@jennifer_louise I hope you’re a magical unicorn too that gets KU on the first round of clomid! If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that IF is just a sh*t ton of waiting haha. As for your last week or so- it’s probably a combination of the two. I was really grouchy on a clomid too. Zooey is a good one btw, I want to come to this hangout! But only if jake Johnson is there too.
@whatsbumpinpumpkin welcome back! I hope all of your meetings go well. I wish I had a good answer for vetting doctors but I don’t I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your OBGYN. How frustrating.
@emmasemm good luck today! I hope everything goes well, especially your travel there!
TTC #1 since 7.2017 Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3| all BFN IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name" RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer 2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20 Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21 Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023 Consultation with RI | 6.6.23 Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56 Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox Repeat labs in 8 weeks Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues TTC ended due to filing divorce **New relationship starting May 2024** Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
I must say we have had a lot of action going on lately. Multiple ERs and FETs and people scheduling consults! I'm so excited for everyone!
*TW* History
TTC #1 since 7.2017 Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3| all BFN IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name" RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer 2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20 Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21 Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023 Consultation with RI | 6.6.23 Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56 Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox Repeat labs in 8 weeks Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues TTC ended due to filing divorce **New relationship starting May 2024** Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@whatsbumpinpumpkin hello old friend. Welcome back. Good to see you, and glad to hear you’re feeling better now that you’ve had a chance to work through your diagnosis. Happy for you that you’re ready to move forward with ttc again!! Keeping my FX that you’ll get the green light.
@celticknotfire. 4dp5dt is Absolutely without question, way early. ❤ Even "+"'s at 5dp5dt are only ever crazy squinters, if anything at all. How are you feeling today?
Me: 31 Husby: 36 Married May 2014 TTC # 2 Since December 2021 Baby girl W born 2/2021 Our journey so far... (tw loss & infertility)
Diagnosis: Poor Egg Quality Working with an RE since March 2016 2 failed TI cycles 3 failed IUI cycles
IVF Feb - April 2017 23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17 BFP 4.21.17 MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17
Our adoption journey: 12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted! 5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house! 1.1.20 Homestudy process started 3.14.20 First social worker visit 5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency
6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test! Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021
@BusinessWife I knew it was too early but lesson learned I guess. I'm definitely feeling the effects of the progesterone and trying not to get frustrated by it. I'm waiting until Thursday to test again to try and avoid any more disappointment.
Me:37 MH:37
TTGP since 07/2017
**TW** in spoiler
DX: PCOS, anovulatory, AMA
Femara X3: no response
Clomid X3: BFN (cyst and thin lining)
IUI (Dec '18) MMC
IVF (April '19) 9 retrieved, 7 fertilized, 2 normal PGT-A
Sorry I didn’t update yesterday (Tuesday) as we were so late home we just crashed straight to sleep. Short version - transfer went super smoothly and we now have two great quality day 3 embryos on board!
Longer version in spoiler ;-)
So after all my “doomsday planning” in the end it wasn’t needed - but I felt much better for it, you know, that little bit of control in a process where we have so little control! This transfer was such a different experience to my previous two when I just went in on my lunch break and it was very clinical in comparison.
We got up at 4am to go and catch our flight. DH can sleep anywhere so must have recovered about 4 me hours during the day - me, I was wide awake the whole time! The flight landed on time (a rare occurrence in itself!), the journey by train into London was smooth and we dropped into the clinic to sign the final paperwork so they could thaw our embryos. Now, *maybe* we all had a giggle over how well known my instructions were on which embryos to thaw in which order and under which circumstances... as in even the receptionist knew!
When we went to buy our London Underground tickets I paid with my card, but when I fished the tickets out someone had left a penny - which we took as a good luck sign. It’s safely tucked in a special part of my wallet. Having been ALL about the science for the last two years, I’m now willing to throw any kind of magic into the mix too - so quite happy when someone told me it’s a full moon and this Friday is the summer solstice! Plus it’s the anniversary of our first date this week!
