Looking for person that is getting Intralipids during IVF

[Anonymous]

Hi last week I posted about getting Intralipids here in the DC area and someome posted they get them, needed to ask some other questions as to which DR? My fertility clinic does not believe in them and I found another here that will test for NKC etc but won't treat unless a patient there. But they do not have shared-risk and is too much money. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi, I think you are referring to me. I am currently taking them for my pregnancy and am getting ready for my next infusion next week. Sorry I didn't respond earlier, I have been on vacation. I cycled at Sher Institute in New Jersey. Sher Institute is on the cutting edge of immune issues. I was truly suprised to learn I had elevated NK cells and ATA cells that meant my body kept attacking the embryo. After 3 failed cycles, I knew something didn't sound right as we made beautiful embryos but never got pregnant. I finally did a free consultation with Sher. Unfortunately, their closest office is in New Jersey about a 3 hour drive. But it was totally worth it. We got pregnant on our first try after detecting our immune issues. I cycled with other women that had 5 and 6 failed cycles elsewhere but got pregnant on their first try with Sher due to the intralipid treatment. I know Sher used to have a shared risk program and a money back program if you tried their CGH program but not sure if they are still offered.

You could always call Sher and get a free consultation. I worked with Dr Corley and he was amazing. The most down to earth and friendly RE I have met and I have met several in the DC area.

Not sure if that helps but if you have additional questions, just let me know. I'll help all I can because I truly believe intralipids was the only reason we got pregnant and will go back to NJ for our next child.

By the way, do you have hypothyroidism? I know that contributes on many cases to the immune issue.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Wanted to add that Sher may be able to work with your current RE here and just prescribe the intralipids for you. The infusions are pretty easy. Walgreens supplies the nurse and the infusion for about $650 per infusion (yes, a little on the expensive side.) They come to your house and start the infusion. It takes about 4 hours for the full infusion but you disconnect the IV yourself so you can just hang out watching tv or sleeping for those 4 hours.

Well, hopefully this info helped. Feel free to ask more questions.

My current OB said we were very smart to go to Sher in hopes of answers. He believes that our immune issues were preventing our pregnancies too so he is a believer as well!!!

[Anonymous]

OP here: Preg Loss mentioned::: Thanks for your reply. As for me I have not been tested as of yet. I have a long story, but basically 1st IVF worked but lost baby at 31 weeks due to MTHFR that I did not know I had. I am also using donor eggs. I used my frozens and had one M/C. So we tried again new donor and she does poorly and we did not get pregnant. I am just looking for answers. I know Sher won't work with you unless you go there for IVF and they don't have inhouse donors and usually way too much. I am about to do last FET and if does not work I am going to go maybe to Dr. Beers in LA. I really don't know what to do. So you did IVF with them? I know my Dr. does not believe in any of this so I am sure he will not work with them. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Question for poster 19:49...other than your failed IVF cycles, was there anything in your medical history or in your ivf cycles that gave you the inclincation to get tested for immune issues?

I too have had multiple failed IVF cycles...I'm healthy, age 33, with male factor issues identified so we're using donor sperm and producing beautiful embryos each cycle but nothing is sticking. I am at SG who completely dismiss immune issues so I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth it to travel to Sher to see if they would at least do a blood work up for me so we can rule immune issues out. I've had my thyroid tested and everything came back normal. Immune and thyroid issues do not run in my family and no one has ever had a miscarriage to my knowledge. Just boggles my mind that nothing is working for us.

TIA for your advice!

[Anonymous]

19:49 poster here. I did have slightly elevated thryoid levels. I didn't know I had it until I went to my RE because I wasn't getting pregnant. He told me that my levels were just slightly above the normal range and that it wouldn't affect my ability to get pregnant. However, I truly believe he was wrong. I feel like my story combined with several other women I have met can prove that immune issues can cause perfect looking embryos to not implant and that intralipids is the answer. My RE here in Virigina kept trying to convince me I had bad eggs even though all of my FSH tests and AMH came back ideal. FSH is still under 5.0. So there was no way he could convince me that we just had to keep doing cycles until we got the golden egg. It was so frustrating until we talked to Sher. My husband and I were even skeptical about talking to them and spending the money to do the tests. In my mind, I figured there is no way that I have immune issues. Thats crazy. But sure enough, I did. And they were pretty bad. Not the worst you can have, but definitely not good. I had a baby with no problem two years earlier (and no thryoid issue at that time) so things can change rapidly.

