Dr Shehata advice

[Wolfemum]

Hello, I am currently experiencing my 3rd consecutive miscarriage and my 2nd MMC. I have been told I will now be referred to the RMC unit but due to my age (42) i think I need to go privately and I was wondering what your opinions are on Dr Shehata? I've heard he has a brilliant reputation but is quite focused on NK cells and less on other things. Can anyone share their thoughts, opinions experiences?
My first pregnancy was healthy and resulted in my 6 year old boy but the last 2 MMC we saw a heartbeat at 6 weeks but then no growth or heartbeat at 7/8 weeks.
Many thanks for reading

@JandL2020 I am so sorry that you had to go through so much. You are an inspiration for staying strong and not giving up. I really mean it 🙌. I have everything crossed for you. Now with the support of Dr. S protocol, IVF should hopefully work for you this time.
@MeganBistram how are you feeling? Really appreciate your advice on the timing of progesterone. I will try that on my next cycle. I even read more about it. It really makes sense.
This morning I took "first response 6 day early pregnancy test" so I am on cd25 of 28 day cycle (at least 12Dpo), I got bfn :( It's been another draining month mentally. Very isolating.
I will email CRP to see whether they would recommend anything else.

Question to all please, has any of you been on superovulation? Has it worked for anyone under natural conception protocol? Any risk factors?

@JandL2020 Gosh its such a journey, hopefully with this new protocol your IVF will be successful and you will have your rainbow baby :). Interestingly I have seen quite alot about Humaria now and apparently you can get rotten side effects from it.

@Hope646 I have good days and bad days. Next scan is Tuesday. I obviously felt really rough which was horrible but also reassuring.. now I hope its the steriods kicking in as my sickness is considerably less. I still feel pregnant but that constant reassurance is gone.. so fingers crossed all is still ok.

Sorry to hear its negative. If I were you on the next cycle I would use those easy LH sticks I sent the link for and test from maybe day 10 until you get the surge. I then waited until 3 days after the LH surge before I started the preogestrone... just to make sure I definitely ovulated before I started xx

@MeganBistram yes I have heard the steroid reduces that pregnancy symptoms. I am sure its that. fingers crossed for you and can't wait for your update on the 12th.
I have this image in my head that once I become pregnant regardless how bad morning sickness would be or other preg symptoms, i would be enjoying every moment of it so much even the rough days hahah. The desperation is to the next level 😂
Thank you so much for the tips, I will 100% follow that. really appreciate your support.

Hey all, do you think it would be ok to start taking the pred at 2DPO instead of the day of ovulation? I’m away with friends from tomorrow (ovulation day) and worried about side effects of the pred when I’m away and drinking. Eg having insomnia when sharing a room would be annoying! And not sure if you can drink when taking pred? So I thought I could start it Sunday when I’ll be able to deal with side effects more. I think @MeganBistram you said you started it at 3dpo? Just worried if there is a scientific reason Dr S says start on ovulation day, and I ignore it, I might be at a disadvantage! Any advice would be gratefully received!

Hi @Lily1990 i have been taking pred for 2 cycles now and have not suffered from insomnia at all. The side effects are very mild at least form what I have felt. I think I had more side effect from progesterone than from pred e.g bloating and cramps.
The CRP advised me to take medication one day after you see the “solid face” on clearblue which I am assuming that would be from my ovulation day. Pred is what control NK count, I would strictly follow their guideline. I am not sure how drinking goes with pred. Hopefully someone else can advise here.

Megan was referring to progesterone only. CRP has advised to take it from ovulation day. But reading more about it online, for my next cycle maybe I will allow 2 days post ovulation. 2 cycles I have failed to conceive, and it could be because I was taking prog too early. I could be wrong. No one knows but will try it a bit later next cycle

Hi @Hope646 thank you for your fast response! I have followed your advice and just taken my first pred tablets, fingers crossed for minimal side effects. Agree about the Cyclogest, in the past I was advised to take that from 3dpo and am going to follow that rather than taking it straight away. Also because I think for me (based on BBT and luteal phase length) progesterone starts decreasing around 6/7 DPO so it’s most important to have it then rather than straight away. And definitely a risk in preventing ovulation if you take it too early.

