ERA/EMMA/ALICE Testing thread 4

[Janefx40]

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

Not great news. No heartbeat and measuring at 6+0 instead of 6+3. She said normally they wouldn’t be that worried but because it’s ivf they know exactly when it went in so should be measuring bang on. Got to go back next Tuesday to find out either way. She said we’re not out, but she wasn’t being too hopeful either. So in limbo land.

Oh @seven201 I'm so sorry to hear this ❤️ it's awful being in this limbo.

What is your protocol again?

Sending you lots of love and hope xxx

Thanks @VenusStarr . I'm on steroids, clexane, aspirin (she says I should stop just this now in case I am about to miscarry), intralipids, metformin, levothyroxine, cyclogest, progesterone injections, estrogen (patches and 12mg), inofolic & other vitamin things. Had humira too. I think I've forgotten something on that list! She gave me a pot to collect a sample if I do miscarry. Do you know if I have to try and collect any clot or am I meant to try and get something in particular? Just preparing for the worst.

Oh no @seven201 I really hope things work out on the next scan, I've seen people get a good outcome at the next scan before so I'm really hoping that you're in that club. Sorry that today was so shit :( thinking of you.

😓💔 @seven201 I'm so sorry. Do you have any signs of bleeding or spotting? I really hope she is wrong. I thought you only needed to stop blood thinners if actually bleeding. How big was the baby? One of mine was 5mm but no heartbeat and they pretty much called it then but if its smaller than that, I think there's hope.
This is so fucking shit.

Sorry for the detail and I hope it doesn't upset you or distress you, but you'll likely see grey tissue, thats what you need to collect. I used a sieve and bowl in the bathroom and mine seemed to come away in one. Collect everything you can and try not to touch it so its not contaminated. You can keep in the fridge overnight. We did and we got test results back. Xx

I think the crown to rump measurement is 3.6 and the sac is 7.6mm. We're clinging on to hoping it was just a bit cold from being frozen and took a little while to implant. My HCG blood tests were on the lower end of the spectrum. Probably makes no difference, but something to cling to like I said.

I'm to continue with the clexane, but she said to stop the aspirin now. No bleeding at all (yet).

Thank you for that info on what to collect. Gosh, it's not nice is it.

I actually have an ivf scan on the Monday, so I'll go to that one anyway, so that's one less day to wait.

It's awful, I'm sending you a big hug ❤️

I'd also be holding onto hope with those measurements too. Keeping everything crossed for Monday. This limbo is horrible, swinging through a range of emotions. I hope the time passes quickly xx

@seven201 I know prof Brosens told me not to take aspirin in cycles anyway, but heparin can help with implantation so to take that. So I think you're fine just sticking with the heparin.

Thank you both xx

@seven201 I am so sorry to hear the updates. There is nothing much I can say, but I am still hopeful for you! 💕

@seven201 I'm so sorry - I've been away from my phone all day. Sorry that you didn't get the answer you were hoping for. It makes sense to keep hoping. You're not too far behind on growth so I will keep everything crossed that this works out somehow. Wish that you weren't stuck in this limbo. Sending love xxx

Thank you both xxx

How is everyone on here?

@seven201 I hope you're ok. If you're anything like me then a distraction will be good so I will tell you my very boring worries.

On way now to day 9 scan. I had a third day on blank circle on CB dual hormone ovulation kits. I would normally expect a flashing smiley by now. Also the second blue line is quite strong (they say you can't read the blue lines on a digital but that's bollocks in my experience) so now I'm worried that it's a sign my estrogen is low hence the thin lining. Also had signs of getting closer to ovulation. Last cycle I had my LH surge on CD10. So am worrying about that.

Also massively behind at work and my laptop ran out of battery on the train (even tho I thought it was fully charged). So now I am worrying about getting further behind too. So it's a great start to the day!!

How is everyone else?

Hope your scan goes well @Janefx40 I've had so much time away from work for various appointments so working in the evenings to catch up. It's really hard. You're doing your best x

No real news from me, second scan yesterday showed lining is 6.8mm so I'm on 8mg of estrogen now and it's battering me. Not feeling hopeful at all. Was down at crp on Monday for intralipids but feel like it was too early. Last FET I started progesterone today. Very low and emotional at the moment.

Sending you lots of love @seven201 ❤️

@Janefx40 good luck today! Hopefully things are ok. ❤️

@VenusStarr I am sorry the lining is giving you such a hard time. Perhaps it will increase more. When is your next scan? Sending you hugs and love!

@seven201 ❤️

Not much to report. Still in the tww, but I am having AF cramps, so I have no hope left for this cycle. I feel like taking a test, but I hate seeing the stark white negative. Sad, but still surviving!

