It is absolutely crazy how fast time is flying! Not that there is anything wrong with that, but man....this year has been the fastest year of my life! I blinked and suddenly here I am - 4 weeks shy from delivery!! That's even if they have me go to the full 40 weeks! Chances are it might only be 2 weeks left due to my age and whatnot. Yeah, I'm 38, aka old and high risk. We shall see!
Last friday we toured the hospital. It was very informative actually and I am really glad we went, even though an hour of pretty much walking around, standing and yearning to sit really did it's toll on my poor feet. Some advice: schedule that in your second trimester!! lol! But touring the hospital kinda made everything seem so real. Like, I am going to be in one of those rooms soon. It's crazy.
We also returned to see our MFM (maternal fetal medicine) doctor on Monday. I will have an appt with her every week from here on out. Baby is measuring perfect and is weighing in at a whopping 6lbs 4oz!! She is in the 60th percentile and they are expecting her to be close to 8lbs by delivery! She did beautifully when they checked her diaphragm for practice breathing. On a score from 1-8 she got an 8! Go Ava! We unfortunately didn't get any pics of her face this time because her hands were covering it pretty much the entire time! There was one moment when she had her hand grabbing her toes and pulled her toes to her face - so we couldn't get a pic then either!! lol. It was really sweet to see nonetheless! Hopefully this monday we can get a better glimpse of her beautiful little face.
The doctor ran a typical CBC test as well as tests to check up on that protein in my urine. Just to make sure I didn't have any developing signs of Preeclampsia or Hellp syndrome. All seems to have come back normal. I got the results before talking with my doctor since Quest Diagnostics sends them to my email as well. So I got online and researched everything and all seems to be great with that. But I will confirm it all with the doctor on Monday to be sure. My protein, glucose, albumin, and creatnine levels came back just under normal - however - they have this site that references what levels should be in pregnancy - and everything was in range for third trimester pregnancy except the glucose. That was still low.
Anyway, all in all - things are still coasting along. I am trying to get as much done at work and around the house as I can before baby gets here since I know I will have no time afterwards. Even though I have zero energy to do it now. LOL. I long for an uninterrupted good night sleep. I think I have a better chance at winning the lottery these days!
Well, that's all for now!
xo
Showing posts with label tests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tests. Show all posts
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
20 Weeks 6 days
Today we had our 20 week anomaly scan even though I am a day shy of 21 weeks. I am thrillllledd to say that everything went perfectly! She is measuring right on time, and just looks great! Her heart, brain, organs, limbs, spine, everything were all perfect! The doctor said she was extremely happy and couldn't ask for better results. She is very confident that I will see this baby to term.
They measured my cervix and it's long and closed so no signs of any preterm labor on the horizon. Very relieving. I feel I can KIND OF breathe a sigh of relief a bit now that all of the major scans are out of the way now. The next scans are just a checking in on ya kinda thing and should only last like 15 mins she said. So the next one will be May 8th and I should be about 28 weeks then. :)
The ultrasound tech took many pics but after reviewing them...none of them were really great...haha! You can hardly make out what anything was. Especially the 3D image she did...it just looked like a blob. Disappointing but oh well. She did get a great profile pic which I will show below - as well as a cute image of her legs. So I am happy about that!
They measured my cervix and it's long and closed so no signs of any preterm labor on the horizon. Very relieving. I feel I can KIND OF breathe a sigh of relief a bit now that all of the major scans are out of the way now. The next scans are just a checking in on ya kinda thing and should only last like 15 mins she said. So the next one will be May 8th and I should be about 28 weeks then. :)
The ultrasound tech took many pics but after reviewing them...none of them were really great...haha! You can hardly make out what anything was. Especially the 3D image she did...it just looked like a blob. Disappointing but oh well. She did get a great profile pic which I will show below - as well as a cute image of her legs. So I am happy about that!
Is that not the cutest profile pic ever!!! I fall more and more in love with her every time I see her! I cannot wait to meet her! Gonna be weird not seeing her on the big screen for almost 2 months! I've sort of gotten used to these monthly appts. But I'm not keen on constant ultrasounds - so I will let her have a little break from them too! haha
Next appt for me is the Glucose test at my OBGYN. Hopefully all goes well there and my sugar levels are normal. We shall see!
Well that's all for now! Happy my little baby bean is growing and healthy! Now just keep cooking for another 4 months!!! haha!!
xo
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Negatives..
I began testing on tuesday and so far nadda. Since I don't know when I ovulated, I am assuming I could be anywhere from 9dpo to 12 dpo. I was hoping to be 12 dpo because that would have put me right at the best time - since that would be the day after I had my intralipids. But that said, if I am 12 dpo - and still pulling negatives - that doesn't look promising for this month. If I ovulated later and only 9dpo....which would be realistic since I had a late period last month as well as getting a late opk this month on top of another temp spike on cycle day 17...so I very well could only be 9dpo. Which still puts me in the game, however, intralipids wouldn't have been effective then. As well as Cycle day 17 fell on a tuesday, I stopped doing the deed on that sunday. But sperm can survive up to 5 days so that really doesn't matter if I ovulated 2 days after the last time we had sex.
Either way, I guess I will just test until I get my period. Which will be next week at some point. Why not just not test until my missed period you ask? Because the sooner I know if I am, the better because the second I get that positive - will be the second I will schedule another round of intralipids. The moment that baby implants is crucial to this treatment. I need my body to be calm and to keep my nk levels down during that crucial time. So unfortunately, I cannot take the wait and see approach.