@Hope646 @MeganBistram thank you ladies. Xx

my results came back - no infection so no delays now. Phew! I’ve been symptom free for one week now.
so part of thinks it is allergy related, perhaps triggered more by humira and the metformin.
interestingly I have some standard blood tests done before my next cycle and it came back that I had high markers for eosinophils so clearly my body is trying to fight something. I’ve read that humira can suddenly cause reactions to certain foods like egg etc.
weird!!
now my appetite is back I’m back on the wine which is not good. I’m going on holiday next week so thinking I’ll just enjoy myself then stop when I get home. I’m not a heavy drinker by any means but it’s just making me feel better.
been feeling so down with everything now I’m beginning to feel normal I can eat out again enjoy a glass of wine….before my life is consumed by ivf again.
im disappointed with myself that I haven’t lost any weight. I’m size 16. Saw a picture of myself today I looked so fat.
sorry for moany post hope everyone is doing okay xxx

@Hope646 thank you for your reply!
so because I stalled on taking the humira for so long (unnecessary unfounded health anxiety) it meant that I didn’t start the plan straight away. So i basically started the consultations/testing with him and then annoyingly got myself in a head funk for a few months where we didn’t ttc that it meant everything was delayed. So I guess the plan is only really representative of the last 3-5months.
since I messaged during the week I’ve actually had faint positives for the last 4 days so I’m continuing on the pred/omep/prog meds now and will contact CRP tomorrow. The lines don’t look hugely convincing tbh so not holding out a huge amount of hope 😞, period due in 3 days so but currently about 13dpo…..
x

@JandL2020 so pleased you are feeling better now. Sounds like you’ve needed a bit of fun and uplifting after everything. All in balance I guess. It’s a hard journey.

@whatsgoingon22 I can totally relate to the health anxiety around humira. I over googled and thought it was going to give me cancer and a killer infection. I think it’s so hard to stay rational when everything is so unknown in the process. It can feel scary and all consuming. Well done on getting through it. It takes strength of mind. I get my results tomorrow for my first 2 humira jabs. I suspect I’ll need more as Dr S suspected this. So I am going to probably be dealing with more health anxiety taking these next ones. I hope phase 2 is easier.

It must feel so hard waiting on the lines to be more confirmative. I’ve been there before. Thinking of you xxxx

@Lara8 thank you! Good luck with the results, let us know how you get on 🙏🏻. If it means anything at all, I also had the second lot of Humira and he didn’t ask to retest after that thankfully as he just wanted it to go down a little more. Also had no side effects from the Humira at all or didn’t pick up any bugs etc (it was all pointless worry)but yeh had the same anxieties too and he told me that it’s fine people in their 70’s take it for their whole lifetime!
Yeh time will tell with these tests, I know only negative outcomes 🫤fingers crossed🙏🏻

@whatsgoingon22 gosh its such a rollarcoaster. I started this pregnancy the same.. I found testing in the afternoon got me more positive results? I went for a blood test in the end as was driving myself crazy.

any clearer result today?

@Lara8 phase two is much easier, although I am 8 weeks today (hopefully) scan is tomorrow with NHS. And my moon / fat face is real... my husband thinks I am being silly but I am not using a mirror now for at least the next 6 weeks until the streroids stop ( again wishful thinking ) as long as everything is ok :)

@JandL2020 you enjoy that wine... take the wins when you can. August will come around quick and hopefully will result in no wine for 9 months xx

Hello all!
@whatsgoingon22 that sounds promising, keeping everything crossed for you!
@Lara8 hope you are doing okay re: health anxiety. Many people take Humira long-term so 2 or even 4 doses should hardly increase our risk at all - also I find the fact it's safe for pregnant women reassuring.
@MeganBistram good luck for your scan tomorrow! Keep us updated.

