I'm so sorry 💔 It's a very hard place to be. I'm in a similar situation. I use my own eggs, but most were made age 30 and under. 10 embryos (including 1 PGT-A normal) still haven't worked. I just had surgery and they found severe endometriosis. I'm hoping this is a major contributor. I did Chicago / immune bloods and they were a little abnormal (can be caused by endo). I've got an immune protocol (tacrolimus, neupogen, prednisone, etc.) and maybe adding IVIG next time. Is it possible for you to maybe to look into some of those options? Sending love xx
Thank you. I know endometriosis can be symptomless, but for me the main symptom was period pain (and fertility issues). I didn't want to do surgery initially as it's a big step and I've already done a million things, but it's unfortunately the only way to diagnose it. No one mentioned it to me either until approx the the 8th doctor in the 4th fertility clinic I've been to 🤦🏼♀ Wish I had done it sooner as my doctor says it's the main reason he sees for RIF and RPL in unexplained fertility issues. Who knew!
IVIG is a much stronger immune drug, given in an IV like intralipids. Intralipids only works for some ladies and for certain things, I tried intralipids for a few rounds unfortunately it didn't work for me. IVIG can treat a wide range of underlying immune / inflammation problems, but sadly it's really expensive. Or Humira is another option also, but I can't afford that as well right now. Might be best to look into more testing like the Chicago bloods first possibly, so you can see what's going on for you? xx
Hi Stacey, I'm so sorry, I know it's so devastating. I have had 14 transfers and no baby yet so I know how painful failed transfers are.
After so many transfers with donor eggs, for you, I think it's fair to say it's not the embryos that's the issue? I've had 3 chemicals and one miscarriage (most recent transfer) at 9 weeks... the rest were bfn. Have any of yours implanted? I see you're already on quite a heavy immune protocol. I would think the next logical step would be IVIG, as it's much stronger than intralipids? That's all I can really suggest.
Look after yourself and know that's it not your fault. You're doing everything you can. Don't give up, you'll get there. Sending love 💗
I’m so sorry Kimbob of what your going through to,I agree I don’t think it’s an embryo issue.
The very 1st transfer resulted in a BFP but lost at 6 weeks,since then all BFN.
Are you using DE?
What is your protocol? Have they said what could be causing?
My clinic just don’t seem concerned which I don’t know is a good thing or not?!
I’m feeling a little better today,as you know I think after so many failures you learn how to pick your self up,the worst part for me is I’m losing hope & the fear of if it hasn’t happened with all these embryos then I really don’t think it’s going to ☹️
No I'm using my own eggs. I have no issues with producing great quality blasts. Every egg collection I get anywhere between 5-8 high grade day 5 blastocysts which is why I keep going. It's 💯 my immune system that is the problem. Have you read 'is your body baby friendly' by Dr Alan Beer? I found it really helpful in understanding why my body might be rejecting my embryos.
The fact that your clinic is not concerned, is concerning. I believe it's a numbers game for about the first three transfers, anything past that, there's something really wrong and things need to be investigated further. My most recent transfer where we got to 9 weeks I was on quite an intense immune protocol and am just waiting to hear back if that embryo was abnormal or not. (2 weeks can't come fast enough)... if it was abnormal, then we'll do the same protocol again. If the embryo wasn't abnormal, then the next logical step will be IVIG. I hope it doesn't come to that because it's VERY expensive. But we haven't come this far to only come this far!!
If I were you I would look into making an appointment with a reproductive immunologist. All the best and feel free to message me if you need some extra support or have questions 💖
am so so sorry for all your pain ivf is such a rolacoxter have you checked if you have ADENOMYOSIS? This can cause implantation failure miscarriages and it can makes getting pregnant naturally very difficult . You can have MRI scan to check if you have this.
I am so sorry that this hasn’t worked so far for you. Have you ever tried blood thinners or been tested for any blood clotting issues ? Sending you love and luck x
I’ve had a few failures/ losses with OE.. all have been natural.
2 with DE, first didn’t implant, second was my first ever BFP with ivf. I have one embryo left which I hope to transfer next month.
