Recurrent MC--Testing and beyond--Part 5 continues here

[LAF77]

Here is the list of us on the thread and where we are in our journey through RMC. Nearly 4,000 posts in a year, so mark your place for the next thread.

Part one Part one

Part two Part two

Part three Part three

Part four Part four

STARTING TESTING
LOLA78: mc1 Dec 07 (6wks), DD Oct 08 (problem free pregnancy and natural birth), mmc2 Nov 10 6wks ERPC at 10wks, mc3 Feb 11 at 7wks - suspected ectopic but mc naturally, mc4 mar 11 at 5wks (started 75mg aspirin from a week before bfp) - hospitalised for excessive bleeding and clots. Now referred for testing at local fertility clinic, we have started having blood tests and am on 5mg folic acid.
SCOOTERCHASTER: DS Oct 08 (managed for SVT heart from 35wks), mc1 Sept 10 (7wks), mc2 Dec 10 (9 wks - hb @ 8wks), mc3 April 11 (7.5 wks, hb day b4 mc).
HAIRYLIGHTS, age 42, MC1 (Jun 10, very low HCG, suspected ectopic, methotrexate), MC 2 (Nov 22 2010, MMC,ERPC, no heart beat at ten weeks, fetus 8 week size), MC3 (MMC - Medical Management, Feb 13 2011, MMC at 7 week scan). Waiting to TTC
PANDA 3MMC, no.1 (embryonic loss - empty sac) 7weeks, no.2 at 12 weeks, no.3 at 8 weeks. Awaiting raft of tests for recurrent MC
CLAIREDELOON Age 38 1st mmc, development stopped approx 5 weeks (2007), 2nd mmc development stopped at approx 6 weeks (2009), 3rd mc development stopped at 9 weeks after seeing hb at 8+3 (2010). Bicornate uterus, starting testing Feb 2011.
NOTSOBARRENBROOK Age 35. 1st mmc @ 6 weeks (Jan 2009), 2nd mmc @ 6 weeks (Jan 2010), 3rd mmc @ 11 weeks, development stopped at 6 weeks 3 days (March 2010), 4th mmc @ 5 weeks (August 2010). Possible adenomyosis, awaiting hsg and results of testing from St Mary's.
MILKYWAY2007 Age 28 - DD age 3. 1st MC Oct 2009, 6 weeks. 2nd MMC March 2010, 11 weeks (baby passed away at 7 weeks). 3rd MC July 2010, 6 weeks. 4th MMC 24 Jan 2011, 9 weeks - no amniotic sac, baby measured 7weeks 4 days, no HB, had seen a healthy HB at 7 weeks. Blood clotting, hormone, genetic karyotype and shape and health of uterus checked and all clear. High dose folic acid prescribed.
LUCKYFOR2 Age 32 - DD age 5. DD age 3. 1st MC May 2010 found at 12 week scan passed away at 9 weeks. 2nd MC September 2010 natural at 8 weeks. 3nd MC January 2011 at 16 weeks, saw hb at 13 but no hb at 15.5. All tests have come back clear. Going to take Aspirin and Progesterone in next pregnancy (will be on Promise trial) currently ttc.
IGGI999 - Age 40, 3 year old DS. 3 MC last year, at 6, 8 and 8 weeks. Last two had hb detected. NHS blood tests came back clear, except for presence of antinuclear antibodies. To take aspirin for this. Going to see Shehata in May as think steroids are needed.
CONFU3ED - Age 35 1st MC 1998 14 weeks. DD age 11. 2nd MC July 2009 5.5 weeks. ERPC Twice. No tests. 6 months Clomid 3rd MC January 2010. The foetus sent for testing - came back fine. Been referred to recurrent MC clinic at the hospital for tests, waiting for appointment. Was told I have PCOS through a scan but never diagnosed.

