Immune/ NK cells - Pred threat 27

[LaurenAB94]

@Bambii @Daffodil21 @Eeviee @Everhopeful35 @farfromperfect82 @Eeviee @Everhopeful35 @Hazlet2 @farfromperfect82 @HoldingOn2Hope @Jellystar23 @KtAgs @Lalaifa @LookingforAnswers86 @Marabouchoc @LRL12 @MrsMargot @Naticle @NessyT91 @NessyT91 @NICK7nick7 @rainwillmaketheflowersgrow @Rebecca9876 @Sophfr17 @Tinpo @VenusStarr @Wheresmyrainbow @Whyisthistakingsolong

I’m so sorry @VenusStarr. Thinking of you and hoping you get some reassurance from Dr Jan.❤️

Thank you @Luckyducky2 my eyes are really sore from crying. I just feel so disappointed with my body. You're right though, I've got a good team behind me and it's good they've identified something before we start ivf, I'm hoping they'll take it into account for our protocol. I think down reg is better - last year they told us I'd be on short protocol. Lots to think about. My dh is being really sweet, he said its just another hurdle, it's not a brick wall xx

Thank you @NessyT91 x

@VenusStarr I am joining you with the tears tonight, my eyes are so swollen! I was climbing out the shower earlier and saw my lovely bruised belly, all those injections and still it didn't work. Its so frustrating, I could scream! Was then watching a TV programme and suddenly it jumps to a woman having a baby scan, I could have thrown the remote at it!! Aaaah! I'm gonna blame coming off all these hormones for my crazy moods. DH looks like he is wanting to go back to work right about now lol!

Try and stay positive honey, I'm sure Dr Jan will be on the ball for getting you some answers! Xx ps so glad your hubby is being sweet and looking after you xx

Sending you big hugs @Luckyducky2 ❤️ it's so hard and the extra hormones definitely don't help. Think we both need to be gentle with ourselves right now xxx

@VenusStarr absolutely, keep us posted how you get on? Am here if you ever need a chat/moan/scream! 😘 xxx

@VenusStarr I’m so sorry. None of us need extra complications on this journey. I hope the Dr Jan appointment goes as well as it can and that you get answers/next steps. Getting a diagnosis totally messes with your head - on the one hand you’re glad there’s something to treat, but the frustration of knowing you were trying all this time while it was going untreated is so frustrating. That’s how I feel about my CHI diagnosis anyway.

@Luckyducky2 I’m so sorry you’re feeling so down. I know I’m in a good position right now, but I do have some really down days too and I definitely think all the hormones and medication can’t help. Plus throw in the state of the world right now and you wonder how we get through this at all. All we can do is be kind to ourselves ❤️

Thanks @Tinpo I just need to get on with things as cant make time go any faster but yes its definitely not helped by current affairs....what I would give to book a meal out or a nice holiday in the sun! Actually scrap that, all I really want is a big cuddle from my mum....one day soon!

Hope you are keeping well and I totally understand how up and down you must be feeling, impossible to relax when its gone wrong so many times but it sounds like your treatment is working!! Amazing and everything crossed for you ❤ xx

Hi @VenusStarr

I’m sorry the letrozole didn’t work. Did they mention the possibility of increasing the dose?

I have adenomyosis too. After googling it I thought I had no chance of getting pregnant but I have done and I have no reason to believe it was the cause of this latest miscarriage.

I actually had acupuncture today with a fertility specialist and he explained the endometriosis and adenomyosis as being caused by blood ‘stasis’ or blood not flowing properly. My iron levels are also really low so he’s starting me on high dose iron tablets and Chinese herbs plus weekly acupuncture. He has a medical degree so really knows his stuff and he has helped so many people get pregnant both with and without IVF. He knew all about NK cells too so I was pretty impressed.

I saw him locally but he also has a practice in Harley Street and one in Twickenham if that’s of any use? I think he also does online consultations.

I know what you mean about discovering another hurdle, that’s what I’ve felt like every time we’ve found something else that’s wrong.

This has helped me feel like I’m taking back a bit of control. He’s also fairly confident we can bring my FSH down a bit too (it’s 9.6 so not too bad but could be better).