In between we went for breakfast and DH had a coffee, then back for transfer. It was going to be delayed as they’d had a more complex retrieval in the morning, and the girl before me for transfer was super stressed about it. In the end we got to go in on time ahead of them because she emptied her bladder by mistake...
There were lots of hugs all round with the staff before we even started, everyone was really quite emotional. More than me! I wore my special socks and kept my sunglasses on underneath the hair net which just added a touch of glamour to the proceedings! They were so lovely in explaining everything as we went along to DH - as he’s not quite as familiar with my uterus as I am! Catheter placement was straightforward and the embryos came out of their catheter first time. We could clearly see where the little bit of fluid with the embryos in ended it and how it came to rest over the next minutes. Text book placement! Both the embryos we selected thawed perfectly - they even had already continued dividing by the last check before they went into the catheter which is very encouraging and the embryologist upgraded them to their best grade for day 3s! Some of you may know there is a rumor that laughter is good for implantation... well I’m not sure laughing during transfer is indicated, but they were playing some music in the background and at the moment the Cather came in the room with the embryos it switched over to Sade “Smooth operator” which had us all in stitches! DH proceeded to do a mock slow dance to it and so I was giggling the whole time. They also let him take all the photos he wanted of the screens and catheter etc.
Afterwards we went to a really nice Argentinian steak restaurant and had a “date” together with really great food using only bio ingredients and a completely plastic free environment. After that we took a taxi to a different airport to fly home - but with a few hours to spare where DH made a presentation for work and I just watched the world go by. Flight home was delayed for take off - but we had a good tailwind and landed pretty much on time - so home just after 11pm last night and pretty much fell straight asleep!
Today is the start of my “TWW retreat” - well it’s more a staycation. Previously I worked as normal - but this time I’ve taken the whole time to beta off and have lined up some relaxing gentle activities to keep me busy but hopefully also keep me relaxed. We all know normal stress levels have nothing to do with success or failure, but my job can be a bit higher stress sometimes and as we’ve spent a crazy amount of money and time we don’t want to look back and wonder “what if I’d take then time off”. DH is still working and next week is away on a course, so hoping I don’t go too stir crazy!
Once again thanks so much for all thinking of us - it really does mean a lot.
Me 43 DH 45 Married 12/2016 TTC #1 since 04/2015 AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis 7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Jun19 FET BFP, due date 7th March 2020, DD born Feb20
Sep17 IVF1 - 1ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high) May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality) Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst) Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality) Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH) Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Sep17 - Pergoveris 10-17 Sep, Orgalutran 15-18 Sep, Ovitrelle 18 Sep, ER 20 Sep for 2 follies, 1 mature egg, fertilized, ET 1x 2d 4-cell embryo 22/09, 05/10 BFN Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
@ruby696 oh wow that is so great your Mum will lend you the money and that you got an appointment so soon!
@whatsbumpinpumpkin welcome back and hope you get the all clear to move forward again. Misdiagnoses are unfortunately all too common. My mother has the same autoimmune diseases as me but was not diagnosed for more than 20 years after first clear symptoms and now has compromised movement in her hands (can’t open a twist cap on a bottle etc and she’s only 60).
@jennifer_louise clomid does affect some people a lot more than others. If you’re struggling on it please talk to your doctor about maybe switching next cycle if this isn’t successful - letrozole for example seems to induce less emotional side effects in most people.
@keikilove ok, so a few things TW as talk of HCG - but other stuff mixed in
There are very few reasons why your body makes ANY HCG at all - I assume numbers were not high enough (and have since gone down) to warrant checking for a tumor somewhere it shouldn’t be. The labs I have used over the past 2.5 years have different thresholds for a “positive” betaHCG - some at 5, most at 10 and one at 20! Please don’t post your numbers here (glad you didn’t) but if you want to bounce more ideas around feel free to Pm me them so you can have an extra set of ideas to quiz your doctor with. As anecdotal evidence, my bHCG is often between 0 and 5 even mid cycle before ovulation. So there are very low levels which can be around - and so far no doctor can tell me exactly why. Absolute zero I tend to only get at baseline.