UNDERGOING TREATMENT
HAVINGKITTENS Age 41 - MMC1 Nov 07 8wks (discovered due to bleeding at 10.5wks) ERPC, TOP1 for TS21 Aug 08, TOP2 for TS21 Feb 09, TOP incomplete, ERPC performed, Genetic Counselling & tests confirmed no chromosome problems with us, "just bad luck ", MMC2 Feb 10 5.5wks (seen at 8wk scan, no bleeding), MMC3 May 10 (as MMC2), RMC testing at UCH, no cause found - empirical 75mg asprin & vit D + early & regular scans for next pregnancy, MMC4 No fetal pole seen at 6.5 wks, follow up scan 10 days later, told of MMC, then "Something" spotted so instructed to wait another week before they would allow ERPC, ERPC a week later, waiting for NK Cell test results from Mr S on NHS, taking 75mg Asprin, Vit D, Pregnacare Plus (w/Omega 3), 5mg Folic Acid (been taking since 1st TOP to try & prevent TS21 or similar issues), NK Cells levels almost double what they should be. 25mg Prednisone from ovulation - CD1 or if BFP then 'til 12 wks and then weaned off 'til 14wks plus Progesterone pessaries from BFP - 16wks, Folic Acid, Omega3, Vit D - 12wks, Asprin - 20wks.
CRYSTAL5 Age 38 - DS age 4. 6 m/c 1 at 11 weeks, 5 at 5/6 weeks. Ok blood tests, under Endocrinologist for Hypothyroid
LADYBEE 37, MC1 (5wks), DS (2), MC2 blighted ovum discovered @ 8 wk scan, MC3 natural @ 9 wks following hb seen at 7 1/2 wk. PCOS previously diagnosed, Factor V Leiden heterozygote discovered in recent testing. Treatment with aspirin (from BFP) + clexane started at 6 weeks. MC4 MMC @ 8.1 wks (discovered @ 11 wk scan) following hb seen at 6+6 wks. Consultant suggests aspirin + clexane to start at 4 weeks, plus progesterone pessaries. Management of MC tbc.
DIGITALGIRL Age 32 - DS 2.8 - 4MCs since ttc#2. MC1 Nov2009 @5wks. MC2 Apr2010 @6-7wks. MC3 Oct2010 @7-8wks. MC4 Mar2011 @8wks. All natural, except MC4 managed with ERPC for karyotyping. Clotting tests normal. DH & I genetically normal. On Metformin for mild PCOS, plus 75mg aspirin, Pregnacare Plus & 25mcg VitD3. Diagnosed with high NK Cells (1.25) after MC4. Starting TTC in May with prednisolone from ovulation and will add cyclogest once pg. Under care of Mr S.
PUREEQUEEN Age 34, MC1 (7 weeks Jan 08) MC2 (6 weeks March 08), DS born (prem) 2009, MC3 (9 weeks Oct 10). MC4 Jan 2011. First 2 natural mcs latter 2 mmc/ERPCs. Chromosome test MC4 showed she had a genetic abnormality (cri du chat). Karotyping for me and DH fine but with "increase in length on satellite of short arm 13 and 15" (??) . Also have endo &septate uterus. Now TTC and will take aspirin and progesterone.
LAF77 , Age 33, MC1 (7 weeks Apr 10) MC2 (5 weeks Sept 10) MC3 (9 weeks Dec 10). All have been natural mcs and number 1 and 3 were embryonic . No children, First appointment with St. Mary's in April, second round of bloods in May, with results in June.

PREGNANT
MATTSMAMA Aged 41. 1st MMC November 2004. My DS (who I love with all my heart) born 2006. 2nd MMC July 2010. 2 chemical pregnancies September and October 2010. Under Dr Shehata and got BFP on first round of treatment for high thyroid antibodies and high killer cells.
BANANA87 Age 30- 1mmc@7 weeks, DD (2), 1 mmc 6 weeks, 1 mc 7 weeks, Going to try aspirin and progesterone as per consultant. Clotting bloods normal.
MUMMYABROAD Age 36, 1DS (2.9), 1MMC Mar 2010 (@14weeks) Ashermans diagnosis and treatment Nov 2010, Started TTC Jan 2011 BFP on Cycle 2 EDD 4/11/11. Heartbeat seen at 10 weeks.
GLITTERYBITS 1 anembryonic MC (12 weeks), unexplained infertility, 1 round of clomid, currently pg and terrified!
JUSTMEE Age 21, MC1 (7 weeks), MC2 (6weeks), MC3 (5weeks) currently pregnant with 4th pregnancy using clexane injecting 20mg a day
LOVELYBUNCHOFCOCONUTS Age 23, 1 MC (13 weeks), 1 MMC (10 weeks - growth stopped at 7), 1DD born 2008, PCOS diagnosis, bi-cornuate uterus. EDD 03/10/11
LOVEMYSLEEP Age 39, 1 mmc, dd born(now 5), 2nd mc (9wks, 2days), 3rd mc (9wks, 3days) and 4th mc at 5 wks. All tests on NHS came back clear. Currently undergoing treatment with Dr.Shehata for very high natural killer cells - aspirin, progesterone, steroids, omezaprole and one intralipid infusion completed.

