Our next steps is an ERA for which I’ll be starting the cycle in the early part of Oct. Can anyone tell me exactly what is tested please? I know it’s NK cells and progesterone but the info from our clinic mentions “biomarkers of interest”. Is anything else tested? We’ve tried to get as much info from the nurse as poss but have been told that if we want to know any more then we need to book in a (paid for) consultation with the specialist at our clinic. We saw her for free in Feb but that was 7 months ago and obvs can’t remember all the details. Also, at the time, I wasn’t that keen on doing it so didn’t take it in 100%. I feel a bit put out that after all the money we’ve spent with them, I can’t have a free quick 10 min chat!
Any knowledge/ advice, as always re the test, would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Xx
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hifer
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Hey hifer, so we had the ERA/ALICE/EMMA. The ERA is for the progesterone timing, the EMMA is to check that you uterus has healthy bacteria (a bit like the gut weirdly) and the ALICE is to check for infections. I'm not sure if you are having the trio or not but if you have a look at igenomix, there is more detailed info. Give me a shout if you have any specific questions that I can maybe help with. Here is a wee link.
Ha thank you. Super helpful! Those links cover just about everything, thank you!! I’m not sure what I’m having exactly either so need to get to the bottom of that. You’re brill! 😘xx
I did last month ERA test, I had a mock cycle (mimicking FET) when I had 5.5 days of progesterone they have taken a small tissue from my endometrium lining. Procedure was very painful when they took the sample (for about 1-2min) after that I felt nothing. 2 weeks later I received the result “receptive” so I only need 5.5 days of progesterone.
They are only checking when you are the most receptive and when your lining is prepared to accept the little embryo ❤️ and is more likely to implant 🤰
Oh good, another painful procedure to add to the list 🤦♀️!! I really do think if you can get through IVF, you can get through anything! Glad you got your results back. So you’re preparing for a transfer now? X
Yes, I am preparing now for long waited transfer day ❤️ Counting each day and praying for restrictions to be lifted, especially all these rumours about a new lockdown are making me nervous as I need to travel abroad 😬
I was afraid that I will be in pain all day after procedure. I flew to Spain alone and returned on the same day so I was very anxious but I felt nothing once I left the clinic (thanks Goddess!!) 🤞just prepare yourself for when the procedure is done is painful like hell (I don’t want to scare you, sorry )🙈 but is better to be aware.
Cinderella5 can also advise whether she found it painful or just bearable 😁
It’s so hard when we have to do these things by ourselves when frankly it’s bad enough when someone is by your side! Well done for getting through it. Thanks for the heads up re pain levels! I’d rather be prepared to be honest. Keeping everything crossed for you for your transfer prep 🤞🤞. I’m the same as you, am expecting lockdown in London so hopefully treatment won’t stop too!! Xx
Hey Ranchu90, I would say similar to hifer! So my advice is to take a strong painkiller an hour beforehand and to take a panty liner for spotting. I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty nippy....took my breath away.😮 However it was over very quickly (10 secs) and after he original pain goes, only mild cramping which disappears quickly. We had a jolly round London for the day and visited winter wonderland....and the painkiller prior and the wine made it better!!🙈🤣🤣xxx
Haha sounds like an excellent way to get over it. Thanks for the feedback. I had an MVA in June with no anaesthetic so I think if you can get through that, hopefully I’ll be ok!! All these procedures are so flippin painful!! Will remember the wine after. 🙏😘xx
I saw a top fertility consultant yesterday and he recommended ERA /Alice and EMA. I wil be starting mock cycle about the same time as you - around 11th Oct. I too found it a lot to understand so you're not alone. My clinic printed info out for me but Cinderella5 is such a great source of info and experience. Hifer I think you have PGS tested embryos like me? (I've got 3 normal ones frozen in the Czech Repubic) Im considering doing Lubion progesterone in morn and utrogestan pessaries in eve for my next transfer by the way. Apparently Lubion is better bit costs more hence half half protocol.
Hey, I'm on lubion too but twice a day plus pessaries....we kind of threw everything that it. Lubion is ok but I think had I known I was doing 2 per day (lubion in the UK is around £48 for 7 vials at Asda but cheaper abroad) I would have asked for progesterone oil injections....cost wise its probably cheaper and although its intramuscular so sorer it works very well and just once a day! I'm sure the high progesterone has been key for me this time along with ERA. Best of luck!xxx
So many drug options to consider. Thanks for the Asda tip. And yes I will ask about progesterone oils. So many varients on here... In my heart of hearts Im hoping that my obstacle so far has been dud embryos and as lobg as I get lots of regular progesterone it will work. More and more niggling worries that Czech Republic will close its boarders as their covid has shot through the roof. I wouldn't want to be too old a mum....must keep fit and well so my child dosent turn into a carer. Moral dilemma I suppose. Getting ahead of myself again! So glad its going well for you. You had a wining cocktail of drugs! Im impressed that hifer was able to inject into her own bum. The things we will go through for a baba! X
Hey there, ah good to have a cycle buddy. 👏👏. Well done on your 3 PGS tested embryos. I have 2 now. Transferred 1 in Jan but didn’t work but got another 1 from a round I just did (and already had 1 from last year). I’m on Progynova, Everol patches and Cyclogest for this round for my ERA. For my transfer in Jan I was on Prontogest every day for progesterone. It’s quite painful after many days and it’s best to get someone else to do the injections (they have to go into your bum) although I ended up doing quite a few as my husband was working away. For the fresh transfer I’ve just done I was on Cyclogest 3 times a day (pessaries) and Prontogest every 3 days. My clinic try not to prescribe Prontogest every day for patients now as the feedback is that it’s actually quite painful. For some reason, I’ve never been prescribed Lubion. Not sure why. All these drugs are a bit of a minefield. 🤯 Good luck with your ERA. I should be starting at a very similar date to you xx
Hi hifer. Thanks for your insight on Progesterone injections. Lubion was my suggestion or it would just be Uterogestan. For the mock ERA the nurse said its fine just to use the leftover utrogestan from my full IVF cycles in Aug. I actually have to normal embryos and one inconclusive as the DNA sample wasnt sufficient but thry have said its definitely worth keeping. Is the ERA biopsy painful? X
I’ll be using left over drugs too! They can get expensive so best to use what you’ve got if you can. The feedback on here is that it’s best to take a painkiller an hour before the ERA and perhaps take a panty liner for spotting after. I think the actual biopsy stings quite a bit but it’s quite quick and I think the pain subsides relatively quickly. Hopefully it won’t be too bad for either of us. X
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