Implantation issues - treatments, causes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a big risk with thawing testing freezing and thawing. It's very traumatic for the embryos. But if you have a lot it may be worth Itz

This isn't true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's no longer a "big risk" to thaw and PGS test and refereeze. Happens all the time -- search for it in this board. With her IUIs and IVF, OP has been through what, eight cycles? That's a lot. You've been through the wringer with the ups and downs of all those IUI cycles. It takes a toll.

PGS testing may not solve everything, but it could also cut down on additional unnecessary cycles because you'll have more certainty about the embryos you are transferring.

Good luck!!!

OP here, thanks, this is reassuring. We've actually done three IVFs so far so this is our tenth failed cycle (just got my period, so I'm 99.9% sure we're out even before the beta). You're not wrong, it definitely takes a toll. My wife and I had a long discussion this morning after you guys raised this issue, and I think we're going to try PGS if we can. Reassuring to hear that the thawing/refreezing has gotten better, as I have no doubt that it was once traumatizing for the embryos as PP said. But regardless of whether it is still a little risky, I think it'll be worth it for us. I just can't keep going through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's no longer a "big risk" to thaw and PGS test and refereeze. Happens all the time -- search for it in this board. With her IUIs and IVF, OP has been through what, eight cycles? That's a lot. You've been through the wringer with the ups and downs of all those IUI cycles. It takes a toll.

PGS testing may not solve everything, but it could also cut down on additional unnecessary cycles because you'll have more certainty about the embryos you are transferring.

Good luck!!!

OP here, thanks, this is reassuring. We've actually done three IVFs so far so this is our tenth failed cycle (just got my period, so I'm 99.9% sure we're out even before the beta). You're not wrong, it definitely takes a toll. My wife and I had a long discussion this morning after you guys raised this issue, and I think we're going to try PGS if we can. Reassuring to hear that the thawing/refreezing has gotten better, as I have no doubt that it was once traumatizing for the embryos as PP said. But regardless of whether it is still a little risky, I think it'll be worth it for us. I just can't keep going through this.

You haven't done IVF. Your wife has. You just came in a plastic cup. You need to get some perspective. I'm sure you're going through a lot emotionally but it's nothing like your wife has had to go through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's no longer a "big risk" to thaw and PGS test and refereeze. Happens all the time -- search for it in this board. With her IUIs and IVF, OP has been through what, eight cycles? That's a lot. You've been through the wringer with the ups and downs of all those IUI cycles. It takes a toll.

PGS testing may not solve everything, but it could also cut down on additional unnecessary cycles because you'll have more certainty about the embryos you are transferring.

Good luck!!!

OP here, thanks, this is reassuring. We've actually done three IVFs so far so this is our tenth failed cycle (just got my period, so I'm 99.9% sure we're out even before the beta). You're not wrong, it definitely takes a toll. My wife and I had a long discussion this morning after you guys raised this issue, and I think we're going to try PGS if we can. Reassuring to hear that the thawing/refreezing has gotten better, as I have no doubt that it was once traumatizing for the embryos as PP said. But regardless of whether it is still a little risky, I think it'll be worth it for us. I just can't keep going through this.

You haven't done IVF. Your wife has. You just came in a plastic cup. You need to get some perspective. I'm sure you're going through a lot emotionally but it's nothing like your wife has had to go through.

Hi, we're a lesbian couple, and I assure you, I most certainly have been through 10 cycles with my own body. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Pp do you live under a rock? I assume if OP got her period and has a wife she is gay. What do you care anyway?

[Anonymous]

OP have you done clotting and immune testing? Abbasi at CFA does these; not sure if Sacks does as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP have you done clotting and immune testing? Abbasi at CFA does these; not sure if Sacks does as well.

Sacks has done minimal testing since we've been with him; most of my testing was done previously at Shady Grove, he just took those results and moved ahead with IVF. It's definitely time to go back and reassess now that we've had three failed fresh IVFs. I will ask him about immune testing, but I've heard I might need to completely switch to Abbasi for that, which I am willing to do if need be. But hopefully he'd be willing to run some tests. What kinds of things would they be looking for? Are clotting/immune things issues in GETTING pregnant, not just keeping a pregnancy? I admit I don't know much about it at all, as our docs keep being like "you're perfectly healthy! Nothing wrong!" Well, clearly, there is something...