GRADUATES WITH BABIES!!
LUNATIC dd1(4) 2 mmc (8 wks) dd2 stillborn (32+5). Seen at St Mary's. clotting problem, pg #5 aspirin 150g daily. Ds1 born 9/2/11 c/s @ 35 wks
STILLFRAZZLED Age 35, DS1 (3.6yo), 1 mc @ 5 weeks Jan 09, 2nd mc @ 9 weeks March 09, DS2 born @ 35+3 on 04/01/11 with Intra Uterine Growth Restriction but currently home and doing well.
MUMATRON Age 28 2 dc then 4mc, 3 @9weeks 1@5weeks, tests showed possible free protein s ishoo. dd2 born 06/01/2011, aspirin, claxane and high dose folic acid through pg.
JULEZBOO Age 29 1 mc @ 14 wks, DS1 (8yo) 4 mc @ 5/6 wks, DS2 (3) 2 mc @7 wks... DS3 (14/01/11 @35 wks) Dx with Factor V Leiden and Septate Uterus. Clexane and Aspirin throughout pregnancy and progesterone with DS3.

Hello ladies, it?s been a while since I dropped in here as I haven?t had anything exciting to add. Hope veryone is well. Hello Blue, will PM you as soon as I get my head in gear. Hi again Digi, gosh your Reiki experience sounds amazing. Even just to make you feel relaxed and positive about the future. How exciting that you have taken your first steroids! Any side effects so far?

Caz, as the rest of them say you should definiltey be able to have investigations. So sorry for what you have been through. You are doing the right thing by posting on here as unfortunately most of us have found we need to take charge ourselves as often testing and treatment is not mentioned at hospitals and via your GP. Finding out how to see is something you might have to do yourself and then beg and plead for investigations via your GP and referrals. My GP has been reall y receptive to anything I have asked her (or told her to do for me in some cases!) but if it were down to her I wouldn?t have had anything done.

Igggi ? I can?t keep up with all the threads but have you had another mc? If so, am so, so sorry to hear that.

Kittens how is your treatment going? Are you on steroids yet? I have created a thread on Conception about TTC on Prednisoline so please do anyone of you contribute, I would to know evereone elses experience.

Lucky good news about the scan. It must be hard to keep positive but that is really a very positive sign.

Oh yes, I guess I should say why I am back here and posting now. I have just had my results at an appointment with Mr S and it turns out I have very high NK cells. In the top 5% of people they see at the clinic. It was a bit upsetting actually to find out they are so high, but I guess it is good to have a diagnosis and treatment plan in place to start ttc in a week or so. I just don?t know whether having such high levels actually rules me out of the game?? My result was 3.69 total NK CD69 count and apparently anything over 1.8 is already considered very high. Plan is Pred for two weeks from ovulation and continuing if (when?) pregnant at a dosage of 40mcg. Then also Cyclogest pessaries and Intralipids.

Digi I just got down to your most recent post, about having had the results back. How distressing that must be. And confusing. Who know whether this was anything to do with the previous ones? I think that like Kittens says there is always the possibility of people with normal NK cells miscarrying and it might just be an awful coincidence.

Have to say I feel pretty low about my super dooper high NK cells now. I know Mr S has an 85% success rate but he did seem really surprised at my very high levels. He did say that he has seen people have babies at this level before but he couldn?t say what the chances are. He did say that without treatment I would be very unlikely to be able to carry a baby to term.