And just fyi, thyroid issues and immune issues do not run in my family either. My parents thinks its strange that I have this. Me too!!!

Have you contacted Sher for a free consult? I was so hesitant to commit to something like that but as soon as I did the consult with Dr Corley, I was convinced that they were worth a try. Plus we just knew something wasn't adding up because of the beautiful day 5 embryos time after time. I think they will give you an honest answer about getting the testing done.

For the testing, it was a 3 hour drive and my husband had to be there as well. They take blood from both of you and see how it responds to each other under certain circumstances. I have to say I wasn't completely sold until we got pregnant on the first try with intralipids. But now, I will absolutely go back if we go for baby #3. But I just saw that you are using donor sperm. I am not sure how they would test the donor match. Its definitely worth a call to Sher.

I wanted to add one more thing. Sher has a discussion board at www.haveababy.com. The doctors will respond to you asap if you pose a question. Mabye give them a little background and see what they suggest. They are very prompt at answering which I think is pretty cool. You can post the question in the East Region or any of them for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Poster 11:17, you are Heaven sent! Thank you SO MUCH for your wonderful post! (Poster 20:34 here). I am going to give the Sher Institute a call today and get a consult done asap. I truly think I am in the same boat as you and I agree that intralipids were the key to your success. I am so happy for you. Its amazing how some of these REs are so stubborn about this stuff! We seriously have to take our health into our own hands.

[Anonymous]

11:17 Poster here. Good luck to you 15:24. I hope that I was able to help. I know the frustration this can cause and if our experience can help just one other person, than I am glad to share!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi : I have two failed ivf cycles, I am 33 with all results normal and slight male factor. I also make beautiful blast but they don't implant. I made my doctor at Shady Grove test me for immune issues , they don't believe in this but he agreed and I did my test panel with Lab Corp , everything came out fine . Is there a difference with the lab that Sher uses? , are this test at Sher covered by insurance? , if not how much do they cost?

[Anonymous]

Hi. Sher uses Millenova Labs. http://www.millenova.com/ for their testing. Take a look at this site. http://www.millenova.com/tests/implantpan.cfm It goes into detail about the tests for implantation failure. We had most of those done and it cost just less than $1000. We didn't have insurance so not sure if its covered. I don't know what tests Lab Corp does but maybe you can compare with the millenova labs.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. Sher uses Millenova Labs. http://www.millenova.com/ for their testing. Take a look at this site. http://www.millenova.com/tests/implantpan.cfm It goes into detail about the tests for implantation failure. We had most of those done and it cost just less than $1000. We didn't have insurance so not sure if its covered. I don't know what tests Lab Corp does but maybe you can compare with the millenova labs.

Hope that helps.

. Thank u so much for your repply

[Anonymous]

Hello - I am getting ready to cycle and will be doing the intralipid therapy. I am in Atlanta as is my RE. However, i have been consulting with Dr Sher. My question is of for the lady who got the meds, etc thru Walgreens for the infusion, How did you do that? Anyone else have any recommendations on where to get the intralipids and nurse/clinic to administer them?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know whether it is possible to develop these immune issues? I have secondary infertility--my daughter is 2 1/2 years old and I got pregnant easily the first time, but no dice this time. I've been trying for a while and have tried everything (IUIs, IVF) and no luck. Just wondering whether this could be a reason why nothing is working all of a sudden or whether I'm already too old (36, almost 37). Any information would be greatly appreciate.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am the one that is currently getting intralipids during my current pregnancy. To the 10:00 poster on 6/3, it IS ABSOLUTELY Possible to develop this in a matter of months. I had my first with NO problems what so ever. I started trying exactly 9 months later for my second. Thats when we started discovering my problems. It took the next 6 months to get to the bottom of the issues, but we did and it worked. I hope I can save others the time (because its so critical!) and the heartbreak and stress. I have been there, done that and its no fun. I hope this info helps others look for answers quicker.

To the 9:54 poster, SHER actually set me up with Walgreens. I think if you want to go elsewhere, they could give you the prescription for it. You basically have to look for a pharmacy that does home infusions.

Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi, I do think its possible to develop immune issues. I had absolutely no problem with my first pregnancy and then went on to have 3 miscarriages within the space of less than 6 months. (and my daughter wasn't even a year yet) I have seen an RE and she believes that I have elevated NK levels (14.2%) and suggests either intralipids or IVIg. We just want to make sure that there isn't anything else we're missing before we start with either treatment. I'm just a little weary since there doesn't seem to be that much data on intralipids...