ERA EMMA ALICE testing thread #6

[Gardenlady543]

@Janefx40 @birdbybird @seven201 @Gardenlady543 @patientpatient @MyEasterEggs @thislittlebird @Yuliaaa @Violette22 @2021ivfagain @OrangeBengal @Enfys23 @Loz2467 @DEIVF @Hopeful199 @ER12 @greendress789 @Douchas12111 @Lori2022 @AdviceForJane @Anonbaby @Molls87 @ChickenT2b @GoldenElephant @IVF22 @StillTrying10000 @warrior101 @whatcangowrong @Yaynayokay

Oh yes it really has happened we are onto thread #6.

All are welcome to join us, we started out as people interested in ERA EMMA ALICE but we seem to have had every test available between us.

So if you want to know about the microbiome, reproductive immunology or you just feel your case is complicated and what like minded people to talk to about it you've come to the right place

Thanks @Janefx40 and @MyEasterEggs

@Enfys23 how are you feeling about the hysteroscopy? It's a similar experience to me, mine found cervical stenosis but they concluded it wouldn't have caused the lack of success. It's bittersweet as you hope there is a reason found but then surgical abnormalities are definitely not something someone would want. I'm glad that you have had it and have some clarity. It's something important ticked off the list. I think the plan sounds like a good one, I think if lining is thin and oestrogen is low then that's a better situation to be in, because it suggests getting the oestrogen up will resolve the issue. If oestrogen is high and you don't respond that's where it becomes tricky. The plan you have discussed sounds like a good one.

@2021ivfagain you can do it that way if you want. I would aim to use the acid product for a short time and then stick to vaginal probiotics after, as your body should hopefully then adjust pH as needed, 7 days should be fine. You can always use the odd acid product ever week or so though. Try to avoid it around transfer etc though.

I did my trigger yesterday. PIO starts first thing tomorrow, wish me luck with it!!

So much luck your way @Gardenlady543 ! I hope the injections are ok! I’m sure you’ll ace them.

Thank you. I’m feeling okay on the whole. As you say it is bittersweet- I felt like that with EMMA/ALICE too - it seems it would be better to have some “reason”. But also feeling positive we can try various things and just have to cross fingers. As you say a surgical problem could be so much worse. I’m going to be doing ALL the possible “thick lining” things over next couple of weeks post bleed 😂

@Gardenlady543
Thank you. When I had my consultation, the results did not give a percentage for lactobacillus. He did say they do not always include it.

I wish I could take vaginal probiotics until pregnancy test but the consultant only advises until transfer.

So you triggered yesterday. Is your transfer next Wednesday?

Thinking ahead to possible natural cycle FET I’ve always struggled with the OPK strips (judging if line as dark/darker, thinking I keep missing it etc) would people recommend the CB digital one?

@Enfys23 yes I'd definitely recommend the CB advance fertility monitor. It tells you when it detects the estradiol rise first so you know the LH will then be coming in the next few days. I use it every cycle, the sticks are expensive so if it's not an important cycle, I will use it until I get the estradiol rise and then switch to LH sticks, when I think they are getting darker I'll use the CB monitor again to confirm it for me.

@2021ivfagain that will be ok, I have thought about doing it until the first scan (if I ever get that far) because they are going to do it in a research study, but at the same time sometimes it's just inconvenient, so a I didn't use them for a couple of days earlier this week.

I've done the PIO injection it didn't seem to hurt that much going in so I hope it ended up in the muscle, I've heard the first is usually ok and it's when you've done a few that it gets painful. I used a 1 1/4 inch needle so hopefully it got to the muscle.

@Gardenlady543 I think it’s more the anticipation of it going in that begins to affect you. Some days I felt nothing, other days it was a bit achy, but never unbearable. It’s just being sure to avoid bumps and bruises if you can. I’d sooner go into a bruise than a bump if you run out of space!

@Gardenlady543 so good you've got the go ahead! It's been a long time coming for you.

@Enfys23 I'm glad your scan went well today. I have similar to that when I do a FET.