Hi freelance to put your mind at ease maybe a little bit, I saw a lady that I hadn't seen for some time last week. We had talked about pg problems. She had IVF and struggled to get pg. She was 20 weeks with twins. I asked her about her treatment. She had extremely high NKC. Like 5.0 or something. She had to have steroids, IVIG, and other medication. She went to the the ARGC on Wimpole street for her treatment privately. It has cost her a lot of money, but she is so happy to be where she's at. They had to give her something to try and have the NKC attack that instead of the pg. Don't despair, it can be possible.

Digi so sorry to hear about your results. Heartbreaking. It seems that it is unlikely to happen again. I remember the anecdote in LR's book where she dealt with a patient that had many different chromosomal abnormalities and wondered which one was next. She did get there in the end. Cold comfort, I know. I think it is better to have an answer about why it happened then no explanation. As you have a DS, it seems hard to believe that you would need genetic counselling, but what do I know?

how are you today iloveblue

Thinking of you suffolk kittens milky hairy and iggi lucky and some of our other friends who have been absent for a long time like clare brook panda and everyone. I'm off to Ascot tomorrow, I'm not sure with my luck if I should bet or not....

Hi everyone. I'm waiting for my husband and I to have karyotyping tests. I had all the blood clotting tests, lupus, thyroid etc and everything came back fine. I lost my first at nearly 22 weeks, then my second at 11 weeks and my last was 7 weeks.

They tested the placenta from my first pregnancy but not the baby and threw away my baby from the second pregnancy when I thought they were doing tests. The third they sent off to Guys and I'm awaiting the results. I was put on aspirin and progesterone pesseries in the last pregnancy and started bleeding after they did an internal scan at 6 weeks.

Everything seems so slow! No one seems to understand that my husband and I are desperate for answers. I know we might not get them but to feel like something was being done to try would be great.

Has anyone had anything useful come of the karyotyping or testing on the baby?

faintpositive congrats on the faint positive! When I got a bfp after three mc's they asked me to come in for a scan around 6 weeks and said if I wanted to I could take low dose aspirin. I went in at 5.5 and all measured well but as it was too early to detect a heartbeat they offered me another scan a week later. I had the option of weekly scans up till 12 weeks. Unfortunately I didn't make it past 8 weeks. I had an erpc where they sent the baby for karyotyping. I made sure I reminded the surgeon about the karyotyping so it wouldn't get forgotten.
This was 3 months ago, I got my results back yesterday and it turns out my baby had triploidy - three sets of chromosomes instead of two. So although I tested for high nk cells that baby (a girl) would never have made it to full term.
It's reassuring to know that there was definitely a problem that couldn't have been helped no matter what medication I'd been on. It doesn't answer why my previous three pregnancies failed - perhaps the nk cells were at work - but I know that it would be extremely unlikely that it would have been the same issue.

I remain optimistic that I will have another child. I suppose yesterdays results, although very sad, have helped me remain so.

Oops wrong thread. Sorry.

Right I see what I've done. I've responded to aMuminwaiting but confused you with a poster from another thread. Huge apologies I'm so sorry. I blame the new mn iPhone app.

aMum I'm very sorry for your losses. I'm surprised they didn't test the baby from your first pregnancy when it was such a late loss. As I've written above I only managed to have my fourth mc karyotyped - as my previous three were natural miscarriages. And I think they would have only tested the third one anyway. The testing was done at Gt Ormond St and it took me three months to get the results (I was told 10 weeks) - it took a similar amount of time to get my own and dh's karyotyping results back too.
The wait could have been interminable but I'd decided in the meantime to go privately to get further tests that my hospital dont do. It helped me feel a bit more in control of the situation which helped. Now I'm on a treatment plan I do feel so much more in control.

Hi everyone

That must have been hard to get that news digi but like you say reassuring to know that there was something seriously wrong and the baby would never had made it.

Hope you had a lovely time at Ascot LAF.

I'm so sorry to hear of your losses amuminwaiting. I too am surprised they didn't do any tests on your first baby. I had a late loss in October last year (at 20 wks) and we had a full post mortem on the baby - they didn't find anything but did rule out lots of things. I also went on to have an early mc in Feb and may/may not be losing this pregnancy (I'm 6/7 wks).
I can understand your frustration - these processes can be so drawn out at times. I hope you get some answers too.

