Infertility Veterans

Throwing my hands up. (long)

Well, the latest round of autoimmune testing came back perfectly normal. Painfully normal. Doc re-tested ANA and T4, then threw in DHEA, P17, and something that tested specifically for Hashimoto's. Prior to this we did all the standard Lupus, blood clotting, and genetic markers. We've even tested insulin resistance, something looking for Celiac, and confirmed that I've got all normal chromosomes (and so does DH).

There is nothing wrong with me. I have a beautiful uterus. We make pretty embryos and the majority last until day 5. The only indication we have for infertility at all is my husband's motile sperm count- and even that is high enough (100k) to get by with ICSI without really worrying if we'll have enough. DH is 32, I'm 31.

There's no d@mn reason why we've put 7 day 5 embryos in over 4 transfers and only gotten a singleton 6w miscarriage. The doctor is out of tests to run on us. Our last option is to defrost our last 3, do a microarray and see if any of them are competent for a day 6 transfer.

 Asked the doc if we could test NK and he said that their practice doesn't really handle that (and he's dubious about what it could do for us)- but he could put me in touch with a reproductive immunologist if I wanted/needed to do that before another transfer. I told him to go ahead and start the process of getting my records to a RI. There's only one in Houston that he knows of- which lines up with my research- I couldn't find even one.

So we're at a bit of a crossroads. If we had crappy embryos, or bad stimming, or any of my testing came back even slightly ambiguous- I could look for something to "fix" it. But there's nothing to fix. We are a medical mystery. We can keep throwing money at the problem or give up after our last three frosties are gone.

Just my long winded update. If you made it this far, have a cupcake :) (I'm on my iPad so no picture, sorry!)

image
Friends for 17 years. Married 10. TTC since Jan 2009.
3 IVFs, 4 FETs, 11 transferred embryos, 3 losses (c/p, 6w, 17w)
2012: Lost "Peanut" at 17weeks to PTL/IC.
 Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
2013: IVF#3/FET#4  Elisabeth CJ born April 30, 2014
Cerclage, P17, and 3 months of bed rest brought us our Rainbow.
Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
 Dum spiro, spero.

Re: Throwing my hands up. (long)

  • Hey there, u changed ur name right?

    Have u done a SCSA on DH's sperm?  I'd try that.  I had 36 eggs retreived, and only made ONE decent embie.  I'm supposed to be perfect.

    The RE basically said that my husband has crappy sperm, and we need the one good one to meet a good egg.  And that can take A LOT of cycles...or we could have moved on to DS.

    Good luck

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  • imagevanessagorc:

    Hey there, u changed ur name right?

    Have u done a SCSA on DH's sperm?  I'd try that.  I had 36 eggs retreived, and only made ONE decent embie.  I'm supposed to be perfect.

    The RE basically said that my husband has crappy sperm, and we need the one good one to meet a good egg.  And that can take A LOT of cycles...or we could have moved on to DS.

    Good luck

    Sorry you have to go through this. It sucks. It's worse you seem to have it all perfect and still get nothing. Hugs.

    PAIF and SAIF Always Welcome!
    TTC since 2007
    6 IUIs, 3 IVFs, and 2 m/c :< PCOS, Blood Clotting Disorder & MFI
    IVF #2 Aug 2011 is a BFN:<
    IVF #3 March 2012 is a BFN
    Not sure what to do now. Sad and lost.
    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
  • Yep, name change because I lost access to the email the other account was on and lost my password. Had to start over.

    We haven't done anything beyond the standard analysis because the RE can't see any point if the majority of what we retrieve is making it to day 5 and looking healthy. That is why we're microarray'ing the last 3 though- just in case there's a silent issue with the sperm (or I guess the eggs, but no reason to think the eggs are scrambled).

    image
    Friends for 17 years. Married 10. TTC since Jan 2009.
    3 IVFs, 4 FETs, 11 transferred embryos, 3 losses (c/p, 6w, 17w)
    2012: Lost "Peanut" at 17weeks to PTL/IC.
     Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
    2013: IVF#3/FET#4  Elisabeth CJ born April 30, 2014
    Cerclage, P17, and 3 months of bed rest brought us our Rainbow.
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
     Dum spiro, spero.
  • It might be worth it to look at the sperm more in depth, bc good looking embies can still be abnormal. 
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  • mm29mm29 member
    Have you discussed doing the pgd on your embryos? That may help answer some questions.
    ::: Married June 2003:::
    TTC #1 since: Aug. 2008
    Me: 34, DOR, MTHFR-A1298C (heterozygous), decreased blood flow to uterus, Mild Endo
    DH: 38, Balanced translocation 5&10, unexplained MFI, normal SA and SCSA
    Tx History: IUI 1&2= BFN
    IVF# 1 W/ICSI= BFN
    IVF# 2: cancelled d/t no response
    IVF# 3= 1 egg retrieved=immature/not viable
    IVF# 4= c/p
    ***CCRM ODWU***
    Found DHs BT and Me-decreased blood flow to uterus
    Recommended DE IVF w/PGD, incorporate electro-acupuncture. Decided to cycle locally
    ***New RE***
    DE IVF# 1(cycle #6) w/pgd, (freeze all): 30R, 23M, 15F, slow/poor embryo development, 4 biopsied, 1 Normal "Norm"; DE IVF w/PGD, incorporate electro-acupuncture. 
    IVF# 6: (OE/DS) cancelled
    IVF# 7: (OE/DS) 1R, 1M, 1F, arrested day 5
    Plan-DE IVF# 2 (cycle #8): DE/DS in May 2015