Thanks for suggesting this, I'll add it to the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP have you done clotting and immune testing? Abbasi at CFA does these; not sure if Sacks does as well.

Sacks has done minimal testing since we've been with him; most of my testing was done previously at Shady Grove, he just took those results and moved ahead with IVF. It's definitely time to go back and reassess now that we've had three failed fresh IVFs. I will ask him about immune testing, but I've heard I might need to completely switch to Abbasi for that, which I am willing to do if need be. But hopefully he'd be willing to run some tests. What kinds of things would they be looking for? Are clotting/immune things issues in GETTING pregnant, not just keeping a pregnancy? I admit I don't know much about it at all, as our docs keep being like "you're perfectly healthy! Nothing wrong!" Well, clearly, there is something...

Thanks for suggesting this, I'll add it to the list.

They can be anything from implantation issues to repeat chemical pregnancies to multiple miscarriages. I had the multiple miscarriage issue and turned out to have a minor clotting issue and an immune issue, neither of which should have any major impact on my life, but prevented me from carrying to term without medication. I was also previously with Shady Grove, and they took the approach of "you just need to keep trying until one sticks" (because I got pregnant easily on my own, just never stuck after my first easy pregnancy a few years ago). That didn't feel right to me so I asked them about clotting and immune issues. They ran a very basic panel of like 3 tests and they all came back fine. I decided to get a second opinion from Abbasi. She ran insane tests (like 20+ vials of blood) that turned up some issues, so I switched to her and am now in the early second trimester of pregnancy. So although this stuff sounds a bit wonky I am now a convert since my very first try on her regimen worked, whereas my multiple previous tries with SG all failed.

You might want to ask him to run the typical panels Abbasi runs, or just get a second opinion from her -- not sure how that would work within the practice though, as opposed to coming from outside it like I did.

For research, google Alan Beers or Dr. Braverman in NY -- his website is pretty comprehensive. When I decided to go this route I got Beers' book on Amazon, which was maybe $12. It's called Is Your Body Baby Friendly. Maybe worth a read at least as an exploratory option, since you have tried so much else.

Last thing which I am sure you have considered/have your reasons for, but since you are a lesbian couple, any chance of your wife carrying instead?

[Anonymous]

You might want to switch to Abbasi! The first thing I thought is that you might have a clotting or immune issue! I switched from SG to Abbasi and it was the crazy number of tests that she ran (SG didn't run anything really) that showed I had both a mild clotting issue and immune issues. Wishing you the best!

[Anonymous]

I had multiple chemical pregnancies that were caused by immune issues. Ask Sacks if he can run the immune panel on you that Abbasi does for her patients. I agree with him on not testing the embryos, that is a waste of money.

Do you have a family history of RA or any autoimmune conditions?

[Anonymous]

I'm so sad for you, OP. You really have been through way too much.
This is my cheap pop psychology analysis, but I think lesbian couples keep at the grind of ART longer because it's, of course, the only option. You deserve some good answers from your RE about why after all those IUI cycles and THREE unsuccessful IVF cycles you haven't had success.
A big hug to you and your partner.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. I have repeat implantation failure and I got immune testing and was found to have immune issues big time. I'm struggling with secondary infertility though. I have one child who I got pregnant with easily the natural way. When he was 6 months old we started TTC again. Fast forward two years later, plus several failed infertility treatments later, and I never had another pregnancy (no miscarriages or chemical pregnancies). All my testing and my DH's testing was completely normal except for mild decreased ovarian reserve, which several REs weren't even sure I had (because my AMH tests and my AFCs never matched up).

But it made no sense to me that I got pregnant on the first try/healthy pregnancy and delivery and then started TTC when my son was 6 months old and nothing at all for two years. Then I remembered that several times during implantation time I would get weird flulike symptoms out of the blue (shaking chills, stomach cramps, nausea) for three hours and then it would all go away.

