Recurrent Miscarriage Support - tests, treatment, trying again - thread 9

[bakingtins]

Welcome everyone - pull up a chair! A thread for anyone who has suffered multiple miscarriages and is in need of information, moral support, tea or sympathy. Newbies very welcome.

Can we start the thread with a recap of where we are all up to again, please?

Professor Siobhan Quenby. She works at Coventry University Hospital and runs a private implantation clinic that tests for issues with maintaining womb lining and NK cells (immune cause of recurrent miscarriage). There are not many people in the UK investigating these issues, she's actively researching them. Others doing similar tests are Drs Shehata and Gorgy in London. If you want to know more there's a thread about immune issues on the conception board called " TTC or pregnant on prednisolone"

Hi - please can I join

I wasn't expecting to be on this thread as I've (only!) had two MC's (both MMCs- one at 10 weeks, one at 7 weeks). However I had an appointment with a hospital consultant last week about going back on clomid. (Previously I'd been trying for No2 for over two years and so was on clomid when I conceived the first of my failed pregancies). However in the appointment he said that we should be looking at why I'm having the MC's and sent me to have my bloods tested and prescribed a pessary to thinking my womb lining. He'll see me again in 6 weeks (unless I become pg in the meantime in which case he said he would see me within the week).

I was a bit thrown as the appointment wasn't what I was expecting so failed to really ask any questions. So I was hoping someone could point to what the purpose of the blood tests are and also what I can expect in my next appointment (if anything).

Thanks in advance

trying I just emailed her secretary and was told 2 AF... I mcd 7 weeks ago. Had now 1 AF so all wait one more before tracking ovulation to make the appointment

Thanks for clarifying. Nearly the weekend phew. Not so fun going back to work pretending everything is ok.
X

Hi forester sorry you're here but great that the consultant is being proactive. They'll want an armful of blood from you and possibly one tube from DH for karyotyping (testing for abnormal genes you might be passing on). Yours should also be checked for thyroid problems, clotting, APS 'sticky blood', diabetes, and hormone levels, normally CD2 FSH/LH and CD21 progesterone. They'd normally also do a scan mid cycle to check ovaries, womb lining and cervix. If you want a good book on the subject Mary Regan from St Mary's has written one called "Miscarriage - what every woman needs to know"

Hi, just popping in...

I'm off for my 2nd blood test tomorrow to (hopefully) confirm APS. This should mean that the results are back in time for my consultant appt on 12th May.

I'm also having a Rheumatoid Factor blood test next week, which is not to do with my MCs, but could have some bearing. I really don't want to have Rheumatoid Arthritis too...

If bloods confirm APS, and I get a treatment plan in place, I might be back in the saddle next month. Scared shitless, but hey.

Sorry to see so many new names, and so many shit experiences, but we have had some real successes, with more to come.

Baking I'm so chuffed for you to be 34 weeks. That is proper wonderful!

tanny all the best. It will be scary but at least you will this time be armed with the right treatment /medication. Fx you get some answers. Are you being seen at St. Mary's?

forester it's great that your consultant is being do proactive about it as normally they do not suggest testing until the magic number if 3. I heard from my consultant that apparently in the US rmc testing starts after 2mcs.

Good luck !

I wish! I live in the back of beyond and am having to contend with Bath RUH. Put it this way, I'm seen as being unique because I might have a treatable condition. It's depressing.

I'm bleeding a lot today so getting the sense that its game over for me. Pretty much distraught - you guys all know the deal. Had such high hopes for clexane and that we 'had the answer, had the treatment plan' etc and that things might be ok, so feeling completely defeated. It just feels so unfair, sad and scary. what if I can never have children In addition to the lupus anticoagulant I have a subseptate uterus so now am wondering about whether to consultants decision to ignore that might be misguided. I know it could also just be one of those 'bad luck' miscarriages as opposed to the clexane treatment having failed or the subseptate uterus but I'm just so tired of bad luck when everyone I know are making their happy families.

