ERA EMMA ALICE testing thread 7

[VenusStarr]

Hi all. We're on our 7th thread! Really hoping for some more positive news in the coming months.

Glad you have an explanation for your symptoms @seven201 sinusitis can be so painful.

@APSR the results are supposedly only applicable to the medication protocol you did at the time so if meds changes technically need to redo, but as @seven201 says few do due to expense and further delays of doing another mock cycle.

@VenusStarr jobsworthness like that hugely annoys me!!! I mean come on 450x2 is 900!!! So annoying. Glad you got it sorted.

I hope there’s unexpected good news for you tomorrow @Gardenlady543 I’ve managed to do NYC in 5 days before (including flights in and out) but 4 days is a squeeze. Do take some time out for you though.

@2021ivfagain I am sorry it’s such a rough time for you at the moment. I hope you can get some clarity and move forward soon with things.

@Lori2022 good luck with starting stims Saturday!

@Spin101 that is very frustrating that you paid for the consultation only to still be left with lack of answers and no plan. I would be kicking up a fuss if I were you, I know it’s not easy though xx

My day 10 scan is tomorrow (if I can get to it). It sounds like I might be snowed in though - stress I could do without 😬I really hope lining behaves. Think maybe my line looking marginally darker on LH sticks, but still very light and no smiley face yet. I tend to go from zero to peak and back again very quickly though so may still happen tomorrow. My husband has just had to fly away for work so I will be on my own for this transfer/2WW. Going to be hard. Joys of natural cycle FET!

hope everyone else doing okay x

I have only one euploid embryo so don’t mind repeating the era just to be sure. And it’s been a big struggle to get to this stage. Also my Emma Alice report recommends me to go for antibiotics and probiotics treatment and then repeat biopsy. But for era it mentions no need to repeat. But since there will be change in progesterone dosage and medication I felt it’s better to get era done too.

@APSR I am sorry to hear it’s been a struggle for you to get to this point. If this is a really precious embryo and you have to repeat the EMMA/ALICE post treatment anyway then I would definitely repeat the ERA with the new medication protocol. Think pricing tends to mean doing all 3 fairly similar price to one on its own anyway. Wishing you lots of luck.

@APSR it sounds like we’re in a similar boat. I also have one single euploid embryo to transfer, it took a long time a lots of money to get to this so I accepted the full ERA/EMMA/ALICE/NKC biopsy and mock cycle, with added costs and delays to ensure everything was in the best possible shape ahead of transfer.
Currently awaiting results for my follow up consultation next week. I cannot begin to imagine the frustration if any of the results suggest any of the tests should be repeated and worse even the whole mock cycle, at that point I might as well have just paid for a second round of egg collection and possibly have ended up with another euploid.
I hope you can finally go ahead with the transfer as soon as possible, but with the confidence everything’s been looked at properly and treated as needed, sorry to hear about another possible mock cycle.
Would this be your first embryo transfer or you’ve had previous ones?

One 4AA fet failed. This is my second cycle. But had 2 rounds of stimulation for the first cycle to get good number of follicles but ended with only 3 eggs and 1 execellent quality blastocyst which failed to implant. Second round got 5 eggs again after 2 rounds of stimulation - 2 blastocyst- 1 euploid after pgt. And now done with endometrial biopsy and have to start antibiotics and probiotics for the treatment. Once the infection is treated repeat biopsy (I would try to get all 3 tests done again) then down regulation which would take 4 weeks. After that can start my fet. Long way to go. Tough journey which is emotionally, financially and physically draining. Hopefully we all get there soon. Best wishes to all👍

@Enfys23 thank you for the luck 🍀
fingers crossed your lining scan goes well tomorrow and also @Gardenlady543 tomorrow 🤞🤞

@Gardenlady543 Good luck with your scan.

@Spin101 I have high fsh so oestrogen priming is used to lower fsh. It works by making sure all follicles start at a similar size to improve growth. It helps lining as well.

@seven201 Hope you get the infection sorted.

@APSR I know it’s difficult when there are so many variables. It’s good they are checking progesterone so much. When I did my biopsy, I had to dig my heels in to get my progesterone tested. It was 113 but I was taking 2 lubion plus 2 cyclogest daily. With my clinic, they don’t usually test until day of transfer. What type of FET cycle are you doing?