I'm still feeling pregnant - although I'm aware that doesn't necessarily mean its not going to fail.
I had no pregnancy symptoms at all with my last mc at 7/8 weeks.
I'm feeling more positive - and even if this does go pear-shaped, I know we'll get the testing done and am actually looking forward to 3-6 months of not being pregnant or TTC.

Hope everyone else is ok x

digital I hope you are ok after receiving the results. I remember being stunned when I saw 'female karyotype' written on the results paper. It just made my baby so much more real and finally acknowledged iykwim.
From past knowledge I remember that triploidy can be quite common and happen to anyone, but like you said, a recurrence would be very rare. By 'prenatal diagnosis' I would suspect the report meant cvs and amniocentisis. I agree with the others in that it was a one off and unlikely it would happen again.

Lucky great news on the nt scan! I know how hard it is to relax though.

amum I'm sorry for your losses and understand how frustrating it can be waiting for results. With my fourth mc, I had to ask for my baby to be tested. I waited around 10 weeks for the results. The reason why it takes so long is because the tissue from the baby is such a minute amount they have to grow cells for a few weeks to be able to conduct genetic tests. Knowing this made the wait a bit more bearable for me as I knew something was being done.

I had my scan on monday, and baby still has a hb and looked bigger. I am worried about my mental health though as after every mc, I began focussing on the next pregnancy instead of giving myself time. I'm scared that somewhere through this hell i've stopped wanting a baby and its become more of a point of proving to myself my body still works. I am so so scared that i'll have pnd or something if I end up giving birth. With these bad thoughts i've booked an appointment with my gp and will ask for counselling. I don't feel happy about anything and even if this pregnancy fails i'll have a clear head at least with the counselling.

Hope everyone else is doing ok

hi everyone, sounds like it's been a busy time on the RMC board. digi and milky I totally agree that seeing the "female karotype" on paper made it so much worse - in my case (don't know if you got this) they sent me an A4 size picture of all her chromosome pairs! It was like biology at school all over again.

i saw Mr S last Wednesday and had buckets of blood taken. Get the results in three weeks. I was eyeing up all the women in the clinic trying to identify any MN posters from this board!!! freelance I think you're in safe hands with Mr S. I asked him when would we say enough was enough and he said he had successfully treated one woman who had had 27 (I think that was the number - it was in the 20s) miscarriages. So he wasn't at all moved by my 5 m/c (but in a nice and supportive way if you see what I mean).

Good luck to everyone waiting for their next scans. Fingers crossed.

Hey Ladies

I just popped on to see how Igggi was doing.. I've been thinking of you....

Digi Sorry to hear about the results... sadly on the last two that I had the Karyotyping on were "failed to grow" so we got no answers on either of them... I only chose a MM and an ERPC becuase I knew they could be sent away for testing.... also when we got the results back for the 3rd MC (1st tested) we were told that everything was normal.... of course "failed to grow" is inconclusive so not normal at all.... I was fuming when i found out when we got the results from the 4MC (2nd tested).. and now I always get my results in paper sent to me and demand to see them in black and white.... At the time after the 3rd MC I wasnt really with it and trusted my local Hopsital that what they were doing and what they told me was true... I now know that they dont know what they are doing and I no longer trust them..... Mine were sent to Addenbrooks and took about 6 weeks.... My hospital is really Rubbish as when i went for my appointment for my results on the 4th MC (2nd tested)the consultant had no idea what I was doing there...... It was a complete mess... I was a complete mess...

Milky What you are feeling is completly normal.... after my 4th MC I am now having weekly councelling but it took me a while to get the help.... I got to point where I couldnt even speak properly, my brain just wansnt letting me function.... Work sent me home and After being signed off for 2 and a half months I'm back.... I still go to the councelling and its really helping... I felt like a turned a corner about a month ago... but the best thing is not to push yourself.... be honest with how your feeling... What youve been through is awful and you have a right to feel the way you do.... You just need some help to work yourself through your feelings so you dont turn them on yourself....

