Coming to the dark side...and an RE update

[MrsPhD83]

Hai there. I've been rounded up by more than 1 of you to come over here.



So HIIIIIIIIIIIII! I made it!



Also, I wanted to give you all a quick update on my RE appointment. My RE was kind and friendly. Though, I noted that she was not overly empathetic and was very much like "Let's get down to business." She was very encouraging in general after reviewing our loss history ("Well the good news is that you get pregnant a lot!" yeah, yeah, well. let's see if you can get it stay that way, kwim?). She said in a very nice way that our chemical pregnancies don't really "count" towards our loss count the way my MMC does. I understand that they are different, and often have different causes, but I still kinda cringe when I hear people say that. But she still felt that pursuing specific tests would help to give us more answers about why this keeps happening. So she said she wants to test CD3 (but only FSH and E2), AMH, cardiolipin antiobody (IgG and IgM), lupus anticoagulant, B2 glycoprotein (IgG and IgM), thyroid peroxidase antibody, and karyotyping for both MH and I. She also put in an order for an SHG. In the past I've had a full T & Androgen workup, TSH and Prolactin (when I didn't have AF for 5 months after BCP discontinuation), and that came back normal. I was also tested for ANA and other inflammatory markers when I was diagnosed with Raynaud's last year and that all came back normal too. My H also had a SA last year that came back A++ (which he loves to brag about.....do we have eye roll emojis on proboards?!)

If all of this comes back normal, I plan to ask for a 7DPO P check and ask about checking my lining. Has anyone ever had a natural cycle monitored before? Just like a lining check? Ldubhawksfan, I think maybe you had this done? Fill me in on how that goes down, because if my SHG is normal I'd like to see if lining is thick enough (this may explain the CPs). I'll keep you posted when I get my results back.

Good to see you girls here!

[grneyes]

Yay!!! So glad to see you over here! You already know my thoughts about the RE.

[pickles4prez]

Heya!!
I've done a 7dpo progesterone check, SHG, HSG and an endo biopsy unmedicated. I'll try to be a resource too!

[holdingouthope]

Hi there! I've never had 7DPO blood draw, but I did have an endo biopsy a couple months ago to not only check that my lining was "in phase," but also check for additional things. Happy to share more info on that if you'd like! I've also had an HSG (years ago) and SHG.

I hope you get some answers. I'm in the "all normal" and A+++ SA camp, so I know that while it's nice to be "normal," it's also frustrating to have no answers. (((Hugs)))

[MrsPhD83]

pickles4prez, thank you!! what was the rationale for doing your endometrial biopsy? I thought about asking for one when she does my SHG. She didn't suggest it, but if my CPs are due to implantation failure b/c my lining is shitty, I want to make sure we're being thorough. But I also don't want to demand things without a rationale.

[MrsPhD83]

holdingouthope, thanks lady! I'd love more info about the endometrial biopsy. As I said above to P4P, my RE didn't suggest one, but I'm wondering if my particular case warrants one. I only know of them being done to check for abnormal cells (e.g., chronic endometritis and other things). It makes sense though that you could check to see if lining was "in phase." I'd love more info here, or you can PM me on TB. Or PM me here? Can we PM here? Sorry still getting used to this format!

[holdingouthope]

Jan 17, 2015 19:09:53 GMT -5 MrsPhD83 said:

pickles4prez, thank you!! what was the rationale for doing your endometrial biopsy? I thought about asking for one when she does my SHG. She didn't suggest it, but if my CPs are due to implantation failure b/c my lining is shitty, I want to make sure we're being thorough. But I also don't want to demand things without a rationale.

I can't speak for pickles, but the rationale behind my endometrial biopsy was mainly to check for beta-3 integrin. The lab/test my RE used was through e-tegrity (clicky). The test also checks to see if lining is "in phase" and can give clues regarding the presence of endometriosis (though more investigation would be needed). My RE felt it was a good test for me based on the lack of answers from any other tests, and because this one in particular covered so many bases. I hope this helps.

[holdingouthope]

Jan 17, 2015 19:14:03 GMT -5 MrsPhD83 said:

holdingouthope, thanks lady! I'd love more info about the endometrial biopsy. As I said above to P4P, my RE didn't suggest one, but I'm wondering if my particular case warrants one. I only know of them being done to check for abnormal cells (e.g., chronic endometritis and other things). It makes sense though that you could check to see if lining was "in phase." I'd love more info here, or you can PM me on TB. Or PM me here? Can we PM here? Sorry still getting used to this format!

