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I would just like to post a new thread re. autoimmune issues affecting fertility. I think it is a very important issue that needs to be discussed. Awareness of the problems immune issues cause for many TTC would perhaps prevent many couples from the heartbreak of numerous failed IVF cycles. I would like to see a greater interest in this area in fertility clinics here in Ireland. There is much interesting research and treatments available in the US and Irish fertility practitioners need to start taking interest.
I would love to hear from couples who have undergone immune testing and treatment either here in Ireland or abroad. Is it possible to find a clinic here in Ireland which follows the pioneering work and example of Alan Beer in the US re. immune therapy and infertility.
All the best,
Molly
Hi Molly
As you know, I agree fully with you on this one. I had four failed IUIs and five IVF cycles (BFP on cycle 4 but miscarried at 6w) before going to a clinic in the UK for the full range of tests recommended by Dr Beer. I found a clinic that liaises with his lab in Chicago - in fact, the consultant worked closely with Dr Beer in developing the Beer protocol for IVF patients. Testing identified some issues that were then dealt with and my next cycle resulted in a BFP, full term pregnancy and a healthy baby. So I'm a convert to the AI cause too!
I don't believe that repeated miscariage / ivf implantation failure is just 'one of those things'. I believe there is a reason for it and it's a question of seeing is it possible to find that reason and treat it. I felt, after all our failed treatment, that we were being regarded as the duds, the ones hat it would probably never work for, although there was no real reason why that should be. In fact, at our review appt after ivf #5, when I said that we were upset we'd had yet another failure and that surely there must be a reason, I was told "well, you knew the success stats when you started out". To me, this just wasn't scientific! I'm just lucky that the developments had been made that enabled us to get to the cause of our difficulties - eventually. I would encourage anybody doing treatment to push for answers and not accept the 'bad luck' argument if it doesn't feel right. DH and I had been asking about auto immune testing since IVF #1 failed but we fell down on the wrong side of the proverbial numbers game another four times before we finlly got going on the right road.
just wondering how you are getting on, molly?
thinking of you...
Hi Ade and sorry about delay in replying to you. I was away on holidays. Firstly, sorry to see about your failed cycles. How many cycles have you done? It is very tough - bad enough to have infertility and need treatment but it is really rough when the treatment doesn't work!
Basically, the way my consutlant in Nottingham put it was, if you have failed implantation with IVF, there's either a problem with the embryo(s) or a problem with the uterus. It's not down to 'luck' or statistics. If it doesn't work, there is a reason for that - but whether they're able to diagnose what that problem is or not is the question. Have your clinic discussed wtih you what they believe to be your problem? Are the embryos strong when it comes to transfer? Have you had them grow to blastocyst? Obviously I'm not in a position to guess what could be going wrong but it is incredibly frustrating to be dismissed when you want to push to find out why things could possibly be going wrong.
As for actually having an autoimmune condition - that could be linked, but again it might not. In my own case, I don't have any conditions that I know of (although from testing I've had done it looks like I will develop a thyroid condition in the future) but there are various auto immune conditions in my immediate family and that too can be an indicator. It's impossible to say but if you do have an AI condition already, it could be worth investigating this route.
In Nottingham they run comprehensive blood testing to see what issues could exist that might cause the mother's uterus to reject the embryo. There are all sorts of things that can be at fault. The best book to read on this subject is Dr Alan Beer's Is Your Body Baby Friendly. That's where I started and then I went to Care Nottingham to get the testing done - just to see could it give us some answers. We had done five cycles by that point so really felt we were coming to the end of the line with our clinic in Dublin.
Anything else you'd like to ask me, please do. I hope you find answers soon, Ade.
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