Hi lovely ladies, I need some advice about immune protocols and/or intralipids.I'm with a new clinic and currently I've done only one freeze all cycle with them which resulted in no blasts to transfer. I'm gearing up for my 7th ec and hopeful fresh transfer and they do not really recommend intralipids and prescribes the standard immune protocol of clexane, aspirin and prednisolone but if I'd like to have it they will arrange.
My previous clinic always advised intralipids for my transfers after my first resulted in miscarriage and second in a chemical (was found to have high uterine nk cells and thyroid antibodies). Since then I've had another 7 transfers with intralipids but none have stuck so I do question if this is a deciding factor.
Can you please share if this has worked for any of you or any other recommendations for immune protocol that have worked.
Many thanks xx
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Vassi
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Hi. Trying to boost your immune system so embryos aren’t rejected. My specialist said a pint of full fat milk was as good as Intralipid!, HFEA not too keen either. See what your specialist says. Are your Fallopian tubes ok. Blockages can cause unwanted lubrication to drip into the womb and prevent a developing embryo cell from implanting I do hope whatever protocol you get, works . Diane
Thanks Diane, specialist does not recommend anymore due to latest research, and he is up to date with all that. Funny thing is each specialist I've asked about checking my tubes have said not necessary, wonder if this is because I've had a natural pregnancy..
Not me personally but my friend has a similar issue to you. She can’t have intralipids as she’s allergic to one of the ingredients. Before her FET she’s been prescribed 6 weeks of hydroxychloroquine as she also had raised NK cells. She’s also having pred and clexane. Maybe you could discuss the hydroxychloroquine with your Dr??
Shes also doing a gluten free diet to help combat any inflammation.
lf you’ve had 7 failed transfers with intra lipids and they’ve all failed I honestly wouldn’t bother with them anymore. Did you have them the day of transfer? My friend above went to see Dr Sheata (RI) and he told her it’s pointless having them the day of transfer they need to be done at least 5 days before.
If you’re getting no blasts then it also sounds like an egg/sperm issue too xx Good luck xx
Thank you, so happy it worked for you congratulations ❤️ This is me, eating somewhat gf, could be better. Can I ask what dose of prednisolone you were on?
Hi, I also had intralipids from 7 days before transfer and then monthly to 20 weeks pregnant and I’m now 37 weeks pregnant. However, I was on a very strong immune protocol which included Humira and hydroxychloroquine a few months before transfer, as well as clexane, prednisolone and aspirin. We also used a PGS tested embryo and so it’s difficult to pin point what exactly made the difference this time. However, it is is the only time I’ve made it past 6/7 weeks of pregnancy and it was our 6th transfer. Best of luck to you.
Thanks Vassi. I was on 25mg of prednisolone once per day in the morning, starting 7 days before transfer. I was on a strong immune protocol as I had blood tests confirming I had very high levels of natural killer cells.
I only had one success. Had the NK cell test which came back mild/moderately positive. They recommended pred and intralipid but I’m allergic to soya so I had pred and intravenous immunoglobulin. Going to try the same for next one. Fingers crossed.
wishing you lots of luck with your next round. After 3 transfers I was swapped to the immune protocol and the 5th one worked. I changed a lot of that cycle so I’ll never know what made the deciding factor and it may well have just been change in luck. I gave up gluten and had a med diet for 6 months prior which helped me loose 2 stones. I’d really recommend looking into how diet can naturally affect inflammation a fertility nutritionist might be able to help? Sending you love and luck for your journey xxx
Thank you so much, I'm so happy it worked for you ❤️ I think diet is a big factor, i eat pretty clean and I've been avoiding gluten but will eliminate it completely and see if that helps. Could you please share what your protocol was? Xx
If you've had multiple failed transfers it might be worth checking your microbiome or doing the ALICE EMMA test. Also reflexology/acupuncture and fertility massage can prepare your uterus to be warm and perfect for transfer. If any of this is something new you haven't tried before it might be worth it. I'd been having fertility massage and castor oil treatment for a while which cleared up a lot of my endometriosis. She massaged me the day before transfer as well. And reflexology helped with the blood flow and she was able to tell me everything felt great and warm in there, so I went into transfer feeling like I had the perfect environment for that embryo.
We were recommended intralipids and steroids by our clinic because my NK cells and thyroid antibodies were 'slightly raised'. But not crazy high. They were really pushing for it but we refused them as we were concerned about side effects and quality of life etc and they weren't actually able to give us any evidence at all. I'm now nearly 11 weeks pregnant so we're glad we didn't go ahead with them. I put so much of this success down to reflexology, and she continued to help every week supporting the embryo growth.
All the best to you and sorry you've been through it! xxx
Hi, thanks so much for your reply. On my last cycle a biopsy was taken which showed chronic endometritis. This has now been treated. For some reason my two clinics have never agreed to the Alice/Emma test saying they don't think it's necessary. Did you have this and did it make a difference? Interesting about the reflexology, I've done acupuncture and fertility massage but not consistently and never done castor oil or reflexology, I will definately be looking into those. Thanks for the advice and I'm so happy it was successful for you congratulations!! Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy xx
Our clinic recommended the Alice Emma because we only had the one embryo from 6 rounds. So we just wanted to try everything really to give if the best success. They said only 10% of the time with the Alice Emma is there a problem that needs treating. So it’s not likely needed. However if there IS an issue is very likely to effect the outcome of the transfer. But it’s about £1000 so a tough decision. It also delayed our treatment by an extra month and meant I had to take antibiotics after the test just in case as they scratch the uterus.
Maybe get on some good quality pre and probiotics from about 6 months prior to transfer too. But apparently you have to stop taking them once on progesterone meds
The lovely thing I’ve found with reflexology is I find it more relaxing than acupuncture, and they’re actually able to give you feedback on the state of things like ovaries feeling good and uterus being warm etc. which I like to hear. It helps psychologically as well as physically. X
This is very helpful thank you, appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'm sorry your journey was difficult too but a wonderful outcome 🙏I recently had a course of antibiotics to treat the endometritis, followed by vaginal probiotics and currently taking oral probiotics so hopefully thats sorted me out.
I'm definately going to try the reflexology sounds exactly like what I need xx
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