Thanks everyone

@kerrym87 yeah it's so frustrating being someone that doesn't follow the standard response :(

@VenusStarr the stress of getting drugs from pharmacies isn't good :( the delivery companies always seem to have the drugs in stock but much more expensive, then going and finding it yourself is cheaper but I've had so much stress doing it.

@APSR I think people normally do the same regime and then a progesterone test the day before transfer and if it isn't at the level they want they add progesterone in. ERA will say you have to repeat if you change the regime but my understanding is the level is to support a pregnancy rather than for receptivity.

Thanks @seven201 I'm sad about the whole thing because I think it's the fyremadel that did this, I can't see this being routinely used with letrozole in others. Oh no sinusitis :( you must be in pain, ah and the deficiencies on top, no wonder you feel worn out.

Good luck with the scan @Enfys23

Just waiting on the scan now, no estradiol rise on my CB monitor still, the LH stick looked darker again this morning,

Morning all. Hope you're all OK. Had a horrible dream that I had another miscarriage last night at exactly 6+2 and I just turned to dh and said I knew it. The scan showed a reason but the rest of the dream was trying to find out what it was... it does coincide with af arriving this morning, so hopefully hormones rather than a premonition. It's unsettling though.

We've got loads of snow ❄️ typical that I've got a full on day in the office with patients coming in. Need to decide soon whether to cancel sessions. The building is open soon so going to call and see.
Really hope it's clear by Sunday morning, we're setting off to to Gatwick at 8am!

Thinking of you this morning @Gardenlady543 🙏

Even I had to request a lot for the progesterone levels to be checked a day before my ERA. But now that the levels came out less intramuscular shots have been added.have a follow up next well will discuss about all these points.

So today has gone badly, no response at all, 2 follicles left one 8mm and one 10mm. Lining is at 3mm and the whole thing has been cancelled.

The doctor called me and he is putting me on Microgynon 30 (combined OCP) he said 15 days should be fine, when I stop that I will have a bleed. I'm hoping this will reset my body, as I'm sure it has no idea what to do at the moment. Menopur is now not available in the UK so when I get the bleed I will go in for a scan on CD1 or CD2. I will then start Meriofert 75units, he said they won't book in the intralipids unless there are two scans showing follicles are growing. There is fyremadel in this protocol as well and a trigger. I hope this will work better.

I ended up having a really stressful day going back and forth to the clinic 3 times altogether, but the script is currently with Asda and I have the OCP here so I can start that tomorrow. I have managed to book Friday off work next week so I'm looking at a 7 day holiday to USA as I know I will have a nice time there. Everyone that knows me has begged me to go as I haven't had a holiday during all this and I think I'm close to breaking point now.

@VenusStarr sorry about the dream. They can really affect the mood for the day can't they. I reckon you'll be fine snow wise by Sunday. Exciting about going away.

@Gardenlady543 oh no. Sorry, but I think it is great that you gave it your all. Amazing about America holiday!!!! That is a super idea. Get organising and packing.

Yep, they gave me antibiotics so just waiting for them to kick in. I don't feel horrendous, but am looking forward to being well. I had my HCG result and it was in the lowish 5 week range (619) when should be mid 5 week range, but I'm happy as I think I could have implanted late. Time will tell.

I've been thinking of you @Gardenlady543 I'm so sorry it has been cancelled. Its such a disappointment after everything its taken to get to this point ❤️ I'm so pleased you've got an extra day and you can go to America! 🇺🇲 how exciting. Where are you hoping to go? You deserve this break. X

Thank you @seven201 the snow is already melting. The journey in was horrible but the roads are mostly clear now. I'm just packing for hols, think I might need to streamline what I'm taking though 😅
Im glad you got your hcg results, definitely pregnant 🙏 looking good. I'll be thinking of you for your scan next week. Hope the antibiotics kick in soon x

That is rubbish @Gardenlady543 but I’m glad you have an amazing trip to focus on now. Jet setting @VenusStarr and @Gardenlady543 hope you have amazing time.

That is tentatively good news @seven201, not too long to the scan now. Crossing everything.

I got so hot and sweaty and tired digging out all the snow this morning to get to scan, it was right call though as I did have surge this morning, and if I hadn’t got out it looks like I’m now really snowed in for tomorrow too so wouldn’t have had a scan until next week. I had to rush back so not to get snowed out of the village/house. Worked from home this afternoon in as much a fashion as one can in NHS patient facing work.

