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

I know you know what you're looking at @seven201 but hope there is something more clear for you tomorrow.

Last night I slept quite well for the first time in a few night, I'd been very upset about the beta and thought this could be the day where the line has disappeared which made me feel less pressure and then it was there darker so now I have to wake up on Xmas to see what it looks like then which is quite stressful. This morning after the wondfu and frer looked good I put a stick in my CB fertility monitor, which says it's got a sensitivity of 10 and it said "not pregnant", that was with second morning urine but if anything looked more concentrated, so I thought well that's weird, dipped another wondfu in the same urine that also has a sensitivity of 10 and it was a clear positive again. So I don't know.

I echo the happy xmas to everyone! There's a few of us with uncertainty right now, thinking of everyone!

@Gardenlady543 ARGC test day is usually 10dp5dt but occasionally 9dp. They test again the next day then usually every 2 days. When I had my chemical they stopped meds when my Hcg dropped but not while it was rising tho low.

Here is one example of results:

Test day = 6
Test day + 1 = 14
Test day + 3 = 64

I can't find the results I was looking for but I know one woman was 5 on test day and others had similar.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love all of you wonderful women. So glad we all found each other! 🎄🎁🎅🏽

Not great news for me to wake up to, the line is still lurking on a frer and wondfu but it's now 11dp5dt and since 6dp5dt there hasn't been massive progression, is this normal on a chemical for it to just to stay at a low level for ages? Normally I see people getting lines and then they disappear.

@Gardenlady543 I’ve had two chemicals and it’s always been as you’ve described. A barely noticeable line shows and then next day disappears.

I haven’t seen light progression over a few days as you’ve experienced. But as long as there’s progress it’s something and as you know it can often be down to how diluted your urine is. We had someone on our transfer month thread where her lines took a good week or so to darken so it can happen.

I really hope things are moving in the right direction for you 💛

Wishing you all a gentle Christmas. I know I came to this thread many years into my own fertility struggle, but I’ve appreciated your support. My son’s due date fell on 17th Dec so this is always a strange time of year. My losses have definitely taken the shine off it. But still, we carry on. Sending lots of love and a few festive sparkles ✨

@Gardenlady543

I’m sorry. Things might change at 14 dpt. Do you think it might be better to just wait a few more days to test again? It might take the pressure off.

It’s good you’re using vagibiom. You have worked so hard to get to this point.

@Gardenlady543
Also when I did a transfer in 2020, I found I used a range of different tests. I found a cheap one from Asda or Sainsbury’s and also fast 3 minute response from
Clearblue much better than frer. I found the blue dye much easier to see.

Thanks guys, the line has dried the same as the day before yesterday. I think it peaked yesterday and has now started to go down. I have until Tuesday, so two more test days to go. I will have to see if the line is gone by then, if it's still there then I may be looking at an ectopic.

@Gardenlady543 I'm so sorry this is happening ❤️ with my fresh transfer I had very similar (although I'd bled heavily at 7dpt). But light tests at 9dp with low hcg. The lines were darker over the course of the week and showing on a 25iu test. But faded to almost nothing at 16dpt.

I had a chemical before and again it was a week of faint progression after my period was due and then I bled.

I'm sending you lots of love today.

sorry I've gone awol. I'm not really coping at the moment. Love to all xx

@Gardenlady543 Aghh. That's so frustrating for you. I do find that different packs of frer can have ever so slightly different sensitivities or thinner or thicker lines, that can just change how the lines look. Sometimes there is an indent, sometimes stark white. My point is just a little bit difference in the line doesn't necessarily mean much, though it is bloody frustrating! Sorry you're in the position of just not knowing what's going on.

I'm still in the same position as yesterday. I think it's still an indent, but can't know 100%. I think I'm going to treat it as negative and have a few drinks and stop the meds (as otherwise my mr lower appt on 4th might be too early in my cycle if I keep going much longer). I'll do another test in the morning and can always hop back on the meds if needs be.

Merry Christmas!!! Xxx

Thanks @VenusStarr thinking of you today, I'm on progesterone and my level is quite high which I imagine is holding off any bleed. This is my first positive ever, so it's a bit rubbish really, I knew the whole time I wasn't in the middle of the pack, my lines were 2 days behind everyone elses and 8dp5dt beta was in the grey area, but there were stories of people starting low and catching up and being fine. I was hopeful with yesterdays strong line and had hoped to wake up to a dark line today but it didn't happen :(

@seven201 think I'm going to behave normally as well, I use vibrating tools in a hobby and decided not to post transfer incase it affected implantation, but I'm sure my actions won't change the outcome right now.

