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.

thanks LAF. that stops me worrying about the tests being wrong. It's taking six weeks to get the results as it is so i don't want a retest.

i think i will see what all these results say and then ask about being referred if they can't find anything. not sure about being reffered to st marys even though i know it's the best. i live in lancashire so it's a bit of a pain to get down there all the time. i will see if i can get reffered to liverpool womens as i think they have a good rmc. it would be much easier for me to travel to.

glad to hear you are getting further in this pregnancy. will keep my fingers crossed for you.

i have been reading all the old threads and am halfway through part 3 so feel like i am getting to know everyones stories. It's taking me forever lol!! it's quite a good support to me to read the old stuff knowing that many of you are pregnant/had a baby by now.

Hi pebs The antiphospholipid antibodies are repeated over 6 weeks because they can fluctuate, so a negative reading at first may turn into a positive reading later.

I think that Prof. Quenby is at Liverpool RMC and she is well respected, so I think you would do well to go there. I'm not sure if they do test for TEG. I don't know why more places don't do it. Perhaps they need specialist machines or something.

Hi all, I haven't been on this thread for a while but I 'know' quite a lot of you from here and other threads of course. Hello all! I have been lurking so am up to date with most of you and also talking to many of you on other threads.

Pureequeen am so sorry to hear about your dad.
LAF I am SOOOO pleased to hear about your scan. Hopefully that bleeding was a one off and definitely one of those things that normal pregnant people get.

I am having another miscarriage. It's not a shock as for some reason it just didn't seem to grow, a foetus was never seen and at 8 weeks I had a scan still measuring 5.4 (just a yolk sac visible), started bleeding and am booked in for my first ERPC tomorrow. It's mc number three (definitely - but quite possibly number four) and also I was being treated for very high NK cells with Mr S, so it will be interesting to see how my treatment might change for next time.

Other than the ERPC tomorrow my next appointment is not until the 9th Sept so I won't be trying again until after that. Maybe it's a symptom of recurrent miscarriage or I am just being very pragmatic but I am managing fine emotionally. Obviously there are down times but I do just really want to get on with it. Looking forward to getting the op out of the way though!

I just wanted to say for anyone interested, a friend on another thread was told that Prof Quenby has a new self-funded clinic that, with a GP referral, she will test for Uterine NK cells rather than just blood levels. You get a consultation, ultrasound scan, endometrial biopsy, uNK cells test results and telephone consultation to discuss results all for £260. Of course the treatment is probably the same but it is interesting and something I might consider just in case. Just thought I would let you know. I will be contacting her so will pass on the details if anyone is interested. I am not sure whether this clinic is actually in Liverpool as Warwick/Coventry was mentioned to me and I think she might work out of several locations.

freelance sorry to hear you are going through this again. hope mr s can find a solution for next time for you.

could you put the details on here about the new clinic when you find out more. not sure if nk cells will be my problem as i have had mc at 11 and 20 weeks. but it might be worth a try though in the future if i don;t get any luck with my local hospital.

laf i had the first lot of blood tests done when i was in hospital after the mc and the second lot six weeks later (which was today). will i have to have them again?

i am glad there are good reports about liverpool. it will still be a bit of a trek for me to go there but much easier than london.

Sorry about your losses pebspop. It must have been awful for you. NK cells treatment is controversial and not everyone believes in it, but I do believe that the people who believe in it say, untreated, it can cause later losses as well. I haven't read back far enough to read what happened with your later loss but when I interviewed Mr S he said untreated high NK cells can cause such later losses.

But like I said not everyone believes in them (I am not even sure what I believe and I am being treated for them!) and there are plenty of other avenues to explore.

The trouble is, as I am sure you are finding, we are all having to a certain extent become our own doctors and try to work out whose theory, whose research, whose opinion we should experiment with. When it's not something we want to chance getting wrong!

Hi pebs I know that from the books and the testing process, I had to be in a non-pregnant state for all of them. So, if your mc was complete at the time you had first bloods taken, you should be OK.

I'm sorry for your loss freelance I hope that ERPC helps bring quick closure to you.

I agree with freelance we become our own physicians. I do believe in the NK cells as I know people who have struggled to get pg at all and have had the treatment and have babies. Does Dr. S test for uNK or just NK?

No Mr S just takes blood level NK69s which aren't really mentioned a lot in Dr Beer's book. Testing seems quite rudimentary compared to the tests that are done in Chicago and also under a couple of other people, but that said the treatment with steroids etc seems to be the same over here anyway. I have loads of research links on this that I can post. Just getting ready for tomorrow though as up really early.

