Recurrent Miscarriage Support Thread 18 - tests, treatment, trying again.

[bakingtins]

Buckle up, the threads move like lightening! Tea, sympathy, information, support and combined wisdom to guide you through the maze of testing and treatment for recurrent miscarriage. Newbies always most welcome.

Please start with the traditional recap of your stats.

Loopy, I felt the same, but changed to the back after spotting at 6 weeks with this pg (now I think it was a 'normal for me' implantation bleed) but at the time I wondered if it was an irritated cervix so I swapped. I got used to it an thought it was better afterwards due to less leakage. Apparently absorption is quicker. I want to say 20 mins? But I wouldn't quote me on that.

flower I didn't ask my gp to do tests immediately after my 2nd mc. Waited about 7 weeks then called explaining that I wanted to do everything I could to avoid another mc and asked if there were any straightforward things he could check. Maybe a different approach would help change their mind? Maybe not though! Could always try seeing a different gp at your practice? Even now I'm not sure the ones he did were relevant!

I think half an hour... I used to put the morning one just before I left for work as I have a 45 minute commute so knew I'd be safe...

Thanks Brummie, I will email her, was a shame she was off sick today as she might have been able to help me, as it was the only one in their office was someone who is apparently an expert on anything to do with the cervix but that's all! I hope your AF hurries up! (And may this be her last appearance until 2016!).

I wish they could invent a quicker test, it's frustrating feeling like this since last Friday but having to wait so long after for a test to be able to agree and tell me what I already know. I'd love to know how common it is for people to be able to feel what I physically feel in my body. It's not something you ever really talk about in real life, I've come across one other person on here who knows when she is pregnant as early as myself, but she is the only one I've come across. Was nice to know it's not just me, my husband used to think I was crazy and couldn't possibly feel anything so early, but I explained it's not like I can feel a baby, but I can just feel my body changing and doing things, and he knows now that I'm not mad and I am just somehow really in tune with what is happening inside my body.

The immune system response is something I can certainly imagine my body doing. I've had glandular fever in the past which lead to ME in my twenties and after my son was born they found glandular fever active in my system again (Epstein Barr virus). I have also tested positive for high risk cervical cancer cells even though my smear was clear. Add to that I am rhesus negative and I feel as though there is certainly a chance my body might be fucking over every pregnancy since my son. Who knows!!!

I'm sad and also glad this thread is so active.

loopy that's interesting thanks. May be a coincidence but I do have Raynaud's disease and have read this can be a symptom of auto immune disorders, but I have had it since teens so always assumed it's an isolated condition.
Sorry you feel like they could have been prevented .
Might be worth another shot mrsdiddly there is another nice gp do might try her, thanks.

Sebs I also had glandular fever and ME when I was younger, am rhesus negative, and have diagnosed factor V leiden thrombophilia as well as various allergies - I'm convinced the immune stuff is all related. Not sure if this ivf is going to cure any immune issue though. Although at acupuncture tonight I got the number for a hypnotherapist, so I can give the kind body connection stuff a go, and hopefully it will help get me through the stress of the cycle.

This killer cell thing is frightening shit. DP is happy for me to go and get tested so I've just got to wait now.

Bad evening for me head wise. I can feel my anxiety starting to scream in my head. I'm scared I am cursed and something is going to happen to my son. It's like if I can't keep the babies safe in my stomach, I can't keep then safe outside either. I'm on my own tonight as DP is away and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest.

God I need this feeling to pass.

Loopy - I have felt every pregnancy early too ...apart from ectopic. I have known 9 days post ov as I get a fuzzy feeling low down where I can imagine my uterus is and then I test and get a squinter....but it's hard to believe.

Sebs mummy I suffer from anxiety on and off too and it flares up. I saw an amazing psychologist when I got really panicky in the past...just a few styles with her but it really helped. I saw a few shit ones until I found the approach I was looking for...let me know if you ever want her details.

Styles...skypes...sorry typo

Sebs, it is very understandable to feel that way. I feel sometimes that I have been ignoring DS in my quest to provide him with a sibling. And worse, I have been snappy and bad tempered when he's needed his mummy. This has been a long nine months for him, but now we're nearly there things are starting to improve. I can't tell you not to feel the things you do, but just offer a bit if solidarity with you. It will get better x

Is it a bit odd that DH calls me Tanny now???

sea good scan news. Glad they are scanning you again in a week and hope that helps your head.

ourday hand holding for today

sebs glad the erpc went well. I also have had minimal bleeding post op.They gently evacuate all the contents so there isn't much left. The NK cell thing is anxiety provoking, it's true. It's an unpleasant name, and I find it helps (I have high NK cells) to remember the cells don't actually attack the embryo, but rather that they are an indication that the uterine lining is having an inflammatory response which prevents the embryo from getting the nutrients it needs. Everyone has NK cells, and they usually perform a helpful function in fighting infection. Some consultants disagree that they are linked to mc, which is why it's so great that Coventry are doing more research into it, and their research seems to be quite well respected.

