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

Hi everyone, I am so confused with what to do. I have 1 4yo daughter and since then suffered a Miscarriage, about 6 chemical pregnancies (i've actually lost count) and just recently a MMC. I have seen Dr S but didn't feel completely at ease with him. He is convinced its my killer cells but 2 of my pregnancies had chromosomal issues and my AMH is low, I'm also 36! He has prescribed me Humira which I have in my fridge for the passed 2 weeks but I'm scared to use it because of side effects now and in the future and I am worried that if my egg quality is bad then the intralipids and other meds aren't really going to help. I just don't know if I should just go for it or just keep trying naturally. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me. I am just so confused and this is consuming my life. Thank you in advance.

@JandL2020 @KatyTTC @MeganBistram thank you so much ladies. I still am very unsure especially feeling pain now and then or seeing brown discharge. It’s very triggering. But I keep telling myself this time is going to be different.
I know it is uplifting. Every time I was seeing a positive news here or seeing Preg women at CRP, it’s giving me so much hope. We are in this together and we will get there 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
The nurses are very sweet here. Hahah I always want to talk to other patients but hold myself back to not ask anything personal especially when they seem to be just in their own zone. At the start I was so intrigued to know how the treatment is working for the rest in the room just to try build some hope 😂

@whatsgoingon22 if I am not wrong, is it your birthday today? Wish you a blessed year ahead🎉🥳🙏🏻 hope you are having a lovely day and treating yourself well ❤️❤️

@jchars7 i am so sorry for all your losses and what you are going through. I know how much this takes away from life. I always had doubts like you would do to any treatment especially I feel you would have more when it comes to private treatment. Personally I could have just carried on trying naturally and hope for the best but for the same thing to happen 3 times in a row exactly around same point each time, it could not be just bad luck. I had all the tests privately elsewhere and through NHS but no cause was found. I was told it’s could be just bad luck. I still carried on miscarrying another one. Mentally and emotionally I couldn’t carry on trying again without a treatment in place.

It was Dr. S who managed to find a cause. I never managed to even get to week 6 scan in all my 3 Preg before so this time under Dr. S protocol if I manage to see a heartbeat in the next few weeks, that would be enough for me to put my hands up and believe him 100%. I was very scared of side effects also but honestly this is my third cycle under this protocol and I have been good.
Also, remember if it’s low AMH or poor egg quality I don’t think you would not fall Preg easily on the first place. That’s what I was told by a specialist through NHS. Assuming conceiving has not been an issue for you. So I don’t think a high number of mc in a row would have anything to do with low AMH or egg quality.
Also, it is a very expensive journey..it hurts but I have read so many positive stories. I have hopes I will have my baby through this treatment too.
When I saw Dr. S, he came across very direct and cold. That kind of put me off too. But I ignored that and just focused on his protocol and success rate. I think he has spent all his life in this field so hoping we are in good hands. The rest of his team members are very understanding and approachable.
I hope everything works out for you🙏🏻 This journey is painful. ❤️❤️

Thanks so much for the answers, and thanks @JandL2020 for inquiring, that is so very kind of you. @whatsgoingon22, I had 3 consecutive losses at 8 weeks (subchorionic hematoma), at 7 weeks (blighted ovum), and a late second term loss (because of failing placenta). I then had our DC out of out fourth pregnancy, who was born more than 2 months prematurely, again due to a failing placenta, despite being on aspirin, clexane, progesterone, etc.

I would love to have a sibling for baby (there are not a lot of potential playmates around here, and I had always hoped for a bigger family). However, not if we cannot guarantee a smoother pregnancy. We spent weeks and weeks in NICU with baby, and it was very stressful. Although delayed in some areas, baby is now on track in others, but we have been so concerned about baby's development after the prematurity and low birth weight. It was impossible to relax and enjoy and we had many medical appointments in their first year of life.

I don't think it is ethical to put another baby (or us and our families) knowingly through that type of stress again, or leave my current child neglected for months at the time, while I am spending all my time in NICU with a sibling. Moreover, such early prematurity comes with such risks to the baby's health and wellbeing, that it feels like playing Russian roulette. So I am very much looking for answers that might give us a chance at a better pregnancy. I am also 40, so time is running out.

If we can't find a solution, we will thank our lucky stars for the one child we have been able to have - I do realise this is a huge privilege already, and don't take it for granted.

I am wishing you all so much good luck. I definitely have been there in the non-stop testing, timed baby-making, nerve-racking scans, foetal medicine appointments, etc. I have also been there with the 'why us?' questions. So sending loads of good vibes all your way.