So I got all the immune testing done and it showed that my immune system is completely overactive and I have high/abnormal results for everything.

So I would suggest getting the immune testing done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP have you done clotting and immune testing? Abbasi at CFA does these; not sure if Sacks does as well.

Sacks has done minimal testing since we've been with him; most of my testing was done previously at Shady Grove, he just took those results and moved ahead with IVF. It's definitely time to go back and reassess now that we've had three failed fresh IVFs. I will ask him about immune testing, but I've heard I might need to completely switch to Abbasi for that, which I am willing to do if need be. But hopefully he'd be willing to run some tests. What kinds of things would they be looking for? Are clotting/immune things issues in GETTING pregnant, not just keeping a pregnancy? I admit I don't know much about it at all, as our docs keep being like "you're perfectly healthy! Nothing wrong!" Well, clearly, there is something...

Thanks for suggesting this, I'll add it to the list.

They can be anything from implantation issues to repeat chemical pregnancies to multiple miscarriages. I had the multiple miscarriage issue and turned out to have a minor clotting issue and an immune issue, neither of which should have any major impact on my life, but prevented me from carrying to term without medication. I was also previously with Shady Grove, and they took the approach of "you just need to keep trying until one sticks" (because I got pregnant easily on my own, just never stuck after my first easy pregnancy a few years ago). That didn't feel right to me so I asked them about clotting and immune issues. They ran a very basic panel of like 3 tests and they all came back fine. I decided to get a second opinion from Abbasi. She ran insane tests (like 20+ vials of blood) that turned up some issues, so I switched to her and am now in the early second trimester of pregnancy. So although this stuff sounds a bit wonky I am now a convert since my very first try on her regimen worked, whereas my multiple previous tries with SG all failed.

You might want to ask him to run the typical panels Abbasi runs, or just get a second opinion from her -- not sure how that would work within the practice though, as opposed to coming from outside it like I did.

For research, google Alan Beers or Dr. Braverman in NY -- his website is pretty comprehensive. When I decided to go this route I got Beers' book on Amazon, which was maybe $12. It's called Is Your Body Baby Friendly. Maybe worth a read at least as an exploratory option, since you have tried so much else.

Last thing which I am sure you have considered/have your reasons for, but since you are a lesbian couple, any chance of your wife carrying instead?

OP here. First off, congrats on your current pregnancy! That's a huge milestone. I think I'm going to ask Sacks if he'll run Abbasi's tests - you guys have been so helpful with this information on immune/clotting issues. I'd never considered it and now I'm definitely wondering if that's what's going on. I will look up Beers' book, thanks for the rec.

As for my wife carrying, we've discussed that very seriously recently, but she's never *wanted* to be pregnant, whereas I have, and she's also close to a decade older with a few health issues of her own. Not out of the question now that we can use my embryos for her, so don't have to worry about AMA egg quality, but definitely something that would take a lot of thought before we decided to go ahead with it. But we're definitely considering all options!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might want to switch to Abbasi! The first thing I thought is that you might have a clotting or immune issue! I switched from SG to Abbasi and it was the crazy number of tests that she ran (SG didn't run anything really) that showed I had both a mild clotting issue and immune issues. Wishing you the best!

That's so interesting, I didn't know how common this was but you're now the 3rd or 4th person to tell me their personal experience with immune issues. Once Abbasi identified issues, was she able to treat them?

Thank you for the well wishes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had multiple chemical pregnancies that were caused by immune issues. Ask Sacks if he can run the immune panel on you that Abbasi does for her patients. I agree with him on not testing the embryos, that is a waste of money.

Do you have a family history of RA or any autoimmune conditions?

I don't have a family history of RA but my mom's side has a ton of autoimmune issues...and the funny thing is, now that you've mentioned this, they've run multiple tests on me over the years since I have random flareups of joint pain, trying to identify RA, lupus, fibro, anything, but nothing's ever been conclusive. But I never thought that those might indicate an immune issue that could potentially impact pregnancy. So interesting. Thanks for bringing this up, I'm definitely going to pursue immune testing after everything you guys have said.