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 😊

Hi @Gardenlady543, yes I’ve just emailed clinic asking for a BETA on weds. See what they say. Don’t know if I should/could do one earlier- where would I get one done if it’s not at my clinic?

yes the swab results have come in at a bit of stressful time but I’ve asked if there’s anything I can take in the mean time. Obviously don’t want to mess up what’s going on so far. I take a weekly canesflor and a daily oral prebiotic. When I take canesflor daily I get thrush so thought it was best to reduce the intake of that.

@Sar1010 it depends where you are, if you are in London then there should be labs that will run a same day beta. Where I am there aren't any so I have to use medichecks, if you have the kit then it takes a couple of days for the blood to be sent to the lab and for them to process it, which is quite stressful!

Whispered congratulations @Sar1010 be gentle with yourself and I have everything crossed for you.
I hope you get answers about the swabs ASAP to alleviate your worries.
@Mybabydream I took calcium supplements from vitabiotics.
@ChickenT2b good luck with your first intralipids hope all goes well.
@Gardenlady543 wow, how are you feeling?
Hope everyone else okay as can be.

I’m feeling a bit more human from my lap. Op went well. They were able to remove everything they found. They found endo on my rectum too and excised it so the healing from that isn’t fun as I’m sure some of you know.

Just wondering for those using Access - what monitoring were you able to have funded via Access eg baseline scan/frequency of scans during stims/what blood monitoring? After a not great experience with Dr Gudi in London, been looking at Manchester Fertility again and other local clinics but they all seem stingy on monitoring.

@Enfys23 sounds rough :( hope you feel back to your usual self soon. I was with access fertility they cover all scans and LH and estradiol tests the clinic feel you need in a cycle. They have a cancellation fee if a cycle gets cancelled more than once, but my clinic got around that by not telling them the cycle was cancelled and just acted like it was a really long cycle. I asked my specialist if they would enquire why the cycle lasted so long and he said they never ask. They won't pay for other things like progesterone tests.

@Gardenlady543 thank you that’s great to know. We are really pushing clinics now to know they’ll provide what we expect otherwise no point going with them and having the stress. No idea why I have to push so hard on having a baseline scan when it seems so standard for most! Manchester Fertility are currently saying no bloods in fresh cycle and start scans day 8.

@Enfys23 I was only able to have the baseline scan after becoming a complicated patient, I think ask the clinic specifically. I can't remember how they were able to authorise it, I suspect as it was in the cycle it was authorised because of this and also because it was a very brief scan, I remember the technician saying it's not like they're counting all the follicles like on a collection cycle. Could you look into doing a private scan with ultrasound direct and sending the result across to your clinic if they push back?

@Enfys23 I did an 2 cycle access package with lister and I’m pretty sure I remember them scanning me between days 2 and 5 (?) every time, then I’d have to go in for 2 or 3 more scans leading up to EC. Bloods were all covered but maybe not progesterone like @Gardenlady543 said. Also had to pay for PGT-A and IMSI upgrades.

Thank you @Gardenlady543 @thislittlebird I’ll see what I can negotiate 🤞🏼

@Enfys23 really glad to hear the surgery went well and wish you a speedy recovery. Are you seeing a urologist soon or you're waiting for Jonathan Ramsay's availability? Sorry to say have no experience of packages at all, my clinic will start scanning you between day 1-3 and do lots of tracking scans and bloods, but then they're really expensive and happy to take your money every time so that's probably not very helpful to your case.

@Sar1010 tentative congratulations on your positives, I really hope this is a sticky bean for you ❤

@Gardenlady543 really pleased you're on the final stretch and your c-section is in sight, I can imagine what a stressful pregnancy it would have been. You absolutely deserve success :)

Does anybody here know much about AMH fluctuations? I know traditionally it was assumed to just be in constant decline and that more recent theories show it actually fluctuates across different cycle phases and I even read that with the right diet, supplements and lifestyle choices it could go back up, but I'm skeptical. I'm visiting family in Italy and since bloods are a fraction of the cost than in the UK, yesterday I had my hormones tested and my AMH came back the highest it's ever been out of 3 times I tested it, is that genuinely possible or will some of the tests I had have to be bogus?
TEST 1. May 22, 42.3yo, CD13 = 14.9 pmol/l
TEST 2. March 23, 43.1yo, CD23 = 7.8 pmol/l
TEST 3. December 23, 43.10yo, CD11 = 17.3 pmol/l

And on a separate note is it possible to have EWCM for up to a week in the run up to ovulation or is it almost certain you'll ovulate within 2-4 days from it starting?