In other news I’m trying to fit in a day 21 blood test which falls over the Easter weekend and it looks like that’s when I would need my NK Cells biopsy done too! Things are never straightforward are they!

I hope you’re doing better today @VenusStarr. I’m sorry you were feeling down as well @Luckyducky2 - it’s a rough road. Sending you both ❤️

It’s my second month on the plan and I got another BFN today. Obviously the sane part of me knows that it’s normal not to conceive straight away but I really thought this would be our month. I know I need to be on Mr S’s plan but the whole thing stresses me out - driving myself crazy tracking ovulation, worrying that I might have take the progesterone too soon and messed up ovulation, and the early testing gives me so much anxiety. I really miss the innocence of life before miscarriage when TTC was a lot more fun and a lot less stress!

I’m also worried about not conceiving next month and then my prescription will have ran out. It was a complete nightmare to get the first one cos we’re in Ireland and the pharmacies are weird about UK prescriptions now because of Brexit. I’d also like to try SO with Mr S but it’s totally unrealistic with the way travel is atm. So anyway long story short - I’m considering changing to a Dr here who will treat immune issues.

Sorry for the crazy rant! I’m blaming cyclogest. Would love to hear your thoughts on changing Drs?

I'm sorry about the bfn @NessyT91 ❤️ it's so hard to keep going each month. I'm with you on the tracking, you just can't switch off. I think if there is a local reproductive immunologist that might alleviate some of your worries. I'm going down twice in a week because I haven't responded to the letrozole, so if you were local it wouldn't be too challenging. I'm having to take another day off work at short notice. It's tricky though.

Thank you @Badlydrawngirly he did talk about modifying the dose but I'm reluctant to take 10mg, I thought 7.5mg was high given most people start on 2.5mg. I really regret doing superovulation this month. I've got lots of cramps and discomfort now and zero positive signs that I will ovulate. Spent most of today in tears. I just feel hopeless about our chances.

I've decided to get my covid vaccine so that I can go to acupuncture again. I'm in the Midlands, but glad that you've found someone who can support you.

X

Hi @VenusStarr

That is quite a high dose, did he say why he thought it hadn’t worked?

Acupuncture has made me feel generally much better and more relaxed. I had the best sleep since my miscarriage last night.

My iron tablets have arrived so I’ll be starting those today and hoping it improves blood flow.

He also advised me to take 600mg of Co-Enzyme Q10, omega 3, vitamin D and a pre-natal.

I’m sure you’re already on all of these but thought I’d mention it just in case.

I’d also recommended his book as it explains things really well and has lots of simple diet tips.

Let me know if you need to talk.

Thank you @Badlydrawngirly ❤️ he said that sometimes you can have a cycle like this on letrozole and it usually happens on month 4/5 so it's unfortunate it happened to me the first month trying. But I just think that if I haven't responded to 7.5mg, it's not for me. I have never had an anovulatory cycle before. I feel really rough - I forgot to say I'm on progynova too for my crappy lining. I'm bored of taking medication. I've been on the verge of a migraine for 2 days, but it's probably all the worrying and crying 😢

I do take those supplements, but I only do 200mg of the coq10 (I take ubiquinol but it's the same). Is the guy Gerard Kite? If so I have his book! My dh goes mad as I've got a whole library of fertility books - not that they've helped.

I'm glad you're feeling relaxed and slept well. Acupuncture really helped with my anxiety last year. X

@VenusStarr

I know what you mean, I’m so fed up of taking so much medication and so many supplements!

I’m meant to be starting letrozole next cycle but am kind of dreading it as my body seems to react badly or not as expected to any kind of medication.

I was taking 200mg too but he said to up it to 600mg and also to give it to my husband. He seems to really know his stuff and I’m surprised at how much it’s helped after just one session. It felt like a huge release of all the stress I had been carrying around.

He’s also the only one who seems positive that something can be done about the adenomyosis. I did go on the mini pill last year for 4/5 months as I had a blood clot and was on warfarin so couldn’t risk falling pregnant and I think that might have helped calmed things down enough to fall pregnant in December.

My gynae said he called give me medication for the pain or try surgery but both can affect fertility so it’s not an option for us.