I am 3DPO and have a question re: Cyclogest. It says to use 2 pessaries before bed, do you put them in at the same time or separately? Not sure if 2 would fit?! Any advice would be appreciated!

When I say separately, I mean 1 before bed and 1 in the morning, for example

@Lily1990 thank you so much for the reassurance with humira. I just got my results, they dropped but I still need a further two jabs. I feel ok, it actually helps talking it out knowing you’ve all been there too! And it’s safe.

I asked the nurse re. Pessaries and she said to insert 2. I have received my drugs for phase 2 so I’ll be starting them in a months time too.

@MeganBistram will be thinking of you tomorrow. Hoping all
goes well x

@Lily1990 i go for two in the bum.. i read somewhere it’s much more pleasant ( if such a thing can be achieved lol ) but at the same time xx

hi ladies
had follow up with dr shehata today. Positively I don’t need to take humira again and can move onto stage 2.
I said about my stomach problems and he said if it was a stomach ulcer then best to not take prednisone. I argued a bit in my defence that the Medication I’m on has really settled things and I’ve come off the metformin (likely culprit). I also have prednisone prescribed through nhs so wasn’t keen to not take it!
so I’m sticking to original plan
all systems go! Bring on my embryos I’m waiting for you 😊

best of luck tomorrow @MeganBistram xx

If anyone if interested in my humira results from my first round I posted it on it.

@JandL2020 sounds really positive! wishing you luck for stage 2!

Did you post on this group re. Humira results from first round? Thanks

Hi girls!
Hoping you’re all well and hanging in there whatever stage you’re at.

@MeganBistram I'm keeping everything crossed for you tomorrow. Your CRP
scan is wed isn’t it? How are you feeling?

@whatsgoingon22 how are you getting on with the tests? Keeping everything crossed for you too.
I find the testing at 10dpo a bit worrying as I’ve never tested that early before and had a positive result I don’t think. I’m worried about coming off the meds following a negative and then getting a positive a few days later. Totally jumping the gun here! I’m 5dpo and holding out so much hope for it working first time having started
treatment with Dr S which I know is ridiculous! It’s hard not to though isn’t it?!
@whatsgoingon22 is this your first cycle trying again?

@JandL2020 I’m so pleased you didn’t need to repeat the humira and your results were good and showed no infection.
how are you feeling now?
It broke my heart reading your message about not losing weight and feeling really down. I’ve put on quite a bit of weight (mainly in the last year) and I get so down about it. I can really sympathise. I’ve been trying to eat so healthily eating avocados and nuts, oily fish and whole fat dairy etc but of course it’s all high calorie! Now I’ve started the pred etc I’m kicking myself but i know I can’t do anything about it now other than to try and stay as healthy as possible. Hopefully it will all be worth while and I’ll worry about it when I get to the other side!
I hope you’re feeling ok about it all too and it was just a bad day.
I def find where I am in my cycle makes such a difference to how I feel about my appearance.

@Lara8 I also had to have 2
rounds of humira. He told me in my first consultation that 90% of people only need one round. Starting to wonder if that stat
is slightly off?!
It didn’t affect me in the slightest. It actually worried me that It didn’t! Still does worry me a bit… I just have to trust it’s worked and he knows what he’s doing!
I hope you’re feeling ok and not too anxious.

Sorry for such a long post. Just haven’t posted for a while and had things to say to lots of you!

Sending you all so much luck as always

xx

Thanks so much ladies for your advice on Cyclogest! 2 up the bum it is @MeganBistram 😂

@Lara8 glad you're feeling positive about it all and can start stage 2 in a month. I think a forced break is very good for us psychologically - I’m feeling in a great place mentally after 3 months off TTC although worried I’m going to start becoming obsessive again!

@KatyTTC we’re at a similar point, I’m 3DPO on my first cycle with Dr S and completely understand how you’re feeling. I’m reasonably chilled now but know come the weekend ill be feeling anxious and will have got my hopes up. Has it taken you long to conceive in the past? Last time it was 5 months for me so could be a while!

