ERA EMMA ALICE testing thread 8

[Gardenlady543]

@2021ivfagain @kerrym87 @Janefx40 @seven201 @thislittlebird @Spin101 @Enfys23
@CailinInUK @BewilderedBee @Loz2467 @Lori2022 @VenusStarr @clhiu @Faithhopelove83 @APSR @ChickenT2b @Mina209 @IVF22 @Lizzybeth1988 @AM08 @Fluffykins33 @Sar1010

Continued in from thread 7 :)

@Gardenlady543 did you have all these tests with care?

Thank you @Loz2467 that's so good to know.

I know how you feel about the constant battle between the prep for transfers and flaring up the endo/adeno side of things. I am not feeling hopeful things will work as I feel endo is so active these days. Just my natural cycles in between treatment flare it more each time.

@2021ivfagain vaginal clindamycin is usually what is recommended in pregnancy in our local treatment guidelines, metro isn’t recommended in these, and given it doesn’t work for you anyway maybe the clindamycin will be a good choice.

@Mybabydream just the autoantibodies and thrombophilia screen, the immune tests were with Fertilysis but gorgy does them to through Chicago tests

@Gardenlady543 thanks and was there any reason not to go with care for nk cells and immune tests?

@Mybabydream I suspect they don't do the full immune tests. There aren't any labs in the Uk that do them all.

Might be a rather TMI and personal topic but in the context of microbiome discussions do people find that maintaining hair (or not) in a certain way improves/worsens microbiome issues?

Good question @Enfys23 I used to always get everything professionally waxed but I feel like this would likely increase the risk of microbiome issues, so tried to avoid it and just left it alone.

That’s probably wise @Gardenlady543 . Waxing was horrendous for me (I’d get thrush for days and by the time it settled the hair was growing back anyway lol), and shaving was way too much maintenance, so I decided to have laser on a 0% finance package deal years ago when I was single and had little financial commitments! Also did underarms and legs. No regrets on the legs and underarms, but do wonder if I messed things up with removing hair permanently down there full “Hollywood”. Some does grow back there now though, especially with IVF hormones and particularly DHEA.

@Gardenlady543 @Enfys23 do you know if thrombophilia and autoimmune, thyroid would be accepted on private insurance?

@Mybabydream probably not you'd need the insurance to accept a referral probably to a rheumatologist or haematologist, they refuse to fund anything that's infertility related.

@Gardenlady543 oh ok thanks

@Gardenlady543 I can’t take both. I can only take 5 days of oral clindamycin or oral metronidazole. My symptoms are not too bad but I’m worried that if I take metronidazole especially 5 days it won’t do much as I’ve taken it several times now. I could take 5 days of clindamycin which will wipe everything out again. Problem is I’m cycle day 11 today. I’ll probably trigger on cd13 (Monday) which means I’ll be on probiotics every day apart from transfer day. What do you think?

I actually didn’t make my scan appointment today as was so stressed yesterday from waiting for my consultant’s advice and dealing with mum and dad’s growing care concerns that I did not wake up in time. I had to get up at 5:30am but woke up after that!

@Gardenlady543 Luckily, my lining is not thick and follicles growing slower as started meriofert on alternate nights on cd5. I have a scan tomorrow.

@CailinInUK Sorry about your news. I think your reserve is good that you still have a chance. I know how exhausting it all is. Good luck with your next egg collection. When do you start?

@Enfys23 The 90% lactobacillus is good. That’s a really good result. I was told to avoid waxing.

@Loz2467 Yes. I’m doing a natural modified frozen transfer with alternate stims to thicken lining and help boost follicles.

@Gardenlady543 I’m sorry for the questions. I’m wondering whether I could just take oral clindamycin for 3 days. I would still be taking vaginal and oral probiotics but spacing things out. That would mean I would have roughly 6 consecutive days of vaginal probiotics before transfer then probiotics continuing the day after transfer. What do you think?

@Gardenlady543 I would still be taking vaginal probiotics when taking antibiotics.

@2021ivfagain 3 days should be fine, I did 3 days of doxy.