@jchars7 i felt the same and share similar story to @Hope646 and experience with dr shehata but given I have a diagnosis now and treatment plan, I have to have faith it will work. There are not any large controlled trials as it’s not possible to do this on pregnant women. He’s done a couple of podcasts which I’ve found useful to understand it all. 36 is not that old and low AMH doesn’t mean poor quality. I would say with the number of chemicals you’ve had this is not a chromosomal issue but immune issue. The podcast really helped me to exclude other factors in the causes of miscarriages - although they can never be fully certain in most cases. Speak to the nurses about your anxieties. Are you on the pre conception vitamins? I’m sure they wouldn’t give this treatment if it was seriously detrimental to a women’s fertility overall. I wish you all the best whatever you decide xx

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion i think it’s worth having a consultation if you can afford it to share your concerns. Under my plan I can have regular scans, and consultation led birthing plan. Xx

@whatsgoingon22 happy birthday!! I hope you’ve had a really lovely day celebrating.

@jchars7 im so sorry for everything you’ve been through.
I have to say my first appt with Dr S I found totally overwhelming. I walked
out of his office and had a total meltdown. The situation, the dreadful reality of it all, the money we were about to spend on tests that we can’t really afford (ours added up to over £3k), the silence in the waiting room… it just all really got to me. I hated it. The next time we went back for our results I was the same. So overwhelmed with it all and I asked a lot of questions that I didn’t really understand the answers to! I put off ordering the Humira for 3 weeks as like you, I was so reluctant to take it and start the process.
Then I read a few more incredible success stories, found this group and took the plunge. And im so glad I did. (The humira didn’t have any side effects apart from a sore throat for a few days after the first jab and I had to repeat it so had 4 jabs in the end).
I feel so much better just having a plan, hearing some positive stories on here and knowing lots
of people feel the same in those first appointments. I really feel that if there’s any one in the world who can help me, it’s Professor Shehata. I now feel a real fondness towards him! And all the nurses etc there are so lovely. I’ve grown to quite like going there. It’s comforting in a weird way.

My last miscarriage was positive for Trisomy 22. It really threw me as I too worried that it was my eggs or something and no amount of treatment could help me but he was so
confident that it would have been a one off (it’s the most common chromosomal abnormality and not inherited) and the other miscarriages ( all between 7-8 weeks) and chemical pregnancy would have been due to my high NK cells. I had to give it a go.
I couldn’t spend the rest of my life wondering what if. If this doesn’t work for us and we have to draw a line in the sand, i want to know I did everything I could.

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion i agree with @JandL2020 . Shehata is the first person that found a cause and didn’t fob me off with ‘everythings normal,
keep trying’.
He made a plan and looked me straight in the eye and said this is 100% what is causing your losses. I think if you can go for the consultation/tests it might give you some answers and hopefully some hope for a healthy, longer term future pregnancy.

sending you both lots of love.
It’s a really tough decision
xx

Thank you for the birthday wishes @KatyTTC and @Hope646! Came up to London with my husband and the doggies for the night but have come back to the hotel as started wiping some dark red/brown 😞(take a day off) while out and about. Trying not to panic as it seems to have tapered off again since I got back but it’s just flipping relentless 🙈how are you feeling @Hope646 after your intralipids? @KatyTTC hope you’re doing well lovely xx

@MeganBistram thank you for that. I did tell the NHS and they were fine about me seeing Dr S but not so sure it would go down as well on the other side…!!Hope you’re doing well!

@JandL2020 i was the same when I saw everyone else in the room 😂got used to it now!! Hope you’re feeling okay after them now!!

@jchars7 im sorry for your losses lovely. I agree with above, I think it’s more likely to be an immune issue especially after the chemical pregnancies. I just think we are in the safest hands with Dr S even if his bedside manner isn’t ideal. It’s extremely overwhelming. I put off the Humira for over 6 months and my prescription ran out!!! Had to pay to get a new one🙄. I was so overwhelmed and anxious and started reading into all the results and linking them to other family issues too 😵‍💫then I freaked out I was going to make myself long term sick by taking the Humira but I’ve also had 4 injections and been off/on months of prednisone and I’ve been absolutely fine bar weight gain in last 2/3 weeks. Dr S reassured me that people in their 70s take Humira for years and are absolutely fine.

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion wow that is tough and very stressful for you. I would speak to him and see how you feel. I do think the drugs he prescribes have to help. Like if inflammation is lowered, implantation is more likely to be more successful and if that’s successful the placenta is in better stead. It’s just crazy how intricate every stage is from start to finish and yet other people don’t even bat an eyelid and it just happens so easily. It’s literally a miracle.

@whatsgoingon22 im so sorry. How agonising for you. When’s your next scan?