Good luck Tanny - really hope that you get some answers and they are helpful. I very much hope you don't test positive for rheumatoid arthritis. Doesn't life just take the absolute p!&& sometimes. Sending good thoughts.

Welcome Forester. Sorry you're hear but as Tims says good on your Dr for being proactive.

Hi mint leaf. I'm sorry ;(. Have you got a scan booked? How far along would you be?
I'm sorry your going through this (although some women bleed and their pregnancies are ok though?)
Hope someone is looking after you
Xxx

I'm only six weeks. I've been spotting all week and had told myself the 'some women bleed and all is ok' line quite successfully, but I have to say this is 'proper bleeding' now - pad used in 30 mins type stuff (sorry tmi). I have an EPU scan booked for next Friday and I suspect that'll now be a check that everything's gone scan. DH still at work. I'll pick him up at 5 and he'll be great. On the sofa with America's Next Top Model and chocolate in the mean time so I'll be ok. Just really fed up and gutted.

Mint that is shit. I am trying to steel myself for another loss even with a treatment plan. I hope things are not too horrible.

It's hard not to, but thinking too much about the future when I was mcing made me really low.

Big hugs

Big hugs mint

So sorry mint

Get some Diclofenac if you can as it was great for my pains when I last miscarried. they gave it to me at the EPU but I think it might be available over the counter...

Thank you so much for the support guys .

In brighter news we sold our house at the asking price today! Means we can move to the house we've had our eye on for a bit the family home in the catchment area of an excellent primary school Mixed emotions - I love our house but we've outgrown it a touch even without kids. We've been happy here though - sob.

Good news about the house. think positive - new house new start

It is exciting! Emotions all over the place.

Mint, sorry you're bleeding. Was it one heavy gush or a flow? remember, aspirin and heparin thin the blood and so little bleeds can seem much worse. I had a real clothes soaked in my last pg which was nothing to do with the mc (which was due to turners 2 months later, but totally unrelated to the bleed) so babies can and do survive bleeds like that. Fx its OK. Do you also have cramps?

It was heavy and gush like but gushed for about five hours - it seems to have stopped (for now) and wasn't accompanied by cramps/pain. I'm almost more scared of feeling positive than of miscarrying though if that makes any sense?

Mint, hope you get some answers soon. (hugs)

I'm sorry :(. It's so shit. But at least u have some
Good news-try focus on that and hopefully more good news will come at some point. A new house and a new start.

Sorry Mint that it doesn't look like things are working out this time around either.

Thanks for responding to my post Bakingtins. I'll take a look at what the terms mean.

Prior to being prescribed clomid I did have some fertility tests including a laparoscopy and dye test and a scan so hopefully they already have answers to some of the questions.

Sorry, using too many acronyms!

Karyotyping is testing your chromosomes for abnormal genes you might potentially be passing on.
APS = anti phospholipid syndrome, also referred to as Hughes syndrome, or more prosaically 'sticky blood' they test for several different antibodies.
FSH follicle stimulating hormone, and LH lutenising hormone are tested on cycle day 1-2 (beginning of your period) to give some idea of fertility. There's also a test called AMH anti mullerian hormone, that gives an idea of egg reserve and is used to rule out PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) which can cause recurrent miscarriage. PCOS is one thing they look or on a mid cycle ultrasound scan.
Progesterone is tested on cycle day 21 and shows whether you are ovulating. Low levels could be linked to difficulty maintaining a pregnancy.

Anything else we are bandying around and you don't understand the lingo, please ask.

mint so sorry to hear what you are going through. Hope you are not alone now and have OH for support. How far along are you? Are you 6wks today or next Friday?

If the bleeding has eased then it might not mean anything. Especially as you have not gad any cramping.

Fx for you.

mint so sorry to hear you are bleeding again. You have to rail against the universe a bit when yet more 'bad luck' is heaped upon you Hope your OH is taking good care of you.