Thanks

@clhiu my amh has fluctuated each time it's been tested, by up to 5 or 6, mine is also likely artificially increased due to my pcos. The AMH, although loosely relates to ovarian reserves, also indicates egg quality and jow we respond to artificial stimulation so some things such as Mediterranean diet, regular acitivty (even 15 mins walk) low alcohol and sugar, ubiquinol 400 mg twice a day have shown can help. Vit e, alpha lipoic acid and NAC are supposed to help but more so with pcos. It starts with the egg gives a good rundown of supplements for egg quality. There is some effect of the type of protocol, drugs used, which follicles are recruited that cycle, which varies in the same person. No 2 people are the same as well I have found out so it's hard to offer advice which is iron clad and works for most as it doesn't seem to work that way.
As for ewcm, I can get it up to 7 sometimes 10 days before with a noticeable peak 1-2 days before ovulation but that's normal for me, I have quite a long follicular phase x

Thank you so much @kerrym87 , this is really insightful. I assumed it was a one way road to the bottom with AMH, but if it can indeed increase so much over time then I'll try to take it as a positive thing and feel positive about it. I also had my LH and FSH tested and they're pretty much bang on where they should be for follicular phase so I think I'm feeling relived about my OR for the time being. Obviously I know that doesn't say anything about egg quality! Do you happen to know if one can suddenly develop POCS or it's unlikely if I never had it up to this point in life?
And thanks for the advice on EWCM too :). My follicular phase it quite long too, although most times I seem to ovulate on CD16, I've also ovulated on day 18 quite frequently, included last month and even later at times, but the EWCM seems to generally start within 2-4 days from. I hope it's a case of an extra long this month or I will miss the chance of timed intercourse as I'm away from DH till Sunday, tried to time the trip based on predicted cycle start date and OD, but I might have been caught out.

How are you doing? What's next for you? x

@clhiu no problem! I think amh overall does gradually decline but some things can improve it a little and slow the decrease. Fsh is also an indicator, if it is high, body is going into overdrive trying to get ovaries to respond. Mine has been from 7 to 13 but generally sits 8.4-9.7. Fsh tends to increase over time until menopause when it drops right off.
Pcos you are born with but can take time to diagnose for some, there are criteria. I wasn't diagnosed until 3 years ago but suspected a long time https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/
My follicular phase is generally at least 19/20 days with luteal 13-15 days

@clhiu nurse planning appt tomorrow with care for first treatment with them trying long protocol, different drugs, lower and slower and double trigger. Bit daunting venturing into private but already its so much better for patient care than nhs, sad to say. Remind me ehere you're at ad's I'm sorry i can't remember x

@kerrym87 sounds good and hopeful to be able to try something different for you. I hope your nurse appointment goes well. Did you also see Gorgy for immune support or am I getting confused with someone else?
We completely ran out of money after 1 round of IVF with PGT-A and 3 rounds of superovulation under Dr Shehata immune protocol so back to trying naturally (bar cyclogest which I have lots left from NHS recurrent MC consultant prescription and Pred that I have left from the clinic, but I have to use tactically and sparingly). The first month of ditching all of that and trying naturally in October I fell pregnant straight away, for the first time since the IVF chemical in May, but that was another chemical. Last month BFN and this month looks like I've missed my fertile window due to being away from DH and ovulating earlier than expected.
In case of BFP, I can get more Pred and cyclogest prescribed by my NHS consultant. The only difference with Dr Shehata's protocol were intralipids which I cannot get on the NHS so I may go back there in case of BFP, but that's all I can do and afford.
I realise I'm at high risk of more MCs from trying naturally, but have to take that in my stride. This week's hormone's tests brought me some peace of mind that in terms of reserve I probably still have some time before it's totally game over for me.
Good luck with this new cycle :) x

@Gardenlady543 my clinic is telling me to stop canesflor after FET which I ideally would want to continue as it’s like you getting the right level of bacteria
I tried to find it somewhere to see if canesflor can be continued also in case of pregnancy but couldn’t find any. Do u have any info?
btw optibac women is approved in pregnant woman so ull surely be fine 😊

@Mybabydream I've been using probiotics throughout. I just looked and I don't have a box of canesflor in my home, I think if it doesn't say anything on the box you'd have to see if it says anything on the info leaflet.

