Anything I need to ask at my appointment

[CARNAT22]

I am off to see recurrent miscarriage clinic on 6th Jan and wonder if ther eis anything I need to ask.

I will ask if the recommend baby asprin, will ask them about progestrone levels and my the thickness of my cervical lining.

I know they will blood test me and maybe even give me an internal anyway but I wanted to go there as clued up as possible?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

xxxxxx

 

[Kezzipea]

Ask about ur blood hun (too thick/too thin)
And get them to test u and ur partners chromosomes are compatable. xxxx

Good luck lady. xxx

 

[charliebear]

Just stopping by to wish you good luck. x

 

[CARNAT22]

Happy New Year ladies,

Getting a bit nervous about Friday now?? Eeeek!

So far I have the following things on my list that I want to discuss:

Cervical lining thickness (one prior scan put it at 12mm)
Progesterone levels
Blood (is my blood too thick or thin?)
Luteal phase (too short = recurrent miscarriage??)
Chromosomal compatibility with partner
Fibroids (one scan previously mentioned this)
Small cyst (one scan - different to scan that paick up fibroid - previously mentioned this)
Baby Asprin (will this be of any help to me?)

I know I am probably getting really boring now but is there anything else anyone can think of for me to bring up?

xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Spinneygirl]

How did it go? x

 

[Corrinne37]

Hey Carnat,
Have you not been on here since Fri?
Have been thinking about you and how it all went, please update us soon.xxx

 

[CARNAT22]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for thinking of me!

I can only log in at work as I have no laptop at the moment (I was off on holiday from Wednesday)

Appointment on Friday was OK...

On the upside we are being taken seriously and we can continue TTC whilst they investigate the cause.

On the downside there is a 70% chance that there will be no reason why we cannot have a viable pregnancy.

There is a 30% chance there is a reason though and I have been tested for the following:
* Chromosome abnormalities (OH was tested too)
* Fibroids / cysts (I will have the scan for this on Wednesday afternoon)
* Blood clotting
* Egg quality

I had to give 14 vials of blood on Friday and still need to go back for scan and anotehr blood test on CD2.

It was all pretty grim actually and I felt awful after the appointment as I had literally been drained!

I am due back on 2nd March for results but the specialist I saw didn't realise I couldn't have one blood test until a certian date (that inspires confidence doesn't it? ) So I have a feeling that I may not get the complete picture until later than March.

If they do find anything wrong as outlined above my options are as follows:
* Chromosome abnormalities - IVF
* Fibroids / cysts - Surgery
* Blood clotting - Injections to thin my blood
* Egg quality - IVF


All in all I came away feeling pretty shocked and scared.... I mean IVF? I didn't even think we'd have to go down that route?

xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Lara_M]

Hi ! Was really interested to read about your first appointment as I had my first one for recurrent miscarriage last month.
I am sorry you came away feeling a bit low because I really think it helps for them to keep you as positive as possible. My gynae was incredibly positive despite the fact I have had three miscarriages. One similarity between me and you is that we both had two v early miscarriages. Now the interestting thing about this is mine were classed as chemical pregnancies and my gynae said actually this was a good sign because it may just mean that my egg wasn't reaching full maturity and therefore, not healthy enough to implant. Were your two early miscarriages chemical? this is classified by the hsg not rising much at all and the egg not actually implanting properly. My gynae said that at 5 weeks this is normally the case.
Anyway, to get to the point, I am going on clomid next month because the idea is that with the right stimulation of hormones from the clomid, it doesnt just induce ovulation but it can improve your egg, thus making it less likely to have an early miscarriage. I am also taking baby aspirin even though my clotting test came back negative. I think this also helps in that it is then less likely our own immune system prevents the pregnancy. Not completely sure on that though you will have to ask.

Anyway, just wanted to compare, as its such a hard time and I wanted you to know you aren't alone.
I highly recommend reflexology too, I am having in conjucntion with treatment at the moment, to balance my hormone level.

Oooh, another tidbit for miscarriage - Every expert I have spoken to had told me that refined sugar is terrible. Try to eat a low GI diet so not making surges of sugar into your blood as this causes our hormones to do crazy unpredictable things.

x x x

 

[CARNAT22]

Hi ! Was really interested to read about your first appointment as I had my first one for recurrent miscarriage last month.
I am sorry you came away feeling a bit low because I really think it helps for them to keep you as positive as possible. My gynae was incredibly positive despite the fact I have had three miscarriages. One similarity between me and you is that we both had two v early miscarriages. Now the interestting thing about this is mine were classed as chemical pregnancies and my gynae said actually this was a good sign because it may just mean that my egg wasn't reaching full maturity and therefore, not healthy enough to implant. Were your two early miscarriages chemical? this is classified by the hsg not rising much at all and the egg not actually implanting properly. My gynae said that at 5 weeks this is normally the case.
Anyway, to get to the point, I am going on clomid next month because the idea is that with the right stimulation of hormones from the clomid, it doesnt just induce ovulation but it can improve your egg, thus making it less likely to have an early miscarriage. I am also taking baby aspirin even though my clotting test came back negative. I think this also helps in that it is then less likely our own immune system prevents the pregnancy. Not completely sure on that though you will have to ask.