Thanks to you guys for taking time out of your Xmas day to offer me support. This is the shittest Xmas ever, luckily just me and DH at home and all he wanted to do is watch movies all day so just sat here crying with it's a wonderful life on in the background.

@Gardenlady543 do remember how much progress you have made. You've had a bfp, which is an absolutely massive deal. I know that's not much comfort now, but it is something. With my last pregnancy my lines were very very slow to progress, and that pregnancy did make it to heart beat stage.

@VenusStarr big love to you.

I think we should all stuff our faces today and I'm going to have some wine!

@Gardenlady543 I'm sorry you haven't woken up to a strong line as we all hoped. So we are still not really knowing what's going on.

I've had chemicals with faint lines progressing and chemicals with strong lines that disappeared again. It's shit whatever the scenario. I think @2021ivfagain might have a good point - maybe let yourself wait a few days? It would give you an emotional break but it would mean you have less information on how things are playing out. So it's a choice to make of which you prefer.

I hate It's a wonderful life - the most miserable film ever!

@seven201 I'm sorry you're also facing an uncertain day and that you've not had much progression either. Ugh this is a rubbish day.

@VenusStarr lovely to hear from you but sorry this are rubbish. Sending you lots of love xxx

Sorry you’re having a crappy Christmas Day @Gardenlady543. I know the shitty feeling of a BFP that doesn’t turn out how you expect.

@VenusStarr hope you’re ok. I’m not coping well either, it’s been a shit year and a fairly sad Christmas to boot.

We’re having a food and alcohol filled Christmas because in the new year we have to hit the diet, exercise, supplements, tests etc all over again. Sigh:

hope everyone else here is ok, I have not caught up properly x

@seven201 I guess when I fully know the outcome and progress on I will feel a bit more upbeat, my clinic will likely keep me on meds and book in a scan if there is any line there on Tuesday but I will do a beta and update them if they do that. I have written some info down to ask the RI as I need his input on progesterone regime etc. I'm hoping I can talk through the cycle and get his opinion asap when I know the outcome, as I know my specialist doesn't know what to do with me and will freak out about the Progesteone. I will push to remove lubion and do pio daily next time as I have found the injections fine. Overall I expect we will do a very similar cycle next time with menopur added in. Not sure if there is much point in me doing the letrozole though, I don't know if it gave me any advantage as my body decided to go ahead with the one follicle anyway.

@Janefx40 I only have tomorrow and then OTD is the next day, so probably best if I do a daily test so I know where I'm at given it's one day away. It's very close to OTD now.

My husband put on its a wonderful life, I've just been quietly lying on the sofa with it on in the background when he put it on, all I knew is what Phoebe from friends said:

Phoebe: Thanks for the great movie tip.

Monica: Did you like it?

Phoebe: Oh, yeah. I don't know if I was happier when George Bailey destroyed the business or Donna Reed cried or when the mean pharmacist made his ear bleed.

Monica: All right, I'll give you the ear thing, but didn't you think the ending was pretty wonderful?

Phoebe: I didn't watch the ending. I was too depressed. It just kept getting worse and worse. It should've been called: "It's a Sucky Life, And Just When You Think It Can't Suck Anymore, It Does!"

I thought that was the right kind of film for my mood today! Although not sure I paid much attention to it.

Thanks @thislittlebird I hope your Xmas is as good as it can be, There's a few of us having a sad one this year, it will soon be 2023 and hopefully we can all get some better luck then.

Hi. I had a test done which revealed gardnerella again. I’m getting fed up with it so much. The strange thing is I have done canesbalance for 10 days and used Flora Femme and now another vaginal pessary with lactobacillus gasseri and lactobacillus ramnosus and ph did improve to 4.5 so I do not know what is going on. My consultant wanted me to avoid antibiotics. I’m wondering whether to continue taking vaginal probiotics and do another test. I’m starting to get fed up with it all. Sorry I just feel it’s never going away.

@2021ivfagain if you need to avoid antibiotics and you aren't symptomatic then you will have to just stick with the acid product and probiotics. You can do a vaginal probiotic twice a day and use an acid product with it in the evening.