I get so jealous when I hear stories of women who say "I didn't even realize I missed my period and before I knew it, I was 6/7 weeks along"! Just clueless that they were even expecting. I hate having to be so calculated about this. It's not fun. It's not exciting. It's like homework. Stressful homework before the big exam. Worried if you are going to pass or fail. Yeah, not fun at all.
Either way, I guess I will just test until I get my period. Which will be next week at some point. Why not just not test until my missed period you ask? Because the sooner I know if I am, the better because the second I get that positive - will be the second I will schedule another round of intralipids. The moment that baby implants is crucial to this treatment. I need my body to be calm and to keep my nk levels down during that crucial time. So unfortunately, I cannot take the wait and see approach.
I get so jealous when I hear stories of women who say "I didn't even realize I missed my period and before I knew it, I was 6/7 weeks along"! Just clueless that they were even expecting. I hate having to be so calculated about this. It's not fun. It's not exciting. It's like homework. Stressful homework before the big exam. Worried if you are going to pass or fail. Yeah, not fun at all.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Quite a cocktail list
***update: Just spoke with my doctor and she feels I only need 2 intralipid shots this cycle, the first to be a day before ovulation. So I won't be having 3 shots starting thurs. Which is fine by me cause that saves me $$. Now I just need to pinpoint when the hell I am going to ovulate so I can get the shot the day before. THAT is going to be a task. ugh***
I am really trying to pull out all of the stops here for this cycle. I think I have done everything known to man to try and make this work. I just scheduled my first of perhaps 3 intralipid shots. I will get the first round this thursday. Then I will wait again do the second round right before ovulation. This is crucial because is has to be timed accordingly - which will be very hard because I only can tell AFTER I ovulated. So I am basing everything just on my past cycles which day I think I should ovulate. As well as temping, monitoring my CM, and all that jazz as well.
I don't trust ovulation predictors. I don't know if it's because I have a long LH surge but they never worked for me. I would get days of positives. So I don't go by those. So hopefully I can peg this just right so it is most effective.
So far to make this work I have done:
Lit therapy,
Intralipids,
Hydroxychloroquine,
Predisone (steroids)
Lovenox
Baby aspirin
Omega 3 supplements
Pine bark
Reversatrol
Metanx (folate)
Prenatals
Vit D
Vit E
Tumeric
EGCg green tea extract
progesterone
And I have excluded endometriosis as being the culprit.
The only thing I haven't done is the IVIg.
I've been through the ringer these past couple of years...and I am hoping everything I am doing will be enough to finally have my baby. The only thing that will prevent it now is either my TNF still won't budge coming down, or my eggs are not viable. Which scares the shit out of me.
But all I can do is try. And I can be comforted knowing I am doing everything within my power right now. If I miscarry again, I will give it another try again. I feel I can do this....I feel this will happen. I have to continue to be patient. I have to continue to give it time. And I have to continue to tell myself, it's not my fault. I am trying..and that's all I can do.
I am really trying to pull out all of the stops here for this cycle. I think I have done everything known to man to try and make this work. I just scheduled my first of perhaps 3 intralipid shots. I will get the first round this thursday. Then I will wait again do the second round right before ovulation. This is crucial because is has to be timed accordingly - which will be very hard because I only can tell AFTER I ovulated. So I am basing everything just on my past cycles which day I think I should ovulate. As well as temping, monitoring my CM, and all that jazz as well.
I don't trust ovulation predictors. I don't know if it's because I have a long LH surge but they never worked for me. I would get days of positives. So I don't go by those. So hopefully I can peg this just right so it is most effective.
So far to make this work I have done:
Lit therapy,
Intralipids,
Hydroxychloroquine,
Predisone (steroids)
Lovenox
Baby aspirin
Omega 3 supplements
Pine bark
Reversatrol
Metanx (folate)
Prenatals
Vit D
Vit E
Tumeric
EGCg green tea extract
progesterone
And I have excluded endometriosis as being the culprit.
The only thing I haven't done is the IVIg.
I've been through the ringer these past couple of years...and I am hoping everything I am doing will be enough to finally have my baby. The only thing that will prevent it now is either my TNF still won't budge coming down, or my eggs are not viable. Which scares the shit out of me.
But all I can do is try. And I can be comforted knowing I am doing everything within my power right now. If I miscarry again, I will give it another try again. I feel I can do this....I feel this will happen. I have to continue to be patient. I have to continue to give it time. And I have to continue to tell myself, it's not my fault. I am trying..and that's all I can do.
Quite a cocktail list
I am really trying to pull out all of the stops here for this cycle. I think I have done everything known to man to try and make this work. I just scheduled my first of perhaps 3 intralipid shots. I will get the first round this thursday. Then I will wait again do the second round right before ovulation. This is crucial because is has to be timed accordingly - which will be very hard because I only can tell AFTER I ovulated. So I am basing everything just on my past cycles which day I think I should ovulate. As well as temping, monitoring my CM, and all that jazz as well.
I don't trust ovulation predictors. I don't know if it's because I have a long LH surge but they never worked for me. I would get days of positives. So I don't go by those. So hopefully I can peg this just right so it is most effective.
So far to make this work I have done:
Lit therapy,
Intralipids,
Hydroxychloroquine,
Predisone (steroids)
Lovenox
Baby aspirin
Omega 3 supplements
Pine bark
Reversatrol
Metanx (folate)
Prenatals
Vit D
Vit E
Tumeric
EGCg green tea extract
progesterone
And I have excluded endometriosis as being the culprit.
