New with questions (child ment)

[mom2jpw]

Hi girls...hoping someone can give me some insight....

I starting ttc at age 26, not knowing I had IF issues. A year later a HSG revealed completely blocked tubes where they meet the uterus. We were told I probably had an undetected infection that led to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and that IVF was our only hope. Talk about devastation!

So, we jumped into IVF....with my young age, we were warned to expect multiples. In IVF workup it was discovered that I was mildly hypothyroid (TSH was 17 at the time) and put on synthroid. Well, I had 2 BFNs on completely "perfect" cycles with very nice looking blasts. The drs were stumped as to why it wasn't working. I finally had success on FET #2 and my miracle dd is now 2.5 years. I did do some research back then into immune issues when I was diagnosed with hyopthyroid and had some testing done. I had +ATAs but the others were normal.....I believe I had negative ANAs, APAs & ACAs. Both my endocrinologist and my RE dismissed the idea that the hypothyroid was the cause of the failures.

I had a csection with my dd and months after her birth, I had a painful lump in my abdomen. It was removed and tested and it was endo....so all along the cause of my IF and blocked tubes has been endo.....even though I've never had symptoms of endo or had a lap? RE says they don't do laps anymore to clean out the endo, that it doesn't affect implantation. I'm so confused.

I have been ttc #2 since dd was 18 months and have had 2 more IVF failures. For the first cycle I transferred 3 great looking blasts...neg. This recent cycle I transferred four 8-celled embies on day 3.....it failed. Who can't get pg with four 8-cellled embryos??

I cannot switch REs as we are in the Shared Risk Program....and we are at a very reputable clinic on the east coast....so I do trust them. However, I feel like I'm throwing away these embryos! I have taken BA through all my cycles and my pregnancy.

I'm on Lupron now for another FET and will be transferring in about 3 weeks. I'm getting so nervous that this is doomed from the start...

Any insight? Is there anything I can do to help this cycle? Diet? Supplements?

I just don't understand why this isn't working? My pregnancy was totally normal and my dd is normal and healthy (thank God)! Looking for any advice you girls can give.....

TIA,

[LynnUS]

Hi Kristen,

First, congrats on your miracle daughter! I am sorry though that up til now you've been unsuccessful in giving her a sibling. The failed IVF's/FETs are frustrating I know--especially when they're so textbook perfect--there has to be a reason as to why they are failing.
Despite having a healthy child, immune issues can crop up later. So can clotting disorders, even though you tested normal for them before. In fact they can be normal pre pg then turn + when you get pg.
Your thyroid issues and endo are big markers that you may have more immune issues going on that are preventing implantation.
Before investing anymore time and money in IVF/FET, I would go to a reputable reproductive immunologist, like the ones pinned above, and get a full immune workup that tests for killer cells. It sounds like your RE has the ability to do the clotting tests (and it probably is cheaper that way) but I'd have the immune doc tell you specifically which tests you need just to be sure everything is covered.

Best of luck to you--I hope you get the answers you need very soon!

Lynn
9yrs ttc#1 "unexplained"
3 first tri angels
Gordon Edward b/d 8/20/92 @ 22wks
Madeleine, 3-1/2yrs w/IVIg, LIT, Lovenox, ba
3 yrs ttc#2
4 more first tri angels
dx: uterine NKs, hetero MTHFR, dq alpha match
currently pg on a natural cycle w/immune meds

[mom2jpw]

Lynn,

Thank you for your reply. May I ask which meds you are on? Congrats on your pgcy!

[LynnUS]

Preconception, I took a 30-day cycle (2 injections) of Humira to suppress my uterine NK's.
I went to Nogales for LIT booster at 7 wks pg to increase my blocking antibodies since DH and I have a DQ alpha match.
Since the +beta, I had 4 rounds of IVIg until 15 wks pg. Since then my NK's have been in the normal range.
I take 30mg Lovenox, folgard and baby asp daily, plus fish oil and calcium.

Please don't get discouraged by all the meds I take--MOST women do not need to medicate as extensively.

Hope this helps!

Lynn

[CarolCA]

I agree with Lynn. You should consider getting Immune testing. I failed 5 fresh "PERFECT" cycles with top quality embyros, almost all 8 cells. No one knew why. I found Dr. Beer and despite my RE's bashing him, I went to him anyways and did his recommended treatments following my testing.

My 6th fresh ivf resulted in my wonderful son who will be 4 in a couple weeks! I also have another "Beer" baby who just turned 6 months!

Best of luck!
Carol

[LexiGirl]

Kristen - Welcome & congrats on your dd! I agree with Lynn & Carol that you should do a complete immune workup. Good luck to you & hopefully your dd will have a sibling very soon.

Lynn - Could you tell me what fish oils you're on? I've heard that they benefit the uterine NK's & being no doc in Canada will prescribe Enbrel or Humira, I think taking these may be worth a try. What are they called & what brand....the brand could be different in Canada.

Carol - I think we may have crossed paths on the beta board before? I've been trying to remember who it was & I think I remember you. Congrats on the birth of Brianna!!!

Lexi