As for me....... I'm on my 3rd PG in 8 months and I'm trying to take one day at a time.... I forgot this feeling of a day seems like a week.... I just want time to hurry up... This will be my 6th PG in total (I have a 14 year old son and had 4 MC).. I have no idea what to feel at the moment... I'm just trying to remain calm and relaxed.... but its getting tougher.... I'm only just over 4 weeks but I'm yet to have any real sysmtoms... My boobs did feel like they were burning yesday but so far I've had nothing else.. no nausea or Peeing (I was in our London office on Monday and I didnt have a wee from 8am until 5pm, thats really bad I know but quiet normal for me) Hubby keeps saying things about the baby.. but in my mind its not a baby yet.... I dont think I will be able to imagine it as a baby for some time.... maybe only until I am holding it... if we ever get that far.... But Is so hard not to dream about it... I'm scared to dream about it encase I jinx it....

Waving at everyone else and sending hugs to those that need them....

Gosh Steph you have been through the wars. And to be on your third pregnancy in 8 months, I can't imagine what your body and your mind are going through. And what do they mean 'failed to grow'?! Of course it failed to grow, what we need to know is why! It's understandable to be scared though. I only hope we can be of some support here as some of us have been through similar things. I don't count myself among those as my first two mcs were years ago and unwanted pregnancies but I can empathise now as I am terrified of what is ahead of me now in terms of getting pregnant again and trying to carry it through. My third mc (starting 3 months ago at 12 weeks) was so long and drawn out and life changing.

Pure I too was looking around Mr S' waiting room and wondering who I 'knew' in there :) Actually there was only one other person there on Monday morning so they will know who I am if they read this, if I don't know who they are! Did you get a diagnosis yet? A few of us have started a TTC/Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar here so do come and join us.

LOL at Mr S 'not being moved' by your 5 mcs! I know what you mean though, in a nice supportive way. I was actually a bit concerned that he seemed affected by my very high results. It was somewhat worrying

Milky good news about your scan. I think it's understandable for you to be focusing proving your body works. I think (a bit of amateur psychology here) that you are taking one step at a time. It's daunting thinking about the 'end result' of a baby and there's no harm in just taking it day by day. At some point you will hopefully start thinking positively without trying.

Bit worried we've blown it this month. Started quite early with the SWI on day 9 because I ovulated on day 14 last month. Been putting in a pretty concerted effort with daily 'relations' for 9 days until the day after my surge and the last 2 nights OH hasn't been feel good so no action. I just hope his swimmers have good hanging around powers so all that previous shagging hasn't been in vain! I'm worried after all the comments about steroids delaying ovulation.

Keep your legs crossed kittens! Swimmers have amazing staying powers. freelance no diagnosis for a couple of weeks. i actually went for an appt in three weeks time not sooner as I don't have any appetitie to TTC at the moment so wasn't worried about the wait. i will certainly join the Prednisone board if that is prescribed.

hope everyone waiting for a scan is doing ok.

kittens sex before ovulation is more important than sex after ov. The egg only lasts around 12 hours so the day after is often too late. You want the swimmers up there waiting for the egg.

We didn't swi the morning after ov this cycle either - dh wasn't feeling too good. It's only worth it if you've ov'ed overnight and it's still there the next morning.

Felt a bit crampy last night but nothing this morning. And had a big show of ewcm last night which worried me as I only get that just before af and it's way too early for that. Hoping steroids haven't shortened my luteal phase.

Thanks suffolksteph and freelance. Hopefully I will get the counselling sessions quickly. I do feel depressed most days, and am feeling I did neglect myself last year due to working long hours. With my first 3 mc's I didn't even take time off work - basically I miscarried my babies whilst at work because I couldn't take time off, and felt embarrassed about being "office gossip" - which is stupid, but it's all finally caught up with me. When I had my ERPC, I was off work on the Friday and went back on the Tuesday.

suffolksteph I can completely relate to what you are feeling right now. I can't imagine or even dare imagine a baby at the moment incase I jynx it. Keeping relaxed is easier said than done, considering what you have been through. Sorry I can't give you any advice, but you're not alone in feeling like this x.

havingkittens Fx for you this month.

and fx for you too digital x

I was working on that theory but read somewhere yesterday that ovulation doesn't necessarily happen straight away after the surge and can take a little while to be released which is what got me thinking about steroids delaying ovulation. Especially seeing as I take the first one the day after my positive opks. I don't temp and don't have EWCM so it's hard to pin point exactly. Maybe I'm getting a bit over obsessed! Lol.

