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.

• mustn’t

Can you ask your clinic for a prescription for the dhea? I know that crgh prescribes it. More expensive but you would be able to get it straight away.

You could also ask on the UK IVF support Facebook group if anybody is looking to pass on what they have. But you might need to check the group rules as that kind of thing can get you banned on some groups.

@Gardenlady543 I had low and normal results for endometrium nk cells. For my lower nk cells in endometrium, I’m having neupogen infusion on first day of progesterone and extra hcg trigger on transfer day.

I’m also thinking that with lower oestrogen do you know if corpus luteum produces enough oestrogen in women like me or do you think I would need additional estradiol tablets?

Thinking of you today @thislittlebird hope you're not waiting around all day ❤️

Hi @Enfys23 , thank you for thinking of me x
I'm so pleased to hear that your DH results have come back good. One less thing to worry about.
I know how distressing it is to hear how much monitoring (scans and bloods) other clinics do (especially the London ones). You're with Care aren't you, same as me? (Sorry if I've got mixed up). I've had this argument with them so many times, but it's just how they do things. Sorry if I confused things before by saying I get baseline scans - that's what they call them, but they're actually in the cycle preceding treatment. As far as I can recall, I've not had scans at the beginning of a treatment cycle. The only bloods I've had have been during a medicated FET. I'm glad to see though that you've managed to book a private scan and hopefully that gives you the reassurance you need. Otherwise, it sounds like you had a really constructive review and have a good plan to go forwards with.
Sorry I don't know the answer to your question about delaying cycles.
Also just want to say that I totally understand what you say about holidays being difficult and also losing 'you'. I can totally relate. And of course you will still be grieving your recent loss. It must be so hard with your DH away (I find it hard when DH is away for 3 days never mind 3 weeks!). I hope you have supportive people around you x

@kerrym87 Congratulations on being PUPO! I hope you have a good 2ww and a successful outcome x

@VenusStarr and @thislittlebird Delighted that your scans are going well! May everything continue to go in the right direction for you both x

@VenusStarr I'm surprised it has never been picked up before.

@2021ivfagain if you do a medicated natural FET then they need to check your estradiol is over 500 and supplement if it isn't. I had the nk activity biopsy to decide if I needed neupogen, Gorgy doesn't like the NK number biopsies and says the activity one is better.

Good luck @thislittlebird I hope you get things sorted at the clinic for the sample timing.

@thislittlebird best of luck, my husband always did sample before we left and as long as it was with embryologist within the hour that was fine. I have always gona in about 7.45 and had collection by 10

@IVF22 I wonder if you still have issues someone here who can order with no problems could order on your behalf but get it sent to you and you send them the money if you get really stuck? X

@Faithhopelove83 I remembered on my way to work its your scan today. I hope you're feeling OK and I'm keeping everything crossed for you ❤️❤️

@Gardenlady543 Thanks. It was 510 last time before trigger but was on a low dose of stims every other day. Lining got to 12.5mm. I need to keep an eye on it. My consultant doesn’t seem bothered. In fact, I asked to increase meriofert to 300iu every other day so that should help but then lining might get thick too fast.

Does the corpus luteum still produce oestrogen by itself? Thanks for telling me this. My consultant has not been forthcoming with information. In fact, I have been proactive in increasing my progesterone medication just in case as I think it’s too low. I’ll be on 3 x 400 cyclogest a day plus 2 x lubion a day.

What was your estradiol when you did your transfer last year? They said they like estradiol for natural FET over 400?

When I had biopsy, it revealed low activity but that was from the same sample where I did not get pie charts so wondering if they got enough to test. Are you not having treatment for nk cells in endometrium?

Will reply to everyone later but looks like my moany email paid off. They spoke to the embryologist who did the analysis in Feb and she said there was a lot of agglutination and clumping, so yes, he does need to do it later on and into a solution. But then the nurse came in and and said I’m first on the list this time so might go down about 11.30 which doesn’t work with the 1pm semen sample plan to be prepped at 3-3.30 🙄. I’m going to ask the doctor when she turns up if the embryology lot can call again.

Now they’ve said there’s two people so maybe it’ll be more like 12.30pm. It’s all fun and games here with the hotline in the room that keeps ringing 🙃

Aww thank you @VenusStarr ❤. On our way to the appointment now 😬xx

@thislittlebird I hope they sort it to get the timing right, at least they are on board now so fingers crossed. You didn't need this stress right before collection, it's really frustrating. Thinking about you.

@2021ivfagain think my level was about 550 in the transfer cycle at the end of last year. In a modified natural FET you rely solely on the follicle and then the corpus luteum to produce the estradiol needed for pregnancy, which is complicated post implantation it seems to go up and down at various times. I don't need treatment for the nk numbers as they said it would be expected to be low the cycle after a biopsy. In recurrent implantation failure nk cells would be expected to be through the roof. So they are treating me based on the peripheral nk result and hla match.