Im fine thank you! Had my super ovulation scan and trigger shot on Tuesday so now I’m the 2WW!

thinking of you so much and hope you’re ok xx

@jchars7 i really feel for you and completely echo the others. I actually have grown to like DR S but I have at times been highly frustrated with the whole CRP process . We have to accept that they have a very unique proposition which means it costs a lot and probably doesn’t feel very personable.. having said that I am 12 weeks on Monday ( I hope :) ) and since my son 4 years ago this is the furthest we have got. I have not had mine tested so not sure if quality played a part but I am 37 and that fact you’re getting pregnant would suggest there are some good eggs but it’s a tough choice.

@whatsgoingon22 sorry to hear, it’s so shit the constant worry. Hopefully a day without spotting means the blood clots might be lessening and the meds are working. Hopefully today is a better day for you :)

@Hope646 when is your first scan?

@KatyTTC oh exciting.. fingers and toes crossed 🤞

@JandL2020 how is the IVF meds going? Is it next week the collection? Xx

@KatyTTC @MeganBistram mmmmn it came back again last night and this morning…… next scan is Thursday……. CRP aren’t open on the weekends are they? No cramping thankfully and defo darker rather than bright but far from ideal for an anxious mess like me.

@whatsgoingon22 no they’re not. You could go to an EPU? Might just put your mind at ease this weekend?
Are you in London all weekend? I live in London and depending on where you are I could point you in the right direction if you wanted to go? Xx

@whatsgoingon22 😞 hope the bleeding has stopped now?
@MeganBistram not too bad thanks. I’ve started clexane now as well the lining tablets. Then on Monday I start progesterone, prednisone etc. I’ve booked into have my transfer (grade a and a c) embryo next Saturday, then the dreaded 2 week wait (or 11 days to be precise) until I can test 🤣
meeting with boss yesterday was fine… she couldn’t really say much as she was in office full of people 🤬 and I think after I said about discrimination she’s back off and is being supportive.
starting to feel a bit more positive now.
I don’t even know why but I googled for local pregnancy yoga classes. Possibly getting a bit ahead of myself 🤦‍♀️
hope everyone is doing okay

xx

@whatsgoingon22 no they’re not open weekends. Could you ring your EPU? X

Thank you lovely @KatyTTC. I did have a look last night when I couldn’t sleep and we’re actually beside St Mary’s in Paddington but looks to be closed at the weekend as most of them are (if only life was that simple)! Think we’re just gonna head home given the weather and will try rest and hope it subsides. If it gets very bad I’ll go to my A&E I guess over the weekend otherwise will contact CRP and my Epu on Monday….. thank you xxx

Not at all. Thinking of you lots and really hope you’re ok xx

@MeganBistram @Hope646 @KatyTTC @whatsgoingon22 @JandL2020 (I think that’s everyone who replied to me, sorry I am new to this) thank you so much for your replies. I think I’m just going to go for it; I’m turning into a mess and it’s just all consuming - at least I’ll be able to say I tried it. I will watch this thread closely and hope to update with good news in the near future. I am crossing my fingers and praying for you all. Good luck for your scans and transfers. Thank you again 🩷🩷🩷

@jchars7 sorry to be slow to reply but wanted to just to say I felt EXACTLY the same as you to begin with, the whole thing totally threw me and made me feel so unsettled and panicky. I’ve now had 4 humira jabs and whilst I did get a bit unwell with them, it was nowhere near what I’d built up in my head and I’ve just started on the steroids etc and again, not as bad as I was imagining. I’m feeling much more confident in the process now and hoping for the best. Sending solidarity, it’s such a hard and confusing place at the start. Good luck!

Just a question to all, and apologies in advance for it being finance-related. I noticed that on his website, it is kind of assumed you are privately insured (and even then that some insurers like BUPA don't reimburse much). I am currently not privately insured, but would be willing to do so. (I am looking into this for our DC anyway, as we can't get some appointments they need on the NHS without a huge wait.)

Any guidance any of you have on this? Are there some more lenient insurers, that reimburse more of the treatment, and do you first have to have been insured for a while before you can start claims for treatment? (Apologies for the naivety of these questions!)

In case I can't get insurance, it would be nice to have a rough ballpark figure on how much treatment would be uninsured, if anyone is willing to provide this, so I know if I even should start the whole undertaking. I don't want to realise halfway in that I can't afford to continue!

I saw the fees lists for testing, but was wondering how many consultations you usually have throughout the pregnancy, etc. Is there anyone who can tell me whether we are talking low four figures, high four figures or into five figures?