The only thing I haven't done is the IVIg.
I've been through the ringer these past couple of years...and I am hoping everything I am doing will be enough to finally have my baby. The only thing that will prevent it now is either my TNF still won't budge coming down, or my eggs are not viable. Which scares the shit out of me.
But all I can do is try. And I can be comforted knowing I am doing everything within my power right now. If I miscarry again, I will give it another try again. I feel I can do this....I feel this will happen. I have to continue to be patient. I have to continue to give it time. And I have to continue to tell myself, it's not my fault. I am trying..and that's all I can do.
I don't trust ovulation predictors. I don't know if it's because I have a long LH surge but they never worked for me. I would get days of positives. So I don't go by those. So hopefully I can peg this just right so it is most effective.
So far to make this work I have done:
Lit therapy,
Intralipids,
Hydroxychloroquine,
Predisone (steroids)
Lovenox
Baby aspirin
Omega 3 supplements
Pine bark
Reversatrol
Metanx (folate)
Prenatals
Vit D
Vit E
Tumeric
EGCg green tea extract
progesterone
And I have excluded endometriosis as being the culprit.
The only thing I haven't done is the IVIg.
I've been through the ringer these past couple of years...and I am hoping everything I am doing will be enough to finally have my baby. The only thing that will prevent it now is either my TNF still won't budge coming down, or my eggs are not viable. Which scares the shit out of me.
But all I can do is try. And I can be comforted knowing I am doing everything within my power right now. If I miscarry again, I will give it another try again. I feel I can do this....I feel this will happen. I have to continue to be patient. I have to continue to give it time. And I have to continue to tell myself, it's not my fault. I am trying..and that's all I can do.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
July 21st
Well - I got the call from the schedule coordinator for the Endometriosis surgery and turns out, they got me in for July 21st! Which means, this will get done before my next period - which means, we can possibly try again in August!! It's great and terrible timing all in one - because that is the week my sister and her family are coming to visit! But, she understands and we just have to throw a quick surgery into the plans. lol
It will be interesting what they find out. It's good both ways I guess. It's good if I do have endo - because that may give me a reason for my high tnfa and perhaps control it. But it's good if I don't have it - because, well, yay I don't have endo! One less thing! lol. So either way, I am going to be ok. I will either treat it, or I won't have to worry about it.
Thing that sucks is - if I don't have it - then bring on the expensive drugs. Yikes. Not looking forward to that expense. I will retest my TNFa a week or so after my surgery to see if that made any effect. Wish I could wait a bit longer to retest - but my period will be coming shortly after so I need this all squared away so I can prep for August. What a fiasco I tell ya. Everyday it's something different. A bumpy, twirly, up and down roller coaster that doesn't seem to end.
Well, let's see what they discover...stay tuned...
It will be interesting what they find out. It's good both ways I guess. It's good if I do have endo - because that may give me a reason for my high tnfa and perhaps control it. But it's good if I don't have it - because, well, yay I don't have endo! One less thing! lol. So either way, I am going to be ok. I will either treat it, or I won't have to worry about it.
Thing that sucks is - if I don't have it - then bring on the expensive drugs. Yikes. Not looking forward to that expense. I will retest my TNFa a week or so after my surgery to see if that made any effect. Wish I could wait a bit longer to retest - but my period will be coming shortly after so I need this all squared away so I can prep for August. What a fiasco I tell ya. Everyday it's something different. A bumpy, twirly, up and down roller coaster that doesn't seem to end.
Well, let's see what they discover...stay tuned...
Friday, June 24, 2016
Reproductive Immunology
I stumbled upon this very interesting website regarding Reproductive Immunology. It's really informative because it describes exactly what everything is, and describes the treatments for each immune issue. For anyone who is reading this and thinking I am speaking a foreign language when I talk about immune issues or anyone who is actually GOING through immune testing...I highly suggest you read it. I have a lot of these issues and I talk about them often on here!
http://www.immunologysupport.com/treatments.html
P.S. Hopefully will get my results back today or Monday the latest! I moved my follow up with my Dr. to Tues the 28th! I am still keeping the consultation with the other doctor regarding Endometriosis - because if that is something I want to look into the future - then at least I got the consultation part out of the way, ya know?
Anyway - stay tuned for hopefully good news!
http://www.immunologysupport.com/treatments.html
P.S. Hopefully will get my results back today or Monday the latest! I moved my follow up with my Dr. to Tues the 28th! I am still keeping the consultation with the other doctor regarding Endometriosis - because if that is something I want to look into the future - then at least I got the consultation part out of the way, ya know?
Anyway - stay tuned for hopefully good news!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Retested...and now we wait.
So yesterday I went in to get retested for the LAD (to see if LIT worked) as well as the TNFa. Now the waiting game begins. I hate this part because I just want to know now!! But they take sooooooo long to get you the results! I am hoping it's not like last time where it almost took 2 weeks! That will be brutal. But it's done!
The retesting kind of was a nightmare. Apparently the phlebotomist up and quit suddenly - and left my nurse high and dry doing the tests. Well she didn't know what color tubes the specific blood test was used for and we had to call the lab that runs the tests to walk her through what she needed to do with it. Naturally this kind of upset me because I don't want any hiccups with this retesting. The blood has to arrive at the lab within 24 hours - I just hope it got there in time. But I am going to try and not stress...we will just wait for the results.
So that's that. Stay tuned...
