IF Testing and Treatment w/o 4/8

inthewoods23

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): 

How are things going?: 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What's your favorite movie?

madcouplewithabox

Getting in early in this thread so I can keep up this time!


Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): just keeping DH on supplements and sperm friendly food. He’s cutting down on Alcohol and giving up chew (which is gross and I’ve never liked him doing anyways)

How are things going?: going ok. DH has an interview this Tuesday and about three really good potential leads locally so big hopes for that. Once he gets a job I’m hoping I might venture into the him getting another SA done topic. 

Any questions?: none as of now. 

GTKY: What's your favorite movie?
ohhh that’s a toughie. As a kid it was Milo and Otis. I think now it’s Ever After. I’m a sap lol

b_1029

@madcouplewithabox I hope YH’s interview goes well! 

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): benched 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): the RE ran some bloodwork but that’s about it 

How are things going?: I’m somewhere between being sad we have to wait longer (not like 2 months is that long in the scheme of things) and being relieved I don’t have to constantly think of TTC for a while. 

Any questions?: the 2 options the RE gave once we’re back in the game were either letrozole + trigger+ TI or all of that + IUI (the one she recommended). Is there a reason I should go straight to an IUI before trying letrozole by itself first? 

GTKY: What's your favorite movie? This is hard...I don’t watch a ton of movies. I loved A Star is Born and Wonder a couple years back. Around Christmas I watch all the sappy Christmas movies but other than that it’s pretty much tv shows for me

edited- grammar is hard in the morning 

chichiphin

@b_1029 trying letrozole alone might be a cheaper route to try first... also if you have any fertility coverage on insurance, letrozole + TI won't count towards any lifetime max like an IUI would. 

b_1029

@chichiphin ooo that’s really good to know, thank you! I have IF coverage but have no idea how it works or what it entails. 

chichiphin

@b_1029 yeah ask your insurer about lifetime max & what it is. Mine for example is 15k, so I'd want to save that if letrozole + progesterone doesn't work because that is all covered under general care/general prescription coverage. I also have the option to skip all IUI's but only get 6 covered if I want to go that route - so something else to ask!

inthewoods23

@madcouplewithabox I never understood why anybody would like chew. Glad YH is stopping!

@b_1029 some of your decision might come down to your results. If YH's sperm has no issues then TI could be fine. YH has had an SA previously right? I can't remember. But yeah, IUI has the same success rate as just trying like every other person so it maybe only gives you a slightly better chance depending on your circumstances.

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW, also WFAF at this point I think

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Once AF shows werew starting the IVF process

How are things going?: fine. DH is bumming out again, but there's also just a lot going on.

Any questions?: Curious on people's thoughts on PGD testing. I think my clinic always does it to ensure the best embyros are transferred but I'm still on the young side (almost 30) so would it be worth advocating against? I already did a genetic pre-screening but I don't think that covers certain abnormalities?

GTKY: What's your favorite movie?
I definitely don't get tired of watching The Fifth Element. Other favorites include Short Circuit, The Secret Garden, Oblivion, and most movies with badass female leads.

celticknotfire

@madcouplewithabox FX for YH!

@b_1029 if there isn't any issues with YH's SA then personally I don't see the harm in doing TI first.  Did your RE give you a reason why they preferred an IUI?

@inthewoods23 Good question.  I think it varies for each couple.  We are doing them because I'm 37 and **TW** our loss was likely due to a chromosomal abnormality**end TW**.  I know cost can be an issue as well because if I remember correctly you are OOP as well.  The genetic pre-screening looks to see if you are a carrier of select genetic conditions and the basic PGD checks only for extra or missing chromosomes.  Obviously if you were a carrier they can check for that specific genetic condition.  There are still limits to which conditions they can screen for and which they can test for with the PGS so obviously nothing is a sure thing.

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, anovulatory, AMA

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): IVF

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Day 9 of stims.  Cetrotide in the morning with gonal and menopur in the evening.

How are things going?:  Slow.  I had another US yesterday and my lead follicle is only at 15 with 2 at 13, one at 12, two at 11 and two at 10.  I was hoping for some more growth and some more follicles but my RE didn't increase my meds so I guess that's a good sign.

