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

@clhsgirl @Lily1990 @JandL2020 @Hope646 im sorry I haven’t commented/replied to your messages. I’ve had a busy few weeks and been keeping up with the thread but just not posting much. How are you all getting on?
@clhsgirl have you had an appt with Dr S yet?

All good just waiting for blood test on Thursday. Bit annoying having to drive all way to Epsom but will combine with shopping trip 🤣
does anyone know how much the blood test is for phase 1? X

Tentative congratulations and keeping everything crossed for you @MeganBistram!
@JandL2020 sorry not sure about the cost of the test. Good to combine with shopping trip! X

Ladies quick update. Still showing very positive so I am booking the intralipids in.

just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I just implanted later than I thought and not that my HCG is too low for a viable pregnancy

@KatyTTC thanks lovely. I know what you mean I feel so connected with you all :)

@JandL2020 is this the first lot of testing? Or the drugs after the tests? Drugs after the tests are not too bad only a couple ££ I think. Unless you have to have humaria which is £450 for two injections xx

@MeganBistram its the first blood test after the injections. If he recommends having the injections again I’m going to decline it otherwise it is seriously going to delay my next cycle. Also I read somewhere on here they didn’t even repeat the blood test a second time? To me this seems money grabbing 🤷‍♀️ xx

@JandL2020 arrgh ok then there are two options 1) they didn’t come down again and you have to do it again. But no they don’t test again after those
2) they did come down and they move you straight onto phase two

either way I would take the second lot of injections. I tried before I finished them as he gives you phase two regardless :)

xx

@JandL2020 I’ve just had to repeat the humira cycle as my numbers came down a bit but not enough. I figured if my killer cells were still too high I’d be likely to have a 5th miscarriage which would delay everything massively ( longer than the second round of humira… I miscarry around 7-8 weeks and then take a few weeks for it to pass or have to have surgery it seems and then get my period back about 6 weeks after it passes so that’s over 4 months to get back to square 1 ) and I couldn’t bear the heartache again knowing my killer cells were still too high. If I have another miscarriage having followed his advice and having had the second round of humira I think I’d feel better about it weirdly… do you know what I mean? Like it wasn’t my fault for jumping the gun and Dr S couldn’t say ‘ I told you so’!!

Repeat bloods after first round were £513 for me with courier fee (!) and humira is £425 a cycle. He doesn’t repeat the bloods after
a second cycle which I also found odd (I keep wondering if it will 100% work and how will anyone know?!) but he seemed absolutely confident he didn’t need to

@MeganBistram what a rollercoaster this whole process is! Im cautiously so excited for you. Will they test your HCG or just wait for the first scan in a couple of weeks? I bet you didn’t sleep a wink last night.

x

£513 !! Seriously?!!! 😡

@JandL2020 yes they are not cheap, mine were £490 I think. But if you have already had Humira once the max cost now is £425 for another cycle and the drug cost for phase 2

@KatyTTC I actually got them done privately today and they were 425 mlU/l which is really promising. Going back Thursday to make sure they double. But all good so far :) xx

@MeganBistram this is the best news! I’ll be checking here regularly on Thursday for an update! ;)

Hi everyone, I have recently started following this thread and I’ve found it helpful. Such a supportive group. I have started working with dr Shehata and I’m on phase 1. I had 4 Miscarriages in one year. I have had my first humira jab and feel horrid from it. I have a throat infection and I’m on antibiotics. I totally wiped out and concerned about having another jab. Has anyone else struggle with this drug or got a bit anxious about suppressing the immune system? Xxx sending warmth to you all and so happy to read about those who are now pregnant

Hey @Lara8 . Yes I was poorly too. I’m fine now but I’ve had horrendous stomach pain last week and yesterday. I spoke with nurse today, I don’t think it’s related…but I was wondering if anyone else had similar issues? I’m also on metformin so could also be an issue with that although I’ve been on that a while now.
had my blood test today now it’s just wait and see. I hope you feel better xx

@JandL2020 thanks for your reply. How long were your sick for? It’s been two days and I am so worried it’s not going to go. It’s been 10 days and I was fine prior to this. I won’t take the second jab if it’s like this.