The retesting kind of was a nightmare. Apparently the phlebotomist up and quit suddenly - and left my nurse high and dry doing the tests. Well she didn't know what color tubes the specific blood test was used for and we had to call the lab that runs the tests to walk her through what she needed to do with it. Naturally this kind of upset me because I don't want any hiccups with this retesting. The blood has to arrive at the lab within 24 hours - I just hope it got there in time. But I am going to try and not stress...we will just wait for the results.
So that's that. Stay tuned...
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Thoughts on results
So I FINALLY got *some* of my results back. I am still waiting for 2 other panels as well as my husbands results as well. But this panel that I just received was kind of a bombshell. My nurse was nice enough to send me the report so I can do some of my own interpretations and research before my consultation with my doctor on Tues to go over everything in much greater detail. But she knows how impatient and stressed I am - so I can't thank her enough for allowing me to go ahead and do some research for peace of mind.
With that said, through my research on good ol' google...I believe we have found our culprit. Nevermind the tests which levels came back a little out of range...my focus mainly is the TH1/TH2 results. My levels for the TNFa were INSANELY high. And after researching what that means - well as you read below - it isn't good. Basically my body is acting as if the embryo is a foreign object and getting rid of it. If what I researched is truly accurate - this would ALL MAKE SO MUCH SENSE to me. It would explain the chemical pregnancies. It would explain just so much! Because my issue was never the fact that I couldn't get pregnant - it was that it would never stick! And after every test that I've had - this would make the most sense. My body is attacking it! My immune system is through the roof! Probably would explain why I haven't even had a common cold in almost 2 years!! Not even lying!! I tried to remember the last time I was even sick! I believe it was the beginning of 2014! Crazy!
I am not totally sure that helped play a part as to why I haven't been sick in a long time - but a hyperactive immune system would surely be a good clue as to why. Anyway...I am feeling very relieved. Not that there is something seriously wrong here - trust me - it sucks I have these issues and I hate that there are problems with my body. BUT. It gives me answers. AND. it's treatable!! I don't want to get ahead of myself here. This is only what google has told me. I can't sit here and play doctor and diagnose/treat myself. I have to wait to see what my doctor says about it all. Her professional and medical interpretation of it all. And as I feel that this is what is going on - she may surprise me with something entirely different. Could be worse news, could be positive. I will just have to wait and see on tuesday.
Anyway, there are also some conflicting results like low NKCell count but high TNF. I'm not sure what that means or why. More questions for the dr. I suppose. Leave it to my body, I've always been a walking contradiction! lol
But for now...I am happy that at least we are getting some answers!! Answers that I truly believe will help make this nightmare go away!! I have found a newfound excitment I haven't felt in a while. Hope. I am trying to do what my nurse told me to do. Stay grounded, don't get scared/nervous/excited UNTIL you talk to the doctor. Take everything google has to say with a huge grain of salt. So I will focus on doing that. There could be a million other things that are wrong that I don't even know about. So I just have to keep waiting and talk to my doctor.
But man, I really hope and feel that we are making some ground here. I finally think we are on the right track.
With that said, through my research on good ol' google...I believe we have found our culprit. Nevermind the tests which levels came back a little out of range...my focus mainly is the TH1/TH2 results. My levels for the TNFa were INSANELY high. And after researching what that means - well as you read below - it isn't good. Basically my body is acting as if the embryo is a foreign object and getting rid of it. If what I researched is truly accurate - this would ALL MAKE SO MUCH SENSE to me. It would explain the chemical pregnancies. It would explain just so much! Because my issue was never the fact that I couldn't get pregnant - it was that it would never stick! And after every test that I've had - this would make the most sense. My body is attacking it! My immune system is through the roof! Probably would explain why I haven't even had a common cold in almost 2 years!! Not even lying!! I tried to remember the last time I was even sick! I believe it was the beginning of 2014! Crazy!
I am not totally sure that helped play a part as to why I haven't been sick in a long time - but a hyperactive immune system would surely be a good clue as to why. Anyway...I am feeling very relieved. Not that there is something seriously wrong here - trust me - it sucks I have these issues and I hate that there are problems with my body. BUT. It gives me answers. AND. it's treatable!! I don't want to get ahead of myself here. This is only what google has told me. I can't sit here and play doctor and diagnose/treat myself. I have to wait to see what my doctor says about it all. Her professional and medical interpretation of it all. And as I feel that this is what is going on - she may surprise me with something entirely different. Could be worse news, could be positive. I will just have to wait and see on tuesday.
Anyway, there are also some conflicting results like low NKCell count but high TNF. I'm not sure what that means or why. More questions for the dr. I suppose. Leave it to my body, I've always been a walking contradiction! lol
But for now...I am happy that at least we are getting some answers!! Answers that I truly believe will help make this nightmare go away!! I have found a newfound excitment I haven't felt in a while. Hope. I am trying to do what my nurse told me to do. Stay grounded, don't get scared/nervous/excited UNTIL you talk to the doctor. Take everything google has to say with a huge grain of salt. So I will focus on doing that. There could be a million other things that are wrong that I don't even know about. So I just have to keep waiting and talk to my doctor.
But man, I really hope and feel that we are making some ground here. I finally think we are on the right track.