You mention low progesterone - I thought you are supplementing? As a hint, to get mine just above 20 I need to do one shot of progesterone and four times a day of Cyclogest 400mg to get that. For most people 400mg Cyclogest twice a day is enough, or just one shot a day. So push hard on the progesterone supplementation and I suggest getting it checked each time 7dpo and upping it if it’s not high enough. Then keep monitoring it weekly if successful through at lest the first 6-8 weeks. Very early chemicals are typically for one of three reasons - embryo not genetically normal, issues with uterine lining (structural) or immune issues. Autoimmune and clotting are actually very closely linked, and i think we had a few posts on this already. Will your Dr put you on steroids and blood thinners even not in an IVF cycle? Also you don’t need to be doing IVF to do intralipids. They’re just more commonly used after IVF as they have ruled out more of the other potential causes already. Alloimmune is the other topic - have you had the DQ alpha and HLA testing done on both of you? (For everyone else, this is the testing they do if you want to be or need a donor organ, bone marrow etc - but in those cases they want you to be a match!). If you are a close match this typically causes (repeated) chemicals - implantation very shallow as it can never get a good “root” into the uterine lining, HCG numbers tend to be at the lower end of the normal range, or too low, for the DPO. Treatment is limited - if you’re a partial match it’s a numbers game, but very important to only ever have one embryo trying to implant at a time (as if you have one that isn’t matching you, you don’t want it to fail because another one at the same time does match you). If you’re full matches (unlikely but has happened) then typically they suggest a GC who is not a match or using at least one set of donor gametes which is not a match to the other partner or the carrier. Alloimmune is still seen as a bit hocuspocus by many doctors unfortunately. I assume you’ve also both been checked to see if you are RH negative and your DH is RH positive? Normally it’s only related to TFAS (won’t go into the details now...) but there are a few cases which can cause it to lead to primary IF issues.
Once again, with all the above, I really do wonder how the human race has made it this far!!! So even if anyone reading this thinks the odds are stacked against us, just remember we’re talking about some very uncommon aspects here. I don’t think extinction is imminent
And info is only from my time researching these topics is my own and of course not medical advice!
Me 43 DH 45 Married 12/2016 TTC #1 since 04/2015 AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis 7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Jun19 FET BFP, due date 7th March 2020, DD born Feb20
Sep17 IVF1 - 1ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high) May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality) Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst) Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality) Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH) Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Sep17 - Pergoveris 10-17 Sep, Orgalutran 15-18 Sep, Ovitrelle 18 Sep, ER 20 Sep for 2 follies, 1 mature egg, fertilized, ET 1x 2d 4-cell embryo 22/09, 05/10 BFN Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
@emmasemm Your entire day sounds absolutely perfect, amazing, and exhausting! I was touched to hear how emotional your medical team was—super sweet!—as well as the fits of laughing😄. Of course that positivity helps! With all the great things swirling around the universe right now (full moon, solstice etc) and around you (first date anni) it’s hard to imagine anything but the best possible outcome. FX & prayers up for you!🙏🏽❤️🤞🏽
As for your responses, thank you SO MUCH! You’re amazing. Re: the HCG, I will PM you the specifics. **TWs below for general talk of HCG & Chemicals**
Suffice it to say my HCG levels are higher than all the thresholds you listed but not by much, and getting lower with each chemical. This makes me wonder if my NK cells are catching the embryo earlier & earlier & putting a stop to it. And it is at 0 or <1 about 1-2 weeks after each loss.