With my OE the clinc has just put down to age. They won’t do an ERA because I have had implantation. I self referred myself for NKA cell testing. I know it’s still a new concept but I want to make sure that everything with me is ok before doing our last FET.
I'm so sorry to read this Stacey! I can completely relate to the fear of it never happening and it all being for nothing. Sending you a big hug and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! ❤️
I don't agree with your clinic's assessment that it's just a numbers game when you've had 8 DE transfers that haven't worked. I think they need to do more investigations and if they do they may find a reason as to why it's not working. Of course testing is extra money, so it's not always easy to go down the route of more investigations, but I think in your case it's important to try and find what the issue may be.
As you're using donor eggs I'd assume that embryo quality is unlikely to be the issue here. With that said I think you need to look into the following areas, if you haven't done so already:
- Adenomyosis and endometriosis - these can both affect implantation and you may not have any symptoms of either. If you have either of these, you can be put on a long down-regulation for between 1-3 months (not ideal I know) to shrink down the adenomyosis and endometriosis before doing another transfer.
- Uterine abnormalities - including scarring, adhesions, polyps, fibroids, congenital abnormalities, which could all affect implantation. A 3d saline sonogram is a fairly non-invasive and reliable way to check this out, but a hysteroscopy is the gold standard. But generally a hysteroscopy is only done if something is spotted on a 3d saline scan which needs to be investigated further.
- Fallopian tubes - check for hydrosalpinx which can cause significantly reduced implantation. This can be checked with an HSG, but I believe they can also check this with a 3d saline sonogram.
- Immune issues - I think you probably need to do full immunes testing, including both autoimmune and alloimmune issues. Particularly HLA screening for you and your partner, which I understand can in certain cases still potentially cause issues even if you're using donor eggs. It's probably also worth speaking with a reproductive immunologist.
- Blood clotting disorders - worth checking these too and seeing if you need to include blood thinning medication in addition to aspirin to your transfer protocols. Your clinic may be able to give you this to be on the safe side without any testing.
- PGT-A - you can also consider PGT-A testing your donor embryos if they're untested, just to rule this out, but I think it'd be very unlucky that all 8 DE embryos you've used so far were abnormal, but it's certainly still a possibility.
All in all I think it's worth pushing your clinic to find a reason. Telling you it's just a numbers game after all you've been through isn't good enough in my opinion.
I really hope you can find some answers soon as to why it's not working, however you choose to move forward with things.
thankyou so much for all this info,I am definitely going to push harder this time,I have 5 embryos left but really don’t want to transfer anymore without further testing!
I now only pay for future FETs if we have a heartbeat at 6 weeks with the shared risk program so I have a feeling my clinic are now going to want to do further testing!
I do take blood thinners already,and I have thought about hystoscopy but my clinic have never mentioned it so I’ve just always thought well there the ones who know what there doing! They are a very repitable clinic (don’t think I’m allowed to mention name on here?) and many others have had success on here that I know of.
They’ve changed my protocol slightly each time adding a little something different but nothing major.
The only real test I have had done is the ERATRIO test which all came back perfect.progesterone checks etc which have always been perfect.
Good luck with having those discussions with your clinic. In their defence, it can sometimes be difficult to find an exact reason why it may not be working. I also think that for the most part they're not dealing with more complex cases and not all doctors are proactive at trying to figure out the more tricky cases.
That's good you have blood thinners covered already. They may not have done a hysteroscopy if you've done a 3d saline scan, but you should have had something like this just to rule out any potential uterine issues.
Even though you've been on steroids and intrallipids, I really think it's worth exploring immune testing as well given your history. There may be other treatments available that may help if immune testing reveals something.
I don't blame you for being at a loss with it all. It's a very frustrating and difficult situation to be in!
I’m so sorry you are having to go through this. I agree with the idea about having your womb checked. I had a 3D saline scan and an MRI and they found I had a heart shaped womb and a number of fibroids. Both of which could cause recurrent implantation failure and miscarriage x
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8th transfer here I come 🤞
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