Any questions?: I don't have too many follicles but I still feel bloated, is this normal?

GTKY: What's your favorite movie? I have several but Remember the Titans, Down Periscope, Gone With the Wind, and In Her Shoes are the first ones that come to mind.

b_1029

@inthewoods23 yep, he had a SA in the summer and all his numbers were good. That's kind of what I figured as far as the IUI. Sorry to hear YH is down - hope things start looking up for you guys, especially once you start the IVF process. I don't know enough about PGD testing to really have an opinion

@celticknotfire that's kind of what I was thinking too since he doesn't have any issues as far as we know. The RE just said it gave the best chance of success but that was pretty much the only reasoning. I hope your follies continue to grow! 

inthewoods23

@celticknotfire is Down Periscope the comedy with Kelsey Grammer? That's a good movie too!

Also.... Since I can't post this enough 😁


@b_1029 sounds like the TI would be a good start for you!

ruby696

@madcouplewithabox FX YH has great interviews!

@b_1029 If YH doesn't have motility issues, I would probably start with TI. We did IUI (no motility issues) and were told there's no such thing as too much sperm, so to keep HIO. Which made the IUI feel really unnecessary. 

@inthewoods23 I'm older, so take this with a grain of salt, but I wouldn't do IVF without PGD testing. Only because you're already investing so much money, it would be terrible if there was a problem later.

@celticknotfire How are doing doing with all the injections? I'm a little nervous to start them and I'm hoping it's really not too bad.

Diagnosis (if you've been): Early stage DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Today will be CD1 (womp womp), so I believe I have an US tomorrow. I'll start FSH injections this cycle, followed by IUI, which feels like a waste of money.

How are things going?: Okay. I knew IUI probably wouldn't be successful, but I'm still pretty bummed. This will be our last cycle with the RE, unless we decide to do one more clomid cycle. MH won't go into debt for fertility treatments, so this all has to be paid outright. We can swing another clomid cycle but not another cycle with injections.

Any questions?: Just wondering what part of the body you do FSH injections in? I'm assuming stomach?

GTKY: What's your favorite movie? Oh there are so many. I love movies from when I was a kid. Nostalgia I guess. Jurassic Park, The Goonies, The Neverending Story, to name a few.

emmasemm

@inthewoods23

***I’m going to TW this whole thing as I will mention lots of sensitive things.***

Ok so first of all PGS and PGD Testing are two different things. I think you are thinking of PGS not PGD.

PGS (now known as PGT-A) Tests for chromosomal aneuploidy (wrong numbers of chromosomes) in an embryo eg Down’s syndrome with the extra chr21. There are different techniques for testing, but the most modern only use cells taken from the traphectoderm of a blastocyst (I would not advise to use the old technology as it is less accurate). This means that the cells tested are those that make the placenta, not the inner cell mass (ICM) which makes the baby itself. It can be that the ICM has a normal chromosomal makeup but the traphectoderm has an abnormal - in those cases the embryo is marked abnormal but actually isn’t and so you “discard” an embryo that would have been successful if transferred. In other cases the traphectoderm might test normal so the embryo would be transferred, but the ICM is actually abnormal - so you would either miscarry or find out at later screenings eg NST and have to decide whether to continue the pregnancy or not - just like people who don’t test. 
You then have mosaic embryos where some of the tested cells are euploid and some aneuploid. Most clinics won’t transfer these - or the abnormals. Make sure you ask for mosaics to be named as such - if not they will call them abnormal.
PGT-A is most often advised when patients have a large number of embryos as it helps to select those which are more likely to lead to a healthy THB. It should reduce the time to pregnancy and the number of losses. It will not increase the chances of success overall - if you transferred all embryos and one is normal you will get round to transferring it at some point anyhow. It is often advised if someone has multiple losses as a way to reduce the number of further losses, even if they don’t have truck loads of embryos. I mean, none of us wants losses.

