Coming back to IF after 2 yr break

[Hope4PG]

Hello All - First, please excuse my ignorance...I'm new to posting on msg boards so bare with me while I learn all the acronyms.

Name: Jackie
Age: 36
DH - 35. Married 10 yrs, together 16 yrs

History
Irregular cycles (anywhere from 29 days to 86 days)
Luteal Phase - 15 days usually
Dx - Unexplained IF

Here is a recap of the last 6+ yrs. i'll try to keep it as brief as possible.

Nov 1999 - Started TTC

June 2000 - Became PG. Had Subchorionic Hemorrhage at 6 wks. Strong Heartbeat on u/s. HCG levels great. Bedrest for 3 wks. Spotting stopped.

Sept. 2000 - 2nd Trimester M/C at 15 1/2 wks. According to my ob, my son appeared to have a bulge on his stomach and his lower extremities were not properly formed. I did not know that I had lost my baby, I had just gone in for a routine check-up and found out there wasn't a heartbeat. Had to have a D&E. The baby was sent to pathology for genetic testing. Results were inconclusive - they were not able to grow enough cells. My placenta was also sent but same results. Dr said my loss was probably due to chromosomal abnormalities at conception.

Dec. 2000 - Waited 3 months and started TTC again.

July 2001 - asked doc for proges test. Levels a little on the low side for being 7 DPO. Started prometrium. Took that for 7 mos. But nothing. By this time, it had been over a year since my m/c. Asked to see an RE.

Dec. 2001 - RE diagnosed me with PCO (not PCOS). LH/FSH Ratio 2:1. Androgen levels normal. Ovaries on u/s showed "strand of pearls" - rt side only. Lft ovary appeared normal. Charting of the previous year showed I was ovulating each cycle. RE did HSG test and Hysteroscopy. Both were normal. Then we did 3 unsuccessful cycles of Clomid and IUIs. Next, I requested a LAP. During the LAP, RE discovered my left ovary was tucked inside a "Peritoneal Pocket" (aka Allen-Masters syndrome). This was something he thought I might have had since birth. RE said Pockets were normal, but having an ovary inside the pocket was NOT common. He had never seen such a thing. Also during LAP, RE said I had very mild endo on left pelvic sidewall and he had cleaned it all up. RE gave me the green light and said that I should have no probs conceiving on my own w/in next 3 mos.

3 mos later...NOTHING. UGH!! By this time it was Sept. 2002 - exactly 2 years since my m/c. So I asked to be put on Glucophage. Took that for 6 mos. Nothing.

Feb. 2003 - started seeing an acupuncturist. I never ever wanted to go back to an RE. NEVER. Acupuncturist put me on Chinese Herbs. Went once a week for a year. Loved it very much. Highly recommend it. Although I didn't conceive (but we weren't really trying anymore either), I believe she helped my cycles normalize somewhat.

June 2003 - thought my thyroid felt enlarged. Went to an Endocrinologist. Did some blood tests and u/s. Found out I have Hashimoto's Disease AND Grave's Disease - both autoimmune disorders of the thyroid. TSH levels normal so not necessary to take meds. Tested positive for thyroglobulin antibodies.

July 2003 - Went back to the RE with this new news about my thyroid. I was POSITIVE that this was the "key" to the mystery of my IF. He shooed me away like I was wasting his time. He suggested injectibles and eventually IVF. I said "No thanks" and walked away from IF.

I should mention that during the course of the nearly 4 yrs of TTC, I tried every crazy and not so crazy home remedy known to man - Robitussin, Baby Aspirin, Fertility Salads, Prayers to St. Gerard, A statue of a mayan fertility goddess in my room, fertilty yoga video, vitamin supplements known to boost fertility, an awesome guided imagery CD by Julia Indichova, rubbing African Fertility statues from Ripley's (via comp screen only), and on and on.

Sept. 2003 - Started paperwork for domestic adoption.

April 2004 - Received letter of approval from agency, saying our profile would begin showing to BMoms. We were told that the average wait for a baby was 18-24 months. We figured that by Oct. 2005 we would have a baby.

June 2004 - Rec'd a call...WE WERE GOING TO BE PARENTS!! We had a baby boy!! Just 2 months later!!! And that big emptiness disappeared the instant he was put in our arms.

July 2006 - Revisiting IF. A friend of mine introduced me to the world of Immunologic IF. I had never heard of this when I last reasearched IF over 2 yrs ago. Now i'm wondering if i might have a blood clotting disorder (thrombophilia) or Activated NK Cells based on my history with the 2nd Trimester M/C, existing autoimmune disorders, unexplained IF, and PCO. I have been saying that I want to start TTC again for the last 6 - 8 mos. but I am scared to death. I don't want to get wrapped up in that obsession with my cycles and non-stop thinking about getting pg. That was the worst time of my life and never want to relive it.

BTW, I just had an Endometiral Biopsy done yesterday. I've been having abnormal spotting at random times during my cycles for the last 3 or 4 mos. Biopsy will check for cancer. I doubt it's cancer. I suspect fibroids or polyps. Anyway, I mentioned to the ob/gyn about my newfound info on immunologic IF. He agreed to run some bloodwork. He ordered:

Antiphospholipid
ANA and ANA w/ Reflex Titer
Anti DNA/Histone Antibodies
Lupus Anticoagulant
Anti Cardiolipin Antibodies
Factor V Leiden
Protein S
Protein C

The list I gave him of blood panels had a lot more than these but he said that some of the ones I had on the list were for AIDS patients and he didn't think they were necessary. And as far as checking for Activated NK Cells...that would have to be done at a genetics specialty lab, not the regular lab. I also told the dr that i wouldn't be surprised if all these yrs I was having occult pgs. Maybe I was getting pg each cycle but was having m/c's before pg was chemically detectable. He said it was possible. He marked the lab order slip with recurrent m/c as the Dx code.

Today I went to get the bloodwork done. They took 11 vials. Results will be ready in 3-4 days.

I know that this is a lot of info and if you read all of it...god bless you. i just felt the need to share and could use all the encouragement and support I can get. I don't even know if I'm on the right board. If I'm not, please direct me in the right place.

Jackie