Some test results (finally)
So here are some results from my autoimmune testing I recently did. I think we may have found the culprit for my losses. Please read below and I will write another post on my thoughts:
Test: CD-3 (Pan T-Cells)
Normal levels: 63-86%
My level: 90.0 (High)
What it means:
These cells are the most important in our immune system. They are low when the immune system is weak (suppressed) and normal when the immune system is healthy. Infertile patients and patients with recurrent pregnancy losses have values in the high normal range. These individuals have immune systems that are strong - even overactive. A strong overactive immune system is associated with a 5% incidence of autoimmune diseases for example, thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
Test: CD-8 (T-Cytotoxic-Suppressors)
Normal Levels: 17-35%
My levels: 37.8 (High)
What it means:
These cells are the referees of the Pan T and the T Helper interactions. They coordinate how strongly or how weakly the immune system reacts. In women with miscarriage and or infertility these cells are often on the low side. "They get tired arbitrating the hyperactive Pan T cells and the T Helpers." They are rarely high.
CD56+ CD16+ Natural Killer Cells
Normal Levels: 3-12%
My Levels: 1.0 (Low)
What it means:
Natural Killer cells of this type are produced in the bone marrow and these cells produce a chemotherapy molecule called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor). This molecule is involved in eliminating cancer cells that may develop in normal individuals. Tumor Necrosis Factor also causes joint damage in women with rheumatoid arthritis. These Natural Killer cells are often elevated in women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage. The Tumor Necrosis Factor produced by these cells kills the rapidly dividing cells of the embryo and placenta often resulting in IVF or GIFT failure, blighted ovum or a chemical pregnancy where the BhCG elevates slightly and then quickly returns to non-pregnant levels. Normal levels for this cell population are 3-12%. The CD 56 and the CD16 molecules on the surface of these cells are special glue (adhesion) molecules that allow the Natural Killer Cells to attach to cancer, placental and embryonic cells. Once glued to the placental cell, it sprays Tumor Necrosis Factor on the cell and kills it.
TH1/TH2 Intracellular Cytokine Ratios:
Normal Levels:
TNF-a:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 13.2-30.6
IFN-G:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 5.8-20.5
My levels:
TNF-a:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 61.5 (High)
IFN-G:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 17.0 (normal)
What it means:
Test: CD-3 (Pan T-Cells)
Normal levels: 63-86%
My level: 90.0 (High)
What it means:
These cells are the most important in our immune system. They are low when the immune system is weak (suppressed) and normal when the immune system is healthy. Infertile patients and patients with recurrent pregnancy losses have values in the high normal range. These individuals have immune systems that are strong - even overactive. A strong overactive immune system is associated with a 5% incidence of autoimmune diseases for example, thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
Test: CD-8 (T-Cytotoxic-Suppressors)
Normal Levels: 17-35%
My levels: 37.8 (High)
What it means:
These cells are the referees of the Pan T and the T Helper interactions. They coordinate how strongly or how weakly the immune system reacts. In women with miscarriage and or infertility these cells are often on the low side. "They get tired arbitrating the hyperactive Pan T cells and the T Helpers." They are rarely high.
CD56+ CD16+ Natural Killer Cells
Normal Levels: 3-12%
My Levels: 1.0 (Low)
What it means:
Natural Killer cells of this type are produced in the bone marrow and these cells produce a chemotherapy molecule called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor). This molecule is involved in eliminating cancer cells that may develop in normal individuals. Tumor Necrosis Factor also causes joint damage in women with rheumatoid arthritis. These Natural Killer cells are often elevated in women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage. The Tumor Necrosis Factor produced by these cells kills the rapidly dividing cells of the embryo and placenta often resulting in IVF or GIFT failure, blighted ovum or a chemical pregnancy where the BhCG elevates slightly and then quickly returns to non-pregnant levels. Normal levels for this cell population are 3-12%. The CD 56 and the CD16 molecules on the surface of these cells are special glue (adhesion) molecules that allow the Natural Killer Cells to attach to cancer, placental and embryonic cells. Once glued to the placental cell, it sprays Tumor Necrosis Factor on the cell and kills it.
TH1/TH2 Intracellular Cytokine Ratios:
Normal Levels:
TNF-a:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 13.2-30.6
IFN-G:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 5.8-20.5
My levels:
TNF-a:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 61.5 (High)
IFN-G:IL-10 (CD3+CD4+) 17.0 (normal)
What it means:
This is a ratio
between two groups of chemicals in the body. The TH1 cytokines are defensive
and include TNFα and IFNɤ. The TH2 cytokines including IL10 and others
calm down the immune system and promote immune tolerance particularly during
pregnancy so that the mother’s body will allow the embryos to implant and the
pregnancy to be stable.
The defensive cytokines are important as well. They defend the
body against bacteria, viruses and cancer changes. Normally during pregnancy,
the ratio shifts towards TH2 to maintain the pregnancy. If the ratio is
deviated significantly toward the defensive cytokines (TH1), the chances of
conceiving become less and the risk of miscarriage becomes high. Th1 cytokine
dominance will make the environment inside the uterus hostile to the embryos
and the pregnancy. This damages the endometrium, and its receptivity.
Additionally, it can also damage the embryos and make their chances of
implantation much lower.
High TNFα can damage the eggs before they are released from the
ovaries. It is imperative to bring the level down and keep it down for a couple
of months before you try for pregnancy. The eggs that develop in the first two
weeks of the cycle would have started to wake up from a long dormant phase over
the previous two to three months, and it is important to wake up in a healthy
environment to avoid the potential damage.