PGD is now split into two new terms - PGT-M is to test for single gene disorders eg Cystic Fibrosis. PGT-SR is to test for “structural rearrangements” otherwise known as translocations. This is where one part of an arm of a chromosome is not stuck to the right chromosome, this can be balanced (the arm swaps with an arm of the chromosome it goes to) or unbalanced - it moves and leaves one chromosome with an extra arm and one missing an arm.
For these tests it will typically have shown up in the carrier testing you’ve done or in testing the POC of multiple previous losses where a pattern was detected. If you have a “common” issue like the most often found CF genes then the testing lab might have a “probe” already built they can use to test your embryos. If not you might have to pay for a special probe to be built just for your specific mutation.
Both of these are done to avoid multiple miscarriages and late term terminations (or a very sick child). They both normally also need cells from a blastocyst to apply the modern techniques. Again it doesn’t increase chance of success it reduces time to success and number of losses experienced.

If you’re into science and data analytics there is a lot on the science of PGT (all three kinds) you can read up on. Different test techniques use different sample sizes and therefore have different confidence levels in their accuracy.

I would also recommend some of the best Infertility podcasts where doctors explain a lot about these tests:
Bonus 171 why PGS normal embryos fail
Bonus 129 mosaicism 101
There were some others but I can’t find them right now.

I could write for days on this topic as we went backwards and forwards on it like crazy.
It is a mental health, time and money topic mainly -the cost of PGT-A testing normally is about the same as 1-2 FETs depending on your clinic and the number of embryos.
Also, if all embryos come back abnormal, will you be able to make more embryos? If no you might not want to risk the 1-5% chance (different opinions are out there and depends on how good the test approach is) that a normal is wrongly labeled abnormal. If yes or if you have a LOT of embryos and the chance they are all abnormal is very very small you might say yes the testing is the right thing for you.
A final word on mosaics - not all clinics will transfer them. Make sure you know this up front. 

To be clear -I am neither for nor against PGT-A testing - I think it is a case by case decision for every individual. If I had lots of embryos and could make more I would do it for sure.

If anyone wants more info, links etc feel free to pm. Otherwise I will write a novel here ;-) 

celticknotfire

@inthewoods23 yes it's with Kelsey Grammer!  My dad loved that movie and I was so shocked when MH put it on one night and told me he loved the movie.  It was like 17 years ago when we first started dating and I was like well guess this is the man I'm going to marry!  Also your gif is working!!!!!

@ruby696 the injections aren't bad at all.  They go in the stomach so it's not painful.  The only problem I'm having is with doing 3 injections a day I'm running out of places to inject.  I do them myself and they are over really quick.  For my IUI I stimmed for 12 days and never had any problem with the injections.

ruby696

That was awesome @emmasemm. Such great information.

inthewoods23

Wow I have a lot to mull over @emmasemm!!

I think my RE said PGD but I can't remember at this point as it was a month ago. My AFC back in November was over 30 so I could definitely produce a lot of eggs to make into embyros if I respond to stims well. I'm hoping we have a lot of embryos to choose from when the time comes but we won't know until almost June!

chichiphin

I love when you slap some knowledge down, @emmasemm

celticknotfire

@emmasemm to the rescue again!  Hope things are going better for you and you're getting some answers!

nitnat007

I am going to do my best to try and keep up with the thread this week. 

@madcouplewithabox I just brought up the SA topic with MH over the weekend. He will need to go back in for one to see where we stand, but honestly don't have high hopes that there is any improvement. GL for his interview tomorrow and having the talk. 

@b_1029 Sorry to hear that you are sitting out a couple months. FX that it really goes quickly for you both. 

@inthewoods23 I am so excited for you to start your IVF cycle. I know it can seem overwhelming, but taking those steps forward are so goo. On the testing, we didn't do it and our clinic does not push for it either. I think it really is a personal choice. I have read pros and cons on both sides. GL!

@celticknotfire Totally normal to feel bloated and also, don't hold those numbers are gospel either. I had a mid stim freak out when they only found like five follicles on the u/s, but on day of retrieval I had 12 mature. Hoping everything goes smoothly moving forward. 