Love all!

@VenusStarr sorry you're feeling low. A mixture of the estrogen and general shitness you are going through. Sorry you're having to work at night.

My lining was 5.8mm today on Day 9. Follicle 14mm. Doesn't mean much because it depends when I get my LH surge. I've had LH surges with follicle at 19mm but also sometimes not until it is 26mm. Also I've had linings that were 5.3mm on day 9 and became over 9mm by trigger and others that were 6.5mm on day 9 and never grew! So if I have another 4 days then lining may be fine but if I have a surge tomorrow then probably not fine! Ugh.

@Yuliaaa oh it's horrible taking those pregnancy tests. I wish there was another way to know. You could just wait and see what happens?

@Janefx40 it's shocking how complicated and unpredictable the whole lining/timing/follicle growth is, isn't it? I wish things were easier!!!
I am not going to test, I'll just be sitting here nicely waiting for whatever is going to happen. 😖

Hi all. I've been at work today so just catching up.

@Janefx40 sorry about the negative opk and drained battery! I hate it when cycles don't go to plan! I hope your surge holds off for another few days so your lining and follicles plump up more. If you've have the empty circle that is prob a good sign.

@VenusStarr sorry your lining isn't doing great. Have you ever had the estrogen patches? It might be something to ask about in the future (hopefully this one will work though!) as my new ivf doctor likes them. I wouldn't worry about the intralipids being a little early - I mean, I'd worry too, but if we're only meant to do them every 4 weeks, they must last pretty well.

@Yuliaaa AF cramps definitely don't mean you're definitely out. I don't blame you for not wanting to rest though.

What do we all think about my resting heart rate still being up? Is that a positive sign to cling to or am I just being desperate? Not sure how long it would be for that to start to drop if the foetus did stop developing. Google doesn't tell me.

I've been a pretty grumpy cow today, but managed to not shout at any kids, so that's an achievement!

@seven201 congratulations for not shouting! At this point I think being grumpy is normal, there is too much going on! I was a monster on estrogen and progesterone last cycle. A raging monster!
I have no experience in resting heartbeat and pregnancy so I can't help you with that. Do you have any other pregnancy symptoms?

@Yuliaaa thanks for indulging me! My nipples are still a bit darker - that has been my only symptom (unless you count the mood swings)! I'm on steroids and omperazole, so I wonder if they mask some symptoms like sickness. I did wee on a cheapie opk and the line is very dark still, but I should imagine the HCG takes a while to start dropping off 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Glad to hear I'm not the only monster on these drugs!

Today, when I picked up my six year old we bumped into a friend (luckily one who already knows what's going on) and dd went into a big spiel about how I couldn't pick her up as mummy is trying to get a baby in her tummy and she has to have injections and see doctors. I didn't realise I'd told her so much, but I guess I've said bits here and there and she's put it all together! Might need to watch what I say a bit more.

I hope the wait until the scan is bearable @seven201

@Janefx40 I hope you get some clarity on what's happening soon.

@VenusStarr I know some people can be on estradiol for several months to get their lining thick, so don't lose heart you just need it for a bit longer.

My update is I don't have insulin resistance, I sent the bloods off for it on Monday and got the result back today. The KIRS test was also sent off and is due back in 2-3 weeks. As I took mine and my husbands blood I wrote our email addresses at the top of the lab form so they've sent the results directly to me which helps with my need to be in control of all of this!

I have the surgeon appointment on 13th July and then donor LIT and the endometrial biopsy on 21st July. I'm a bit apprehensive about donor LIT, they will be injecting the blood of several men into me, they are checked for viruses but I guess with blood products you never know. I definitely wouldn't choose to do this if I could avoid it.

And to complicate matters I have an infected skin wound so I had to arrange a online GP appointment to fit in with work and started on antibiotics.

@seven201 oh wow! What a smart and sweet little girl! They really can put two an two together!
Did they check your hcg? I am only asking because when I lost that pregnancy in 2015 I was almost 7 weeks or so and the beta was low, but it was also the baby's heartbeat that was dropping. Also my symptoms started fading once he stopped growing.
Let's just be cautiously positive and hope Monday will bring good news! ❤️

@Gardenlady543 I'm glad to hear you don't have insulin resistance. Good work putting your emails on there. I'm glad you managed to get the surgeon booked in. I can understand feeling apprehensive of the LIT but I guess they only offer it if it's safe. Sorry about the skin infection, but it's good you can get that cleared up before the appts. Up the probiotics I guess. So much going on for you right now.

@seven201 well done for not shouting at the kids. I can't imagine having to teach whilst going through this. It must be hard.

@Yuliaaa sounds like the right decision for you right now x