Hi Girls,

I have been reading your thread for the last month. Please can i come and join you all? it was freelancegirl that recommended I pop in!

I am 42 and had my 4th MC/ERPC a month ago. The last 2 MC have been missed mc's and the extra pain was feeling pregnant with symptons and a growing tummy. i had convinced myself all was ok. My MC's have been at 6/7/8/10 weeks.

I went to see Mr Shetata last night. Gosh its expensive! I dont qualify for NHS referral due to my age so have to pay myself!

He has taking blood for NK, ANA, Thyroid Antibodies & full Thrombophilia screening. I have to go back in 3 weeks. What does ANA stand for?

In the meantime he has put me on double dose metformin, asprin, multivit & omega 3, vitamin D3.

I am so sorry to read all the hard times that you have and are going through. I must add that I also find it a comfort that I am not alone.

xx

Hi Georgie welcome to the thread, although sorry for what you have been through to get you here. Don't worry - not all of his testing and treatment can be done on the NHS anyway. I did have an NHS referral but it was taking ages so bit the bullet and went privately. Before hand though I asked my GP to do all the tests that could be done on the NHS so by the time I saw Mr S the only one that couldn't be done was the NK cells. Thank god I had them done though as mine came back as ridiculously high and I have been prescribed steroids, pessaries and (once pregnant) monthly intravenous intralipid treatment.

You are doing the right thing in getting treated. I have just got off the phone to a 41 year old with a 12 week old baby - she had 5 mcs before she had the same treatment and there are plenty of positive stories about similar stories. That said, I am totally terrified about starting again next week and facing the same problems. But I know I do want to try so I (we) are going to have to take a deep breath and go for it. Do also join us on THIS thread if you get treatment as we will be going over it in fine detail am sure.

Milky you are bound to be low. It's understandable. I know it doesn't make it any better. Really try to look after yourself though and do things to make you happy. Funnily enough even when I was pregnant last time and unaware of any specific problems I felt rather depressed too. I still don't know why. Hormones maybe. Or maybe somewhere deep down i knew it wasn't working out. But also part of me was scared about the lifestyle change. I think I will have bigger fears than that next time!

Kittens I can't help with the charting and ovulation yet - am only just starting myself and being rather crap at it so far! Maybe in a few weeks I will be better. Steroids starting next week though so might have to guess dates if no signs.

Hello georgiepie, Sorry for all your losses and I am sorry you find yourself here, but welcome! There are a few of us going through testing like you, others awaiting results and some being treated whilst pregnant - so there is plenty of information available from everyone at all stages.

There are a few ladies here being treated by Dr Shehata too, so I am sure you will get the right support and advice.

ANA stands for Anti-Nuclear Antibodies this pages explains what they are - hope it helps

Feel free to add yourself to the list - I think there is an updated one a few pages back - and I hope this thread is as much help to you, as it has been and still is for me.

Hi Georgiepie, and welcome to the thread. It has been a lifeline and an invaluable source of information to me over the last 7 months since my last MC. I am surprised to hear they said your age meant they wouldn't refer you on the NHS. I was a month off 41 when my GP referred me to Mr S and I have had all my tests and treatment on the NHS. I guess the timing worked out quite well for me as although it was a 3 month wait to see him I was glad of the break as I'd had 3 miscarriages in the 10 months prior to my referral and wasn't in a massive hurry to put myself through it again, especially without further testing.

Freelance, I'd recommend at least buying some cheap OPKs for next weekend to give yourself an idea of when to start taking your steroids. Last month I ovulated 2 days earlier than I normally do so was able to start taking the steroids earlier knowing that. I tend to start taking them the first day of a negative OPK after my surge - ie. I get 2 days of +ve and then the next day the second line is no longer there.

Milkyways sorry that you're going through this again. Good that you are in a better position to give yourself a bit of time to deal with it this time. Maybe the not stopping to recover in your last few MCs last year has meant you've now deferred a lot of the feelings from those experiences to this one and it's all become rather overwhelming. Take care of yourself.