@ruby696 So sorry to hear that IUI was not successful for you. Good luck with the FSH injections. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA; MFI 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): On our own still

How are things going?: On the ttc front, nothing to report. For us to go through IVF again MH will need to do two separate SA tests. One that is covered by our provincial medical insurance and hopefully determine that we are eligible to have ICSI covered through our medical insurance, and then another by the clinic that is OOP and is the one that really gives us the details on where we stand. I am encouraging MH to have the first one done soon so we can gauge the situation and maybe start thinking about our next cycle? But who knows when we would be able to fit that in with everything else going on. 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What's your favorite movie? Tough one, so many good ones. Braveheart, only because it was actually on this weekend. 

celticknotfire

@nitnat007 thank you so much!  That makes me feel much better because I was having a bit of a freak out.  Hopefully YH can get that first SA done and you can have some idea on what steps to take next.

kbrown2385

I’m late but I’m here 🙂.

@madcouplewithabox I hope yh’s interview goes well!

@b_1029 I hope you’re able to get some answers from your testing.

@inthewoods23 The secret garden is a favorite of mine as well. 

@celticknotfire I hope they continue to grow for you!

@ruby696 fx the injections go well!

@nitnat007 hope yh does his sa soon. It’d be nice to have an idea of where you stand.


Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained rpl

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): tww

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): just waiting for dh’s sa results

How are things going?: inadvertently gave it a shot this cycle so we will see in a few days how it went. 

Any questions?: nope 

GTKY: What's your favorite movie? Like books, there’s too many to choose from. The secret garden and the goonies from my childhood for sure. I still remember the first time I saw the goonies. Also, I love you man is one I always go back too. Paul Rudd is my favorite. 

emmasemm

@madcouplewithabox I really hope your DH has good news on the job front

@b_1029 there are pros and cons of both approaches. But if you don’t have any ovulation issues IUI might make more sense. But like others said know your insurance and what part the money side makes in taking the decision.

@celticknotfire sounds like your follicles sizes are spot on! That they are within 5mm of each other is great as if they time the trigger right they might all be in range for maturity at the same time. Keeping everything crossed! And yes even with two follicles I felt bloated! My ovaries would still quadruple in volume!

@ruby696 if you’ve only got one shot with injectibles then make sure they check this is a good month for you with AFC and your baseline labs. If not I would suggest to wait and try again next month. Even with my crappy low AFC it can vary from 1 to 4 per cycle - and if your E2 and/or FSH is high already at baseline then the injectible FSH won’t give you maximum benefit.

@inthewoods23 Ok so if your carrier screening was clear either:
1. You misheard and she said PGT, easy to do with Ds and Ts
2. She doesn’t know you know things and “dummed it down” for you - don’t let her do this
3. She has no frigging clue what she’s talking about, in which case run for the hills!
4. There was something from your screening they didn’t tell you - take your records and run for the hills again!
From what you’ve said I think she plans PGT-A (PGS) as you are the text book candidate for it.
And with 30 follicles did they test for the other markers of PCOS and rule it out? As that number is in the range... 

@nitnat007 hey old friend! I hope things are settling slightly with all the other things you have going on. I think getting the first SA as soon as your DH can fit it in is a good plan. For the other one is it with additional sorting and DNA fragmentation?

Diagnosis (if you've been): DOR AMA Autoimmune Fibroid Adenomyosis 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TTA 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Had an operative Hysteroscopy today to remove polyps and check the other “suspicious” areas of my uterine lining! 

How are things going?: Today I will mostly be sleeping as had general anesthesia for the procedure today and was under for almost an hour. Tomorrow I get to work from home and then will see the rest of the week depending if I have any discomfort. After previous procedures I worked the next day but they wanted to sign me off sick for 2 weeks... crazy doctors! 
They were in the same spot as 6 weeks ago and hadn’t grown. And they send them off to histology and checked for endometritis too whilst they were there. Also got some new pictures of inside my uterus to add to my collection. They reconfirmed it’s heart shaped but this cycle showed no “rough looking” piece in the middle of the Fundus, so either it was disturbance last time or just a one cycle thing. They said that can happen from time to time anyhow and especially with adenomyosis. 
Ah yeah - last Thursday they added adenomyosis to my diagnosis. It’s where the same cells that form the uterine lining also grow within the wall of the uterus. It’s like endometriosis but in the uterine wall you could say. There is limited treatment (if you want to retain fertility) and things like 3 months depot Lupron which are sometimes offered are not proven if they help or not. So we will hopefully talk with our RE in the next weeks to decide what to do next. We don’t really want to wait 3+ more months and then have to repeat ERA. But we don’t want to waste our hard won embryos...

