Recurrent Miscarriage Support - tests, treatment, trying again - thread 12

[bakingtins]

Welcome everyone! A thread for anyone who has suffered recurrent losses and is in need of support, information, moral support or tea and sympathy. Newbies very welcome.

Please can we start (as is traditional) with a recap of where we are on 'the journey'.

twilight ah yes, the weight thing... no one has said anything directly.

Back in 2011 Mr Rai said it would be good to try and lose some, but he said i won't tell you to come back when the BMI is under 30 or to lose a stupid amount as that would just make you not even want to try (paraphasing here) but try and lose some, 5kg, for example, which will help...

Get in touch with their secretary as a preliminary thing [email protected] she'll send you an information sheet about the clinic, then they ask you to track your ovulation, use barrier contraception that month, and book in to go 7-10 days post-ov - the clinics are Monday and Friday and everyone is booking fairly last minute so they'll fit you in. I actually pre-booked mine but I was pretty sure about when I'd ovulate as cycle v predictable, and I needed to book a day off work. Go up for your appointment which is about 30-45 min slot, consultation with Prof Q or B, they explain the procedure, do a scan and the biopsy and scratch, then they phone you about a month later with results and a plan.

Everyone I've heard of that has been up there has been offered the clexane and progesterone from day 21 to assist implantation (tanny and tiny both doing well on that protocol without NK cell issues) and if you have high NK cells you'll be offered steroids in addition. The scratch in itself increases success rates for the next few cycles - it's supposed to stimulate a healing response that improves lining quality. They tend to tell you to TTC straight away for that reason, the results are normally back before you'd get a BFP, though they did have a few issues with them being delayed a few months back - IIRC tanny was started on steroids because she got her BFP before her results were back.

ha! I wave pompoms, baking does the speech

Thanks for the advice. Decisions decisions. I think we'll probably just try again for now. I've been so desperate to TTC again I don't think I can tolerate putting it off another month just now. Perhaps we'll have the plan to try Coventry if we've had no success by the new year or have another miscarriage. They are still going to do the TEG (?) test when I'm next pg and he's given me a prescription for proestrogen so there is at least something new going on. I just really want to TTC this month.

I'm feeling a bit hacked off that throughout my 20s 'society' sent me the message that I should settle down, establish a career etc before having children, and now not three years later suddenly I'm getting the message I've perhaps left children a bit on the late side. Grrr.

I know the feeling twilight! Never has 32 felt so old...

I'm just about to go to see the GP about my histo results from the last mc which a junior doctor told me yesterday were inconclusive - she said 'it says the differential lies between hydropic change and molar pregnancy, I'm not sure what that means'. Poor doctor it was quite awkward. Hope this one knows a bit more!

Is there a website for Coventry that I can read up about them? Whilst a bit away from this stage would be good to know the different options.

Twilight- never fear I'm 37 next month and getting quite a few comments about my age but quite frankly I don't give a dam!

Another 32 'old' one here. Just jumping in to ask a question about those being treated with progesterone. How did you get to the treatment stage, was it blood test when pregnant or is there another indication for it-just wondering.....

I just got given progesterone... No test to check if it was OK before...

Sorry twilight for a rubbish sounding day. A few weeks ago I was also put firmly into the 'no cause found' category, with my 4th mc coming back as chromosomally normal. I was torn between trying again and going to Coventry. I have finally admitted to myself that something is going on...4 is more than bad luck, especially as 2 were definitely chromosomally normal. I don't know what the details are for you (re-type your message when you have the strength!) and know it may not be the same. But for me, thinking there is a cause, its just undiscovered, made me feel differently about things, and pushed me to e.mail Coventry. Got my appointment on Monday. I hesitated a lot and could not bear to miss a month of TTC - but now I'm nearly through this cycle, and it hasn't been too bad. Anyway hope you find the right decision for you - I can totally relate to the feeling of just wanting to keep trying.

Coventry people - was your appointment on time and were you really in and out for the whole thing in less than an hour?

Girlie just google 'Coventry implantation clinic' or 'Professor Quenby implantation clinic' and it will come up.Its based in Coventry University.

Sorry you had a frustrating time, Twilight, especially looking for a coil that wasn't there. Yowch! We ttc'd again for 3 months and then went to Coventry, if that helps you decide.
I'm 38, 39 in March. Humph.
I'm trying to attach the clinic leaflet here but it won't work. PM me your email address if you want me to send it to you.
I was also prescribed progesterone without being tested for whether I needed it. I'm really hoping that the PROMISE trial results will have some conclusive findings to clear things up with its use once and for all...