Increased ratio of TNFα is treated with TNFα antagonists e.g.
humira in the form of two injections two weeks apart, and retest 7-10 days
later. If the levels are not low enough, it is advised to have a further course
of two injections. Usually it is supplemented with a second course and a drip
of intralipids to boost the effect. Of course, not everyone will respond to
TNFα antagonists adequately. However, the effect can be boosted with steroids
and intralipids. Additionally, you might need IVIg early in pregnancy if you
still have high TNFα
Monday, February 1, 2016
Start of a new month
Well today I finally got my period. Now that it's here I can start preparing what this month will bring. Hopefully lots of answers and solutions! I guess I am to go in to the doctors on my day 3 to begin some tests. I think my dr. wants to retest my AMH levels, since she said they can always change. My last AMH testing was back in Sept. The numbers were great so I am hoping nothing has changed too drastically. It's always nerve wracking when you get older and you have to go in for these tests. As if aging wasn't hard enough - you have to have constant reminder tests that your eggs are too. oy.
It would be awesome if we could get all of these tests and whatnot done so I can start trying again soon. I hate when days like today happen when I get my period and I know, that was just another egg gone. I feel like my time is just ticking right on by and each month is just another step closer to menopause! haha. Scary to think about. =/
Anyway, I am eager to get to the bottom of everything needless to say. I am emotionally unstable as far as all of this. I am up and down all of the time. I know it's good that I was forced to wait, because I need this time to heal and prepare for the next round. Which I am doing, slowly but surely. But it would be cool if we do these tests and the doctor is like "yep, this is the problem, take this and do that and try again whenever you want!" and then boom, it works and everything is peachy! That's my perfect world. haha! But the reality is, I will have to do these tests, it may provide answers, it may not. And I will more than likely be told to wait until next month so now we are looking at March at the earliest. I just turned 37 in Dec and it is already FLYING by!!
I also am STILLLLLL waiting for the results of the tissue sample. My God it is taking FOR-EV-ER. I called my nurse to see what the hold up was and she is going to call them today to see if she can find out what is taking so long. And hopefully they can just tell her what the results were!! So I don't know if it will be today that I will know anything - but I am confident it will be sometime this week. I will post as soon as I hear something. :)
In other news, my mom came and visited me this weekend which was nice. It's always nice to get some mom time in, especially when you are going through hard times. Nothing like the comfort of your momma. We watched a lot of movies this weekend. The Revenant, The Martian and Everest. All GREAT movies, but if I had to recommend one, The Martian is a MUST SEE!! I loved it!! The Revenant was good, a little long but Leo's acting was great. And Everest was really good too, very sad. Based on a true story which always tugs at the heartstrings a little harder. But The Martian - yeah...phenomenal!!
Ok that's enough of my movie reviews! (Sometimes you have to go a little off topic to get your mind off of things!!) ;)
It would be awesome if we could get all of these tests and whatnot done so I can start trying again soon. I hate when days like today happen when I get my period and I know, that was just another egg gone. I feel like my time is just ticking right on by and each month is just another step closer to menopause! haha. Scary to think about. =/
Anyway, I am eager to get to the bottom of everything needless to say. I am emotionally unstable as far as all of this. I am up and down all of the time. I know it's good that I was forced to wait, because I need this time to heal and prepare for the next round. Which I am doing, slowly but surely. But it would be cool if we do these tests and the doctor is like "yep, this is the problem, take this and do that and try again whenever you want!" and then boom, it works and everything is peachy! That's my perfect world. haha! But the reality is, I will have to do these tests, it may provide answers, it may not. And I will more than likely be told to wait until next month so now we are looking at March at the earliest. I just turned 37 in Dec and it is already FLYING by!!
I also am STILLLLLL waiting for the results of the tissue sample. My God it is taking FOR-EV-ER. I called my nurse to see what the hold up was and she is going to call them today to see if she can find out what is taking so long. And hopefully they can just tell her what the results were!! So I don't know if it will be today that I will know anything - but I am confident it will be sometime this week. I will post as soon as I hear something. :)
In other news, my mom came and visited me this weekend which was nice. It's always nice to get some mom time in, especially when you are going through hard times. Nothing like the comfort of your momma. We watched a lot of movies this weekend. The Revenant, The Martian and Everest. All GREAT movies, but if I had to recommend one, The Martian is a MUST SEE!! I loved it!! The Revenant was good, a little long but Leo's acting was great. And Everest was really good too, very sad. Based on a true story which always tugs at the heartstrings a little harder. But The Martian - yeah...phenomenal!!
Ok that's enough of my movie reviews! (Sometimes you have to go a little off topic to get your mind off of things!!) ;)
Monday, January 18, 2016
Waiting, waiting and more waiting
I hate waiting. I am probably the most impatient person ever. I want things to happen when I want them to happen, so having no control over certain things drives me nuts!! I haven't stopped tracking my basal temp even though I am currently not TTC this month, just to keep a range of it for reference. So I am pretty sure I ovulated yesterday which is good, but sad. Another egg wasted, another opportunity missed. I hate that I have to constantly watch cycle after cycle go by and nothing comes out of it. It's so frustrating!!!
I am also waiting on these dang results from the tissue I submitted to come back!! I'm so eager to find out if they could determine if this is a chromosomal issue or not! Or if they could even determine ANYTHING from it at all!! It will at least point me in somewhat of a direction regardless the outcome. If it is, well that sucks, but we will most likely have to turn to IVF. But if we have to do that, might as well get that ball rolling now! I'm 37, times a' tickin!!! lol! And if it isn't, well we have a lot of NK Cell testing to do and tons of more research to determine wtf is going on!! Such a headache.