Anyway, just wanted to compare, as its such a hard time and I wanted you to know you aren't alone.
I highly recommend reflexology too, I am having in conjucntion with treatment at the moment, to balance my hormone level.

Oooh, another tidbit for miscarriage - Every expert I have spoken to had told me that refined sugar is terrible. Try to eat a low GI diet so not making surges of sugar into your blood as this causes our hormones to do crazy unpredictable things.

x x x

Wow Lara - many thanks for your reply!

How insightful !!!

The specialist didn't mention chemical pregnancies but I myself had classed the 2nd one as a CP as it just felt like a normal period (no pain or anything).

3rd pregnancy was much more like a CP than a M/c as well, and my hcg levels the day before I had a heavy bleed were very low (87?) so I will keep this in mind when I next visit.

I did feel like the Dr had an agenda. To him my 3 loses = recurrent miscarriages and there was no discussion about CP and problems with egg implanting.

He just went on to say what he was testing me for and how he could "fix" it.

It's good to know that there could actually be other [less problemtaic] causes than what the Dr told me.

I followed a low GI plan back in 2006 (and felt so good on it, as well as losing 3 stone LOL) so I wll def look into going back to that!

I also want to look at taking a more holistic approach to the whole TTC business.

I am a bit of a stress head and my BP was quite high {I have a real phobia of having my BP taken though - I really freak out about having it done!}

xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[maybe baby]

Hi Girls,

Thanks for sharing your stories, I have had 5 chemical pregnancies and I didn't find out the problem until I had a hysteroscopy when a uterine septum was diagnosed, has either of your docs suggested one?

I had an operation in march to remove mine, and now I'm on my 3rd clomid cycle.

Good luck with all your tests and ttc.

Xx

 

[CARNAT22]

Hi Girls,

Thanks for sharing your stories, I have had 5 chemical pregnancies and I didn't find out the problem until I had a hysteroscopy when a uterine septum was diagnosed, has either of your docs suggested one?

I had an operation in march to remove mine, and now I'm on my 3rd clomid cycle.

Good luck with all your tests and ttc.

Xx

Hi hun,

I have only just had my initial appointment and they are doing all of our tests (blood tests and I have a scan on Wednesday)

I hope when I go back in March to have some answers but it's good to know of other possible causes.

I'd much prefer to know rather than have unexplained issues having a viable pregnancy

xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Lara_M]

Hey guys

I have an HSG scheduled in if I don't fall pregnant this month. Basically if AF comes next week then a few days later I will have the HSG. A little nervous about that to be honest. Did it hurt you Maybe?

I also try to hang on to the fact that my specialist said that having a chemical preg is definitely a better sign than no pregnancy.

Carnat - yes with HSG only being around the 87 mark then that would I am told be classified as a chemical. Mine got to about 100 or so with one of my pregs and that was classified a chemical when I m/c at 5 weeks.

Maybe - have you had any pregnancies since your procedure to correct the uterus? x x x

 

[CARNAT22]

Hey guys

I have an HSG scheduled in if I don't fall pregnant this month. Basically if AF comes next week then a few days later I will have the HSG. A little nervous about that to be honest. Did it hurt you Maybe?

I also try to hang on to the fact that my specialist said that having a chemical preg is definitely a better sign than no pregnancy.

Carnat - yes with HSG only being around the 87 mark then that would I am told be classified as a chemical. Mine got to about 100 or so with one of my pregs and that was classified a chemical when I m/c at 5 weeks.

Maybe - have you had any pregnancies since your procedure to correct the uterus? x x x

I can't help with the HSG I am afraid!

It does sound likely that my last two pregnancies were chemical (although from what I have read CP usually occur within a few days of when period was due?)

I have no issues with them being CP's and they were no way as hard as my first M/c.

I am glad to be getting a complete check-over though but will mention CP and possibility of egg not implanting to Dr when I go back! It will be kind of nice to hopefully rule everything else out as well....

I know that I have had it quite lucky compared to others. I know I can get pregnant and I have never had to have any medical intervention with any of my losses.

Thanks

xxxxxxx

 

[maybe baby]

Hi Girls,

A hysteroscopy and hsg are pretty similar, the catheter or the hysteroscope going in didn't hurt at all for me but the pain came when I was filled with the saline solution but its just like moderate period pain/aches.