@Gardenlady543 I’m hoping I can add an extra day but we’ll see. Metronidazole for 5 days won’t do very much as last time I took for 8 days and the effect was temporary. Could you tell me why you took doxycycline for 3 days? I remember you saying about it, but so much has happened on the thread. I can’t remember the reason.

I’m hoping to take two probiotics a day before transfer. I’m certainly going to use Vagibiom after transfer and before but might do mostly Flora Femme if I can.

@2021ivfagain @Gardenlady543 @clhiu @Enfys23 @Loz2467 thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Despite how strong and determined I am to keep going, DH said something poignant a while ago - that’s it’s also very brave to stop. He’s so right - I think it’s easier for me to carry on than accept defeat and stop. So I get you on this, @clhiu.

@2021ivfagain I’m waiting for Day 1, which is likely around Tues. So will start stims Tues week, most likely. I guess I’ll be a few days behind @Enfys23 . Have you got a scan in the morning? So sorry you’re under a lot of stress at the moment. Apparently, stress doesn’t have a bearing on success of treatment so hope that gives you some peace of mind.

@Gardenlady543 My symptoms are getting worse. All I did today was stop one canesbalance. That made things drier but I used Good Clean Love probiotic last night that had acid in it. Put another probiotic in this morning without canesbalance and feel bad. Feeling really upset. I really worried I’ll never be able to transfer. I’m thinking I’ll need full 5 days of clindamycin, but I won’t be able to use canesbalance for long. I’ve been told I can use Vagibiom. Will that and Flora femme be enough?

@Gardenlady543 I suppose vagibiom lowers ph so can use that instead of canesbalance when I stop antibiotics. What would you do?

Has anyone used vagibiom twice a day? It says it doesn’t treat bv like Flora femme does. I think my main issue is ph levels which gets worse towards ovulation and afterwards. Just done opk and it’s showing high fertility which means there’s been a surge in oestrogen. Have to start oral clindamycin today.

I really wish I could use Flora femme as well. I think I struggle with gelatin capsules. Has anyone used Flora Femme in the morning?

@2021ivfagain I have used probiotics in the morning when I was on vaginal clindamycin at night. I did doxycycline as it's in a lot of protocols in the USA and it's supposed to help with implantation.

@CailinInUK I've spoken a lot about boundaries with my psychologist, she's always told me that the rest of her patients have stopped a long time before the point I've been at. I think it's fine for people to stop whenever they want if they've reached their boundary.

@Gardenlady543 I’ve taken doxycycline a lot too as I was allergic to penicillin. Problem is it causes bad ibs and again I might have become immune to it. Also I think I’m getting closer to ovulation today.

I am worried I won’t be able to fit in the two pronged approach you talk about which I usually follow. I’m taking canesbalance and probiotics today even though started oral clindamycin today. I will have to stop canesbalance soon so won’t be able to take it after antibiotics. I will be able to use Vagibiom daily but not on transfer day. What do you think? I’m on 150mg oral clindamycin 4 times a day so 600mg daily but will be stopping 2-3 days before transfer. Why did you take doxycycline for 3 days? I remember you taking it but cannot remember.

Hi ladies, I’ve been trying to keep up to date with this thread but not with much success. I hope those of you have had not so positive news recently are doing ok.

@2021ivfagain sorry about all the stressful decisions you’re having to make

@Enfys23 I wish I got laser when I was younger! I’ve avoided waxing the last few months and just use a trimmer. I hope that doesnt impact microbiome! I want to epilate my legs but as I’m on my medicated cycle now I know it probably sounds silly but am not sure if I should. Because of that I’ve shaved for the first time in years to where I need to apply the patches. The patches are quite itchy from time to time and I don’t know if it’s because it’s a new brand, because it’s hot or because I shaved. Wishing you the best with this cycle

@Gardenlady543 how are you doing?

@2021ivfagain I looked at peoples protocols in USA who took doxy and the one I did was the shortest I could find, some people were on it for much longer. Can you use a flora femme on transfer day and then vagibiom day after?

I'm good thanks @Spin101 just trying to sort my thyroid out at the moment. How are you getting on?