I just had a frustrating appt at CRP. I have fluid still in my uterus, she thinks this could be why we’re not implanting. She’s going to talk to the surgeon about it but I think she’s talking about maybe another surgery I think to re-stitch my c-section scar (that was previous neatened up by mr lower a year and a bit ago). She said for now we should proceed (currently waiting for my intralipids, have been here since 2pm and not hooked up yet!) but she’s going to discuss with her colleagues and call me next week. She also said time is ticking by and maybe we should do another egg collection round while I’m still responding well. All a bit shit really! I can't believe how there is yet another 'thing'. It's very rare for me to have a straightforward appt. She said at least my ovaries are being good (have 3 follicles again on this letrazole round). Lining still thin so she's adding estradiol.

That's so incredibly frustrating for you @seven201 😔 I hope you don't need more surgery. Would you see Mr Lower again, or do it with Mr Jan at crp? How do you feel about doing another round of egg collection? I hope you get some clarity next week

@Gardenlady543 I'm glad you're on track now for transfer. Keeping everything crossed for you. Its been a long journey to get to this point ❤️

I'm sorry you're in a similar position @thislittlebird it's very difficult to feel like life is passing you by.

@Enfys23 I'm glad you've had your hysteroscopy and got a rough plan moving forwards.

We had some difficult news about dh's health this week which we need to process. Not sure what it will mean for us in terms of continuing to try or long term impacts.
Lots of love to all x

Hi ladies,
Today I received news following my recent ultrasound that I have most likely an endometrioma on my ovary and fluid in my pelvis suggestive of endometriosis.
Next step is a gynaecology app to discuss what to do, assuming laparoscopy.

I just wondered if there was anyone in this group whose been/going through a similar situation. I’m not sure at this point if IVF would be a suitable option. I’ve had one MMC and a chemical pregnancy. Nothing for 8 months now.

thanks x

Sorry to hear all this bad news today

@seven201 that is so frustrating, do they think the fluid is coming from the uterus? when did they last do a HSG or saline scan to check the tubes? Can you be doing a collection while pursuing/recovering from surgery?

Oh no @VenusStarr I'm sorry to hear about your DH ❤️ that's the last thing you need right now.

@ChickenT2b have they mentioned endo to you before? How do you feel about things?

@ChickenT2b sorry you've had that news. I'm sorry but I don't know anything about that.

@VenusStarr oh no about DH. Sorry you've had yet more shit thrown at you.

@Gardenlady543 thanks

I last had my tubes checked probably 4 years ago, but I've had pregnancies in the right place within the last year. I had a saline scan a couple of months ago a month after my adhesions were removed, and it was completely clear then. Today she showed me my c-section niche and showed how it linked down to the fluid and said it could be blood or some other fluid. I don't have spotting so it's not clear cut, especially as my niche has already had some work on it. I think I'd probably go with mr Jan if I need surgery. I'm not really on board with another egg collection as hopefully it is just the fluid that's preventing implantation. But I do get her point as I'm 40 so it makes sense to do it sooner rather than later. I have no clue on CRP ivf costs and the thought of all the appointments fills me with dread!

@seven201 I thought you had implanted a few times since you Lower surgery, I thought the fluid would stop the implantation happening at all. That's interesting that it could be connected to the scar. It must be frustrating having to revisit the same thing over and over. What CD are you today? I had the fluid CD9 but it was gone by CD12.

I've had two natural Implantations and an ivf implantation after the mr lower surgery. I don't think the fluid is always there as I don't remember there being fluid on that ivf round (have had previous ivf cancelled for fluid but that was pre mr lower surgery). Last month there wasn't a lot but this time it looked like more, but she said to go ahead with intralipids, trigger etc. as it's not impossible for it to work. I'm cd 11 today and due to trigger on Monday. She said my thin lining could be linked to the c-section scar too. That's reassuring that the fluid could go.

@seven201 the nurse said to me that with follicular hormones fluid can be present and also cervical mucus can track up, but the luteal support helps dry in up. They also say to orgasm to get rid of it. It's not good to have the fluid there at implantation time as the embryos like it dry. Are these letrozole timed cycles with the intralipids not costing quite a lot by now? Does CRP have any multiple cycle packages?

@VenusStarr I'm so sorry to hear this about your DH. Really hope you are both coping ok. Take some time to process. Thinking of you xxx

@seven201 how frustrating to be facing yet another thing! I'm sorry x

Oh interesting, thank you @Gardenlady543. Yes, it is all adding up. This is my third full letrazole cycle. I don't think they do packages but I should ask. I don't have a lot of cervical mucus, but that's not to say it isn't going in the wrong place!