Re: the progesterone, I am supplementing. Not sure if somehow this info could help someone else going through this mystery so I will share it here: First I self-medicated with topical progesterone cream for two months. Both times my levels came back at 21 with the 7DPO test—well within normal range on the test used here, actually on the high end of normal for that phase of my cycle. Then, I met my great RE right after I had a BFP & she immediately tested my progesterone: it was only at 2 even with the topical cream & having been totally normal the previous cycle. She put me on 200 mg oral progesterone right away but too late to save that one. Two cycles later it again came back at 21 on 7DPO with the oral supplementation, but with BFP it dropped to 14. They told me to double my dose to 400, which I did right away, but it dropped to only 4 within a couple of days & again another loss. So now I have the injections & will combine that w the oral, then track it exactly as you described. Hoping this is the key!
My RE says she will treat me like I’m doing IVF—hence the steroids, intralipids, maybe adding Neupogen, etc. I really appreciate you adding that info about the DQ & HLA testing. These I have just started to hear of but have not done & didn't understand their purpose before your explanation. I will ask my RE about doing that next. DH & I don’t have RH- blood types, but I do understand how that works so thank you for covering that base. I can use all the ideas & help I can get!❤️
@keikilove the evidence on progesterone creams and orally is very weak - the only studies I know of (recent) which indicate any kind of progesterone supplementation outside of an IVF cycle is using pessaries such as Cyclogest at the 400mg every 12 hours. Ask for that. The creams and tablets were designed for HRT which needs much lower levels to keep cycles going during/after menopause. Will watch out for your pm later
Me 43 DH 45 Married 12/2016 TTC #1 since 04/2015 AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis 7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Jun19 FET BFP, due date 7th March 2020, DD born Feb20
Sep17 IVF1 - 1ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high) May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality) Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality) Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst) Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality) Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH) Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Sep17 - Pergoveris 10-17 Sep, Orgalutran 15-18 Sep, Ovitrelle 18 Sep, ER 20 Sep for 2 follies, 1 mature egg, fertilized, ET 1x 2d 4-cell embryo 22/09, 05/10 BFN Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
@emmasemm I’m so happy your whirlwind of a day went well!!! Fx & like you and keiki mentioned - that full moon, penny, & first date anniversary can’t hurt!!!
@emmasemm so happy that things went well and you and YH had some fun with it. I hope all the “magic” things help! Hope you have a nice, relaxing TWW! Will you have to fly back or will everything shift back home?
@emmasemm glad everything went smooth! What an emotional day it much have been!
*TW* History
TTC #1 since 7.2017 Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3| all BFN IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name" RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer 2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20 Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21 Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023 Consultation with RI | 6.6.23 Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56 Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox Repeat labs in 8 weeks Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues TTC ended due to filing divorce **New relationship starting May 2024** Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@emmasemm I loved reading your recap of your day. It sounds like everything went perfectly and I hope your tww retreat is wonderfully relaxing. Looking forward to updates. I’ve got all the things crossed for you!
@emmasemm I am so happy everything went well for you! I was laughing a little during my transfer too so hopefully that's exactly what we both need. You had such a great day I'm sure that helps too!
Me:37 MH:37
TTGP since 07/2017
**TW** in spoiler
DX: PCOS, anovulatory, AMA
Femara X3: no response
Clomid X3: BFN (cyst and thin lining)
IUI (Dec '18) MMC
IVF (April '19) 9 retrieved, 7 fertilized, 2 normal PGT-A
@emmasemm I'm so happy everything went well! So many great signs!
Thank you everybody who asked how I was feeling. I'm doing a lot better now.
3 Day report
So far all 13 have progressed for my 3 day report. I'm so glad that I didn't lose any but I know that the 5 day is where the drop offs tend to happen but I"m feeling cautiously optimistic.
@littleredm that's great! Hope your numbers stay up on day 5!