Scan wasn’t ideal. Lining 6.6mm. So disappointing when has got to over 7mm in natural cycle before. I do wonder how much error there is when they throw those crosses in the screen! But they kept stressing it looks really good “beautiful” and trilaminar and exactly what they’d expect for surge day in appearance, tried to reassure me will still thicken coming days before progesterone really rises. Consultant wants to go ahead. Feel a bit lost really but think I have to just go with it. I think if I say no then they will hit me with a big bill for cancelled cycle given they all think okay. Ugh. Maybe this is just what my lining can achieve, had a really decent couple of follicles and one about to pop.

@Enfys23 that is lucky you had the scan yesterday not today then! 6.6mm is pretty good, although I can understand the disappointment. So when will transfer be then?

@VenusStarr enjoy the packing Venus. Hope you can find everything (that's always my problem)!

Happy Friday everyone x

Thanks @seven201 yes I’m feeling more at peace with it. Was reading up on lining and I know it looks good on hysteroscopy at this point of the cycle and they clearly think it looks like it should on scan at the mo. I guess stressing about decimal points of a mm is a little crazy.
I am starting lubion, Cyclogest, pred and clexane tomorrow then have progesterone blood test on Tuesday PM and transfer will be Wednesday. First time I’m on my own for transfer. I really hope I’m not digging through snow then!

Hope you’re feeling well. How are you feeling about your scan?

Hope everyone else doing okay xx

@Enfys23 Wednesday isn't long away now. I hope you don't have to dig snow either! Just leave plenty of time. It sounds like there's a good plan in place for you. Clinics worry about their success statistics too, they wouldn't go for a transfer if they didn't think it could work.

I'm still poorly but am less stressed since the blood test. Wednesday is a big day for me too.

@seven201 I really hope you feel better soon. I’m glad the HCG has helped calm the stress a bit. I will be thinking of you Wednesday too ❤️
I am doing pre and post transfer acupuncture this time. It’ll be good distraction anyway esp with DH away.

Hey @Enfys23 I think that's sensible, there's every chance you're over 7mm now plus I'm on a thin lining group on Facebook and there's lots of positive outcomes on 5-6mm.
Do you have a day 5 embryo? Just wondering why you're not doing 5 days of progesterone before transfer (I may have missed something so apologies if so). I'm sorry your dh is away, I'm sure the clinic will look after you ❤️

How are you @Gardenlady543 have you booked your holiday?

I'm incredibly anxious 😬 we had awful snow yesterday and I just thought we won't get to the airport. I think its OK though now as its warmed up and mostly gone now but the anxiety is lingering and I'm just overthinking everything. Been awake since 5am... I'm going to a gym class that I like to burn off some excess adrenaline. I'm mostly packed (but I'll unpack and repack when I get back 🙃) dh need to do his case. I'll feel better when I've handed the key to the lady looking after our cats this afternoon.

Hope you're all well xxx

Sorry you're still unwell but I'm glad you're feeling reassured @seven201 ill be thinking of you and @Enfys23 on Wednesday ❤️

@VenusStarr I'm at the airport now :) where are you going?

Ah fab! 🤩 @Gardenlady543 we're off to Tenerife, first time abroad since lockdown (we actually got brought home early from Portugal). Hope you have a wonderful time xx

@VenusStarr I haven't had a holiday for so long, I booked to go to USA in May 2020 which was obviously cancelled, we normally go for 2 weeks but just a week this time. We're going to LA, It will be good to have a break. You will probably have better weather that we do as it's not that warm in LA this time of year.

Hope you @VenusStarr and @Gardenlady543 have amazing trips! Hope a good workout calms you down. Where are you off to @Gardenlady543 ?

Thanks @VenusStarr that’s so reassuring. Yes day 5 blast but I am doing true natural cycle FET so technically don’t need to be taking the progesterone at all as my body should be doing it from ovulating naturally, however seems good evidence for boosting pregnancy rates in true natural cycle FET with progesterone luteal support started 3 days post surge which will be Sunday for me 🙂. Starting it too early can interrupt the natural changes happening in the endometrium apparently.

Crossed messages then - LA sounds fun! Have a great time @Gardenlady543