SLE, Lupus Nephritis and IVF

[MOOG144]

Hey all

So I just wanted to share some positivity with the group.

First let me give you all a little back story.....

I had undiagnosed SLE for about 5 years, my partner and I were having difficulty starting a family but due to my age (39 at the time) we were told I was too old to have traditional IVF treatment on the NHS, instead I was given a round of Chlomid. Whilst I cannot prove the link my Rheumatologist believes these high dose hormones are what triggered my Lupus Nephritis.

So 2 years of rattling like a pill bottle on various high dose steroids and immunosuppressants and Rituximab/ Truxima and honestly struggling to carry on with normal life I was finally told I'm clear to try a last ditched attempt at a family.

Due to my age we are doing this privately and due to my issues with fertility we will be using donor eggs.

But yesterday we had a fantastic appointment with 3 specialists at Guys and St Thomas' and we left feeling the most positive that we have ever felt about this process.

They were so honest about the likelihood of certain issues cropping up (pre eclampsia apparently is not a case of if but more when it start) but they were so supportive, kind and informative that we left feeling like we can do this, no matter what happens.

We were told that if I can get pregnant and follow their guidelines there is every chance we can have a health baby.

The only slight negative is that any successful pregnancy will be more about damage limitation to my and my kidneys.

I was luck after all my treatments and the specialists managed to save most if my kidney function however as they are more or less convinced that I will suffer with more eclampsia at some point during the pregnancy there is a high likelihood of my suffering further damage to my kidney function.

We discussed this last night and I feel like if I have managed to get through the last 2 years, more or less holding down a full time job with next to no time off then I can do this.

The high risk pregnancy specialists will be there to support and advise us at every step.

I am feeling on top of the bloody world today.

All we have to do now is cross our fingers and hope the IVF is successful....

Sorry to rattle on but not had too many silver linings in the last few years and wanted to share what I believe is a massive one.

Xxxxx

[Summerrain14]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I really do hope the IVF works and you are blessed with a beautiful child. What a truly inspiring lady you are x

[svfarmer]

That’s great news I wish you every luck with IVF xx

[Sezvic]

Hi MOOG144, hope you had started you IVF treatment or going to start soon. A lot of ladies on the fertility group are saying they doing FET first then moving on the fresh cycle one. I was going to do my treatment on March but was cancelled due to COVID 19 😔.x

[MOOG144 in reply to Sezvic]

Hi Sezvic

We are moving through the (very slow) process, we are using donor eggs which puts another massive delay as we have to wait for a good match to become available, however we're positive because things are moving at all...

Fingers crossed you get to start yours very soon xxx