I don't really understand it all, but it is to do with immunology testing and testing to make sure that we do not have killer cells.  In the UK it is called the "Chicago test" as it has to be sent off to Chicago to be tested.  I assume from that it must be either the only place in the world or the best place to get it tested.

This is from my clinic's website:

The commonest reason that IVF does not work is the failure of embryos to implant. Also two-thirds of early pregnancies do miscarry. Chromosomal abnormalities in the embryos might be a major factor but a significant cause of failure of a successful implantation may relate to abnormalities in the woman's immune system.


This is from my new clinic's website: 

During a normal pregnancy, a unique type of immunity prevails which stops a woman from rejecting the embryo and aids the growth and development of the foetus. If anything goes wrong with this immune process embryos fail to implant and early prgnancies may miscarry. There are special tests that can identify couples that at risk of these problems. Immuno-modulatory treatment that corrects these problems and stimulates the proper immune response in the mother may then improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.


Our Medical Director, Dr George Ndukwe, who was mentored by Professor Alan Beer at The University of Chicago, is one of the leading world experts in the field of reproductive immunology and has developed the most successful Reproductive Immunology programme in Europe over the past 9 years.

Claire
xxx

This is the blood test that goes to Chicago.

Level 2 a) (NK assay, TH1:TH2, intracellular cytokine ratio) – for female partner only
(HLADQ alpha) – for both partners


I got tested for all these as well, but these get analysed in the UK:

Level 1 £ 895 (FBC, fasting blood glucose, LFT’s, U&E’s, thyroid function – TSH, FT4, thrombophilia screen – anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM), antithrombin 111, factor V Leiden, factor II prothrombin gene, PAIP polymorphism, activated protein C resistance, Protein C/Protein S, lupus anticoagulant, MTHFR autoimmune antibodies – including anti-nuclear antibodies, thyroid peroxidise and anti-mitochondrial antibodies); karotype – (female only)

No - my last clinic were pants.  They didn't do any blood tests at all.  The only tests I had done were with my doctor before they referred me for IVF.

When I had my tests done on Tuesday she drained my left arm of blood until she couldn't get anymore.  I then passed out due to the blood loss got put on the bed and then she drained my right arm.  Thank goodness my husband was with me in London having some tests done aswell as I felt really unwell after.

We went into IVF completely blind we didn't know anything about it only what we read on the internet so just happy to have it done.

The second time we knew what was going on and understood it a bit more.

The third time I knew everything that I needed to know and I was not happy with the treatment at all.  I questioned them all the time about things and they said to me why are you asking we know what we are doing.  I have a copy of my notes saying 'patient called yet again already spoken to them about this issue' throughout my notes.

They did not do any blood work they only time I had blood tests done by them was when they were checking to see if I was ready for egg collection and that was just my estrogen the were checking.

I would not recommend the clinic at all they would not review what drugs I was on or adjust them accordingly to what I needed.  I felt it was very clinical and you either fitted in their bracket or you didn't and there was no room for many people like me that don't respond to the drugs or have eggs problems.

Anyway onwards and upwards and with this new clinic and consultant now.  The consultant won't see you for a follow up appointment until you have the blood tests done and he has the results back so very much a step in the right direction.  This new clinic has a very much personal approach and every step along the way is individual to me, the patient, rather than me fitting in to them.

Edited: Having a moment!

Last edited by Clairemary (10-27-2011 10:03)

Welcome to the group VoodooCoke.  Good luck with your journey.  If you want to have a vent, let off steam or need any advise, help or support we are here.

If it is any help one of my friends has extreme Polycystic ovarian syndrome and she conceived first month of trying last year so there is hope and little Chloe was born on 4th May this year.

Well ladies a  week and  a bit to go until I get my blood test results.

It has also taken a year exactly to get my cycles back to how they were.  This time last year we had our first IVF where everything went pair shaped.  In the last year I have ovlated just 4 times and the last 4 times have been in the last 4 months.  Also my cycles have gone back to how they used to be i.e. long luteul phases rather than hovering at 10 days.  I am so pleased I am back to how I used to be at least I now have a shot as I am ovulating again.  Just need to get my egg quality good.

Feeling very positive at the moment, I just hope I don't get a kick in the teeth next Friday with the results.

Love to you all.

