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.

@Mina209 TB is generally bad, but is there a risk of you having this?

@Gardenlady543 My husband travels for work about every 6-8 weeks and several of his team members are from India. My husband had a cough for more than 3 weeks but no blood, but we just don't feel like we can rule this (TB) out because there is a slight chance of exposure...I honestly don't even know where to begin with diagnosing genital TB. Genital TB can be asymptomatic or present as infertility, abnormal menstruation, etc. I honestly did not know the link between TB and endometritis until someone on Reddit with chronic persistent endometritis told me that their doctor is suggesting a TB test because they keep having miscarriages =/

@Mina209 there are screening tests like the mantoux test, but to look into something specific like TB in the genital tract, you'd need to ask an infectious disease specialist. I expect it would need to be biopsies. You said you are US based aren't you, I don't know who you could see there.

Also I just want to announce my swollen ovaries hurt.

@Gardenlady543 yes located in the US. I've brought up the concern to my RE to see what he says.

PS I'm sorry your ovaries hurt!

@Gardenlady543 sorry about the swollen ovaries. I hate that feeling.

gosh those probiotics are super expensive. I’m not sure whether to invest in them or whether I need more antibiotics. My ph is 5 and I’ve just finished a week of doxycycline which was prescribed just incase of infection after the hysteroscopy.
is there a chance the microbiome might recover itself now antibiotics have stopped or does 5 mean I have BV again? I’m starting stims in two weeks and want to get this Ph down.
are there any cheaper probiotics that are good too?

@VenusStarr let us know how your partner is 🤞🤞🤞

@Lori2022 canesflor is the cheapest, gynolact from Germany is cheap as well. You should follow up antibiotics with at least some form of vaginal probiotic.

Thank you all ❤️ not long back. The xray showed nothing sinister. But he's got to go back at 11pm to see the surgical assessment unit for a scan and get a surgeon to check him over.

Sorry you're in discomfort @Gardenlady543 hope the next scan goes well and your lining increases.

@VenusStarr 11pm?! What a bizarre time, not 11am? What type of scan?

@VenusStarr sorry to hear about dh. Annoying he has to go back - I hope he gets some proper help!

@Gardenlady543 well done for the scan. I hope your lining gets nice and plump this week! I hate that swollen ovaries feeling!

Definitely 11pm tonight @Gardenlady543 😴 it's on the surgical assessment unit. I think it'll be an ultrasound scan. The A&E doctor wanted the surgeon to have a good feel. The GP and A&E doctors are not happy either where his pain is, on the right side.

Thank you @seven201 hope you're OK

That's such a strange time @VenusStarr they must want the surgeon who is on nights to do it, erg if you're getting there for 11pm then it's going to be a very late night! I hope it goes well.

We're home... Still no real answers. He's being referred for an outpatient colonoscopy. No idea when. They decided not to scan. They've rule out his gall bladder. It might be a scricture? (Inflammation). We're both shattered. Luckily my boss is understanding, so going to set my alarm for about 8.30 and text to ask if I can start work a bit later, I'm wfh tomorrow anyway.

Thank you for the kind messages ❤️

The birds are tweeting already!! 😴😬

@VenusStarr this must be so stressful for you both and on top of everything else, I am so sorry to hear. I hope it can all be resolved soon. Sending hugs xxx

Wow I have some catching up to do.

How are you doing @seven201? I am sending so many positive vibes. I’m sure it must be so exciting but scary too.

How are you feeling about today’s scan result@gardenlady543? There are a few days yet for that lining. (Your crème brûlées looked amazing!). Glad you’ve got some time off planned too. Hope your ovaries are less tender.

@venusstarr so sorry all this has been going on, last thing you both need. I hope your DH is less uncomfortable. Glad he’s been checked out by surgical team too. Hope you can both catch up on some rest today.

@loz2467 so glad you got it sorted so you don’t lose a month! Amazing.