I went to the Dental Hospital yesterday and they weighed me. Looks like I've put on half a stone - I probably can't completely blame the steroids as there have been a lot of cake and booze related occasions in the last few months but I suspect they are partly to blame. I may have to get off my lazy arse and join a gym!

Kittens I am taking my lazy arse to the gym 4-5 times a week and it ain't really shifting! Ok, I admit there has been a fair bit of booze and cake going down too.... but my (totally non scientific) reasoning is that miscarriage chubbiness is somewhat different to any other chubbiness I've come across. It's easy to go on and stubborn to get off. Highly annoying.

I have actually got some cheapo OPKs from online. What day do you reckon I should start poas? I was reading the sperm meets egg plan and they said CD8 and start SWI every other night until proper ovulation and then go for it like the clappers.... Am CD5 at the mo.

So - the surge is when the sticks say positive and you start taking them a couple of days after it has gone negative...?

I think it depends how long your cycle is as to when you should start testing. I generally start on day 10 and my cycle is 24-28 days at the moment.

I started on day 8 and went for it like the clappers (daily)all week until day 16 and then, just at the sort of crucial time, my OH "called in sick" so I'm nervous. Have also been using a combination of Conceive Plus (like pre-seed) and my Mooncup (to fight against gravity) to try and increase my chances though so fingers crossed I've managed to hold hostage enough long stayers to pounce at the crucial moment!

I don't think it helps that I put on a little weight with each pregnancy and then, in the case of last year, didn't really give myself much time (or effort, let's be honest) to shift if before the next pregnancy. I've had a good 7 months since my last MC but so far there's been Christmas, 5 days away for MIL's birthday celebrations involving cake, booze and 3 course meals daily, a 4 day visit from my "cake monster" mother, who whilst on holiday will justify the consumption of cake, chocolate and pudding on a daily basis and enables all around her obviously, Easter, MIL's 80th garden party (Yes, she's like the queen, having 2 birthdays. But I suppose at 80, why not!) involving enourmous amounts of food, booze, cake etc. 3 cycles of steroids. I don't stand much of a chance, especially considering I have done a total of 4 Zumba classes and a Swing dance class during that entire period. Hmmmm.

Loving the run down of cake fuelled chaos. Mine reads a bit like yours, with a lot of wine and a few longer trips abroad chucked in for good measure. So frustrating being that last year I got down to a teeny size 8 (am 5.5) and was something of a fitness bunny. My clothes now look like crap on me and am oozing out of size tens. I realise it's hardly obese but it's not bloody shifting! I can't seem to get below the ten stone mark, this time last year I was nine.

I guess there are more important things at stake but when you're miserable anyway because of everything that has gone on it would be nice to have the benefit of at least being happy with the way we look! Oh well, we might be pregnant again soon. Although it's that attitude that keeps me necking a consolatory amount of wine.

If it doesn't happen to me imminently I will invest in pre-seed and a moon cup!

My last three cycles post mc were 28.29 and 31 days and I felt ovulation twinges and ewcm around day 14. But will be keeping a close eye on my pants next week (nice!) and start necking the hard core drugs.

Yes, I am similar with the wine, and the cheese, in the "well, I might as well whilst I can" attitude. You're doing better than me sizewise. I'm an inch taller than you and pushing a size 14. 11 Stone .... Farkin' hell, when did that happen? Hardly any of my clothes fit me properly and I invariably end up sitting around the house with my jeans undone. But don't want to buy any new ones because I'm hoping the next lot will be due to more pregnancy weight, or dare I even hope, a bump.

And, deep joy, to top it off I have ridiculous acne that I didn't have 4 years ago pre 6 pregnancies and can't really do anything about that until after I've come to the (hopefully happy) end to this mission!

See, on top of all the heartbreak, it's the limbo that's also really doing my head in. So many things seem to be on hold. My best friend bought me a voucher for this amazing dressmaker that do made to measure 1950s bombshell dresses for my 40th, which was a year and a half ago and I still haven't been in a position to spend it as it's quite a lot of money and I don't want to get something that won't fit for long. This is just one of many limbo things that's pissing me off. All things that seem really petty compared to all the other shit I've had to deal with but they just stack up and make me feel even more fed up.