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What's your favorite movie?
I will go with Love Story and International Velvet. Not sure if some of you younger kids know them 

inthewoods23

@emmasemm she's never mentioned PCOS to me. I thought my AMH was a little high (around 4.5) but she said everything looked good even though my research said that AMH above 4 could be a sign for PCOS. Why would my follicle count indicate PCOS?

emmasemm

@inthewoods23

A high AFC can be one indicator. Exactly how many follicles make ovaries considered polycystic is always under debate, but 15+ on each side or 30+ in total would almost certainly put you in that range for that symptom. If you research PCOS you might see mention of a “string of pearls” appearance of the ovaries on US, but it’s not necessary.

There is no one test for PCOS.
And the Rotterdam criteria which has been used for many years is not perfect either but gives a good guide.
Normally a doctor will consider a diagnosis if 2 of the Rotterdam criteria are confirmed (and other things ruled out) or additional symptoms fit.
High AMH and high AFC are two - other common checks are free testosterone level in your blood, blood glucose issues (pre diabetic kind of stuff - many people with this symptom go on metformin and notice improvements in fertility too), a bit (or a lot) more hairy than “normal” patients without PCOS, irregular cycles (shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days typically considered). And lots more - though some might be more the symptoms from the testosterone or blood sugar issues.

I think a little chat with your RE to ask about this and the PGD topic is a good idea.

Will also send you a pm

ruby696

@emmasemm I had my baseline US today, as well as a blood draw to check estriodol. I won't know if we're a go for this cycle until my labs are back this afternoon. I was pleased that my RE wouldn't go forward this cycle unless conditions were "perfect." I'm okay with waiting a month if it means our chances are better. I hope your recovery is uneventful and you're feeling good enough to work this week. And I really hope you don't have to wait a few more months.

@kbrown2385 FX YH has good SA results. And for a surprise this month (with a good egg). 

kbrown2385

@ruby696 7th times a charm, right? 😏

celticknotfire

@emmanemm thank you for the reassurance!  I had a repeat US today and I'm waiting for them to call with the results and further instructions.  Sounds like your procedure went relatively well and you got some answers.  My younger sister had adenomyosis and I know it's brutal.  FX your pathology report comes back quickly and with good results!

celticknotfire

Just got word that I trigger tomorrow for ER on Friday!!!!  I'm a whole mess of emotions right now!

emmasemm

@celticknotfire woohoo!
Prepare for a real rollercoaster emotionally - you get so many updates in quick succession that you don’t have much time to regroup between and feel like you’re waiting for the next info - how many retrieved, mature, fertilized, day 3 update, day 5 update, biopsies, frozen, PGS normal... 
So plan to give yourself some nice things over the next week and do things that relax and keep your mind busy.
Keep updating if you feel up to it - will be following to hear how it goes.
And if you need to let off steam or ask a specific question I’m only a pm away. 

inthewoods23

All hail the follicle growing gif!!!

madcouplewithabox

@celticknotfire so so very excited for you! This is not me “selling” something, I just find these ladies hilarious and fun. I think I’ve shared them here before, but they have an egg collection episode that’s fantastic! FX for some amazing results! 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fat-negative-ttc-fertility-infertility-and-ivf/id1431698726?i=1000429673932

keikilove

I've been laying low in anticipation of my appointment with a new RE.  I met her today and she is AMAZING.  She has expertise in autoimmune issues, believes in Eastern/alternative medicine, and was open to all my research as well as all my questions. LOVE. She is also a pioneer of IVF in my state and a well-respected researcher. Here are some things from the visit that may help others:

[*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; I am simply passing on info I learned. I am NOT recommending any diagnosis or treatment of or to anyone. Also, TW for mention of MC & LC*]

