Back from WTF...and still in beta hell (long)

may2806

As I was typing this post, the dr called and my beta actually went up to 1038 (previous betas were 237, 517, 513, 400) - she wants me to come in tomorrow for an u/s but I think this is too low for being 5w3d to actually have it be viable... my last m/c my level continued to go up even though the growth had stopped. But she did mention again the possibility of having had it go from twins to one. I'm not getting my hopes up.
Anyway, at the WTF I didn't exactly get answers, but the dr did have some good suggestions. She had DH do karotyping which I was pretty sure we had done before but they couldn't find it in our records. Instead of doing further sperm testing which she says doesn't really tell you much about how to treat it, she suggested spending the money on CGH/PGD. She also suggested we could use some DS if we wanted, in order to see if they produced much better embies. I kind of hate to do this because I feel like we'll be making a last minute decision on whose sperm to use, but it is something to consider.
She agreed to let me start the Lovenox a little earlier (right after transfer) and also to put me on a low-dose steroid to possibly help with endo inflammation. She's also going to do and endometrial biopsy after the m/c, plus another SHG.
She agreed we should switch to a proven donor but didn't think that having nothing to freeze was an indication of anything, and again quoted me the 'only 30 percent have frosties' stat.
The only thing she didn't go for was the immune stuff - she says they used to do intrallipids and actually saw a reduction in pg rates (apparently there was also some study about this), and that there was a reason only a couple doctors like SIRM believe in this stuff. I really do like my clinic and want to continue there, but I'm worried that the immune stuff is the cause and I'm just having tunnel vision by not wanting to switch drs yet again...but also SIRM doesn't have a great donor program. But if I fail another cycle here I will have spent a lot of money OOP and then have to make the decision about SIRM or adoption at that point - probably won't have enough money to pursue both. Not to mention the time factor, I'm just getting so sick of this!
WDYT? Thanks for listening...

STL34

One thing you could do is set up a telephone consult with an SIRM RE and ask if they would order the immune testing.  If it comes back negative, then maybe you have your answer.  If it shows something you can make a fully informed decision.

I know some of the SIRM REs are willing to order the testing.  You don't actually have to be seen in a clinic to get this testing as it is shipped off to a third party lab.  My clinic used MILab (formerly Millenova) for their immune testing.

That being said, I went to (and I guess will be going back) to SIRM-St. Louis.  They don't have in house donors.  So, you do have to find your own donor (typically through one of the independent agencies). 

Good luck!

jcath

I'm sorry your beta hell is ongoing.  I don't know what to say, they do look low but that was quite a jump.  I'm glad you have some plans for moving forward.  I think using some donor sperm is actually a good natural experiment to see if it improves the embryo quality.  I don't know anything about the immune testing...sorry.

patchen30

I've been where you are mentally where you're afraid you're missing something b/c your gut is telling you to go one way vs. the other.  For example, I thought long and hard about switching clinics to SIRM to try the immune testing stuff too, but my gut was telling me no, b/c I'm very happy with my clinic.  I think sometimes you have to just trust yourself.  If you don't want to switch clincs, you probably have good reasons for it. 

I think the PGD/CGH suggestion and the DS suggestion sound good.  You might want to ask if there are actually higher rates for CGH cycles vs. regular cycles though, b/c there haven't been many studies yet showing that it improves live-birth rates. 

GL.

theworms

i hate that you are in beta hell cutie, so unfair.

as STL mentioned you can get a 2nd opinion at SIRM and do the testing, you'll get an answer.  if they are positive you can make a decision then but at least you'll have answers.

after my m/c's i just wanted answers and am willing to look into everything possible. 

((HUGS))

 

hollymichael

I know you don't want to get your hopes up, but that was quite a jump. I am still going to keep my fingers crossed for you.

You are already doing most of the immune stuff they would recommend at SIRM--lovenox & steroids. So, the only other thing you could add would be the intralipids.  I might ask her if she could send you a link to the study so you could see for yourself. That is the first time I have heard of it lowering pregnancy rates.

I think the karotyping is a good idea.

meg_koole

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this.  I really hope you can get some answers via u/s and at least be able to move forward one way or the other!

JM1977

I'm sorry you're in limbo.  This is a lot to process, and I wish you peace with all of the decisions you have to make.