Pebs I had an argument in the rmc due to that cuff thing! They insited it didn't matter.
Glad things are looking good Laf.

Thinking of you tomorrow, Freelance
When I read de Beers book I did feel my own treatment was like smarties by comparison. Telling myself it's American and they all use insurance there, so lots of treatments thrown at them.
On my 2ww at the moment, not sure if I have to take steroids till AF comes or if safe to stop them if I get an earlier bfn?

i don't think i was in a non pregnant state when i had the first tests as i was still in hospital after the medically managed labour. i think they told me i would have the tests then and they would be followed up in six weeks when the pregnancy hormones are out of my system(which i had yesterday). perhaps i will get more blood taken when i go to the follow up appointment in six weeks.

i am glad other people had the tests with the cuff as well. it's reassuring to know they use them at st marys as well.

i bought the dr beers book but i havn't read it yet. it looks a bit too textbook-y for my liking!

freelance I'm so sorry about your loss. FWIW I have had two ERPCs and they were painfree and I recovered super quickly. I hope your procedure goes well.

Thanks for all the kind messages about my dad. He had been ill for a while but we thought we had a bit longer IYKWIM.

That is fantastic news LAF - ahead of dates is a great place to be.

I saw Mr S on Saturday - high killer cells so will start of 25mg prednisone next cycle + progesterone and all the usual aspirin, omega 3 etc etc. Bit nervous about the side effects, mostly the weight gain - i apologised to Mr S for sounding so vain!

puree which omega 3 tablets are you taking?

i have got 90 days supply of normal pregnacare so just need an omega 3 to go with it.

would this be ok (it also contains the 25mg of d3 which i have seen suggested on here) www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=3809&prodid=4419&cid=158&sid=0

Great you got a diagnosis Puree so you have something to work with! Did he say what levels? I am guessing high rather than very high if you don't have to have intralipids and increased the Pred at a BFP? Come join us on the Pred Thread!

I have to say the weight gain isn't much fun. I was starving on the Pred and it got much worse when I did get the BFP - but that could have been the hormones too. I have put on a stone since my first pregnancy in Jan and now my second miscarriage. Luckily I had lost a stone the year before so if am honest, am not huge, but it is still annoying. I also worry that I have developed a slight moon face but DH says (and he is very honest) I haven't. I think I have had dark circles under my eyes too but again, remember I have been taking 40mcg and also have had a baby inside that hasn't been growing so that has probably made a difference.

Thanks Iggii and everyone else about the thoughts for today. The ERPC went fine, am a bit tired but it is good to get it out of the way.

Good that the Vit D is included in the Omega Pebspop. I am not sure about types of Omega though so can't help. I am taking the one with the Pregnacare. But in terms of quantity of additional Vit D that's what you need.

hi freelance glad that you are OK after today. Sleep tight.

Best of luck on TTC pureequeen and hopefully, we will see you on the freaking out thread soon!

Hi everyone, haven't posted here in a while, I hope you're all doing well.

freelance Hope you are okay today. Thinking of you.

Sorry to hear about your Dad pureequeen. How awful for you. Hope you are okay.

I took omega 3 during pregnancy with DD on top of Pregnacare - my MW said it was fine..I think you can get it from Boots, but I don't remember which box it was - it wasn't own brand.

Can I also recommend Selenium and Magnesium along with the Vitamin D. Vitamin D in its usable form is absorbed better into the body when taken with Magnesium, and also studies have shown that women who suffer from recurrent miscarriages have lower levels of Selenium and Magnesium. It was something that was recommended on Dr S's webpage too until they updated their webpage format a few months ago. Also, Selenium is normally sold as Selenium-ACE - don't take this type, as it contains Vitamin A (albeit a tiny tiny amount). Go for Boots own brand in the purple and silver tub.

Nothing to report here - counselling sessions are going great. Only cried once today. Hope you're all well.

hi everyone

not really got much going on at the moment. still waiting for af to arrive. it's been 7 weeks now. hope she turns up soon.

got at least 5 more weeks to wait before my results. it feels like a lifetime away. i keep going through all the possible outcomes and what i would do in each situation. my dh doesn't want to play this game with me though, he wants to wait until we get the facts then discuss it. i will talk it through at counselling tomorrow.

i am trying to decide whether to go to australia for a holiday at christmas. friends of ours moved out there a few months ago and have invited us to stay with them. i feel like i should go as i have the opportunity to do it now - wouldn't have wanted to go with a baby or pregnant. the length of the flight puts me off mainly. the longest flight i have done is 11 hours. although we could stop over somewhere along the way.

dh and i are thinking of ttc again around xmas time so we could try while we are away. i wonder how i will feel after the consultants appointment to go through the results. will i want to ttc straight away? should i wait until christmas anyway and have a good holiday?