• Repeat early losses often indicate an immune issue.  Sometimes a mild antibiotic in the month before conception can help. Sometimes continuing it can help, but not a strong one and not for too long.  Prednisone/ Prednisolone can be given (4 mg a day) for the first 8ish weeks of pregnancy to keep the immune response down and help the pregnancy to stick.  At this dosage side effect risk is minimal.
• The ability to have one or two healthy LC and then begin experiencing miscarriages is an indication of an immune response kicking into high gear.  
• Repeat early losses can also be due to a response to SO's genes being too similar to your own, or a rejection of his sperm overall.  Testing should be done for compatibility.
• Later losses often indicate a blood-clotting disorder, even those that may not be discovered yet.  PAI-1 was routinely screened for years ago & is much more common than doctors treat it now.  All clotting disorder tests should be run on those with RPL, not just the most common clotting disorders.
• Many people would benefit from being on Lovenox or Heparin from Ovulation--there are many things out there that go undiagnosed or that we don't know about yet.  (My hematologist said this same exact thing.) **MFMs & many REs will not recommend this, but it's because they're afraid to try anything other than the protocols they know (her words).  Lots of wasted time, money, and heartache when a simple solution is out there for many (her words).
• Natural killer cells should be measured before pregnancy & periodically throughout pregnancy. They can become overactive in some people and "attack" the pregnancy.  The company she trusts to run this test is ReproSource (they have an Immunology Supply Kit for various tests).  They will mail a test kit to you, doctor's office draws blood & sends back.
• If you have a Naturopath, Acupuncturist, or Herbalist that you trust, do follow their advice for treatments before seeking out more invasive medication of Western treatment.  They've been doing medicine for 3,000 years longer than western society (her words).

If you want to know more about these types of protocols, check out the 3 main Reproductive Immunologists in the country: Alan E. Beer Center in California, Dr. Kwak Kim in Chicago, and Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology in New York.  Some will do phone consults, some won't without an initial in-person, some take insurance, some don't.  I feel SO lucky to have found someone in my neck of the woods who is doing what these 3 sought-after doctors do.  Feel free to PM me if you want more info.  Prayers for success for all of us!  

inthewoods23

@keikilove that's great that you have found such a good RE!

AF finally arrived so I guess I better call my RE and get myself prepped for this crazy IVF process!

keikilove

EDIT: I don’t know if this really goes here. Before two days ago I thought I was dealing with IF but now my new RE says it’s definitely RPL we need to get to the bottom of. Am I still welcome here? Does RPL go here with IF on TB?
*General TW for talk of PG stuff*

I got a positive HPT last week, just like my beautiful chart suggested I would. I didn’t post anywhere about it because I knew it may not stick, and also I didn’t want to make an announcement & bum anybody out here as this last week was particularly rough for lots of people, and I didn’t want to have to post a few days later with a loss. Well, after a week’s excitement it is a 3rd MC in 7 months. 

I saw my new RE anyway (even though I’d gotten the positive) in case I’d be right back to see her for more help in future months. [She said it was ridiculous for the last RE to test my AMH or do a saline sono since my problem is clearly RPL & not exactly IF. She is an RE herself but said too many of these places are factories just looking to make money on IVF by scaring women with AMA/DOR/low AMH. She is a breath of fresh air for sure!]

Anyway, sure enough, the tests she ran show that even though my progesterone appeared “normal” when my Gen. Practitioner tested it on CD 19-21 last month, it plummeted this past week to barely perceptible. (Luckily, HCG numbers show that the embryo did implant successfully, so I can knock that off my list of concerns.) So the progesterone mystery is the next path I’m going down to find out why these PGs won’t stick. I saw that Dr. Braverman in NY has a theory that it can be an immune issue where the body will attack the progesterone to inhibit it being absorbed by the body. Also, Dr. Kwak Kim in CHI insists on all her patients’ progesterone being at 35-40 for healthy conception & PG, so my “normal” progesterone test last month was way too low. My new RE has prescribed oral progesterone to start, we may add more things later. We are still waiting on other test results for Natural Killer cell levels, etc.  

