Thin Lining

[samac]

I am a new member to Fertile Thoughts. My DH and I have been TTC for 17 months. In the first 11 months, I got pregnant 3 times and each time in the second month of trying. Unfortunately, each of those pregnancies ended in MC. The first loss was at 11 weeks. Our little girl had Trisomy 22. My second loss was around 7 weeks. We don't know what happened. The third loss was very early, around 5 weeks, again with no answers. It wasn't until after this third loss we started seeing a RE. After having a few tests and procedures it was discovered that I had scar tissue on my left tube, polyps inside my uterus and a heart shaped uterus. All of these reasons or just one could have caused my miscarriages. In October 2004, I had an hysteroscopy and LAP. They successfully removed the scar tissue, polyps and reshaped my uterus. The prognosis, at the time, was very good. Especilaly since we were able to get pregnant three times so quickly. We started trying after my surgery in October and to date we have not been successful. We started on Clomid in October. That month my lining was really thin - 4.2. We thought it might be because of the clomid so we tried Letrozole in November. My lining was only 4.5. At this point, we pretty much learned that I have a lining issue. My RE believes it's because of my multiple surgeries from my miscarriages, the scar tissue and polyps. In December, we started Follistim and did one day of IUI. My lining was 5.7. It didn't work. In January, we did another cycle of Follistim and IUI. My lining two days before my LH surger was 6.4 and the day of my surge was 5.6mm. I will find out next Tuesday, 2/8 if it worked. I am not hopeful. I am so down and frustration about the situation. My body was in better "shape" to have a child 17 months ago than it is now. Does anyone out there have a lining issue? Is there a chance for me to conceive with a lining close to 6mm? Any advice or direction. I am looking forward to chatting with everyone.

[EileenG]

Hello!

I can certainly relate to lining issues! You name it, I've done it.

There are a few protocols out there that can help woman who have lining issues.. When I did my third IVF I was on a very aggressive protocol. I was taking estrogen orally and vaginally along with Viagra supositories.
Both are very effective in promoting growth to the endometrium.

In addition to the above, I also did acupuncture.
When I went to transfer my lining was only at 6.5 but apparently it did the trick. Unfortunately I had a misacarrige, however, the miscarriage had nothing to do with my lining. Like you, my little boy had Trisomy 22.
In the months following my miscarriage, my lining measured in at 7.7 (the highest it's ever been and without any drugs). During my "rest period" I continued with the acupuncture which has seemed to make a world of difference for me.

I am about to begin IVF #4 with the same exact protocol in hopes that I can achieve a even thicker lining for transfer.

Please speak to your RE about trying any of these measures.
In addition, you might want to start doing acupuncture. Many woman along with myself swear that it's what made the difference for them.

Best of Luck!!

[samac]

Hi EileenG

First, I want to say how sorry I am to hear about your loss. I know how hard it is to go through.

Thank you for your suggestions. My RE has suggeseted those to me. Our concern with Viagra is that it isn't FDA approved and I have heard there are no studies to show what, if any, the effect may be on the fetus. Do you know anymore about positive or negative effects of Viagra?

I have thought about acupuncture. Do you mind if I ask you how much it costs? I would definitely be willing to try acupuncture. How often do you go?

My Re has suggested IVF for us if this month doesn't work. She says that with IVF they can increase my dosage of estrogen which should (hopefully)thicken my lining. As you know, the higher the estrogen the more follicles you could develop. That's a good thing for IVF but not for IUI. So we couldn't go to high with the dose with IUI.

Good luck with your next cycle. I will be thinking of you. Keep me posted.

[EileenG]

To be honest, there's not many conclusive studies on Viagra since it's fairly new. However there's a lot of information regarding the improvement on uterine linings with the use of Viagra.

Prior to Viagra, woman used to use Nitroglycerin skin patches. Though it has been proven to be highly effective, it causes many side effects. Such as high blood pressure, etc..
When Viagra came out it was discovered that it essentially does the same thing as Nitroglycerin but without any of the harmful side effects.

I know many woman on this website who have used it during their treatment and delivered very healthy babies. Not sure if you know her but Elena, who's currently pregnant with triplets, used it during her cycle and her babies are perfectly fine.

As far as acupuncture, the cost varies from state to state. My inital consultation was $90.00 and each appointment after that is $70.00. I go once a week. When it comes time for my transfer I go the morning of it and later that afternoon. Like I said, it has definitely made quite a difference in my lining.

If your nervous about the Viagra, ask your RE if there is any information that they could provide to you that might help ease your concerns. If there isn't, you might want to just try the acupuncture along with a high protein diet (which also promotes growth in the endometrium) for your next cycle.

Whatever you decide to do, please know that there are options out there. I was told by two RE's that there was no way that I could ever achieve a pregnancy with my lining. I refused to accept that and continued many different protocols until I found the one that worked for me. There are woman who have even achieved a pregnancy with linings a low as 5. So please hang in there and don't give up. The fact that you achieved a pregnancy before is a very good sign. You just need to find the formula that will work for you.

Please keep us posted and I will continue to look for your updates and progress!!

[samac]

Thank you so much for the information. I have an appointment next Tuesday to see if this month was successful. I will ask then for more information regarding Viagra.
In the meantime, I will look into acupuncture in my area.
I appreciate your suggestions, advice and kind words.
This website has been very helpful.
Good luck to you. I will look for your updates and progess as well.
I will keep you updated.
Take care.

[samac]

Hi EileenG

Big news - I took a HPT Friday (2/4/05) night and I got a BFP.
It was confirmed yesterday, Monday, by having a blood test. My HCG level was 840.9 and my progesterone was 60!! These numbers are really high and great, per my nurse. I wonder if they could mean multiples.

So I guess there really can be successful conception and implantation with a thin lining.

Good luck to you! Keep me posted.

[EileenG]

This is the greatest news and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you!

You give me and everyone out there (who struggle with lining issues) so much hope that it can actually be achieved!!

Best of luck to you and wishing you a very happy but uneventful nine months!!

God Bless!

[samac]

Thank you so much EilleenG. Even though we only spoke briefly, you really helped me out.

I hope that my story does really help you and others with thin linings realize and believe that it can happen!!! And it will!!

Hopefully, I haven't spoken too soon and this pregnancy will be successful.

Please keep me posted as to what is happening with you. I am thinking of you and praying.

God Bless!!!