TBH, I'm not even sure if my biopsy checked for "abnormal cells!" And my RE said that e-tegrity would actually make more sense for someone experiencing CPs (so I knew going into it that a lack of beta-3 integrin likely wasn't my issue), so I definitely think it could be a good option for you.

[4furrypaws]

Lots of testing! It sounds like she is trying to cover the bases which is a good thing. I've had RPL blood work and an HSG. If I can be of any help please let me know.

Lots of love Hun. Glad you came over!



Edit. Wrong emoji!! Need to figure those out!

[pickles4prez]

MrsPhD83 my endo biopsy was primarily to check for infections (I had a really bad case of vaginitis after giving birth) and secondary to look at the lining, making sure it was 'in phase'. While I have been diagnosed with LPD, my lining looked fine per my doctor (also neg on infections).

She still prescribes me progesterone suppositories and now I'm on a HCG (Novarel) trigger shot for Luteal support.

Do you have short luteal phases or spot during them? I have read up a ton on Luteal Phase Defect and am happy to tell you what I know/remember/made up to make friends!

[readinglove]

Hellooooo!!!

Glad to hear that things went *relatively* well with the appt, and that you have a plan going forward.

[rubysi]

Welcome! I hope all of that testing will get you some answers and a plan.

[therealbug]

Hey! Glad you found your way over to us

You can send people messages on this board - if you click on their name it should give you the option to send message.

I'm glad you liked your RE and that she is going to do a bunch of testing. I'm surprised that a 7dpo progesterone check is not part of the plan since you have not had that before. I had an endometrial biopsy that was looking for abnormal cells. It did show that I had estrogen dominance and was not having normal cycles.

[rslh10]

I lurve you!!!!

[sarcaztic10]

Hey! Glad to see you made it over here!

Sounds like your RE plans to do a lot of testing. I am also surprised that a progesterone check isn't part of the plan. I hope you are able to get some answers after the testing phase. Keep us updated!

[chimomma19]

So glad you made it over!!

[rmpar29]

Glad that you found us! Sounds like a good plan. My first cycle with my RE was a natural monitoring cycle to see if I O'd on my own. Good luck with all of the testing!

[yummybunny]

Yay!!!

[yorkielove83]

Glad you're here! Welcome! I hope you get some answers from the testing. I'm very glad your RE was a little more kind this time. ((hugs))

[MrsPhD83]

Jan 17, 2015 19:46:14 GMT -5 pickles4prez said:

*snip*

Do you have short luteal phases or spot during them? I have read up a ton on Luteal Phase Defect and am happy to tell you what I know/remember/made up to make friends!

I have a LP that is usually 11 days, although it has varied between 10-12 days in the past. I never have mid-LP spotting, nor do I have mid cycle spotting.

As others have said, I was also surprised she didn't want to do a P check. She seems to be in the camp that P "doesn't really prevent miscarriages" but I would think that if there is a hormonal deficit that is problematic for my lining, that P would certainly be beneficial in that case. Idk. I didn't think I'd have to be pushy with the RE so I'm mildly annoyed that I even have to ask for that. But whatev. If the SHG is clean, I will follow up with her about additional tests like P.

[pickles4prez]

MrsPhD83 it seems like a 7dpo P bloodwork is standard for REs. I think it's always good to have as much info as possible, although my doctor has maintained short LPs and midcycle spotting are significant indicators for LPD, but she also 'counts' chemical pregnancies. It's a simple blood draw, so pressing for the order isn't a big deal IMO.

[imnotfancy]

Hi there!
I don't have any advice but wanted to say that I'll be thinking about you as you start this process of testing.

And our emojis here aren't very good yet. Though I imagine that might change in the future. Probably not a high priority right now. ?

[medic7979]

Happy to see you here!! Hope all your testing comes back good!! FX

[msugirl]

Hi! Glad to see you made it over!
I've never had a 'natural' cycle monitored, but I always had my clomid / femara cycles monitored, which for me, is about as natural as you can get (compared to all the crazy IVF stuff I've been doing lately).
Also, just wanted to give you a tip - bring cookies / something to eat with you to the RPL blood draw...mine was literally 17 tubes of blood and I felt like I was going to pass out afterwards.