I've not got pregnant since my op, before the op the longest I went with out catching was 7 months and I'm on month 5 now so fx I'll catch soon!

I wonder whether they take a look with the hysteroscope camera when they do hsgs, it would be easy to do both at the same time, maybe they do?

Xx

 

[Lara_M]

oooh, I had only really considered the dye being flushed into my bits, didn't even know about the camera so I will ask my doctor on email - thanks!
I think the main thing for me will be checking for any scarring or anythng like that. I had a D&C following my most far gone miscarriage at 11 weeks (5 years ago), so I think they implied that things like a uterine septum would have been spotted then, but there are so many other thngs that could be spotted with the HSG.
Did you take antibiotics before yours?
FX it will indeed catch soon for you Maybe, it must be exciting to think that you will now go into your next pregnancy havng had the operation, so this time really could be successful for you!
Carnat - I think with chemicals, it can be a little later than just the first few days after your period was expected. Its not that the embryo doesn't implant necessarily, I think its that its that it doesnt implant properly and then doesn't continue to develop so the HCG hormone just stays low and then tails off. I only knew I was pregnant for 8 days with my chemical before I bled, and I kind of knew it wasnt going to stick because my BFP lines stopped getting darker and never made it as dark as the control line.

Anyway, we all seem to be getting preggo so that got to be a good thing, now we just have to stay pregnant. Lets have these babies this year!!!!! x x x

 

[Corrinne37]

Sorry to hear things didnt go quite as you d hoped Carnat, atleast they are looking into things further.
Its all a question of why and a waiting game for all of us, we just have to be calm and positive and get healthy and look after ourselves as much as pos in the meantime.
1st March follow up isnt bad, mine is 26th March form appt early Nov!!!

So sorry to read you had another MC Lara, couldnt believe it when I just read that. We will all get there. 2012 is our year. xxx

 

[Lara_M]

Thanks Corinne, was totally gutted, but I only knew I was pregnent for just over a week, so after the floods of tears for a few days I tried to get myself in a positive mood again. Now in my 2ww first time taking aspirin and with my gynae on standby if i do get a positive. Although, I dont really think I feel like I have got the egg this month ( re you trying this cycle? x

 

[CARNAT22]

Hey Lara and Corrine!

Well my Dr is officially useless and at the rate my follow up appointment will be totally fruitless.

I had a funny feeling about my scan tomorrow so I called and low and behold they don't have me booked in for anything until 2nd March?

How the Hell can they tell me what is wrong when they don't have all the info?

It's a bit confusing but the upshot is I can't get through to the nurses and I need them to book me a scan?

So currently my options are leave a VM everyday until a nurse calls me back or turn up tomorrow for an appointment I know doesn't exist (I have a scrap of paper with the date / time). The scan is in clinic 3 and I was referred by clinic 1. So If I do go tomorrow I can at least go over to clinic 1 and get another appointment for a scan [plus complain!!!] but it means leaving work 2 hours early for no reason???

I am so annoyed!!!

Lara, I have been giving a lot of thought to the whole 'CP' issue and it struck me last night that the reason I refer to all of my losses as M/c's is because that is what both the EPU and my GP have called them?

I found a lot of comfort after loss #2 when I read about CP's (it was a relief as having one M/cand one CP didn't seem as "horrible" as having 2 M/c's if that makes sense?)

At this rate Corrine I'll be waiting until well after 2nd March for any results. I also have another blood test that the Dr referred me for and stupidly didn't tell me I had to take on CD2 .... Grrrrr!

xxxxxxxx

 

[Lara_M]

Hey!! Honey, I still refer to my chemicals as m/c's. And so do my doctors. Its then just reasuring to think that the little fertilised eggs left me BEFORE they had a fetal pole, so that when I get to that stage next time that I won't feel quite as scared - does that make sense?

I would be realy frustrated about the scan mix up honey - but if you do have the time to get down there and just insist you had an appointment then its worth a shot - at least theres a chance - and it keeps things moving.

Its really hard to keep abreast of the timings of bloods and thngs like that. I noew take a little note pad in with me and make sure I say - right what do I do next, when? where and how?! I am also very lucky that this treatment is covered through bupa so i have a private doc with a very capable secretary who seems ok with me querying things by email x x x

 

[CARNAT22]

I don't mean to moan about it as I am grateful I am being taken seriously BUT to not even be able to get my scan right and tell me right day to have a blood test doesn't inspire confidence?

At this rate we'll have the results of our genetic testing but not anything else!

I cannot justify leaving work 2 hours early to make a point so to speak.

There is no scan booked, I know that!

I have a couple of other numbers I can call and I'll do that later today.

I am so glad I had the sense to ring and check about tomorrow, otherwise I'd be really angry!