This is his book and he’s got another one coming out about pregnancy. I’m like you, I’ve been buying every book I can find but I’ve got the on kindle so my DH doesn’t know how many I have! I really think that anything that feels like it’s helping can only be a good thing.

www.amazon.co.uk/My-Fertility-Guide-Pregnant-Naturally/dp/1916013805?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Hi lovely ladies I hope someone can help. I am having IVF alongside DR S plan. He has advised fragmin injection to support implantation daily for first 12 weeks. Is anyone else on these? Just wondered are they easy to do and also how expensive are they as they are daily for 12 weeks so worried about the cost of everything now . thanks in advance xx

Hi @CATALYST2019 I'm also doing ivf in Scotland whilst under Dr S' treatment....the fragmin injections are about £50 for a box of 10. I have many a sleepless night wondering how in hells bells we are affording all this but I haven't been successful yet so we've always had the chance to catch our breath and save up some more money for the next try! xx

@CATALYST2019 they are very easy to do, bit stingy and you'll have some bruises on your tummy but it just becomes part of your daily routine so try not to worry! Try to inject in a different area every night, not into bruises or areas that go a bit hard under the skin.

@Luckyducky2 thank you so much lovely. Yes it is ridiculous how much money everything costs. I am sure it will all be worth it in the end. Keep going, I wish you all the best of luck. Thanks again xxxxx

@CATALYST2019 no problem at all, is this your first time doing the ivf? Wishing you lots of luck! We have 3 embryos left so hoping 1 of them will stick, next try isn't till May/June time so trying to enjoy not taking all the meds and having a wee glass of wine!

Has anyone else had any side effects from stopping the pred? I stopped it at the weekend and have now got a horrible lumpy rash all down my neck and red itchy skin all over my face....have to say I've never felt more attractive to the hubby lol! I spoke to the clinic yesterday and they said it should clear up in a few days, just a reaction to stopping the medicine. What fun this all is!!! 🤪 xx

@Luckyducky2 it's my second cycle. We have some in the freezer too so everything crossed for all if us xxx

@CATALYST2019 crossing everything honey, we must be due some luck soon!! 😜 xxx

Hi @CATALYST2019 Dr S gave me my ivf plan on Monday and it includes fragmin too, even though I don't have it normally. He said it's to help with implantation in ivf. Thanks for telling us the cost @Luckyducky2 too.

Hooe you're OK @Badlydrawngirly and for the book recommendation. I'm glad he is positive about adenomyosis, I've (stupidly) googled and come up with conflicting results.

I'm just eating a sandwich in the car after my follow up scan. I was with Mr Jan today. He's confirmed that I do have adenomyosis but he wasn't worried about it and I feel more reassured. He doesn't think it's been a factor in my losses nor will affect ivf.
The best news is that I've responded to the letrozole 🥳 I have 3 follicles, 2x16 and 1x17 and my lining is 7mm. So I can trigger tomorrow! Such a relief. I genuinely thought I was broken. I definitely feel swollen. Had my intralipids, so we're good to go. We've got our ivf consultation in just under 2 weeks too. I'm definitely feeling better than I was on Monday.

Hope everyone is well 💕❤️ xxx

@Luckyducky2 definitely due some good luck soon 🥰🥰🥰

Thanks @VenusStarr. Good luck with the injections and everything crossed for you this cycle ❤❤🙏xxx

@VenusStarr that’s great news on all counts! So it just took a bit longer for the letrozole to have an effect? That’s good to know that can happen as I’ll probably be starting next month!

I was feeling really positive after acupuncture on Tuesday and asked the Dr to sign me back to work next week but I’ve been exhausted all day today. Pretty sure I ovulated yesterday or this morning as got a solid smiley on the OPK yesterday am. Today is CD11 so worried that my follicles aren’t mature enough and I’m ovulating too early.

Easter weekend has meant I can’t have my NK cells biopsy this cycle so thought we would give it a go this month and beg for steroids if I do miraculously fall pregnant this month. I felt so happy to see the solid smiley yesterday and today I just feel like I’m setting myself up for more disappointment if I don’t fall pregnant. I know the reality is I probably won’t as it took us over 3 years to get a BFP before this recent loss.

God it’s a rollercoaster isn’t it!