@Gardenlady543 exactly, this last minute stress was totally unnecessary. And my consultant agreed with yesterday’s embryologist! When I say I’m tired if having to fight every step of the way I’m not kidding.

I’m out now, 14 eggs collected, let’s hope a good few are mature 🤞. This is quicker than last time where I was clearly last on the list or something. Waiting for my lunch order and having a tea!

@thislittlebird that's great! I got same number too. I can tell the difference between my bhs cup of tea and private...myou even got a teapot and posh cup! Not to mention the biscuit 😂🍪☕️

@kerrym87 scared they won’t be mature but we shall see! I know lmao, I only got a biscuit at nhs clinic, get a full three course lunch here 🤣. I don’t really need this much but I order it to get my money’s worth. I’ll get through it!

That’s great @thislittlebird , fingers crossed for a high number of mature. Hope you’re feeling ok? Nice lunch! I don’t get that in my private clinic!

@kerrym87 good luck for the TWW, you’ve got a shot now.

@Faithhopelove83 thinking of you

I got my PGT-M and PGT-A results. The good news is that one of the two embryos were euploid (I’m age 44 so was delighted with that!). However, sadly the PGT-M came back as both embryos being at risk of the genetic disease we’re trying to avoid (50:50 chance) so sadly we won’t be transferring the euploid. I’m gearing up for another cycle in May and hoping we can make another euploid that is also risk-free during one of the cycles I do this year. A massive tall order but I’m encouraged that I got a euploid and went against the dire stats for my age.

@thislittlebird I have paid tens of thousands to my clinic and I've never been offered anything, not even a biscuit!

Oh @CailinInUK how upsetting to have to go through the odds of Pgt a and Pgt m. It shows you can make euploid embryos though which is the biggest hurdle as the Pgt m will be a coin toss, so there is hope.

That's good news @thislittlebird 🤞 for fertilisation. That spread looks amazing! I don't even think I got biscuits at my last collection 😅

Oh @CailinInUK I'm so sorry that your eupoloid has the risk so you can't transfer it. I'm glad you have a plan moving forwards and there is definitely a win to know you are able to create eupoloid embryos.

@Faithhopelove83 ❤️

@Gardenlady543 @VenusStarr thanks both ❤️. It is gutting but I’m used to it by now. I gathered seven euploids in 2018 and only two passed the 50:50 coin toss and one of those didn’t survive the thaw. Like you say @Gardenlady543 , the hard part should be creating the euploids. If I can do that, I have a chance. I just hope this euploid was not my quoted one in ten blastocysts, or whatever that stat is at age 44.

Thank you @CailinInUK , really appreciate it. I'm so sorry you won't be able to transfer your euploid embryo. I really hope you get a risk-free euploid in your May cycle x

Just finishing catching up on the thread. Can totally relate to the waiting and wasted periods @Gardenlady543 , @VenusStarr and @thislittlebird . It's been over 6.5 years for us now and I'm exhausted. It's so hard.
I hope you get to get started soon @Gardenlady543 . Keep going x

Fantastic news @thislittlebird , so pleased to hear your EC went well today especially after being mucked about so much. What a lunch! You certainly don't get that at my clinic! Hope you get a good fertilisation rate x

I hope stimms are going well @clhiu . I think you had a scan today? I hope it went well x

I am relieved to say that my 6+3 scan went well today. I'll have another scan at 8+2 when I go in for my next intralipids. Thank you again for the support. I appreciate it's difficult x

@Faithhopelove83 so happy for you and the outcome of your scan ❤️❤️❤️

@thislittlebird very glad to hear you didn’t have to wait around as much as last time, 14 is a good number! Fingers crossed for good fertilisation rates. Very posh lunch indeed, nothing like that at my clinic either

@CailinInUK sorry to hear you couldn’t beat the PGT-M odds, but definitely a good thing you can still make euploids and you’re able to have another cycle, may that be the one that beats the 50:50 odds, sending all my positive thoughts to that 🤞

@Gardenlady543 when’s your next step? Are you still waiting for your cycle to start? Sorry if I lost track

Nothing major to report from my scan today, lining’s growing nicely, triple layer and already over 12mm, have to carry on with Meriofert tonight then next scan Friday, I suspect I’lll be triggering Friday or Saturday, but we’ll see.

@CailinInUK That’s quite quick. My lining usually gets to 13mm or 12.5mm. I always worry about thickness and have asked to increase my meriofert to 300iu every other day as I have high fsh so goodness knows his thick my lining will get! What cycle day are you on? I usually get to cycle day 13 and then trigger then.

@CailinInUK I get the "I'm used to it by now ", I don't expect anything to go right :(

@clhiu that is thick, I'm on the thin lining end. Waiting for a period due Friday or Saturday, bit worried as I'm getting pain on the left, hope there isn't another cyst there :(