In the meantime, I see every other persons life moving onward and upward, while I sit here in limbo. I have hidden so many mothers, and mothers to be on my facebook because I simply just can't deal with looking at all of that right now. I hate to have to hide my friends, and I really am super happy for them...but looking at them have these perfect pregnancies and beautiful babies without a problem in the world just rubs salt in my wounds. Maybe I am being immature about it, whatever. It's how I feel and I already promised myself I would allow myself to feel any way I want about this. It's my way of spoiling myself after what I have gone through. So yeah, if I want to act like a baby at times...then so be it.
Anyway, I will update as soon as I get the results from the tissue sample. Until then...well, just going to enjoy this quiet day at work while others are enjoying their MLK day off!! Jerks!! haha
I am also waiting on these dang results from the tissue I submitted to come back!! I'm so eager to find out if they could determine if this is a chromosomal issue or not! Or if they could even determine ANYTHING from it at all!! It will at least point me in somewhat of a direction regardless the outcome. If it is, well that sucks, but we will most likely have to turn to IVF. But if we have to do that, might as well get that ball rolling now! I'm 37, times a' tickin!!! lol! And if it isn't, well we have a lot of NK Cell testing to do and tons of more research to determine wtf is going on!! Such a headache.
In the meantime, I see every other persons life moving onward and upward, while I sit here in limbo. I have hidden so many mothers, and mothers to be on my facebook because I simply just can't deal with looking at all of that right now. I hate to have to hide my friends, and I really am super happy for them...but looking at them have these perfect pregnancies and beautiful babies without a problem in the world just rubs salt in my wounds. Maybe I am being immature about it, whatever. It's how I feel and I already promised myself I would allow myself to feel any way I want about this. It's my way of spoiling myself after what I have gone through. So yeah, if I want to act like a baby at times...then so be it.
Anyway, I will update as soon as I get the results from the tissue sample. Until then...well, just going to enjoy this quiet day at work while others are enjoying their MLK day off!! Jerks!! haha
Monday, September 28, 2015
Mentally preparing myself
I often sit back and think about everything that I have gone through til this point and it still amazes me. I am at the point where I don't really know where to go from here if God forbid this doesn't work and I suffer through yet another loss. I want to be strong for myself and my husband...but I have taken my lashings and I just want to be done. I understand the reality that the possibility of losing another is very high. So I have to mentally prepare myself.
I don't want to be a "debbie downer" and I know having a positive mental attitude is very important. And believe me, I am trying. But I am also the type of person that kinda goes by the "hope for the best but expect the worst" kind of attitude. Many don't like this rational....but it's the way I am programmed. It's how I deal. Maybe it's a bit negative. But it's just how I think.
Anyway, we try again next month. In like 3 weeks I have to go back to the doctor for an ultrasound to make sure I am going to ovulate next month. It's important to time this ovulation precisely because I have to take these injections literally right after. So I can't be off on my days. Timing is everything with this one.
It makes me a bit sad. It's all so calculated. The fun has been stripped away. The excitement is gone. It's very scientific now more than anything. I feel like a guinea pig. I will always remember the excitement I had with the first positive. I will always miss that feeling. Now I am just petrified, curious, anxious and angry that it has even come to this. But as my nurse said - if this all works out - every single thing I did to get there will all be worth it. I hold on to that very hard. Every time I will have to prick myself with daily injections...I will think of that.
If this doesn't work out...and I do miscarry again. They will test the embryo and find out what is going on. I read a blog where the woman who was literally going through the same thing. She had another miscarriage after everything. 4 losses, same medications, I literally could have written her blog. But she went on to have her "rainbow baby" as they call it. Her blog gave me hope. That even if God forbid my long road isn't over...that one day it will be. Hopefully with a happy ending as well. But regardless the outcome, I just hope someone who is going through what I am going through will stumble upon this blog and find some inspiration...or at the very least, someone to relate to.
The Gameplan
Looks like I am all caught up now! I started this blog after all of this had happened, and wanted to move forward sharing my experiences as they come from here on out. So this is the most recent and up to date entry. Last week, Sept 22. we had our followup with the doctor to go over the gameplan. My doctor believes that the issues are stemming from my blood clotting disorders, so she is going to put me on a cocktail of medications for the next time (which will be after this cycle).
Basically, the recipe is going to consist of:
- Daily Lovenox (a blood thinner) injections. Yes I have to take a needle and inject this medication into my stomach for the next God willing 36 weeks. If I make it that far, after 36 weeks I will switch to Heparin (another blood thinner) and will up the dosage to 2 shots in the belly a day until the baby is born. Then I will be put back on Lovenox for a good 6 weeks post labor. This will help prevent and/or breakdown any clots from forming while pregnant. I will get started on this medication on day 3 after ovulation (even before I even get a positive pregnancy test) to be sure no clots form during implantation.
- Baby Aspirin. Another blood thinner. Lovenox basically protects me from blood clots - baby aspirin protects the baby. Lovenox does not cross the placenta...baby aspirin does. That's the difference between the two. With my conditions, I will have to take baby aspirin every day for the rest of my life.
- Metanx - it's a non synthetic form of Folic Acid since my body has a hard time breaking it down due to the MTHFR. It also contains B6 and B12.
- Progesterone - Have to take this the entire 1st trimester to help keep my uterine lining nice and thick for baby.
- Calcium - Lovenox really takes a toll on your bones so I have to keep them strong with calcium tablets
- MultiVitamins - to go along with the Metanx
- Prenatal DHA - to help avoid neural defects
- Vitamin D3 - since I was low and it plays an important roll in pregnancy
And there you have it. Blah.
