IVF using donor eggs, early menopause following stem cell transplant

[Caitlyn]

Hi ladies*

Im not sure if you will be able to give any advice but 14 years ago i had leukaemia and my treatment involved chemo and total body radiation for stem cell transplant My periods stopped straight away and i went into early menopause at 20! I went to see a fertility clinic years ago as i was interested in ivf with egg donation but they said that the radiation would have caused to much damage to the uterus and it wouldnt work, but they never did any tests!.
A few months ago i asked for tests and had a transvaginal ultrasound, there was no obvious damage, the scan just showed i had a thin uterus lining, so the doctor put me on oestrogen 3 times a day for 8 weeks to see if it will thicken and see if egg donation would be possible. Im now on week 6 and lately im getting alot of discharge, mostly creamy and very very stretchy and my nipples are very sensitive, does this mean my lining is getting thicker?*
My next scan is in 2 weeks and im very impatient**

Has anyone else been through cancer treatment and been successful with egg donation? Ive never really heard anything about total body radiation and egg donation which probably isnt a good sign :/
Xxx

 

[SugaryIris]

I’m sorry, I haven’t been through this before but I couldn’t read and run.

It sounds like you’ve had a tough time but I wanted to stop and say how much I admire you for being so strong, having been through all of that and still demanding more from life. Pose to you!

It certainly seems that your hormone levels are increasing by the sounds of it but I don’t know what means for your lining, might be worth taking a prenatal vitamin as well as the oestrogen? They have certain vitamins like l-arginine (or something like that) to specifically help with lining, but maybe ask your doctor if it’s ok first?

Medical treatments specifically for ivf has come on so far so quickly in recent years. My friend deals with donor eggs at a fertility clinic in Manchester and they regularly deal with people who have gone through the early menopause.

Best of luck to you xx

 

[Caitlyn]

Thanks for your reply


Im also under a manchester hospital, st marys

I just want to get the next scan out of the way to see if the tablets have worked
Fingers crossed

It makes me quite angry that they told me it wouldnt work 10 years ago (same hospital, same doctor) without doing any tests first.
The only thing i can think of it that ivf is more advanced now and maybe theres more they can do.

 

[miamia]

I am sorry to know your story. hope treatment will work for you Good luck

 

[Sugarpop]

It certainly sounds like your lining is becoming thicker. It could also be a stronger ovulation. I know St.Mary’s has a really good reputation.

 

[Princess81]

It sounds like the hormone therapy is working well for you, by the secretions you describe. . What a hard time you’ve had! I really hope your treatment is a success x

 

[Alexis2017]

I want to wish you well on your journey. I have unexplained infertility been ttc for almost 2 years. Part of my job is to collect stem cells for donors and autologous transplants. You habe been on a tough road but you will be a stronger for it and I think your amazing to have never given up on your dream . I am floating about here if you ever need a chat x

 

[Caitlyn]

Thank you so much for your lovely replies

I went to st marys today for my scan and my lining has increased to 8.9! It was 2 last time, i cant believe it!

She also said they couldnt see my ovaries last time but saw both today with 3 follicles on each, ive not had a period in about 14 years so i doubt theyre doing anything but im happy that my linings got thicker

Just have to see the doctor again in 2 weeks and see what they say :/

 

[SugaryIris]

That is great news! And I have absolutely everything crossed for you in your journey xx

 

[tinselcat]

Hi Caitlyn, that's really positive news, I'm very happy for you! I'm looking into donor eggs because of my age and consequent egg quality and would be interested in anything you don't mind to to share of your onward experience.

As others have said, you've had a really tough journey in your life but if you can get through that then I think you'll get through anything. Hoping to hear more positive news from you xx

 

[Sugarpop]

Thank you so much for your lovely replies

I went to st marys today for my scan and my lining has increased to 8.9! It was 2 last time, i cant believe it!

She also said they couldnt see my ovaries last time but saw both today with 3 follicles on each, ive not had a period in about 14 years so i doubt theyre doing anything but im happy that my linings got thicker

Just have to see the doctor again in 2 weeks and see what they say :/

That’s fab news! It certainly sounds like you may be having a period soon! I don’t think my lining has ever been that on a scan!

 

[Caitlyn]

Thanks for your replies

I went back to see the consultant last week and she said although any pregnancy would treated as high risk i can continue with egg donation if i wanted,
However i would need to find my own donor or go private

Friends have offered but we would prefer for the donor to be unknown so i left feeling a bit down as paying up to £10,000 to go private would be a huge struggle.

I read online that some private clinics who already have donors available take nhs patients, so i contacted my local clinic commision group (as they advised online) and spoke to a lovely man who got in touch with CARE fertility in manchester who want me to call then on monday.
Im a bit sceptical because this option wasnt mentioned at my last consultation?
I did ask if it would be nhs funded and he said yes but he said i might need to be refered by my GP

Has anyone ever had nhs treatment at CARE with donor eggs??
I just dont believe its that easy? haha

 

[miamia]

Amaz news, keep fingers and toes crossed

 

[Sugarpop]

Thanks for your replies

I went back to see the consultant last week and she said although any pregnancy would treated as high risk i can continue with egg donation if i wanted,
However i would need to find my own donor or go private

Friends have offered but we would prefer for the donor to be unknown so i left feeling a bit down as paying up to £10,000 to go private would be a huge struggle.

I read online that some private clinics who already have donors available take nhs patients, so i contacted my local clinic commision group (as they advised online) and spoke to a lovely man who got in touch with CARE fertility in manchester who want me to call then on monday.
Im a bit sceptical because this option wasnt mentioned at my last consultation?
I did ask if it would be nhs funded and he said yes but he said i might need to be refered by my GP

Has anyone ever had nhs treatment at CARE with donor eggs??
I just dont believe its that easy? haha

I know it’s not the same but I did get referred to a private fertility clinic by my GP.

 

[Vintageling]

I can't help here hun but want to wish you luck and send lots of baby dust

 

[Blueflower]

It makes me quite angry that they told me it wouldnt work 10 years ago (same hospital, same doctor) without doing any tests first.
The only thing i can think of it that ivf is more advanced now and maybe theres more they can do.

I think you are right, not sure how long they have been doing egg donation for IVF but it must be less than 10 years?