I wanted to share this because I didn’t know progesterone could look “normal” in a non-pregnant state & then change so dramatically. @marebear15  I know you’ve been wondering about your progesterone levels. This might be of interest to you. 

Last, I had a super easy time getting a free 30-minute phone consult with another renowned Reproductive Immunology group located in Greece, called Locus Medicus. I know a few of you are getting to the end of your IF road so I want to share this in case it helps you before you close the chapter. They test for all types of things. The women I’ve been learning from have had particular success with Locus Medicus’s tests for hidden infections in you or your husband that should be treated with antibiotics before attempting another round of HIO/IUI/IVF. Their tests are much more comprehensive (AND CHEAP) compared to what we have access to in the US. I will share any helpful tips I may get during the consult. I learned about them from one of my private IF/RPL FB groups. As always, send me a PM & let me know if you want any more info. 

https://www.locus-medicus.com/

lcking82

@keikilove:  hugs to you. 

nitnat007

@kbrown2385 GL on YH's SA results. When do you think you will hear back?

@emmasemm When we talked to our RE about DNA fragmentation he did not think it was a necessary step for us. Possibly more so due to the fact that it is not something that our clinic does in house. It would be costly to send away for. And given that we have major issues in other areas, and could be facing donor anyway, potentially just not worth the extra cost at this time? We will get a much better idea on morphology and acrosome defects though. 
Really hope that you are feeling better now after your procedure and back to work. I guess those doctors really don't know how tough you are!! Interested to see how they proceed with your adenomyosis though. That was something that was thrown around for myself in the early stages but they were not able to verify without surgery. 

@celticknotfire FX for your retrieval today! Let us know how you make out.   

@keikilove I am so sorry to hear that you have gone through another loss. It sounds like the new RE may have  a better understanding of what your needs may be. I do like the fact that she isn't just pushing you towards IVF as the quick fix and will investigate other options first. Adding the extra progesterone would definitely be something that I would try, if I were you. 
Did you go ahead and do a test kit with locus medicus? I would be curious on how you make out with that. 
As for where you should post, I think there have been ladies that have suffered from RPL and continued to post here in the IF thread. If this is where you are comfortable, I don't see why you should not continue to do so. 
*hugs*

celticknotfire

ER went well this morning.  We got 9 eggs which is more than I expected so I'm happy!  Thank you all for your support it really means a lot to me.  Now I'm off to rest the rest of the day and begin the waiting game.

inthewoods23

I guess I've been mistaken this whole time that my retrieval would be next month. Nope it's in June. But FET should be right away in July so no biggie I guess.

I must say my one gripe with my clinic is that their calendars are just a list with dates. This was fine with the IUIs since they're less involved, but it's the same with the IVF timeline and there's notes written around it's kind of a mess 😬 I plan on creating my own calendar sheet to make it easier to read.

My M-W-F monitoring appointments during stims is the same week I have multi-day training at another location so that really threw a wrench into things but there is 1 nurse who can come in to do 6:45 appointments for me which should be just perfect for the drive time to the training. Kind of a blessing that I don't have to tell people I have a week of every other day appointments since I won't be in the office!

inthewoods23

Meds question - how many of you have coverage for your IVF meds and what did you pay? My app seems to indicate they are but with coverage review (whatever that means). The "price your meds" says (assuming I entered this right since I have no idea what my doses are at this point) lupron, menopur, gonal-f, etc. is like $1-3k each so I'm very curious what costs might actually be with this so called "coverage" I have.

ruby696

I'm paying OOP @inthewoods23, so I'm no help. I will say I paid $1500 for 7 days of follistim. I assume I'll need to pay for a few more days after my US on Sunday.

inthewoods23

@ruby696 I'm hoping the prices the app gave me are the full OOP costs and not the cost if the coverage review is good/approved/whatever.

I know she said the mail pharmacy I've been going through always looks for the best prices based on my insurance coverage but I'm really hoping I don't have to fight to pay something reasonable!

ruby696

@inthewoods23 I get mine through a mail pharmacy and they included needles I didn't need. If you do go through them, make sure you know exactly what they're sending you so you don't get charged for supplies you don't need.