    http://icanhazbabyz.blogspot.com/
    imageimage image 
  • (((hugs))) I'm so sorry.  It's so frustrating when you're left wondering if there's something the RE is missing.  Sending T&P's your way.
    Me: 35 DH: 37 TTC since 4/2010
    DX: 6/9/2011: Azoo ICSI/IVF only option for biological child
    IVF #1: ER - 9/26 * ET - 10/1 * beta#1 10/13 - 140 * beta#2 10/17 - 477 * beta#3 10/20 - 1101
    1st u/s at 6w6d - one hb * 2nd u/s at 8w3d - no hb detected 11/10/11 * natural m/c 11/13/11
    FET #1 Jan/Feb 2012 - 3 delays - cancelled 2/13
    FET #1.2 - May/June 2012 - ET 6/6/* beta#1 6/15 - 95 * beta #2 6/19 - 322 * beta #3 6/22 - 940
    7/6 1st u/s @ 7 weeks - one beautiful hb - released from RE
    EDD 2/22/2013
    PAIF/SAIF/PGAL welcome
    imageimageimageimage
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • I am so sorry Ecleptic. It's so much more infuriating when you have no answers. Have you done PGD on the embryos or is that what you plan to do with this new doctor? I hate to say this, but I hope they find something and are able to fix it for your next cycle. IF is so unfair. 
    AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers
    TTC since March/April 2010
    DX: MFI - less than 1 million sperm, 26% motility
    DH put on anastrozole to increase counts
    June/July 2011 100 mg Clomid + TS IUI#1 & IUI 2 - BFN :-(
    Forced break due to DH getting spinal surgery in August 2011
    IVF - January 2012: BFN
    FET in April 2012 - BFP at 6dp5dt! Beta #1 at 9dp5dt: 82.5, Beta #2 at 12dp5dt: 352 Beta #3 at 19dp5dt: 6000, saw heartbeat and one little bean at 5W6D!
    After nearly 3 years of waiting our LO was born December 18th 2012!
    image
  • I would suggest 2 things.

    CGH testing on day 5 blasts and speaking to the RI. 

    day 5 blasts are not always genetically viable and CGH can show you what quality the blasts are.

    an RI can do the nk testing and others and see if you have immune issues that are preventing implantation.

    i'm with an RI this pregnancy and i think it has made a huge difference.

    image
    Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, It empties today of its strength. ~Corrie ten Boom
    Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher (thank you beadinglady)

    It's been a long journey. TTC since 9/06. multiple IUI's and IVF's and 4 m/c's. IVF#3 = BFP, twins, induced at 34w6d due to baby b passing away (no explanation). Delivered on 35w1d, Baby A - baby girl, and Baby B - baby boy, our little angel.
    MTHFR A1298C & C677T, Immune Issues and Factor II
  • Sorry you have not gotten any solid answers. I know that is extremely frustrating. I agree with worms suggestsions- RI and CGH. I'm sure you know this already- but with severe MFI there is typically a high percentage of chromosomally abnormal sperm. For us, we've only transferred high quality blasts that we assumed would be normal- but they have not been. We are thinking of doing CGH with our next round to see if any of the blasts we make are normal. Good luck!! :)

    Also- would you mind pm-ing me the name of the RI? I didn't know there was one in Houston. Thanks. :)


    DH: Severe MFI/Azoo Me: Compound heterozygous MTHFR
    IVF #1= m/c- methotrexate @6w2d
    FET #1= BFN
    IVF #2= m/c- D&C @8w5d
    IVF #3= Beta #1 9dp5dt= 252, Beta #2 11dp5dt= 417, Beta #3 17dp5dt= 4,952
    US #2 @ 7w2d= twins, baby B measuring behind
    US #3 @ 8w5d= Baby A doing well, no HR in baby B
    *S/PAIF always welcome* BabyFetus Ticker
  • This sounds eerily similar to us, except we've only had 4 transfered with one frozen and one fresh cycle left. 

    AmCheri posted the other day IF about an e.tegrity test where they do a uterine biopsy to see if there's an issue as to why things aren't sticking. I've considered doing it, although I'm not quite sure about the company (the email they sent was not as professional as I would have liked).  

    I feel you so much. It's such a hurdle to even get a positive pregnancy test, let alone more. Coupled with MFI issues, the chances of even getting there are slim, so if you have miscarriage issues there's no real way to find out or to get doctors to take you seriously. 

    Hopefully your docs can figure something out, although I'm sure you're at your wits end with all that you've invested.  

    Lately we've even been discussing a surrogate from India. Crazy what IF will bring you to.  

     

    (Live in Europe) TTC since 1/2010
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