Thanks for the luck! Yep doing natural cycle as it seems to be the only way my lining will cooperate. It’s a bit sad as it means I can’t time it to have my DH at home - he’s really upset he’s going to be away with work for next transfer. The immune protocol is because I’ve had 3 failed transfers now, and I’ve never once had a positive pregnancy test despite lots of things seemingly being ok, and consultant thinks there’s high chance there’s an immune reason as I have 2 autoimmune conditions and a strong family history too. I do also have endo and it does seem that there’s a link between this and immune problems in implantation but that’s not specifically why I’ve been prescribed it. I’ve been taking oral probiotics (Optibac for women) for over a year. Seems to help my recurrent thrush issues and my EMMA/ALICE were showing great levels lactobacilli on these and no bad bugs so I’ve carried on with that. I avoid vaginal anything as ingredients in vaginal preps seem to trigger off thrush for me!

@lori2022 I’m sorry things have been complicated. When do you start and what kind of cycle will you be doing?

@2021ivfagain I’m glad your lining looks good. I don’t think it’s a bad sign and and I think it’s normal to have one ovary respond better. Have you started the steroids now? I think norethisterone could definitely dry things up.

@thislittlebird so so pleased you pushed and got to see the proper chap and sounds like you now have a proper plan. I really hope you’re feeling more hopeful.

@clhiu so much luck for April. Hope all tests clear for you. Absolutely right thing to do everything possible before this one.

@janefx40 wishing you all the best xx

@CailinInUK best of luck for this stim cycle. It must be so so difficult and heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹
How did you use fertility network I can’t find a link for meds, did you phone them?

@Mina209 I’m sorry to hear about your loss and difficulties since. I hope you can get some answers about the chronic endometritis. Given those risk factors seems definitely worth asking about TB. Would a GUM specialist be able to help?

Thanks for the lovely messages. Head feels mine again now! CD1 yesterday. Often helps get the migraines to settle one period turns up. Clinic have booked me in for scan next week on day 10 so 9th March. I’ll start testing for surge from day 7-8 I think as I’ve surged on day 10 in last 3 cycles.

@Gardenlady543 ok I’m going to do some probiotics and hope they bring the ph down. I’m similar to @Enfys23 thst vaginal pessaries can trigger thrush for me but gotta try something to sort it.

thanks @Enfys23 im doing short stims cycle 150 meriofert. Last nhs cycle for me.

@VenusStarr so strange that they had you go in so late. Last thing a sick person needs is an all-nighter!!! Rest day for you both

@VenusStarr what a nightmare. I hope he gets better or you get some answers soon. Good to check it's nothing too sinister but I know it's worrying until an answer is found.

@Gardenlady543 so excited you are on the way. Follicles sound good.

@Mina209 I really hope you don't have TB. Let us know how you get on. I'm wondering if it might be easier to test your husband for TB first if you think that could be the source. Is it possible to tell if someone has had it recently from their antibodies?

@Lori2022 sorry am useless on the flora but you got it covered by the other ladies.

@seven201 @2021ivfagain hope you are doing ok

Love to everyone else

@VenusStarr so optimal works for you? I had my micrbiome checked, lactbacilli are fine but I do have high level of yeast (not candida or any of common ones). I did a treatment to clear it but mild symptoms seem to be around especially around ovulation and intil after period finished. They recommended femme c but its so expensive and wondered if anyone else had any good suggestions? I try to minimise my sugar intake, have slow release carbs focus on veg fibre and protein etc due to pcos and oestrogen but I'm only human 🙄🍫
Might have to wear floaty skirts for a bit instead of jeans and leggings 😅🥶

@Gardenlady543 wow that crime brûlée looked amazing! It’s my partners favourite but I’ve never made it! Wishing you luck for your next cycle!

@Enfys23 good that your onto your next cycle with the immune also. This is why I wanted it because of the nature of the adeno but obviously she won’t let me so I’ll have to see for next time.

After me rushing around to get all my meds because I’d been spotting for 7 days then it turned red Sunday eve / Monday but still spotting it decided to complete or disappear by yesterday. So I’m wondering if I’ve not ovulated so I’ve barely had a period. Or if it will come in a few days but it usually just goes to red after the brown. I’m so upset / annoyed I was booked in to get my prostap yesterday. Might I have to wait another month incase that one spot was my period? I had a normal withdrawal bleed after the failed fresh.