My test is lighter than yesterday, think the peak was 10dp5dt and it's been coming down the last 2 days. OTD tomorrow but technically have 2 more test days before I speak to the clinic as they open on Wednesday.

@seven201 any update?

@Gardenlady543

Hi. Thank you for your advice. You are so helpful. I did do the test close to my period so wondering whether that affected it. Can recurring norethesterone use make people more prone to gardnerella?

I’m sorry your test is getting lighter. You could continue to test for peace of mind if it is not causing stress. I guess you’re using fmu each time. At least you only have to wait 2 days to speak with your clinic. I wish I could give you more advice.

@Gardenlady543 oh I'm sorry your line is lighter. Definitely keep on the meds just in case.

I'm classing myself as officially out now this month. Thank goodness for Christmas chocolate!

Sorry @2021ivfagain that really is shitty. I wish I had some advice.

@2021ivfagain my pH goes up a bit on noresthisterone, but only a little bit. As I've been in this cycle I have been sticking to the acid product and vaginal probiotics. But the cycle seems to be coming to an end at the moment, in the cycle off I will do antibiotics and recolonise. It's hard when you are in the midst of treatment.

Thanks @seven201 still on the meds, but did quite a lot of active stuff and vibrating tool use today. I always thought if there is a line there is hope, but it is quite clear that this isn't meant to be :( when things open up later this week I will start ringing round and getting stuff booked in. Hoping that the specialists will see this as a step forward and that evidence that hopefully the formula is right.

It definitely is a huge step forward.

I am really sorry @Gardenlady543 this is such a cruel heartbreaking thing to go through ❤️

@seven201 I'm sorry this Superovulation cycle hasn't worked. Are you seeing Mr Jan in the new year?

@thislittlebird ❤️❤️ is sorry you're feeling similar, I've just been coasting through these last few weeks.

My period has decided not to turn up, which is annoying. We've not ttc so it's definitely not a good sign. I started impryl, but only last week, so it shouldn't have interferred with anything. I've also got a really bad rash on my hand that I think is due to coming off Hydroxychloroquine. Kind of looks like psoriasis 👍 which I don't think I've had before. I'm hoping to go back on hydroxy in February anyway.

Lots of love to all xx

@VenusStarr nice to hear from you. Sorry about the delayed period and rash - both very annoying.

I'm seeing Mr Lower early Jan, so at least there's that.

@Gardenlady543

I’m sorry this cycle is coming to an end. What antibiotics will you be taking? Will you be taking metronidazole again? My consultant does not know yet that I have gardnerella again. I just get a slightly raised ph when I take norethisterone or just around my period. My consultant wanted me to avoid antibiotics for transfer, but he doesn’t know yet about the gardnerella. I don’t have bv.

Would it be a bad idea to take metronidazole again in the transfer cycle? This is my preparation month, so already taking norethisterone to control cycle ready for January transfer.

It is good you are looking at what went right in your cycle. It is really hard when it does not work out, but you have a lot in place this transfer. I’m sure this preparation will help you whatever the outcome of this cycle.

Today is OTD there is still a line there in the 3 minute window but it has got fainter again. I would call it but since nothing is open today it seems sensible to take progesterone to delay my period as I have so many appointments I want to book in and can't start that process until tomorrow. I want to ask if I can get low dose naltrexone from Gorgy, if not I have found a clinic that should hopefully be able to arrange it, I've heard this is good for autoimmune issues. I need to book in with Gorgy to see what he thinks about the plan moving forward. I want to see if I can get an iron infusion to raise my ferritin and I want to get a saline scan. I also want to book in with my clinic to put the protocol in place but need to speak to Gorgy first as my clinic will freak out about the progesterone level I'm sure.

@2021ivfagain I think I will take metronidazole for a week starting when I'm on my period and then follow it with probiotics. I do have vaginal clindamycin but that wipes everything out and I don't know if that's necessary at this point. I wouldn't take antibiotics in a treatment cycle if you can avoid it. If you're talking about pH going 4.5 to 5, mine often does, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Thanks @VenusStarr the rash is interesting, I wonder what autoimmune issues I have lurking that could come to light. This has been a strange cycle for me as I am hypothyroid but my T4 has gone above range and I've been symptomatic, I thought it was the steroids but looking into it, it was likely the high progesterone level as my TSH went up as well. Erg the things we do for this treatment