ERA EMMA ALICE testing thread 9

[Gardenlady543]

@2021ivfagain @Enfys23 @clhiu @CailinInUK @Spin101 @Loz2467 @Mybabydream @Janefx40 @ChickenT2b @kerrym87 @Sar1010 @AM08 @thislittlebird @IVF22 @APSR
@Faithhopelove83 @KLM25 @VenusStarr
@BewilderedBee @Dochas12111 @seven201 @StillWishingHoping

We've maxed out the other one so here's thread 9 😊

I forgot to mention, he also wants my hubby to take a medication I can’t remember the name of from my period for 8 days (2 in every 3 months) because he is susceptible to cold sores. Again, I think this is because they believe the virus can get into the sperm cells.

@ChickenT2b I did the semen microbiome test with fertilysis, they do it in the same way as the menstrual fluid test. Sounds like you've got a lot of treatment sorted out which out there!

Hi everyone, I’m a bit out of date so hope you’re all doing ok.

I had another EC but unfortunately no suitable blasts for PGT-M. It fell down at the EC stage. Despite a good number of mature size follicles (9 between 14-20mm, most at upper end) and good estradiol(8000), I only got four eggs, three mature (I was expecting seven or eight mature). In all my previous cycles, I could always predict, within +/- 1 or 2, how many mature eggs I’d get so this was a shock. Out of the three eggs, one early and one poor quality blast. I have my review tomorrow. Doc will say it’s my old eggs, I’m sure. I do wonder if it was related to the consultant who did the procedure as never had her before and she was relatively new.

Was abroad on holidays last week and caught Covid on return (40 degree fever). Now in a dilemma whether I bother with another EC in Nov or whether I just prepare for transfer of my only PGT-M passed, euploid embryo… the prospect/decision is overwhelming :( I read one study that showed reduced pregnancy rates for FETs <60 days after Covid then others that say no effect. I wanted to transfer in Dec.

After some reassuring answers from Fertilysis to my queries, I opted for their full microbiome testing so collected the menstrual sample on Friday and will take the swabs later this week. I’ve also booked in for my first ever SIS and HSS on Friday in London, all in prep for transfer.

Also signed up to Create webinar tomorrow evening as although I said that I’d do no more ECs after this year due to my age, it’s psychologically helpful to know there’s an option if my transfer fails.

@CailinInUK covid torched my eggs on 2nd icf cycle. Hubby's spern was affected too. Lots of research shows covid can affect fertility for 3 months in some people. I'm sorry it went that way for you x

@ChickenT2b was it acyclovir? That's the usual one for cold sores and any herpes infections x

@CailinInUK it may be worth some extra research on covid and the immune response before making a decision. I’m not sure if it increases your NK cells which may be the problem. I have no knowledge on this though I’m afraid. Just had a quick search in the reproductive immunology group on FB and can’t find anything either.

@kerrym87 i think it was the other one beginning with v but they both look pretty similar.

TW… We’ve had an interesting morning over here in Crete. I decided to do a pregnancy test at 10dpo today and it’s come back faint positive. This is our second cycle post stage 4 endo excision and just days after my first session of LIT therapy. As we are also a KIR HLA mismatch, I am supposed to be on Neupogen which is part the reason we came to Greece to collect as it’s cheaper. Only, we are in Crete and collecting the meds on Fri from Athens before returning home. We really didn’t plan for this eventuality.

By some miracle, the pharmacy down the road had one pack of Neupogen in stock, in much bigger measurements than required. They agreed to reduce it down in a new syringe and I’ve just done my first injection.

3rd time lucky I hope but very early days and the thought of doing another pregnancy test and seeing it fade away fills me with such anxiety. 🤞🏼 🍀

@Gardenlady543 my embryo is HB which i guess it’s hatching blastocyst so not sure if embryo glue is applicable?
how was ur experience with intralipids, heparin, steroids?

Ah @ChickenT2b thats fantastic news!
was this a natural cycle for you too? Love that the neupogen was just there for you too! ❤️

how did you find the LIT? Where did you do it?

also want to add- I know your feelings around fading positives. I’ve been there too. I hope that isn’t the case for you this time!! 🙏

@Sar1010 thank you. Yes a natural cycle for us as we were waiting to do IVF until I’d had the LIT sessions and sorted the immune meds first. Plus we were hopeful surgery may have helped.

LIT was absolutely fine to be honest, really nice doctor called Dr Tsilivakos at Locus Medicus in Greece. They used to be anffiliat with Fertilysis but have now parted ways I believe. €350 compared to Gorgy’s £1000! Arm is still tender days later but I read that’s totally normal, no other side effects so far!

We’ve just done a HCG test so awaiting results of that and will retest with the Greek doc on Fri before returning home on Sat!

Hi @CailinInUK I'm really sorry to hear about your recent cycle and the Covid :( it sounds like you have a few tests on the go though, could you use the next couple of months as investigation time?

Oh wow @ChickenT2b how are you feeling about that? Was going to ask about a blood test, let us know when you know the results!

@Mybabydream this is what the embryologist had told me, could you ask to speak to an embryologist at your clinic about whether embryo glue is an option? So I'm still on heparin now, it's ok, it's just an injection, and I need to press for longer after having blood taken due to prolonged bleeding time. Steroids were also fine, I got moon face which has now gone back down but can hang around for a few months, otherwise I was fine on them and intralipids I don't really notice any issue, I had an infusion yesterday. One more to go.