@clhiu my AMH fluctuates as well, in pmol/L
July 2020 17.3
December 2021 20.2
January 2022 (after noreshisterone) 13.92

I did collection cycles in:
December 2020 12 mature eggs
January 2022 10 mature
April 2022 10 mature
June 2022 10 mature

@Mybabydream i have continued with a weekly canesflor after FET and can’t find anywhere that I should stop. I’ve since done one after a BFP too. But I’ll ask my consultant and see what they see. I can’t see why it would do harm especially if we have low lactobacillus

im still waiting on advice from my consultant about what to do with my other very high bacteria’s, trying to not worry about those at this stage!

I got my 1st beta result today and it was 356. I also had a dye stealer, this is all new territory to me. Had bleed before beta the last two times. Testing again on Friday.
any tips on what to make HCG rise? Like a chip butty or something haha.

they have said my progesterone is a little low at 86 so I’m doubling my cyclogest to one in the morn and one in the eve.

I was really expecting symptoms to kick in but really there isn’t much except heartburn, and mild pulls and twinges in the hips. Boobs occasionally ache at the side but nothing drastic.

Thanks @Gardenlady543
@Sar1010 I agree with you, dunno why they said to stop while I’m thinking of continuing also to be on the safe side . From my end I had bad bacteria then after couple of antibiotics it was restored although still low lactobacillus. Consultant said to take 10days before period start and then once a week for 3 weeks and that’s it ..

@clhiu thank you 🙏🏼
We had good news from DHs appointment that they say it’s all about abstinence time for him. So he’s going to have reduced time. Apparently when counts are good the prolonged abstinence men are advised as standard is too long and dna fragments. He’s not complaining 😂

My AMH fluctuates too. Though always low.
DHEA seemed to have counterproductive effect on mine.
Initial in 2021 6.1 pmol/l
Early 2023 5.58 pmol/l
After 12 weeks DHEA summer 2023 2.2 pmol/l
October 2023 7.46 pmol/l

@Sar1010 that’s great news about the beta. Are you repeating it? Progesterone isn’t that bad but good idea to increase anyway. Really hoping this little embie sticks!

Sorry 🙈 I realise your testing again was about HCG repeat @Sar1010

@Sar1010 that's great news :) if you google beta doubling calculator, when you have your next result, it will tell you the 48 hour percentage doubling and time to double. Mine was sluggish but I have then been fine.

@Sar1010 lovely news about your BETA HCG 😊

@Enfys23 and @Gardenlady543 thanks for your advice on AMH, I’m just really pleased and relived to learn it’s not just downhill.

@Enfys23 well that must have been a huge relief that is something as simple as that to address after such a big shock last month. Very pleased that you’ve had some better news x

Yes was best news ever! So so relieved. Thank you @clhiu ❤️

@Sar1010 cautious congrats!
@clhiu I did see gorgy and everything was normal immune wise, karyotype confirmed consistent with pcos, dh sperm frag 28% since adopted a Mediterranean diet but nor retested dna frag. My ema/alice was fine just lactobacillus 70 odd % so pessaries and oral probiotic x

Thank you @kerrym87 and @clhiu
I’m going in for 2nd BETA now. Had extreme anxiety last night after reading about blighted ovums. It’s just never ending terror!
if anyone has any calming stats I would be appreciate pls send them my way.

its like the goalposts just constantly move. Praying for a BFP, then a doubling beta, then sac and yolk. I’ve never got to this stage before so I just feel really scared I guess.

I go away dec 17 and would love to have a peace of mind before that but I doubt I will!

@Enfys23 im really pleased for you xx
s x