How are you doing this morning? The symptoms you describe having last night sound so unpleasant, it may be helpful to get in touch with a counsellor or CBT therapist if they continue - it does sound a bit like a panic attack, and that must have been frightening especially if you are home alone.

Keep talking to us sebs and anyone else who you think can be helpful xx

Tanny after a couple of really big pains I reckon you can still class it as early labour, so things must be starting to happen.....X

longest 26 weeks already, do you think you will go on mat leave earlier or later?

Morning, thanks for all the reassurance .
ourday good luck today

Good luck today ourday x

Good luck ourday keeping everything crossed for you xx

Good luck ourday xx

Feeling a bit better now it's light, the dark seems to really scare me at the moment.

I've been researching the NK cells thing. Has anyone on here been tested and got the all clear? For those that did have a high number did you have to take steroids all the time or just when you got your BFP? I'm a bit worried that I could end up on steroids for ages if you have to do it before BFP as I do not fall pregnant easily unfortunately.

Good luck ourday.

Good news bythesea - I can see why it feels an anticlimax but each week that passes is a real milestone. Good luck for the next one.

sebs - Glad you feel a bit better. I really empathise with the panic over your ds - I have felt that too with dd. Some of the suggestions for relaxation techniques sound a good idea. I haven't had the NK cells test (am one of the lucky ones for whom the "one last go before I try Coventry" seems to have worked - I was a bit concerned about being given competing info and wanted to trust St Mary's for a bit. That and I was going to be away during the earliest opportunity for Coventry and was not patient enough for another of my mammoth cycles to go round. Still not sure tbh which was the bigger factor. But I know plenty on the thread (just, tanny and tiny) got a negative result but still attribute their pg success to Coventry - the effect of the "scratch" improving lining and the progesterone/heparin that is prescribed in all cases to improve uterus lining. I was actually just as if not more interested in the general implantation investigations than NK cells themselves.

Bootles - I am planning to finish at 37 weeks. Can't really justify sooner as my job is desk-based and shouldn't be too stressful in the run-up to the election, but hopefully will still get a bit of time to lounge around in the Spring sunshine. This Winter has gone on long enough.

Have my glucose tolerance test this morning and have to fast till it's over. Inconsiderate gits are not even starting it till 10am and it takes at least 2 hours - greedy me is starving! What is worse is that I am in Macdonald's as needed their wifi to download some work stuff to look at between blood tests, but have only been able to buy water.

Good luck ourday

sebs if you have high NK cells the Coventry protocol is steroids from BFP until 12 weeks, tapering the dose between 10 and 12 weeks, so you would only be on them for a couple of months. The progesterone you start day 21 and continue if you get a BFP, the heparin starts after an early scan to check the pregnancy sac is in the right place (I.e. Check it's not ectopic) I would say the majority of us who have been got the all clear from an NK point of view but attribute success to the progesterone/heparin/scratch combination.

I hope you are feeling better today, it does sound like you had some sort of panic attack last night. Have you ever tried hypnotherapy tracks? I find them useful if I'm anxious.

longest hope the gtt goes ok

tanny nothing to report? Hopefully all that preparation your body is doing means labour will be quick when it happens.

loopy I would recommend you start with the progesterone now. I always tried to have poo and then put the pessary in but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. I think as long as it's had a few hours you should be ok! Good luck for your testing xxx

Sebs glad you feel better now it's light. I got pg before my NK results were back so was prescribed pred as a precaution. At Coventry they prescribe pred from BFP to 12 weeks with a wean off from 10. They aren't nice, as others will agree, but do a job in the short term. No need to take them before this. Hope that helps. Like longest I'm interested in the whole package at Coventry including the implantation issue, as she's right, we all had success without having high NK cells.

Hi everyone, not had chance to read through so apologies. All good at this end, measuring at 12+5 EDD 5/09

NT result 1.7-1.9 - not sure I can make any sense of that til the bloods tho can I?

Thanks for the handholding and thinking of me x

fantastic news ourday so pleased for you That NT measurement sounds nice and low, you won't get a risk based on that alone but def not a worrying reading. How are you celebrating?

NT results seem good! a good low number!

Glad all is well ourday

Great news ourday! Afraid I don't know how the figures work for the scan but hopefully your bloods will come through quite quickly and put your mind at rest xxx

Great news ourday - I hope you can relax a little bit now.

In hospital post horrible glucose drink waiting for next blood tests but they have installed guest wifi since I was last here so it's not so bad.