minute which is worse). I didn't have that time to waste and I didn't want to risk miscarriages if at all possible.

If I was only doing 1 round then I probably wouldn't test just 1 or 2 embryos. However for me banking felt like a good option because I would get as many as I could across 3 rounds and then test knowing I wouldn't do any further rounds after that. We got 4 embryos across 3 rounds so we tested them.

I was aware that there are slight risks to the embryos. There is also a slight risk of the result being wrong. However in my situation I preferred to take that risk to avoid the delays and heartache. I was aware there are no guarantees even with euploids. But I'm happy with my decision even so.

Just in case that is of interest...

The infertility tww is indeed a total mind f**k. I know why I shouldn't test, but the temptation is so high! I'm going to hold out for a while longer I hope.

We did embryo testing when we'd kind of explored everything else (or so I thought at the time!) and had 4 failed transfers by then. We had 4 tested, 1 didn't survive defrosting (good to know that early), one was abnormal and two euploid. I was 38 when they were collected. It's a really personal decision. I think prof Shehata isn't a fan. It can take a while to do the testing, so doing it alongside the Endemetrio can work quite well.

The infertility tww is indeed a total mind f**k. I know why I shouldn't test, but the temptation is so high! I'm going to hold out for a while longer I hope.

We did embryo testing when we'd kind of explored everything else (or so I thought at the time!) and had 4 failed transfers by then. We had 4 tested, 1 didn't survive defrosting (good to know that early), one was abnormal and two euploid. I was 38 when they were collected. It's a really personal decision. I think prof Shehata isn't a fan. It can take a while to do the testing, so doing it alongside the Endemetrio can work quite well.

I'm sorry you're in pain @Janefx40 😔 I hope that eases soon. It sounds like your clinic were really thorough with monitoring.
I hope you are able to get some rest 💜

@seven201 definitely try and hold off for a while longer. The tww after ivf felt different to a natural ttc cycle to me, I didn't want to pop the bubble (not that I felt hopeful, I just didn't want to know!)

@Yuliaaa it's good to explore options, at the moment we don't think we'll test embryos if we do more ivf.

@StillTrying10000 ❤️

I'm convinced this cycle has failed. My temp and heart rate are lower. Just going through the motions until test day. I'd rather not test at all.

@VenusStarr stop looking at temps and heart rates. You've made me realise I could look up my heart rate on my fit bit - I must resist too!

@Janefx40 how did it go?

I am such a grumpy sausage at the moment! Just all the drugs I'm sure.

Also wanting to plan for if this doesn't work. I take it I wouldn't be able to try through CRP/prof Shehata again next cycle as I wouldn't get a consultation in time? I'd ideally like to do a super ovulation round, but that would be impossible I think, but natural trying with intralipids and steroids would be nice (ha, nice!) too.

@seven201 let's hope you don't need it but I reckon you could do intralipids and steroids with a natural cycle as that doesn't need much prep. Depends if he'd ask for a consultation or if you could just arrange it via email.

Consultation was ok. No real clue as to why my lining was different. He understood why I cancelled. Agreed a plan. Taking noresthisterone to try to stop early recruitment of a follicle. We have agreed a lining thickness and we won't trigger if it is below that. We try naturally this next cycle and if we don't get their, we start medicated on the following period.

Annoyingly the internet connection was rubbish which made it hard to have an easy conversation. Am grateful to him tho for finding time for me

Sorry that meant we tray a natural cycle FET again this cycle and if the lining doesn't get there we do medicated x