Milkyway I take all the vitamins you suggest. I swallow handfuls of the things down every night!
Pebs if you decided to start trying as soon as you get the results, in theory if you got pregnant then you could be heading into second trimester by Christmas. If you didn't get pg till the 2nd or 3rd month you might be in a more worrying time for your holiday. I have cancelled holidays in the past, but by my 5th pg I just kept going - I think you need the attitude that "normal" life goes on, while you try for the baby. Otherwise whole years go past and you haven't done the things you need to do.
Having said that I couldn't afford to take a break of a few months, but I am ten years older than you.

Sorry, this is Iggi. Can't remember why I changed name!

hi there, just dropped off my script so will join the prednisone thread soon - yes just "high" nk cells, rather than "very high". Am taking extra omega 3 on top of pregnacare conception (plus a few other bits and pieces based on my vitamin research over the years!).

pebs - totally agree that you should just book the holiday. I can't begin to tell you all the things I have and haven't done....my one successful pregancy I flew a lot

freelance - glad to hear the erpc went well. I have just lost a stone through stress with dad etc but I think it will come in handy when I start the prednisone so hopefully I will just end up back where I was!

Formerly known as Iggi - I really need to change my name as I joined mumsnet when all I did was puree baby food. things have moved on but don't want to confuse myself and everyone else! Will bite the bullet soon and dream up a new name.

I won't book anything until after I get my results. We need to get the money together anyway so will wait until october to decide.

My friends seem to be having a brilliant time in Aus. they have a fantastic apartment near the beach and it looks amazing.

First and second trimesters are a worrying time for me as i had losses at 11 and 20 weeks so it would probably be best to ttc just before i go on holiday and while we are there. i would rather not know i was pg until i got back. i did this after my first mc and booked a holiday for three months after the mc. started ttc a couple of weeks before, came home, did the test and got bfp! thought i might have been pg on holiday but didn't dare to test-las vegas isn't really the place for pregnant women!

does anyone know anything about travel insurance? If i was pg on holiday would i have trouble with travel insurance due to the mc's? when i went to vegas i read in the small print that it was ok but i think that might have been for one previous mc.

whats the score which magnesium tablets do you take? we must all be rattling when we walk!

got another counselling session today, the weeks seem to fly by.

Hi, been a bit quiet here lately as just waiting and waiting for results. On a whim I rang up Dr S's secretary to ask if there was any chance of just knowing whether something had been flagged up or not. I just wanted to know if I had the all clear and could ttc because otherwise I am waiting til end of November for my appointment potentially to find out there is nothing they can do... 3 more months wasted.

Anyway, the midwife rang me back to say DON'T get pregnant, your NK cells are raised. Don't know numbers but apparently a treatable level. So I seem to have an answer. After all the waiting takes a while to sink in. Don't know whether to be relieved or sad or what!

So anyway, I was just hoping from some advice from any other high NK people seeing Dr S, do I now have to hold out til Nov/Dec to get a steroids prescription? From what I've read it the treatment is fairly standard so I feel a bit strange about the long wait (appreciate it is better than the March 2012 appointment I was given at first!!).

Soon as I got off the phone I had so many questions I forgot to ask.... but I figured I might be able to get some expert knowledge from you guys... :)

Just out of interest...anyone else with high NK experience a lot of illness in the months following miscarriage. In the last two months I have had conjunctivitis, a virus and tonsilitis twice (had similar infections directly after mc1 and 2) bit weird for someone with an over-active immune system! Anyone else get skeptical about NK theory the minute they get that diagnosis?!

Are you seeing him on the nhs scooter? I wonder if you could manage one private appt, to get the results and the treatment plan? If waiting is too hard

Sorry you are having such a wait Scooter. I had the same thing and went private in the end as I just felt I didn't want to wait. As it was I had another miscarriage when on the treatment anyway, had the ERPC on THursday so I really could have waited. I can't tell you about illness after mc being that my second this year was only a few days ago but I think, after diagnosis I never thought 'oh that's easily treatable'. You know when you see people say 'I was diagnosed with NK cells, given treatment and went on to have a beautiful baby' it sounds so easy doesn't it? Well, it doesn't seem like it is that easy for all of us unfortunately. But I do have a very, very high count and I think that has something to do with it. Hopefully yours isn't as high.