Bootles, it was all on time in Coventry. That's the power of the Credit Card...

girlie or email Kerri on the address above, there's a PDF about the clinic she'll email to you.

bootles yes all on time and within an hour here too.

Wow, I go back to work and look how everyone chats!

About Coventry, yes to everything. I got my BFP whilst waiting for results, about 4 and a bit weeks after seeing them, and they saw me a week later for a scan and plan, which included steroids as my results weren't back. Progesterone and heparin were always going to be part of treatment. I was always seen on time and they were brilliant.

It makes me really annoyed to hear you being told that 32 is old! I'm 42, and had my last baby when I was 39 with no problems whatsoever.

I had 5 MCs before going to Coventry, and this was my last go. Personally, I couldn't have tried again without some sort of intervention, and really recommend having a proper plan before trying again.

I'm pooped and off to my poisonous Slimming World meeting in a minute. What I wouldn't give for fish and chips tonight!

Bootles -my story is: mc1 @ 11 weeks after good hb seen at 8. MC 2-4 all exactly the same as each other - all started bleeding at around 6-7 weeks without seeing a hb - I usually go for a scan at 6 weeks and learn that there's a sac and fetal pole, but no heart beat. Told to wait as its early then start bleeding. I've always miscarried naturally and I've recently wondered whether that might indicate inplantation difficulties? Because it tends to happen quickly I've never had any tested for chromosome probs so I've no idea. Hmmmm.

Thanks for sharing your experiences of this decision bootles and just. We'll prob just decide around o what we'll do.

just - yes the coil rummaging was sore! To be fair the very nice female Dr did look pretty mortified when it was realised I only had one in.

sea - they just gave it to me. He said the results of the research looking in to its efficacy will be back soon but they're prescribing it in the mean time.

Crossed posts Tanny - argh, can't decide!! Congrats on slimming world. Very impressed.

twilight I think at 32 it's very unlikely that you've had 4 consecutive pregnancies with chromosome issues - possible, but unlikely. Background MC rate is around 15%, even assuming all of those are due to chromosome mutations there is a 1 in 2000 chance (0.05%) of having four in a row.

Well I am genuinely looking forward to having an appointment that is on time! Much as I love and support the NHS, I have never ever had a single pregnancy or miscarriage related appointment that was on time! Am also stressing re leaving DS as I am working 12 hour shifts sat and sun, then off to Coventry on Monday.

twilight thanks for jogging my memory with your history - how frustrating that the MC's have been such that you couldn't get chromosomal analysis. So it sounds like your first one was very different to the others. Did your consultant give you any guidance as to a possible implantation issue? I don't know...I always hang on to mine for ages. What results came back today to confirm that you are in the unknown cause category? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions.

Also grr to comments about your age, they shouldn't be throwing that at you when it isn't relevant for another few years. I am 41 in December, ugh.

I was a bit rubbish today and didn't ask any of my many questions. Despite actually working in the nhs I completely lack any confidence or assertiveness when in the 'patient role'. The conversation lasted about 3 minutes in all. It comprised him saying the tests were clear, me saying "well what caused them then", him trotting out the age/bad luck line, and me too speechless to do much else. He passes me a form with unexplained ticked and says the thing about pro estrogen. He says the next one, and the one after, might not work then he trailed off... Then the coil rummage. Then I thanked them and left. I might email questions if I have the energy tomorrow.

Tins - I think you're definitely right... not sure where my head is to be honest. Think I'm just feeling brused and anti-medical establishment to be honest. I suspect we'll go this month or maybe next month

I'm not surprised. Take a while to think it over, since you are so positively youthful you have time on your side. I'm sorry they were so crap for you today.

Hugs twilight, its just all so rubbish hey. No need for you to make any decisions yet though. Try and take some time to think it over, see where your head goes x

Just saying hi to everyone. Hope you're all well. I'm now undergoing tests at midland fertility in the hope I can have treatment. X

thanks guys - particularly for the "positively youthful" comment. I'm surprised at how badly I've taken it really, particularly as they (and this thread) warn that a cause often isn't found. It was just talked about like I'm experiencing recurrent thrush or something (not that I'm downplaying the horribleness of thrush but you know what I mean). At work now but I'm considering going home already.