@JandL2020 great you can move onto stage 2! Are you doing ivf / do you have a date scheduled? Exciting!

@Lily1990 im going to join you and @MeganBistram and go up the bum too 🤣! Hate all the mess with the other option. Brilliant idea.

I totally agree with you about the forced break. My last miscarriage was in Feb and this is our first try since then. It’s been so amazing not thinking about it for so long. I hadn’t realised how all consuming it had become.
It’s a real lottery with us. The longest it’s taken is 9 months but my last pregnancy was our first try after our 3rd miscarriage and we were staying at my mums for Christmas so felt a bit awkward about the whole thing and literally had sex once in my fertile window! I couldn’t believe it when I had a positive test. I didn’t even test until I was a few days late as I was so sure I wouldn’t be pregnant. It’s taken 4 months and 5 months other times so it’s anyone’s guess really! I’m 39 in November so I'm
not expecting it to happen overnight.

Given it’s taken us a while before he suggested the super ovulation programme but I forgot to take the drugs for it at the start of this cycle (got too relaxed about it all having had a long break from TTC!!) so if it doesn’t work this month (which I’m fully expecting) then we might give it a go.

Im with you. Feeling calm about it all now but I’ll also be totally crazy in a few days time!
I’ve been RAVENOUS today, day 5 of prednisone so at least one silver lining of a negative test will be a break from that!

xxx

Hey ladies..

scan update.. went really well. Measuring at 8+1 days which is exactly the number of days since the last scan which was very nice to see / hear.

The next two weeks are the major anxiety for me as my losses were between 8-10 weeks.

@KatyTTC i feel you.. the best I felt this year was when we were not actually trying. since may when we started again it’s just one mental battle after another..

throw in a lot of drugs.. oh and oral thrush.. that was fun when everything already tasted rank! And weight gain and a lot of Gas.. let’s hope these rainbows are just round the corner for us all :)

Xx

@MeganBistram Firstly I’m over the moon today went well! Congratulations on getting this far. It’s just such a shame that it’s all overshadowed by past experience and I totally understand the next two weeks are going to be so so tough for you.
I think we’ve just got to have in our heads that we’re in the best hands and Dr S is going to give us the best chance of achieving our dreams.
I reckon I’ve read just about every newspaper article written about him and I’ve got every confidence in him. Some of the stories are just unreal. He’s so good at what he does.
Have you had a positive scan at 8 weeks before?
As always, Im keeping everything possible crossed for you.
Have you got a few things planned for the next couple of weeks to keep you busy?

xxx

@Lara8 these were my results after the 2 injections
@MeganBistram that is fabulous news. I completely understand why you would feel really anxious the next couple of weeks. Got everything crossed for you.
@Lily1990 i start ivf next period so roughly around 22nd July I am due on. I go into crp for infusions 7-10 days before transfer then 5 days before transfers start the main steroids etc. I’m predicting transfer will happen mid august, perhaps even before if my lining is good and my period turns up on schedule.
@KatyTTC thanks for your kind words. I’m feeling much better..good and bad days really.

interesting my plan says take 2 pessaries at night too. This is different to what my ivf suggests but I am happy to go with crp because I haven’t had any luck with the ivf clinic! I’m also going to be on lubion injections which I can take in the morning.
I would recommend for your progesterone levels to be checked after ovulatio/when pregnant too.
I get mine checked on day of transfer. Can be a contributing factor to early miscarriage and can go unchecked. Crp don’t really believe in it but won’t do any harm. Ask gp to do it for free!

@JandL2020 thats really interesting about the progesterone. Do you mean if it’s too high or too low it can cause early miscarriage? If the gp tests would the GP know what the correct/safe level should be? Sounds like a silly question but I find they’re totally clueless when it comes to infertility!
When should you get it checked after ovulation? I think I’m 6dpo…

xx