Give it to me straight, doc
Well, the results are in. And from what it seems...the issue lies solely within me. My husbands results came back perfect! More than perfect actually! I knew his results would. I mean, he's batted home runs 4 times in a row now! He's a champ! Me on the other hand.. well for starters, my HSG results came back great! Uterus showed no abnormalities and fallopian tubes are wide open! No blockages! So that was refreshing to hear! Also my FSH and AMH results came back, which basically gives you an idea of how your ovarian reserve (eggs) are....and my numbers looked great! Lots of little eggs left so definitely not going through menopause anytime soon! Yay! Now for the bigger issues.
Here are my results:
- Heterozygous for 1 copy of the MTHFR C677T Mutation
- Homozygous for 2 copies of the PAI-1 Serpine 4G/4G Variant
- Chromosome 9 inversion.
And there ya have it. Here is a brief rundown of what each one is:
Sometimes your MTHFR has a genetic defect. These defects are fairly common and its estimated by some studies that up to 60% of the population have one MTHFR mutation or another.
There are two common genetic MTHFR mutations. If you have one mutation only, you are heterozygous. It is reported that nearly half the population is MTHFR heterozygous. - it is nothing abnormal. If you have two copies of the same mutation, you are homozygous. Homozygotes can have elevated homocysteine levels in maternal blood and amniotic fluid. If you have one copy each of the two different mutations, you are compound heterozygotes. Compound heterozygotes have the same treatment and risk level as homozygotes. If you have neither mutation, you are negative and don't need to worry about MTHFR.
There is NO CURE for MTHFR mutation. If you have the mutation, that's the way your body is made. You can, however, lessen any risk factors you have by taking B vitamins, Folic acid and baby aspirin in doses prescribed by your doctor. By taking these agents, you can lower your homocysteine levels and therefor your risk for the conditions above.
MTHFR mutations are hereditary. Families with significant early cardiovascular disease or recurrent pregnancy loss might benefit from clinical investigation.
Here are my results:
- Heterozygous for 1 copy of the MTHFR C677T Mutation
- Homozygous for 2 copies of the PAI-1 Serpine 4G/4G Variant
- Chromosome 9 inversion.
And there ya have it. Here is a brief rundown of what each one is:
What is MTHFR?
MTHFR - (Methylene-tetra-hydro-folate-reductase) is an enzyme found in the cells of our body. It is needed to metabolize (break down) homocysteine, an amino acid found in the proteins you eat. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with fetal neural tube defects (i.e., spinal Bifida) and miscarriage. An elevated homocysteine level can also indicate a increased risk factor for blood clots, arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) and strokes in both men and women. The metabolism of homocysteine depends on several enzymes, one of which is MTHFR, along with B vitamins and folic acid. In other words, B vitamins, folic acid and MTHFR are necessary to keep homocysteine levels within normal limits.
Sometimes your MTHFR has a genetic defect. These defects are fairly common and its estimated by some studies that up to 60% of the population have one MTHFR mutation or another.
There are two common genetic MTHFR mutations. If you have one mutation only, you are heterozygous. It is reported that nearly half the population is MTHFR heterozygous. - it is nothing abnormal. If you have two copies of the same mutation, you are homozygous. Homozygotes can have elevated homocysteine levels in maternal blood and amniotic fluid. If you have one copy each of the two different mutations, you are compound heterozygotes. Compound heterozygotes have the same treatment and risk level as homozygotes. If you have neither mutation, you are negative and don't need to worry about MTHFR.
There is NO CURE for MTHFR mutation. If you have the mutation, that's the way your body is made. You can, however, lessen any risk factors you have by taking B vitamins, Folic acid and baby aspirin in doses prescribed by your doctor. By taking these agents, you can lower your homocysteine levels and therefor your risk for the conditions above.
MTHFR mutations are hereditary. Families with significant early cardiovascular disease or recurrent pregnancy loss might benefit from clinical investigation.
PAI-1 4G/4G
PAI-1 4G/4G has to do with the blood clotting system. Everyone has a plasminogen activator inhibitor that is responsible for helping to breakdown blood clots. A person can have PAI-1 5G/5G, PAI-1 4G/5G, or PAI-1 4G/4G mutation (4G/4G being the worst- the one I have). When the PAI is “broken” or “mutated” blood clots that form are not broken down as they should. With pregnant women, this can cause clots in the placenta, cord, or uterine wall, inhibiting effective implantation. MTHFR and PAI 1 4G/4G are a bad combo. MTHFR can be responsible for forming clots - and the PAI 1 4/G/4/G cannot break them down once they are formed.
Pericentric Chromosome 9 Inversion
Pericentric inversion in heterochromatic region of chromosome 9 (inv[9]) is a common (1–3%) heteromorphism in the general population. Chromosome inversions are a relatively common structural alteration. There are 2 types of inversions. If both breakpoints are on the same side of the centromere, the inversion is paracentric; if they are on both sides of the centromere, then it is pericentric inversion.1 Pericentric inversion in the heterochromatic region of chromosome 9 has been recognized as a normal variant, generally without phenotypic effect.Pretty overwhelming stuff. My doctors and the lab tech, both agreed that they do not think the Chromosome 9 Inversion plays any issue in this. The lab tech stated that they are so common, he see's at least several a day. He also said it's considered a normal variant because the genetic codes are all there and the break point is in the center which leads to no issues. So I am just going to take their word on that and focus more on the blood clotting issues. Man oh man. Now time to figure out a gameplan...
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