*TW* History
TTC #1 since 7.2017 Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3| all BFN IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name" RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer 2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20 Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21 Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023 Consultation with RI | 6.6.23 Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56 Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox Repeat labs in 8 weeks Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues TTC ended due to filing divorce **New relationship starting May 2024** Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@emmasemm I was just lurking you to see when your transfer was! I'm so happy to hear that everything went well! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for sticky embies these next 2 weeks!
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Me: 38 DH: 38 Married 6/11/16 TTC Since 6/2016 12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal 3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve 8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC 7/2018 Clomid+IUI 11/2018 Letrozole+TI 12/2018 Letrozole+IUI 2/2019 NTNP 5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
Not without its drama before and after, getting there, but the apt itself was very positive! DH ended up bringing me so he did come in afterall, and it was nice not to have to be there alone for the first visit. Only light AF, but we still called it for CD2 hormones, and got me on the schedule for the SHG next week! Hoping of course, for all clear news so I can just bide my time, report a few CD1s, watch my training videos, get meds in place, and go for it! Have to fill a 3-day doxy script in prep for the SHG, so I might try to do that tonight so theresplenty of time. So happy and excited!!!
Yes! @celticknotfire. And I am just still kind of flabbergasted. She's recommending a modified natural cycle FET. Whaaaa!?? So I don't know that much about it except that they told me it wasnt an option before. I guess they wanted to see how everything went in a more controlled situation first. But since I do have pretty regular cycles on my own, she is recommending we take advantage of that!
This study was published in March 2018: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5894530/#!po=3.19149
So this is kind of blowing my mind. The only thing is, the study did not include embies created through surgical sperm extraction, like ours were. Not sure if that makes a huge difference given they were all still frozen on day 5, vs. Just wanting to keep another variable out of a study, kwim?
So we still need to get to a year out, and if we go with the NC-FET the transfer date can be more variable, too. But we are getting there!
Re: IF Testing & Treatment w/o 6.17
@whatsbumpinpumpkin welcome back! I hope all of your meetings go well. I wish I had a good answer for vetting doctors but I don’t
@emmasemm good luck today! I hope everything goes well, especially your travel there!
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC ended due to filing divorce
**New relationship starting May 2024**
Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
I must say we have had a lot of action going on lately. Multiple ERs and FETs and people scheduling consults! I'm so excited for everyone!
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC ended due to filing divorce
**New relationship starting May 2024**
Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@whatsbumpinpumpkin hello old friend. Welcome back. Good to see you, and glad to hear you’re feeling better now that you’ve had a chance to work through your diagnosis. Happy for you that you’re ready to move forward with ttc again!! Keeping my FX that you’ll get the green light.
@emmasemm hope everything went well today!
@inthewoods23 that’s so exciting about your little frosties. Yay!! My heart is singing for you right now.
@littleredm ❤️ So excited for you too! Sending you hugs this week, I know father’s day wasn’t easy.
ETA:
@ruby696 almost forgot to send you some massive hugs too! What a wonderful gesture from your mom.
TTC History:
Me: 36 MH: 39, TTC since Dec 2017
Aug '18: PCOS dx
Nov '18: MH SA - 19mil
Dec '18-Mar '19: Letrozole + TI - all BFN
Apr '19: Letrozole + TI, - BFN. Repeat SA (27mil) & DNA fragmentation test (17%)
Aug '19: Letrozole + HCG trigger + IUI + prog supp - BFN (MH: 16mil)
Sep '19: 2nd IUI, same protocol - BFN (MH: 16mil)
Dec '19: IVF #1 w/ICSI, PGT. 5 retrieved, 4 fertilized, 3 blasts, 3 PGT-A normal.
Mar '20: FET #1, perfect 5AA blast transferred. BFN.
Sept '20: FET #2, 5BB tsf. 9/18/20 BFP!! EDD: 5/27/21. MMC 11w
Feb ‘21: FET #3, last 6BB blast transferred. BFP, EDD 11/2/21. MC 5w3d.
