Heparin or Lovenox? And when?

[sayra]

Do your RE do heparin or lovenox? I think lovenox would be "better" as it's administered dose is weight based. I've had many m/c with heparin...started taking after + pg. I'm wondering if starting earlier would help. Any input greatly appreciated.
Sayra

[Tabithalyn]

Hi... the reasoning behind heparin or lovenox is that low molecular weight heparin (lovenox) is supposed to cause less or NO bone density loss than the regular/standard heparin. I think they both are injected according to a standardized dosage actually though...?? not by your weight

I think that there are varying opinions on which is best to use. With lovenox it's only ONE injection per day... heparin is thought to have better anti-inflammatory properties... in any event, the main thing that could be the real problem is that you are not starting the med (either heparin or lovenox) in good enuf time. Most RE's that deal with immune issues begin the heparin dosage preconception. It is necessary in many cases in order to assist with proper implantation as tiny blood clots can prevent the conception from getting into the uterine lining properly --even starting heparin with a ++ result can mean the prg. will fail if that is happening.

your heparin/lovenox usage should also be combined with one low dose (81 mg) baby aspirin per day... is that also in your treatment protocol??

otherwise you may wish to consider more complete testing for any other immuen conditions that may be causing your losses... sorry to hear about the disappointments and hoping that your answer and solution come real soon!
Ally

[sayra]

Hi Ally,
Thanks so much for the advice. I've spent a good portion of today reading other posts...especially yours about the importance of immune testing and advocating for ourselves. I'm a nurse and we barely covered autoimmune disorders in class or clinicals. I can't recall the subject ever being discussed during "repro/maternity" schooling. What a shame. This cycle has been switched from IVF to IUI secondary to oversuppression and just two big follies. I'm starting heparin today!!!! Will discuss my rationale with RE and will also bring along the info about IVIG. (So tired of 1st trimester mc.!) I almost lost my little "heparin miracle" daughter due to marginal abruption at 12 weeks (despite being on heparin and baby aspirin AFTER + beta.)
Again, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I pray we both get to experience the "miracle" of a successful pg once again.
Sayra

[Tabithalyn]

Sayra... I know what you mean.. it is shocking and MOST appalling that not only the fertility clinics but the schools/medical trainers themselves do not acknowledge the likelihood and import of the whole avenue of reproductive immunology.

it is more unusual when you consider how close the whole line of thought is to the initial stages of what to treat with "unexplained" infertility... they knew there was such a thing as "hostile" cervical mucus... they knew there was the RH negative thing which required a woman to have a shot... they knew there were women who needed antibiotic treatments in order to conceive successfully SO all this points to the fact that the medical world DOES KNOW that the immune system, antibodies and common immune reactions could very well be the cause of the majority of unexplained IF and repeat losses.

take care and hoping that you get some definite answers and solutions in the next visit with RE>.. best of luck to you and come back and visit us with your testing/treatment plan ok?
Ally

[nicoleturc]

Hi everyone I'm new to this so I just want to explain my experience and see if anyone can relate to this and maybe had a successful pregnancy. To start off I have had 5 miscarriages. My first one was at 14 weeks, second at 10 1/2 weeks, third at 12 weeks, fourth at 10 weeks and just yesterday at 11 1/2 weeks. I was seeing a Dr in Hamilton, and he had me on ivig, heparin, progesterone, folic acid, baby asprin, prenatal vitamins, iron pills, vitamin d.
I have heard that this ivig really works so i'm hoping to here of anyone that has done this with several miscarriages and have had a successful pregnancy. It's just so sad I want to have a baby so bad and I did everything I was suppose to then I get another heart break. Has anyone done the ivig and then miscarried, then tried again and was successful? I would really appreciate some feed back. Thank you for listening.
Nicoleturc

[Tabithalyn]

I started a new thread for you so the girls could see what you are asking about IVIg and preg. loss.

Yes there are girls that have failed their cycles and sometimes the right Med. mix needs to be implemented and sometimes there are other considerations and tactics that need to happen preconception (some girls need to take LIT which is where the blood cells of your partner gets injected into your arm / other girls need to take some sort of suppressant medicine that is only available thru U.S. docs at present to suppress Natural Killer cells that may be inhabiting the uterus). One of Dr.Clark's other girls that has posted under "miracles do happen" has had rounds of IVIg and other meds without success and then after a round of antibiotics got a prg. going with the IVIg, etc. so yes, the IVIg alone is not always the answer.

please know that there is hope and we're so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking losses...

luv from your friend Ally

[nicoleturc]

Hi Ally, just wanted to thank you again for taking your time and writing to me. Well I hope some of Dr. Clarks patients will write to me just so maybe I can feel a little better about all of this. I really thought this 5th pregnancy was going to work I'm going to call Dr. Clark on Monday to see what he has to say about trying again maybe with some other type of meds. I just don't get why I hit 3 months and then loose my precious angels Well I hope there are some girls that can relate to this and maybe done the ivig and had a successful pregnancy. Maybe if there are some that failed with ivig on there first try. Then tried again and was successful. I would really appreciate some freedback.
Nicoleturc

[emmaalso]

Nicoleturc

I am so sorry for you losses.
One thing came to mind when reading your post. Please make sure they are not overlooking incompetent cervix. It is often diagnosed after many miscariages.
HUGS

[giffdaga]

Niclole, It sounds like we are similar. I just wanted to let you know that I have had 4 m/c's (all from natural pg's), one failed IVF one failed FET and am on IVF #2 (egg retrieval on wed 6/29). Currently I'm doing acupunture, and I'm set to do one IVIG at the E/R, one after a pos preg test, and will to be on lovenox, wich is new for me since i was on heparin before. I'll let you know how it goes. keep me posted on your situation too okay? Kim

[nicoleturc]

Originally Posted by giffdaga

Niclole, It sounds like we are similar. I just wanted to let you know that I have had 4 m/c's (all from natural pg's), one failed IVF one failed FET and am on IVF #2 (egg retrieval on wed 6/29). Currently I'm doing acupunture, and I'm set to do one IVIG at the E/R, one after a pos preg test, and will to be on lovenox, wich is new for me since i was on heparin before. I'll let you know how it goes. keep me posted on your situation too okay? Kim

Hi Kim,

Just want to say thank you for replying to me. I'm so sorry for all your losses Are you doing invitro now? If so how come , I see that you have had natural pregnancies before. Do you have any children at all? Did you say that you will be doing ivig also. If so do you see Dr. Clark in Hamilton or are you even in Canada? Well i wish you the best of luck I just recently lost my 5th pregnancy at 11 1/2 weeks. So I have to take a break till probably September, hopefully they'll have my chromasone testing back. Then there gonna start me on ivig, heprin and lit. and progesterone. I just can't believe how many woman go through this its really sad. It doesn't make sense. I no so many women that shouldn't even have babies, god works in weird ways. Well good luck to you and all the other girls and I will keep in touch.
Fingers Crossed Nicole