Back to RE.

[jessesmom]

I have an appointment with my RE wednesday. I think I'm going to ask for immunological testing and I'm thinking I have a progesterone deficiency too. Since it's been over a year since we've seen him, I have to get new CD3 bloodwork and another saline sonogram. I think I may ask for another couple of sperm analyses for DH. Anywho, that is where we are...

[jbosmith33]

It sounds like a good plan! The immunological testing is what did it for me. I never had a miscarriage so I had to ask for test. It was worth it.

[Penny76]

Sounds like a good plan!! Good luck!

[jessesmom]

It sounds like a good plan! The immunological testing is what did it for me. I never had a miscarriage so I had to ask for test. It was worth it.

Were there specific tests you asked for or just immunological testing as a whole? Would you mind sharing what the testing revealed for you and how it was treated?

[jbosmith33]

I'll have to get my notes out tonight and look, but basically it was antibody testing. They discovered that my white blood cells were hyperactive and there was a possibility that they wouldn't allow an embryo to form - I was over clotting. The first part of the test (which is a two-vial blood draw from both you and your DH) sees if maybe your antibodies aren't compatible with each other, and then they test them individually. It was discovered my make-up was the problem. We had the testing done in preparation for IVF - I wanted to cover all my bases if I was going to spend the money on IVF.

After the test results, we decided to do one more IUI with this new information. I did just Follistim shots (dropped the Femara) with ultrasounds and then had the IUI on a Saturday. Two days later, I started twice daily shots of Heparin. That lowered my clotting ability, and I got pregnant. I stayed on the Heparin until 48 hours before delivery. You can change to Lovanox which is a once-daily synthetic blood thinner but by the time I could change it would have only been for a few weeks and it was more expensive. I was diagnosed with PCOS, non-ovulation, and ultimately antiphospholipid syndrome. Here is more info on the syndome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiphospholipid_syndrome and here is info on the blood test, http://www.apsfa.org/aps.htm.

[jbosmith33]

I forgot, they also added a baby aspirin a day as soon as I was diagnosed. I started those in July and took those in conjuntion with my 1000 mg Metformin that I had been on for a year. I got pregnant in November, and stayed on the baby aspirin until six weeks post-partum. I should probably start taking it again...

[Penny76]

I also had the antibody testing done prior to the three IUI's we did. I had posted a thread here asking if anyone could suggest any testing that I should do before hand and Jamie suggested the antibody testing and I believe that Jen suggested Thyroid testing. Anyways, my bloodwork all came back normal. My RE didn't think the testing was necessary but agreed to do it to give me peace of mind.

[jessesmom]

Thank you ladies!! I just want to get us figured out.

[erinmoses]

Good luck Amy! Let us know how it goes! Im excited for you guys

[jessesmom]

Jaime and Penny have suggested antibody and thyroid (I've had thyroid tested twice before and it was normal). Can anyone think of any other testing?? Any other questions?

I do want to change the timing up on my IUIs. I am convinced that I ovulate BEFORE my IUIs which have always been at 36 hours. I'm thinking of doing doubles, one at 12 and one at 36. Has anyone ever had issues with the timing?

[jessesmom]

Today's appointment was great! I had blood drawn and he ordered antibody, coagulating, and Anti Mullerian hormone test. We are doing another sperm analyses. DH hasn't had one in 3 years. I have been sooo paranoid about my tubes being an issue. My tubes are open and my doc believes if that was an issue, I would've had a tubal by now.

Today was CD2 for me, so we could've started an IUI this month but I want to wait for the results of those tests before we do anything.

So, we just wait for those results!

[Penny76]

I was wondering how the appointment went and I'm glad you're having all the bloodwork done. I wish you best of luck this time!!!!!