8th transfer - meds

[JustAGirl21]

So... on day 2 of my cycle. Have been given the go ahead to start my estradiol tablets today. Previous transfers I keep having implantation failure or miscarriages. Someone mentioned it could be that progesterone is too low in my body. Doc has given permission to double up on cyclogest pessaries when I start them this time (my clinic don’t do progesterone injections). In addition I’ll be on steroids (just in case NK cell levels are too high), blood thinning injections (no clots but just another trial thing), metformin (only handle 1 a day), hydroxychloroquine (to prevent miscarriages) and the standard folic acid 5mg. Also taking pregnacare and CoQ10.

Anyone had anything similar where it’s then worked for them? It’s so frustrating not knowing what I need to change to make it a BFP and then for it to continue!

I’ve had an endometrial scratch, hysteroscopy, bloods, scans, they can’t find anything wrong.

[Millbanks]

Sorry to hear about your losses. Have you had an ERA/ALICE/EMMA biopsy done? X

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you. I’ve not had any of those tests however my lining has usually been ok. I guess they’re worth looking into, just to rule another thing out or make sure if that’s the problem we can somehow resolve it.

[Millbanks in reply to JustAGirl21]

So the ERA test determines the exact window of implantation. Have a Google. About 10% of women need more or less time on progesterone before their endometrium is ready for implantation. Xx

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Millbanks]

I’ll ask my clinic about it but I’m sure they don’t do it. I’ll have to go get a private one done. But can you get one done outside of a transfer and then use that info for future transfers? X

[Millbanks in reply to JustAGirl21]

So you do a mock transfer cycle, and on the day they would normally transfer you have the biopsy. If your window of implantation is different to what they have been doing already, then they would adjust that for your next FET. Xx

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Millbanks]

Great. Thank you for the advice. Trying not to put too much hope into this next transfer only to be let down again. But least I have a plan for next time. Just need to find a clinic that does this ERA test around Manchester. Hope everything goes well with your Jan transfer x

[Millbanks in reply to JustAGirl21]

It’s definitely not always the answer but mine was 24 hours later than we’d been doing, so in theory our previous transfers wouldn’t have stood a chance. I’m hoping this helps our next transfer. Lots of luck to you xxx

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Millbanks]

At this point, I’m just trusting the clinic to work out the best time to transfer. Hopefully it’ll work for you this time around! Thanks xx

[sunset212 in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks did you do a natural cycle?. My clininc transfers LH surge + 6 days = transfer day. Do you mean they transferred LH surge + 7? x

[Millbanks in reply to sunset212]

Hi sunset, no mine was medicated. I’m not sure how it would work with a natural cycle, sorry xx

[Pcck in reply to JustAGirl21]

I believe Reproductive Health Group, near Warrington, do this test. I don't know much more about the place, as I've never been. Just done the research as we're going to have the endometrial tests if we have another miscarriage. Good luck with your current go though 🤞

[sunset212]

Hi what are your reasons for a medicated transfer, ie taking estridol, do you have PCOS? If you ovulate naturally you could try a natural FET transfer and just take progesterone from ovulation? That is one change to try? Have you had thyroid and prolactin checked? Regarding progesterone i was on 2 pessaries a day totalling 800mg. if blood levels are still low with pesseries ( ask clinic to check your level day of transfer) should be over 50, then ask for injection on top i know its helped some ladies. I wouldn't personally bother with endometrial scratch its not proven to make any difference. Have the clinic told you grades of your embryos and the quality is ok? Are you transferring day 5/6 embryos? Good luck really hope this transfer is the one for you x x

[JustAGirl21 in reply to sunset212]

They suspect PCOS as I have 2 of the 3 conditions they said - irregular periods, excessive hair than normal but not the weight gain. Not sure if I do ovulate naturally every month hence medicated. But I did get pregnant twice naturally before Ivf. Then tried for about 1.5 years and nothing so started ivf. Pretty sure they have checked thyroid and prolactin. They said all my bloods were fine. I have asked my clinic for progesterone injection but they said they don’t do that. Previously I’ve been on 2 pessaries a day but this time I’m going to take 4 a day. I had the scratch in October then a transfer November. It didn’t work. The embryos are day 5 blastocysts and all good grades (a friend told me I was wasting potential baby’s by having another transfer with no plan in place!). Thank you - I feel like it won’t be the one to be honest but I needed to try and change something from previous transfers. So this time I’m doubling up the progesterone and hoping it works but not putting too much faith in. If it doesn’t, I’ll have to look into what I can try next. X

[Mk919 in reply to JustAGirl21]

Also add acupuncture the day of transfer

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Mk919]

They’re not working during lockdown are they?

[sunset212]

Also as hard as it is try to relax, i'm sure the mind can stop things, i remember a friend who did lots of transfers and naturally of course got more stressed each time, don't think IF it will happen but it will happen x x

[JustAGirl21 in reply to sunset212]

Did it eventually work out for your friend? X

[sunset212 in reply to JustAGirl21]

It did X

[poppiek]

Hello, I’m so sorry for your miscarriages and implantation issues. It’s heartbreaking ❤️ maybe it might be an issue with the embryos? Some clinics do genetic testing, it’s not a guarantee but might help. It’s expensive though, and it’s not always 100% accurate. I know of a few ladies at my clinic that are doing it so thought I’d mention it. Good luck for the upcoming transfer, I have my fingers crossed for you 😘

[JustAGirl21 in reply to poppiek]

Hi poppiek, thank you for your message. It is heartbreaking 😔 My doc suggested pgt testing to me because I think she’s running out of things to trial with me. However I would have to go private in my area for that and it is very expensive. I spoke to the embryologist and she said my egg quality seems to be fine. I think it might be an option later down the line, once I finish this nhs funded cycle. Thank you for the good wishes x

[Mk919]

If you’ve had that many implantation failures you need lovenox shot starting day of transfer! I had and issue with implementation failure 3 times and they then added lovenox and baby aspirin I’m currently 35 weeks with twins . Please tell your dr this will change your life I promise! Good luck mama!

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Mk919]

Hi Mk919, it seems lovenox shots are blood thinning injections and I have taken those - Tinzaparin injections one a day from the day after transfer. My blood doesn’t have any clots but I had read it online and suggested it to my doc and she gave them to me. I did two transfers on them and they didn’t work for me. I’ll take them again with this transfer though, just in case. Although I’m a bit worried coz if they thin your blood, maybe that means it makes the endometrium lining shed away? As for baby aspirin, I have enquired about it but they don’t recommend it till after 6 weeks pregnant. Thank you though. Good luck with your pregnancy!

[Mk919 in reply to JustAGirl21]

Hey what about Pepcid as well? This all helped me and is your linning thick on day of transfer? & when do they have you starting you progesterone in oil shots

[JustAGirl21 in reply to Mk919]

Pepcid seems to be a heartburn blocker. I don’t think I need that. My lining is usually thick on the day of transfer. They do a scan 5 days before transfer and my lining has usually been ok. I don’t have progesterone oil shots, just progesterone and pessaries, which I’m doubling for this next transfer.