I’ve had a sick stomach and can’t eat and I’m nauseous. I am not in a lot of pain though. I hope they figure it out with the blood tests. Xx

@Lara8 about 3/4 days. Was over the last bank holiday 😔I’m not keen if they suggest another round of this as will delay my ivf cycle + I’m going on holiday in July so I don’t want to be unwell for that. The earliest could fit me in for follow up was 10th July! They said I could email for my results next week though xx

@JandL2020 I wonder if a second round would mean less side effects as it’s already in our systems? Wishful thinking! I’m also going away in august so really don’t want the side effects like you! Xx

I’m sorry you’re not feeling well @Lara8 :(.
When I had my first jab of the first humira cycle I felt so tired and had a sore throat, felt achey etc a few days later but then recovered so I assumed it was a bug and just a coincidence about the timing.
That’s interesting you felt the same @JandL2020 .
it worked a bit for me but not well enough so I’ve repeated the humira cycle but I still feel fine (I’ve got to do the 2nd jab of the second humira cycle) tomorrow and I’m worrying because I feel too well! So if it’s any consolation I’d try to look at it as a good sign!
Have you spoken to the clinic about the fact you’re feeling so unwell @Lara8? it might be worth mentioning?
One thing I have noticed is that I am so so bloated. I think it coincided with starting the humira back in April but I’m not 100% sure. Has anyone else noticed this?

xx

@KatyTTC yes but the bloating I have had with abdo pain. So bad I thought I had to go to a&e yesterday. Which makes me think it’s not related to the injections. X

@KatyTTC thanks for your message. Yeah I’m waiting for them to get back to me. I flagged it with the nurses, who were to pass it on to the doctors. Sounds like you had some
side effects at the start. I hope it’s worked for you. Dr S said he doesn’t usual give more than 4 jabs so I guess that’s based on evidence that it will have worked by then.

@JandL2020 so sorry you’ve been in that much pain. That must have felt scary. Maybe they can give you something to better manage the pain and perhaps clarify if the pain is a side effect!

@Lara8 so sorry to hear this - just to say that I got a chest infection and ear infection after my first Humira jab, I felt so awful and it really panicked me. The clinic told me to wait until I felt better to take second jab so I delayed it a few days but I did take it. I’ve felt okay since the second though if that’s any help. I figured since it was already in my system I might as well just take the second. It’s so stressful dealing with all of this on top of everything else isn’t it!

Hi @Lara8 sorry you felt so terrible. I had absolutely no side effects of the humaria except for really bad gas and o think the hunger came from that as I’m now almost 5 weeks pregnant and am less hungry than I was after the jabs.
I will say that I have lived with a constant snotty nose for 2 months.. which I assume is all these immune suppressants.. or hayfever haha..

@KatyTTC update.. I had my second blood tests back yesterday and in 48hrs went from 435 to 1338 so looking good on that front so far.

question to all.. does anyone else have really high thyroid anti bodies, my function is ok ( although upper end of ok at 2) I asked when I was there on wed if it’s tested during pregnancy as I have only ever been tested not pregnant and they said no. So not sure what to do? I am worried they are ignoring this symptom xx

@MeganBistram that’s amazing. It is much over the double rate. That’s a very good sign. It’s so nice to hear positive news. I have got my fingers crossed for the coming days for you 🙏🏻
quick question please, did the medication shortened your period cycle? The flow was quite heavy for 2 full days. 1st day period arrived late in the evening.. that was like any other first day of period. 2nd and 3rd day flow was quite heavy. Afterwards it was just light spotting. I am not sure what this could mean for the rest of the cycle?

@KatyTTC thats a lot to go through. I understand what you mean about how one miscarriage causes so much delay. I am so exhausted of that cycle.
I am currently on phase 2 of treatment.. this is going to be the second month of TTC under his treatment. I was never put on phase 1. it seems majority of the ladies here have been put on phase 1 and then phase 2 treatment. I wonder whether that was always the plan from day one with Dr S? now it makes me think whether being just on phase 2 is enough? I don’t want to be one of his patients when he just put on a trial.. still miscarry and change the treatment to phase 1. I think I am overthinking now🙈

Has anyone used pre-seed when TTC? Does it work?

@Hope646 thanks so much. Scan is on the 30th so that is the next hurdle to face

Re the Phase 2 and Phase 2 I beleive if you don't have to do Humaira there is only a phase 1, Those that had to have it had to go for that (Phase 1) and Phase 2 is the actual plan if that makes sense?

Re cycle, I only had one period while on the protocol and it was heavier and longer that I normally have, fairly similar to have you have described. However my ovulation day was the same day. It lengthen my cycle but only because mine are super short. I think for most people on a 28 day cycle it wouldn't make a difference. xx

Hi ladies, for those who have had intralipids, could you have it at any point before ovulation (even on your period)? I booked an appointment for Monday thinking I’d be in a new cycle, but I haven’t started my period yet so if I have I’ll be very early on in a new cycle. Do you think this would be ok or is it better to have it nearer to ovulation?

Ignore that, just had a reply from CRP saying you can have it from CD1. Come on period!!

@MeganBistram ah ok.. so it looks like I may not have needed the prep and that’s why he put me straight on the plan.
Keep us updated on how your scan goes. So excited for you 🤗

@Lily1990 I was told any day during the cycle but as long as it is 3 days before the ovulation day. Is this going to be your first TTC month under Dr S protocol?