May '21: IVF #2 w/ICSI, PGT. 8R, 7M, 6F, 6 blasts - 3AB, 3AB, 3BB, 4BB, 5BB, 6BA. Fresh tsf 5/13/21 - BFN.
June '21: PGT-A results = 3 abnormal, 1 low level mosaic. Referred to new REI, had consult with 2nd RE in between.
Sept '21: RPL, immune testing normal
Oct '21: IVF #3 w/IMSI, PGT. 33R, 26M, 23F, 9 blasts (7 day 6, 2 day 7). PGT-A = 5 normal, 1 mosaic
Dec '21: Positive for endometritis, RX Flagyl & Keflex
Jan '22: FET #5 - Kitchen sink immune/RIF protocol incl. PRP, intralipids, prednisone, medrol, nivestym, fragmin - CP
Feb '22: FET #6 - Kitchen sink immune/RIF protocol w/higher doses of pred & fragmin - BFN
Mar '22: Mock cycle for ERA - cancelled, repeat endometrial biopsy instead. Still positive for endometritis. RX ciprofloxacin & amoxicillin.
Apr '22: IVF #4 w/IMSI, PGT. 28R, 23M, 16F, 11 blasts. PGT-A = 6 normal.
June '22: FET #7 - Microdose lupron downreg w/kitchen sink immune/RIF protocol - double embryo transfer. BFN.
July '22: FET #8 - Mini stim w/Puregon + trigger, kitchen sink immune/RIF protocol. BFN.
Sep '22: Taking a break
Dec '22: Attempted abdominal myomectomy, fibroid too close to cervix and major blood vessels. Wasn't removed.
Feb '23: FET #9 - Modified natural w/baby asp, HCG trigger, PIO, PRP, Medrol, HCG wash, embryo glue - BFP!! EDD 11/11/23
@littleredm hows it going? Feeling any better?
@whatsbumpinpumpkin Welcome back!
@emmasemm thinking about you!!!
Married May 2014
TTC # 2 Since December 2021
Baby girl W born 2/2021
Our journey so far...
(tw loss & infertility)
Working with an RE since March 2016
2 failed TI cycles
3 failed IUI cycles
IVF Feb - April 2017
23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal
Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17
BFP 4.21.17
MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17
Our adoption journey:
12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted!
5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house!
1.1.20 Homestudy process started
3.14.20 First social worker visit
5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency
6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test!
Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021
Sorry I didn’t update yesterday (Tuesday) as we were so late home we just crashed straight to sleep.
Short version - transfer went super smoothly and we now have two great quality day 3 embryos on board!
Longer version in spoiler ;-)
This transfer was such a different experience to my previous two when I just went in on my lunch break and it was very clinical in comparison.
We got up at 4am to go and catch our flight. DH can sleep anywhere so must have recovered about 4 me hours during the day - me, I was wide awake the whole time! The flight landed on time (a rare occurrence in itself!), the journey by train into London was smooth and we dropped into the clinic to sign the final paperwork so they could thaw our embryos. Now, *maybe* we all had a giggle over how well known my instructions were on which embryos to thaw in which order and under which circumstances... as in even the receptionist knew!
When we went to buy our London Underground tickets I paid with my card, but when I fished the tickets out someone had left a penny - which we took as a good luck sign. It’s safely tucked in a special part of my wallet.
Having been ALL about the science for the last two years, I’m now willing to throw any kind of magic into the mix too - so quite happy when someone told me it’s a full moon and this Friday is the summer solstice! Plus it’s the anniversary of our first date this week!
In between we went for breakfast and DH had a coffee, then back for transfer. It was going to be delayed as they’d had a more complex retrieval in the morning, and the girl before me for transfer was super stressed about it. In the end we got to go in on time ahead of them because she emptied her bladder by mistake...
There were lots of hugs all round with the staff before we even started, everyone was really quite emotional. More than me! I wore my special socks and kept my sunglasses on underneath the hair net which just added a touch of glamour to the proceedings!