Claire

Last edited by Clairemary (11-16-2011 13:50)

The result that is the major problem one is that I have a really high chance of getting a blood clot and DVT as part of my normal daily life!!  I have been told it is a mutant heritary gene that I have so as soon as I could I rang my sister to see if she was on the pill and if she was to stop and rang my parents to tell them.  This is a link telling you a little bit about it if you are interested.  http://www.rialab.com/doctors/news.php?ID=1

A couple of years ago I went to see my GP as I had really heavy periods and despite telling my GP that my grandma had DVT they still prescibed tranexamic acid, which clots the blood.  Thank goodness I saw my acupuncturist and she told me to stop taking it so she could work on my periods as if I was still on it I could be dead now and not having this conversation with you now.  So we think the problem is from my dad's line.  My uncle Peter, one of my dad's brothers, had a blood clot and stroke this time last year so we think now that he may have the gene too.  I am not sure at what stage to approach my cousins that they could have the gene too.  My brother wants to go and be tested now and my sister is going to contact her doctor and to make sure it is noted on all her children's file and hers.

If I do journeys of over an hour I have to take a small dose of aspirin.  I have always been a fidgety and I wonder if it was natures way of telling me that I have to keep my blood moving round.  I have no chance of conceiving without taking a version of Warfarin.  When we start this round of IVF I have to start on a low dose of aspirin and as soon as they do egg collection I then have to inject myself with warfarin on a daily basis until six months after I give birth!

My immune system is also too strong and I will have to be on autoimmune supressant drug, which I will need to take from the beginning of the IVF cycle and take up to three months into the pregnancy.

I have problems metabolising my glucose, which he is going to give me tablets for.

I also have to have an IV intralipid three times during the IVF cycle.

He confirmed that they are going to do egg collection at 37 hours and hoping that one extra hour does the trick with egg maturity.

Believe it or not I have to go on the pill for one month before the treatment this is meant to help with egg quality, but I have to have aspirin on a daily basis to stop me from getting DVT!

So it appears that even if I have had the best embryos in the world when I had treatment at Oxford I would never, ever had a chance of conceiving and have no chance naturally without warfarin (can't remember the name of the pregnancy friendly one he is putting me on) and the autoimmune suppresant drugs.

Sorry about the above being so long!!  Just still really taking everything in really that I am carrying a potential death sentence in a gene at least I know about it know and my family aware of it so they can be careful.  I am going to invest in lots of flight stockings now to wear on a daily basis.  Very attractive hey, but a potential life saver!   I have to think positive that the IVF will work, but if it doesn't at least I have come away with the results of a blood test that have been a life saver.

I know it was the last thing I was expecting to hear!  I was expecting things like your eggs are too bad and things like that, but no believe or not they are not a problem!

I am going to start taking baby aspirin now it is a quarter of the dose of normal aspirin incase a little miracle happens between now and when we start the IVF treatment.

We are starting IVF treatment on 30th April.  I know it is very risky, but with the daily injections of warfarin when we get a little miracle it will (hopefully) keep me and the baby safe.

We are just saving, saving and saving now until 30th April when our bank accounts will promptly be drained again!

When I get my letter from my consultant I will try and scan it in and add it to the group so you can have a read of it.

Welcome back flutterbysparkles.  Good luck as you can see I am having a horrendous time with it, but fingers crossed that 2012 is the year for us both! 

Claire

Thanks.  It will actually be our 4th attempt!  I changed clinics at the end of last year so although it sounds like it is our 1st attempt it isn't!  It won't be long before I start on all the injections again.  I used to have a fear of needles, but that fear has long gone!  Fingers crossed - fourth time lucky!!

My husband and I have been TTC for a while now. Each month when I get my period I am increasingly disappointed. Hopefully it will happen soon. I'm leaving it in God's hands. I suppose if we're meant to have kids, it'll happen. If not, maybe He has other plans for us. It is still starting to worry me though.

Here I am again.  Attempt number 4 and this will be our very last attempt. 

I started on the contraceptive pill on Saturday and will start injecting on the 30th April.  I really do not want to go through it all again this time.  My husband even asked me if I wanted to cancel it because I am so upset about it all already.  I have agreed to give it one last go as if I don't I know I will always regret not giving it one last go.

So here is the plan:

14th April - contraceptive pill started.
30th April - down regulation
4th May - Intralipid Infusions.
11th May - ultrasound
Approx 11th May start stimms.
18th May - Intralip infusion
19th May onwards ultrasound monitoring/egg collection.

Well here I am day 7 of injections and immune supressant tablets.

I had my intralip infusion on Friday, which tricks your blood cells into thinking that your immune system is working properly.

Feeling very emotional with everything and to top it off my sister split up from her husband during the course of the week and now she is a single mum of 4 children.  I am mega-stressed!

Claire