@Gardenlady543 It’s so strange getting a BFP after multiple losses. Immediate response is very matter of fact. Far too soon to get excited and trying not to let my mind run away for self preservation purposes!
Terrified of peeing on another stick so the pending blood tests at least take that need away, if I can resist.

@ChickenT2b can you stick to the blood tests instead, what dpo did you have the blood test and do you have a repeat booked in, as this early it's the doubling you're looking for more than anything else as levels this early vary.

Well I just got the result. 0.1.
I don’t believe it. This mornings test must have been a false positive. I’m attaching the tests, too is this morning, I’m sure it was darker when I first did it. Bottom is just now.
I am 10 dpo.

Feel so stupid 😩

@ChickenT2b top one definitely looks positive there is clear colour in the line,
I'm surprised the level is 0.1, I'm sorry :(

@Gardenlady543 this journey is just so so cruel sometimes!

@ChickenT2b Oh gosh, im so so sorry. It is the cruelest thing. Gutted for you, the top one is certainly positive. oh love x

It is @ChickenT2b :( it sounds like you've been getting a lot of treatment options sorted out there, so you've been very productive.

@ChickenT2b I’m so sorry 😔 thinking of you x

@CailinInUK I’m sorry about the covid. Did you get covid before your egg retrieval? It’s really stressful. I had to have a hysteroscopy and had it done on nhs which is good. I’ve been all over the place trying to process the loss and trying to save for the transfer. Everyone thinks I’m silly. At present, I’m just trying to work more to save and also put my son in nursery earlier. I feel as though IVF has had impact on his development as his speech is delayed but he talks when he wants to. The thing is I have been waiting for funding to start. But I have taken on so much work now that it’s hard to find time to relax. I teach online but only get paid contact hours so planning and preparation is not paid but obviously needed.

I’m so sorry but can understand the constant battle to go through a transfer. At least you have a normal. I’m going into it blind. I don’t know what is normal or not. Still waiting for results of my fetus. I’m so sorry about the covid and hope you make a speedy recovery. Do you want to do the transfer before Christmas? I know someone who did a transfer a month or two after getting covid and they now have their baby. I think it’s worse doing an egg retrieval after covid as it can affect quality.

How are you @ChickenT2b ?

Also thinking of you @2021ivfagain ❤️

Evening ladies, thanks for your messages re my egg collection and Covid.
Sorry this is another ‘me’ message but I had a private SIS and HSS yesterday morning. All looked fine, no issues (I did feel faint and vomited straight after - vagus or cervical shock I think). Yesterday I was ok. However, today I’ve had chills, fatigue, slight pain on my rhs (right ovary area) and a high temperature this evening- all symptoms of pelvic infection. The consultant didn’t prescribe antibiotics before the op or after. So I’m going to call 111. Gutted about this as I’ll be prescribed antibiotics and have to build up my microbiome again. My EMMA/ALICE/ERA will be postponed. I did collect a Fertilysis menstrual sample before the op so will see what that says. Not done the swabs yet so need to decide whether to do those before the antibiotics, probably will swab before. Obvs nervous about possible effects on implantation of my sole euploid low risk embryo.
Anyone have PID before? Neither of us have any STI or ever had one.

@CailinInUK when I had my saline scan I was put on metronidazole and doxycycline for 3 days after. When I had my HSGs they gave me Azithromycin before the procedure. Did you get given any prophylactic antibiotics? You need to get some asap. Don't worry about the microbiome, you can sort that after.

Thanks for the quick reply @Gardenlady543.
No, I wasn’t given any prophylactic antibiotics. I did ask about this during my pre op consult and was told not necessary. I know some practices prescribe and some don’t. I called 111 so a clinician is going to call me within 2hrs.

Hi all @Gardenlady543
my thrombophilia results came and MTHFR 665 C and 1286 A are present heterozygous
does anyone know what does that means and the treatment for that ?

@CailinInUK what did 111 say?

@Mybabydream I had
MTHFR c.665C>T variant: NOT present
MTHFR c.1286A>C variant: PRESENT [HETEROZYGOTE]
Everyone has 2 x MTHFR genes. The two numbers are the two common mutations in the gene that metabolises folate and can lead to a build up of homocysteine when the mutation(s) are present. You have both mutations but each only affects one of the two genes you have. 60-70% of people have at least one mutation so it's very common. The advice is to switch from folic acid to methylfolate.

I take this prenatal multivitamin NATURELO Prenatal Multivitamin -... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M3Q83PG?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare that has folate in it rather than folic acid (you have to take 3 capsules a day).

I also top up levels with this: Folate 1000mcg (L-Methylfolate)... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KC6614X?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

For some reason in USA they still think people should take folic acid, I think in the Uk the thought is that methylfolate is fine. There is some folic acid in my vitamin B complex vitamins that I take.

I have heard some people say they think mutations in MTHFR mean people need anticoagulants in FETs but can't find anything on this. Some people have homocysteine tested, but I couldn't find a test, plus the treatment is vitamin B if it's high and I'm already on that.