Immune issues- what physical symptoms did you have besides BFN or miscarriage
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Can anyone tell me what physical symptoms they had which led them to request immune testing besides repreated BFN and miscarriages- did youhave fever, chils, ... was there something else that made you think.. hhmm that sounds like me? |
Anonymous
| OP. I have unexplained infertility and wonder if immune issues have anything to do with it. |
Anonymous
|
I ended up getting tested for immune issues after two failed ivfs. I also tested positive for TPO antibodies (Hashimotos) which suggested immune issues. But I didn't have any symptoms per se. I just felt like something wasn't quite right and wanted to get testing done before proceeding with more treatments.
I'm undergoing my third ivf now with an immune protocol. I just wanted to make sure I tried everything I could for this round. We're throwing in everthing we can think of for this round - PICSI, endometrial scratching, immune stuff, acupuncture. We'll see if it pans out... |
Anonymous
|
My immune problems are sufficiently severe that I had what would probably be classified as infertility rather than recurrent miscarriage, so this may not apply to everyone but here's my experience.
Back when we were trying naturally I always had the feeling we were conceiving but that something was going wrong. At the time, I was charting and would see the characteristic temperature spikes. In addition, I had strong early pregnancy symptoms (very different from PMS symptoms for me). Then, at some point between 7 and 14dpo, I would have an episode of horrible stabbing cramps that lasted an hour or more. To be clear these were NOTHING like period cramps. The first time it happened, I was home by myself and was on the verge of calling 911 when it went away. After the cramping episode, my pregnancy symptoms always disappeared. Several days later, my period would arrive (always late). I didn't learn until later than the stabbing cramps were the result of my immune system launching an attack on the fertilized egg as it tried to implant. When I finally had my NK cells tested the doctor said they were some of the highest levels she'd ever seen. FYI, I also have endometriosis, which is considered a strong risk factor for pregnancy-related immune problems. |
Anonymous
| Question for 11/21/2012 00:14. Who is your RE? Just wondering where PICSI and endometrium scratching is available? TY! |
Anonymous
| 11/21/2012 00:14 here. My RE is Dr. Abbasi at Columbia Fertility. We were at SG prior to this cycle. |
Anonymous
|
I think the most important thing is to listen to your body and trust your instincts. For those with unexplained infertility, if you have a gut feeling that something's going wrong early on, there's a good chance you're right. YOU know your body better than anyone. Don't let others talk you out of how you feel. If you suspect you have an implantation problem ask to be tested and don't take no for an answer.
Also, don't forget about testing for beta-3 integrin. Immune issues aren't the only explanation for failed implantation. Women with endo are at risk for both problems and it's possible to have both at the same time. |
cczbunnie83
Member Offline
Member Offline
Sorry for bumping this article after years... but I've had 2 miscarriages and wondering if you ever conceived despite the immune problems you had. I've had 2 early miscarriages and had that same pain you describe... I have endometriosis and I have a strong hunch that my problem is immune related... I have no problem getting pregnant, my problem is staying pregnant.. never been beyond 5 weeks. And also which doctor did you see? Thank so much for any info you may provide. And I hope I'm not opening any wounds with this post. |
Anonymous
| I just responded to your other thread. My only sign of immune issues was endometriosis and 3 failed IVFs. You should see an RE ASAP. I recommend DR Abbasi locally. If you need a surgery, Dr Seckin in NYC is awesome. Dr Braverman referred me to him. He does a deep excision vs ablation for cleaning endometriosis |
Anonymous
Yes! I saw Dr. Abbasi, who works in conjunction with the Alan Beer Center. She finally diagnosed my immune problem and I was treated with IVIG, Lovenox and steroids. After four years of trying everything under the sun, we were successful on our very first transfer with the IVIG. Eighteen months later we tried again with a frozen embryo (and more IVIG). Again, we were successful again on the first try. I gave birth to #2 eight weeks ago. FYI, I saw three different doctors before going to Dr. Abbasi. All 3 told me that reproductive immunology was voodoo science and I probably just had bad eggs, but none of them were able to get me pregnant. Thank God I stuck to my guns and trusted my gut that something else was going on. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Yes, I've conceived and carried two term two health babies since being diagnosed with immune issues. I was put on a proactive protocol. Since I was found to have overly active NK cells, my doctor put me on prednisone BEFORE conception and I stayed on it all through the pregnancy. Prednisone helped to suppress my immune system so that my body would finally stop attacking my embryos. (I had two first trimester miscarriages before learning of my immune problems.) Prednisone was a God send for me. Be sure to connect yourself with a strong medical team. I worked with an RE and also a maternal fetal medicine specialist. Have you already been tested for possible blood clotting disorders? If not, I strongly suggest that you do so before trying to conceive again. Blood clotting issues can also contribute to miscarriages. I experienced this personally and was successfully treated with blood thinners during my two successful pregnancies. A wonderful book to read about immune problems and miscarriage is "Preventing Miscarriage: The Good News" by Dr. Jonathan Scher. The book was SO helpful that my husband and I decided to travel from MD to NYC to meet with him for a consultation. He ended up establishing the protocol that my local doctors followed. The book really helped me to understand the intricacies of immune issues and how to manage them during pregnancy. I thank God for connecting me with that book - it literally changed my life, and I am the mother of two living children now because of it. Good luck to you, OP! |
Anonymous
|
Anonymous
|
Oops. Hit the wrong button. Sorry for double posting.
|
Anonymous
| I have been asked to get tested for immune issues now after 3 IVF failures and spending 2.5 years in worthless trying through IVF and IUI. Spent about 60,000 bucks. Local docs kept saying my eggs may be bad because of my low ovarian reserve and always denied to test immunology even when I suggested that to them. Now when I changed doctor, the new one suggested I do that. I don't understand why do they not test for immune issues as a first step before IVF. If they could do saline sonogram and hysteroscopy to check uterus, why not check killer cells too? That would save all of us so much money and time!!! |
Anonymous
|
can i ask what level of prednisone some of the pp were on? i have an autoimmune disorder that is helped by prednisone when if flares but i worry about the risks as well and its weighing into the decision of whether we try for another baby or not
thanks. |