Dr Beer/Immunology Q's - any help would be great!

[3p]

I've been convinced that my body is fighting the embryos but have
only just discovered the immunology link. After reading about it at repro-med.net I feel I have a strong case (infertility of unknown cause, multiple fertility treatment failures - IUI/IVF/FET/ICSI, mild endometriosis and being a highly allergic individual!)
I would love ANY advice please because although I have posted on a US immunology site most of my questions are UK specific.

Brief history.
36 year old living in South Wales, UK.
Husband age 46 (fit and healthy), has 19 year old son from previous
relationship.
TTC 7 years.
My relevant past medical history : allergic individual!, Toxic Shock
Syndrome age 15 but tubal pathology OK, mild endometriosis (patch up
around liver causes pain during AF)
2002/2003 : Ovulation Induction x3 - all negative
IUI x3 - all negative
Feb 2004 : IVF (2 fresh Grade 1 embryos) - negative
May 2004 : IVF (2 frozen Grade 1 embryos) - miscarried at 5 weeks
Oct 2004 : IVF (2 fresh Grade 1 embryos) - negative
Jan 2005 : ICSI due to motile but erratic sperm! Aspirin
for the first time(2 fresh Grade 1 embryos) - negative

I intend to fill in the online form for Dr. Beer's London clinic (repro-med.net) and would love to have the relevant tests and treatment but do I need my IVF clinic to refer me ( they have never mentioned an immunology issue), where can I get the tests done and how do I get any treatment that is advised considering that I live 3 hours from London and would plan to continue further IVF in South Wales?
I would be SO grateful for any help or info however vague!
xxx

[Sand]

Just wanted to say Hi .... I'm afraid I can't help you with your questions, but hopefully there'll be other who can. Good luck

Sandra x

[DebraP]

Hi...and welcome to the board. I was really interested to read your message. I've been posting here for 14m and never heard of Dr Beer nor seen his name mentioned, perhaps the London clinic is quite new? If he only started his US clinic in 2003, London can't be old either. I've had a very quick read of his site and it looks as if they expect patients to self-refer having run out of patience/confidence with their exsiting clinics and who are looking for a new approach. I don't think they expect a referral from your clinic. I looked on his schedule and there are no London dates so you might want to find out if/when he intends to visit before investing too much hope. Perhaps this is chicken and egg, he doesn't come over until he's got patients to treat??

The site certainly looks like they address issues like yours. I'd be really interested to hear what happens next. There are lots of people left wondering at the end of failed cycles. His statistics are amazing at 85%. Please let us know what happens esp. if you decide to follow treatment with him.

Good luck,
Debra.

[Tina]

Hi

There is another website which has a whole forum on immunology issues, and a chat thread on Dr Beer - visit www.fertilityfriends.co.uk and go to the message board

Good luck - I hope you find some answers

Tinax

[3p]

Thanks for your replies.
Today we saw our consultant in South Wales and although she admitted to being sceptical about the benefit of having immunological investigation/treatment on the grounds of lack of randomised-control trials she has been hugely supportive and says that if I organise the tests and Dr Beer provides her with a treatment protocol she will prescribe the meds and monitor me while I continue with IVF here. She has also been entered as the referring physician (which you need) and will liase with him if necessary. I have submitted the online forms to Dr Beer via his website and have been assured of a reply within 5 days. Apparently unless he is in London soon I will probably consult with him via the phone or online and he will arrange for me to have the relevant tests (in London) and contact me again when the results are in to discuss a treatment plan.
Obviously I've done a lot of recent research into this specific situation so if I can help anybody by answering some questions please feel free to contact me.
So far, so good, will keep you all posted.
xxx

[Leanne]

Hi,
Welcome to the board x

Your clinic sound very supportive - good for you.
I have been trying to find out about the immune testing - are you on about the same thing??? I have had 3 failed ivf and each time had really healthy eggs and healthy womb. My medical history is related to my tubes and cervix, therefore we can't understand why the ivf hasn't worked. Maybe bad luck???

I am the type of person who never gets ill and have no allergies, so I was wondering if my body was fighting off the new cells? Is this anything you have come across in your research?

My Doctor aslo said she was not convinced about the testing. She felt, in her OWN opinion, there wasn't enough evidence supporting it and was worried that at the moment only the private clinics offer it.

I also read somewher that the blood tests get sent to America for around £800? I also felt this was expensive with all the other payments for ivf.

If you have any information that might help me, please let me know x
Thanks and good luck

[DebraP]

Leanne, I had a look at the website 3P mentioned in her first post and whilst there's a lot to read, if you're interested in finding out more, it's a really good place to start. All the info on his clinic is there.

I also had a look at some of the FF posts on the subject that Tina linked in.

Good luck - it all sounds very promising.
Debra.

[DEBBIE H]

Hi,
My name is Debbie I have been diagnosed with immune problems afer trying to conceive for five years. The clinic I am attending in London adviced me to have the blood tests after my first cycle of IVF failed as the embryos that were implanted were very healthy.The blood tests were sent to America and they cost me £750 and they said they can treat this but again this treatment is extremely expensive.It seems they can treat this at my clinic which involves supressing the killer cells which is what rejects the embryos. alot of women have this treatment if they constantly miscarry to.I was due to have FET in nov 2004 but they didnt survive thawing.So due to go for No 2 cycle in June and the immunology treatment. I hope this helps the two ladies who have enquired about this if you wish any info on the clinic or the treatment I can post this here.I have just joined the forum and I wish I had known about this site a year ago when I started my IVf as I was so in the dark and felt completely isolated reading all these stories is a great help

Debbie 35 dh 26
ICSI neg feb 2004
FET abandoned nov 2004
ICSI and immune treatment June 2005

[DebraP]

Hi Debbie, welcome to the board. The feeling of isolation isn't uncommon, many people say that it's only by going through fertility treatment yourself that you can really understand how to support others. Friends and family do help - but often get it wrong There's a whole thread on this subject not too far down the subject list...

Anyway....thanks for offering the info on your experience and testing, it might be interesting reading for people with similar issues.

Again welcome and it's lovely to see another reverse age gap couple on here! I'll be 41 very soon and DF just turned 28..........

Debra.

[Leanne]

Hi Debbie,

Welcome to the board.

Thanks for your info. this board is a priceless source of information and support.

I just wanted to say hi and wish you all the luck in the world, it sounds like you have been through the mill also

Fingers crossed for everyone

Hugsx

[3p]

Just to let you all know that I'm in the middle of compiling a summary of all the useful info I've found about Dr Beer's approach to treating immunological issues relevant to infertility.
I'll have it done sometime tomorrow and will post it then...it'll be worth taking a look!
xxx

[DEBBIE H]

Hi Debra and Leanne,
Thanks for your kind words and support I am so glad I found this site.The vast amount of knowledge is amazing and very comforting.I will be posting on as regulary as I can.Hope you both have some good luck and yours dreams come true.SpeaK to you soon x

[packer12freeserve]

Hi Girls,
I'm not sure that i am right but if you talking about having the test done for NK Cells we have had the test done at the Lister Hospital in London and it only cost about £150.00.At the time we were not having our treatment at the Lister but they still did the test for us and it only took a couple of days for the results but i have heard from other people that they have paid a lot more and have had to have it sent to America.So if that is one of the tests anyone is thinking of having please get in contact with the Lister Hopsital.Hope that helps.
Nicky

[3p]

Just to let you all know that I've posted a new topic that gives all the info I know about immunological issues and infertility in the UK.
It's very long!!!
xxx