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion i have bupa insurance and I was covered for initial consultation + follow up + Some tests but still on my first visit it cost me just under £1000 which included about £300 of vitamins. Since then everything needs to be paid for as bupa won’t cover anything else. Humira if needed is 425 and then The retest which is another 450 or something like that and then everything else after that which I haven’t gone through yet. Also you pay £100 upfront which I still haven’t been reimbursed for. I had a saline hysterogram and that was included through bupa but I seemed to have a bit of a struggle each time with the insurance paying and some back and forth but eventually it got settled. Hope that helps abit. I must say for me, Bupa is phenomenal. Not just for this but other medical issues too.

@KamoHel thank you so much for your message. I wish I’d discovered this group sooner as it has really helped to know people going through similar journeys. Unless you’re going through it / have been through it people don’t understand xx

Hey! Sorry for the silence I’m current on holiday having a break before phase 2 starts in 3 weeks. I have been reading the updates and been thinking of you all a lot. My heart goes out to you all, as I relate so much to everything written.

 @jchars7 i felt exactly the same concerns about humira, had huge health anxiety about it. Dr S said look at the side effects of paracetamol, they are also scary
to put it into perspective. And not to worry it’s a small dose and all would be fine. Four jabs in and touch wood I’m fine! Had sickness at start and found the support from this group so helpful during that time. I have a son and didn’t want to risk my health. I had 2 miscarriages at 8 weeks and 2 chemicals. And high NK cells. So went for it in the end.

@whatsgoingon22 thinking of you and really hope your ok. It’s a horrible place to be. Sounds like you’ve got a good plan in place. Xxxxxx

Morning! Hoping everyone’s ok today?

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion we
dont have medical insurance. We had to remortgage this year too which has absolutely crippled us so it’s not ideal! My mum is being amazing and helping us with some of the treatment as she said she wanted us to have the best chance ❤️. I feel so incredibly grateful to have her support and so fortunate that’s she’s able to help. X

@jchars7 and @KatyTTC, thanks so much you both for the info. I will give Bupa another look to see if it works for us more generally.

Katy, that is so lovely of your mum. Having family support is really important. I know some family members would think we were mad to try for a second after our experience with nr 1. I have always said to my family, that it would be a family decision, as we would require assistance like additional babysitting, someone perhaps staying several weeks to help with DC1, etc.

For me, going to Dr Shehata would just be to figure out whether there is any hope for a healthier pregnancy that would not leave any new baby with such a rough start in life (and keep me again for months in NNU away from my oldest).

I would have to pay for everything out of my savings, as my DP probably would not be hugely on-board anyway, let alone when it costs loads. As I wrote earlier, he is still traumatised from our previous experiences.

So any insight on overall costs of treatment would still be very welcome!

Morning all, hope everyone is doing okay ❤️ I’ve been up/down since I was last on…. Wasn’t a great bday weekend to be honest! Saturday things cleared up, got myself home as just didn’t feel comfortable being out and about walking, anxious that something could happen, relaxed on the couch all evening and just as I was going to bed I passed some (tmi) small dark brown clots. Next morning it seemed to pass and then yesterday evening some more dark brown spotting again…… will update crp today just hope everything is still okay in there ❤️🙏🏻
thank you @Lara8 for checking in - hope you’re enjoying your holiday xx
Good luck @jchars7 better to go for it than regret it later which was my thoughts (queen procrastinator and worrier here but just had to do it)
@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion so I don’t have insurance and have had to use savings - gone on a tight budget the past 12 -18 months. I’ve been with Dr S for a while but procrastinated so long that it probably hasn’t helped matters…. I’d say we have spent about £8500 so far (initial consultation and testings, repeat consultation, Humira inj x 4 (not everyone needs Humira but it’s expensive), repeat blood test after 2humira (also very expensive), intralipids x 5, scan and consultation, and medications prednisone and omeprazole. I think there is a pricing list on his website.
I got progresterone, some repeat general blood tests and Epu scan from NHS so far to try and soften the blow …. 🙈

@whatsgoingon22 oh love this sounds horrible. It’s so hard to keep a brave face when your mind is consumed by worry. When is your next scan? It sounds like it’s the clots from the blood they saw and keeping everything crossed that little bean fine :)

@ncedforthisprofessionalquestion I do have private insurance with work but anything to do with fertility / pregnancy they don’t cover.. I’ve never found one that does.. I’m with AXA.
I dread to think how much I have spent. Defiantly around the £8k mark as well.. once you’re pregnant the first 12 weeks continue being a lot of money.. I think after that it tapers off a bit. We are using savings to pay for it.. but it deffo starts getting towards IVF costs once you do all the tests etc.

xx