Are there any more tests i can have in the UK?

[Natalie Anne]

Some of you might know me as i have been on this forum for some time now. sorry if this is a bit rambling.

I have to have ivf becuase my dh had a vasectomy during his first marriage. i've had 3 fresh icsi attempts and 4 FETs. after getting my latest negative yesterday and finding out that a good friend just got a positive on her first attempt i am really in despair.

we have 12 embies in the freezer and will not give up until we've tried with all of them (well those that survive the thaw) but we have agreed that i won't have another fresh icsi attempt as i have been through enough.

i have had a laparoscopy and although they found a few small cysts and slight endometriosis, they dealt with it and said that it had been caused by ivf becuase of 2 years of hormonal ups and downs and that it wasn't severe enough to affect my chances anyway. i've had a NKC biopsy (normal), thrombophilia/clotting test (normal) and all the usual blood tests LH/FSH etc that most people have at the beginning - all ok.

i keep beng told that there is nothing wrong with me but then why am i planning my 8th attempt when i feel like many others suceed with far fewer attempts.

i know there are a few cases where people have had lots of attempts but was it really just bad luck for them or did they discover some problem later on and then dealt with it?

does anyone know if there are any more tests available in the UK (I am at Liverpool Women's Hospital) that might give me some answers?

Natalie

[Bonnycat]

My husband and I were diagnosed with unexplained infertility after having all the normal tests and were told there was no reason why we should not be conceiving naturally. Frustrated we decided to do our research and investigate outwith the NHS and discovered a clinic in London you may have heard of called the ARGC. They are pioneering a new technology through established links with America into immune levels affecting conception. I had a blood test costing around £800 where 17 phials of blood were sent to Chicago and the results came back about 4 weeks later. The doctor at the ARGC said that I had an unnaturally high level of NK cells (Natural Killer Cells) which reject any foriegn DNA e.g. my husband's sperm. Basically my immune system is too robust to nurture conception (great if you get the flu but not if you want a baby!)

With this knowledge the clinic can prescribe medication to suppress your immune system and combine this with IVF to aid conception. This practice is still controversial in this country because the suppressing drugs are not liscenced in this country for infertility. The medication costs approximatedly £1000 for two injections.

Perhaps this is something that might work for you. Hope this helps and good luck!
Cat

[Natalie Anne]

Hi

many thanks for your reply. i had an NKC biopsy which actually took tissue from my uterus. this was more accurate than a blood test and the results came back as normal so we ruled that out but thanks for suggesting something anyway, i appreciate it!

i'm seeing the consultant in a couple of weeks and i'm going to ask about assisted hatching and blastocyst culture.

hope all goes well for you.
Natalie