They were so lovely in explaining everything as we went along to DH - as he’s not quite as familiar with my uterus as I am! Catheter placement was straightforward and the embryos came out of their catheter first time. We could clearly see where the little bit of fluid with the embryos in ended it and how it came to rest over the next minutes. Text book placement!
Both the embryos we selected thawed perfectly - they even had already continued dividing by the last check before they went into the catheter which is very encouraging and the embryologist upgraded them to their best grade for day 3s!
Some of you may know there is a rumor that laughter is good for implantation... well I’m not sure laughing during transfer is indicated, but they were playing some music in the background and at the moment the Cather came in the room with the embryos it switched over to Sade “Smooth operator” which had us all in stitches! DH proceeded to do a mock slow dance to it and so I was giggling the whole time.
They also let him take all the photos he wanted of the screens and catheter etc.
Afterwards we went to a really nice Argentinian steak restaurant and had a “date” together with really great food using only bio ingredients and a completely plastic free environment.
After that we took a taxi to a different airport to fly home - but with a few hours to spare where DH made a presentation for work and I just watched the world go by.
Flight home was delayed for take off - but we had a good tailwind and landed pretty much on time - so home just after 11pm last night and pretty much fell straight asleep!
Today is the start of my “TWW retreat” - well it’s more a staycation. Previously I worked as normal - but this time I’ve taken the whole time to beta off and have lined up some relaxing gentle activities to keep me busy but hopefully also keep me relaxed. We all know normal stress levels have nothing to do with success or failure, but my job can be a bit higher stress sometimes and as we’ve spent a crazy amount of money and time we don’t want to look back and wonder “what if I’d take then time off”. DH is still working and next week is away on a course, so hoping I don’t go too stir crazy!
Once again thanks so much for all thinking of us - it really does mean a lot.
Married 12/2016
TTC #1 since 04/2015
AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis
7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F
Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN
Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing
Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high)
May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality)
Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst)
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality)
Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH)
Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control
Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy
Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis
Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed
Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize
Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN
May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
@ruby696 oh wow that is so great your Mum will lend you the money and that you got an appointment so soon!
@whatsbumpinpumpkin welcome back and hope you get the all clear to move forward again. Misdiagnoses are unfortunately all too common. My mother has the same autoimmune diseases as me but was not diagnosed for more than 20 years after first clear symptoms and now has compromised movement in her hands (can’t open a twist cap on a bottle etc and she’s only 60).
@jennifer_louise clomid does affect some people a lot more than others. If you’re struggling on it please talk to your doctor about maybe switching next cycle if this isn’t successful - letrozole for example seems to induce less emotional side effects in most people.
@celticknotfire thinking of you
@littleredm hope you’re recovering ok now
@keikilove
ok, so a few things
TW as talk of HCG - but other stuff mixed in
The labs I have used over the past 2.5 years have different thresholds for a “positive” betaHCG - some at 5, most at 10 and one at 20! Please don’t post your numbers here (glad you didn’t) but if you want to bounce more ideas around feel free to Pm me them so you can have an extra set of ideas to quiz your doctor with.
As anecdotal evidence, my bHCG is often between 0 and 5 even mid cycle before ovulation. So there are very low levels which can be around - and so far no doctor can tell me exactly why. Absolute zero I tend to only get at baseline.
Very early chemicals are typically for one of three reasons - embryo not genetically normal, issues with uterine lining (structural) or immune issues.
Autoimmune and clotting are actually very closely linked, and i think we had a few posts on this already. Will your Dr put you on steroids and blood thinners even not in an IVF cycle? Also you don’t need to be doing IVF to do intralipids. They’re just more commonly used after IVF as they have ruled out more of the other potential causes already.
Alloimmune is the other topic - have you had the DQ alpha and HLA testing done on both of you?
(For everyone else, this is the testing they do if you want to be or need a donor organ, bone marrow etc - but in those cases they want you to be a match!).