Yay to Puree on a diagnosis! Come join us on the Pred Thread again. There's a lot of moaning about pregnancy mentalling, lack of af mentalling and for me Moon Face mentalling :) Glad you are just high rather than very high. What other vits are you taking? I have added Selenium to Mr S' arsenal but might consider magnesium too, thanks for the info on that Milky and also for constant good advice and support. Currently off the aspirin due to the ERPC but will start again next week.

Iggii what are we calling you now...? Score? I did try to do that swap beteen the NHS thing and never figured it out! So apart from one appointment at St Helier it has all been private. Every time I do a new job DH and I have a joke that it's more set aside for Mr S' holiday fund :) Oh how we laughed...

I don't know about travel insurance Pebs but will be looking into it myself soon too.

Am feeling better every day (apart from feeling fat...) and not really bleeding, just getting a bit of (TMI alert) what I can only described as pink juice! Been trying to enjoy not being pregnant (drinking and dancing last weekend, festival this weekend) and also get myself in recovery shape for the next go on the merry go round. Hope everyone else is ok xxx

Scooter, how long have you been waiting for your results? I'm pretty sure you won't have to wait until November for a prescription. When I went to see him on the NHS the results came back 5 weeks later and were followed up with a telephone consultation which seemed to be the way they were dealing with the appointment backlog. He told me not to worry about the distant appointment I was given as that was just to get me into the system and that I would get a follow up before then, which was my 5 week later phone call.

After his associate had called me up about my results she posted a prescription request to me to take to my GP. Since then all meds have been prescribed by my GP but I have had a few conversations with his secretary and his midwife when I have needed support or had questions. I was told that when/if I get pregnant I should let him know but that I could have all my scans at my local EPU so I'm not sure how much more contact I would have with him.

When I first went to see him and was concerned about the wait for the results I asked if I could make a private appointment with him to get the results and then revert back to the NHS to get the treatment and scans he said that would be fine and that a lot of people do it that way as I was now in the system so treatment on the NHS would be possible. He suggested calling his secretary at his private clinic to discuss this. I didn't need to do this in the end as I got my follow up in reasonable time.

Even though I've been lucky with this there are pros and cons, obviously. I don't get anywhere near as much support as those under him in his private clinic so I don't know whether he is going to be involved in anything but prescribing prednisolone and then seeing if it works or not and prescribing it again if necessary, ad nauseam, or until I decide enough is enough. On the other hand, those seeing him privately have been asked to see him again if they don't get pregnant in their first cycle (I believe), which seems a little over efficient (or should I say, expensive?!). But then again, I'm 5 cycles into treatment and still not pregnant and frustratingly seeking a medical hand to hold. I think I am going to carry on as purely NHS with him for now though, especially now that it's seemingly that much harder to conceive this time. I may need to save my pennies for IVF or something instead. Or even PGD considering I have a history of a couple of pregnancies with Chromosomal abnormalities as well as the 4 miscarriages.

Hi score, yes I'm on the NHS but resisting private as I feel like if I was going to pay then I should have investigated after mc2 and maybe not had to go through mc3. Silly really!

Anybody mind telling me how much a one-off private appointment might be?

Freelance I am so so sorry to hear your news, its heartbreaking and so unfair. Have you heard from Dr S, surely he will want to adjust your treatment. I really hope you are getting some TLC from his staff and your local hospital and of course dh.

Hi Kittens I've been waiting since 5 July that's when all my bloods were taken. I felt like I'd left it long enough to check. You say yours came back after 5 weeks, were they posted or via your GP? My GP wrote to ask to have them faxed over (after I cried on her!) but heard nothing and when I spoke to the midwife she said Dr S doesn't do telephone consultations. Just limbo again now.

I am inclined to hold out on the NHS like you but also don't really feel 'under his care' as appointments are so rare. When I got the referral to him my first GP was keen to wash her hands of me but I recently changed GP and now feel at least I have someone on my side and a bit of a hand to hold as you describe. Is your GP supportive?? All the best with ttc, this whole journey really likes to test the patience at every stage doesn't it! - hope the bfp is just around the corner for you.

I have to shut down now as I have a family of four coming to stay and lots to get ready, our already small house is beginning to look like a caravan and of course the forecast is heavy rain -looking forward to my bank holiday weekend!!

Waving to others, LAF how are you getting on? When is the next scan?