Anyone any advice? I’m just hoping it turns up and I’m not waiting another month to get started :( feeling down about it.

@VenusStarr so frustrating that dh still hasn't had any proper help. Did either of you get some sleep?

@Enfys23 well done for officially starting on a new cycle.

@Loz2467 Aghh, I've been there before with not being sure if I'd had a period or not and ended up delaying a month. Nightmare. I'm sorry but I just don't know how to tell. Maybe it is best to hold off to be sure. Sorry!

I'm alright. I'm about 19dpo and for the last three days in a row my pregnancy tests have all looked identical. The line is clearly there, but it's just not as dark as the control line and definitely nowhere near a 'dye stealer'. My last pregnancy was ivf so different, but that always measured behind, did eventually get a heartbeat then nothing the week after. I'm just worried it was a late implantation (not generally a good thing) and also just growing too slowly again. I've got to try and focus on there being a line. I'm booked in for the first scan on 15th March so I'll just have to wait til then. I'm trying to resist finger prick HCG blood test but maybe I should just do it. I might do a clearblue weeks one.

@seven201 I’m thinking it was a super light / non existent period and I’ve missed getting the prostap but to be honest I would of felt worried having it with no flow anyway so I guess the only choice is to wait another month. Strange when my cycles have always been so regular and ovulated each month and now I don’t know what’s going on. :(

I hope it all progresses for you! I’ll be crossing everything for you! Xx

@Enfys23 Thank you for your kind words. I am in the States so do not know what a GUM specialist is, what kind of specialist is that? I believe I have persistent CE that did not respond to two rounds of oral antibiotics. I'm reading some studies that show intrauterine antibiotic infusion may be effective in these cases. Now I have to see if my Dr is willing to do this for me. Sigh. I really do believe I won't be able to conceive until my CE is treated as it is very persistent. Here is the first paper I've seen that clearly summarizes the link between CE and infertility: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10815-020-01955-8?utm_source=getftr&utm_medium=getftr&utm_campaign=getftr_pilot

@Janefx40 That's a good idea about getting my husband tested for TB first. I do think that might be the best option before we go down the rabbit hole of diagnosing genital TB for me. I also have seen studies showing some women just have persistent CE that won't respond to the typical one or two rounds of antibiotics. So I found some studies and publications showing that intrauterine infusion antibiotics may help in these cases. I am suggesting it to my dr to see if he is willing to help with this. I am desperate to treat this CE. Sigh. I linked an article above which clearly summarizes the link between CE and infertility. There is no longer any doubt in the scientific community that this infection has vast consequences on implantation rate, pregnancy rate, live birth rate, etc.

Hello, thanks for all the kind messages. Sorry not to reply individually, but I have appreciated everyone's thoughts ❤️ I'm absolutely knackered, I have no idea how I used to get in at 3,4,5 am having drank and danced all night then functioned! Today has been hard. Drifted off on my lunch break and worked from the sofa. I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow this morning! Early night tonight.
(Also ignoring those niggling thoughts about how I'd cope with a tiny baby and sleep deprivation 😬)

Dh is pretty rough today and he's frustrated they've not found anything (yet). The doctor mentioned IBS which might have been triggered by the Doxycycline.

Lots of love to all. Xx

@Gardenlady543 that massive ovary feeling is totally awful, hope it subsides soon.
@VenusStarr hope they get your hubby sorted it's awful being backed up for so long. Doxycycline absolutely bashed my bowel, I was in so much pain I couldn't complete the course even with buscopan. I wasn't constipated though x

@Mina209 GUM here stands for genitourinary medicine, they’re the specialists here who would look at unusual bugs in the genital tract. They often deal with sexually transmitted diseases but also anything like TB etc. TB would need very specific prolonged antibiotics usually. I would definitely get the endometritis sorted before you do any more transfers. I hope you can find someone to take it seriously.

I’m sorry @Loz2467 that must be so frustrating.