If you are a close match this typically causes (repeated) chemicals - implantation very shallow as it can never get a good “root” into the uterine lining, HCG numbers tend to be at the lower end of the normal range, or too low, for the DPO. Treatment is limited - if you’re a partial match it’s a numbers game, but very important to only ever have one embryo trying to implant at a time (as if you have one that isn’t matching you, you don’t want it to fail because another one at the same time does match you). If you’re full matches (unlikely but has happened) then typically they suggest a GC who is not a match or using at least one set of donor gametes which is not a match to the other partner or the carrier. Alloimmune is still seen as a bit hocuspocus by many doctors unfortunately.
I assume you’ve also both been checked to see if you are RH negative and your DH is RH positive? Normally it’s only related to TFAS (won’t go into the details now...) but there are a few cases which can cause it to lead to primary IF issues.
Once again, with all the above, I really do wonder how the human race has made it this far!!! So even if anyone reading this thinks the odds are stacked against us, just remember we’re talking about some very uncommon aspects here. I don’t think extinction is imminent
And info is only from my time researching these topics is my own and of course not medical advice!
Married 12/2016
TTC #1 since 04/2015
AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis
7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F
Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN
Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing
Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high)
May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality)
Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst)
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality)
Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH)
Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control
Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy
Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis
Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed
Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize
Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN
May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
As for your responses, thank you SO MUCH! You’re amazing. Re: the HCG, I will PM you the specifics. **TWs below for general talk of HCG & Chemicals**
My RE says she will treat me like I’m doing IVF—hence the steroids, intralipids, maybe adding Neupogen, etc. I really appreciate you adding that info about the DQ & HLA testing. These I have just started to hear of but have not done & didn't understand their purpose before your explanation. I will ask my RE about doing that next. DH & I don’t have RH- blood types, but I do understand how that works so thank you for covering that base. I can use all the ideas & help I can get!❤️
The creams and tablets were designed for HRT which needs much lower levels to keep cycles going during/after menopause.
Will watch out for your pm later
Married 12/2016
TTC #1 since 04/2015
AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis
7 retrievals, 3 transfers
Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F
Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN
Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing
Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high)
May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality)
Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst)
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality)
Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH)
Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control
Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy
Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis
Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed
Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize
Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN
May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality
Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality
Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality
Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC ended due to filing divorce
**New relationship starting May 2024**
Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
@emmasemm I loved reading your recap of your day. It sounds like everything went perfectly and I hope your tww retreat is wonderfully relaxing. Looking forward to updates. I’ve got all the things crossed for you!
And thanks for the tip about Clomid! MH actually suggested the same thing.
@littleredm I'm glad you're doing better. FX you get good news on day 5!
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC ended due to filing divorce
**New relationship starting May 2024**
Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Married 6/11/16
TTC Since 6/2016
12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal
3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve
8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC
7/2018 Clomid+IUI
11/2018 Letrozole+TI
12/2018 Letrozole+IUI
2/2019 NTNP
5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
Not without its drama before and after, getting there, but the apt itself was very positive! DH ended up bringing me so he did come in afterall, and it was nice not to have to be there alone for the first visit. Only light AF, but we still called it for CD2 hormones, and got me on the schedule for the SHG next week! Hoping of course, for all clear news so I can just bide my time, report a few CD1s, watch my training videos, get meds in place, and go for it! Have to fill a 3-day doxy script in prep for the SHG, so I might try to do that tonight so theresplenty of time. So happy and excited!!!
This study was published in March 2018:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5894530/#!po=3.19149
So this is kind of blowing my mind. The only thing is, the study did not include embies created through surgical sperm extraction, like ours were. Not sure if that makes a huge difference given they were all still frozen on day 5, vs. Just wanting to keep another variable out of a study, kwim?
So we still need to get to a year out, and if we go with the NC-FET the transfer date can be more variable, too. But we are getting there!