Thanks @Janefx40 . Hope all still good with you?

@Enfys23 I always used to swear by CB digital but I actually think they've been wrong a couple of times recently. I think I would do both those alongside the cheapies because the estrogen feature is useful but I think the cheapies are better at assessing how close to LH surge you are. Then the digital is good for confirming it but as I said, I think it was wrong on both my July and August cycles (especially August where blood tests contradicted it)! Your clinic should do bloods anyway to confirm x

@seven201
I'm a bit confused having looked at the CRP website, do they do IVF there?

Can I ask ladies whilst we are on the subject of fluid in the uterus. My scans have only been in the luteal phase and both at 5/6 dpo roughly and the latest one is when I had the 2 small cystic structures in my lining but he didn’t seem concerned about them. He said because I’d have a hyterscopy at the end of May he knows the cavity is clear. He did “fix” and endometrial fold when he was doing it so maybe it’s the healing from that? He said sometimes thicker areas show as that structure On a scan but I can’t help but feel worried and also still feel worried about the brown spotting before and after my periods as I’ve read it’s a sure sign of endo. I’ve just had my protocol through and I start norethisterone on the 20th of this month and I’m feeling over whelmed.

I still need to order my medication and my prescription hasn’t arrived because of the postal strikes.

I could call the clinic Monday and then get my meds ordered and maybe I’ll feel better and more ready to go.

Thanks everyone and @Janefx40 I’ve now ordered the cheapies plus the CB to use both :)

I’m so sorry @VenusStarr I really hope the situation becomes clearer and less frightening. Sending love and hugs. I hope you’ve both got good support.

@seven201 I hope the fluid clears up by your next scan, crossing fingers.

@Gardenlady543 hope you can have a relaxed weekend and feel mentally and physically prepped for Wednesday.

@Enfys23 Woop to ordering! I hope it's useful you'll have to let us know how you get on with it.

I'm not sure what this might be @Loz2467 it sounds like the doctor doesn't seem worried though. Will you do a transfer in the collection cycle or is it to bank embryos? There is still plenty of time, the only thing you need initially is noresthisterone if it gets really stressful and you're cutting it fine then you can order it from here www.ukmeds.co.uk/norethisterone for delaying your period (which is why you're using it in the cycle), they have all sorts of speedy delivery options as long as the order gets in before the Xmas closure of the company. Why don't you have a look at that website, just so you have a back up plan in your head. I think you'll be able to sort everything in time though, as it's still 10 days before the 20th. I always like to have back up plans though as I get where you're coming from, you want everything there ready to go so you feel in control.

@Loz2467 just thinking with the findings in the scan, normal hysteroscopy and spotting, could you have adenomyosis?

@Gardenlady543 yes CRP do IVF, I think it's a pretty recent thing for them. The egg collection and transfer happen at kings, but they do the rest of the appts at CRP. Their website is a bit rubbish! I've not looked into ivf with them at all, other than chatting to another patient about it while having intralipids.

@Gardenlady543

I’m feeling confused from my consultation as he talks very fast and I’m worried about amount of medication I have to take.

Do you know what is meant by: a microbiome with ultra low biomass? It said Alice was negative but Emma showed some bacteria that was not significant. What does ultra low biomass mean? Thanks

@Gardenlady543 Thank you so much for the info and posting the site for the norethisterone. I could drive to the clinic also but I’m so busy with work on the lead Up to Xmas and don’t have a day off till Xmas Eve. I must be mad. I need to get sorted Monday then I feel better and have a back up plan like you said. The nurse did mention adenomyosis even though I have no symptoms but the Dr didn’t seem concerned when I had my follow up consultation after the scan. He said he’s checked my cavity through hyterscopy and isn’t concerned about the two cystic areas but I am worried. I know with adenomyosis you usually need a down regulation. Strange how I’ve concieved naturally twice then all of a sudden all these problems in the way. I’ve seen cystic areas in scans in the myometrium section but I can’t see much about it in the actually lining and I’m worried as obviously it’s what matters. Jan I will have a fresh transfer too. I even worrying how my AMH stayed the exact same from January to October at 8.4 wondering if I’ve even been ovulating like how can it even be exact to the decimal! I know I’m such a worrier. With adenomyosis would the spotting just suddenly start even though I’ve never had it before? I’m 36 and it started last July when I got my covid vaccine.