successful IVF and rheumatoid arthritis?
successful IVF and rheumatoid arthritis?
Hello everyone, I have just found this board - it is fantastic, it is such a relief to find somewhere where there is so much knowledge and support! I am just about to start my first IVF in February and was wondering if anyone had any experience of IVF when they have rheumatoid arthritis? This is the situation I am in and I would really welcome anyone's replies. I am v doubtful whether IVF will be successful - apart from the RA the doctors can't find any reason why we haven't conceived in well over 2 years.....apart from when pressed two weeks ago, the nurse admitted that it could be an immune problem - ie I don't let a fertilised egg implant! Doesn't sound hopeful for ivf does it? Maybe I sould have pressed this at the time but the nurse just said that she was sure that the consultant had 'considered everything before he made the IVF recommendation'. Ho hum. What do you think? thanks v much.
Hi Tulip,
My dh has RA and I know that the medication he has to take (Sulphasalazine) has lowered his sperm count and affected the motility. I don't know whether you take the same medication or whether it has the same sort of effect on womens fertility as it does on mens. We had to have ICSI treatment which fortunately worked on our 2nd go and I am expecting on 20 August this year.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Goold Luck with your treatment
Julie xx
My dh has RA and I know that the medication he has to take (Sulphasalazine) has lowered his sperm count and affected the motility. I don't know whether you take the same medication or whether it has the same sort of effect on womens fertility as it does on mens. We had to have ICSI treatment which fortunately worked on our 2nd go and I am expecting on 20 August this year.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Goold Luck with your treatment
Julie xx
im afraid i realy cannot add anything to help, what hospital are
u at, private or NH, there are many couples who have unexplained fertility
problems, i suggest u press the doctor for more info, surely
they must know if it does effect implantion.
last year my dp was on warfrin (heart probs) which effected his
sperm hence we did ici.
Dont give up, these days its amazing what they can do, all u
have to do is read all the posts on here to see that.
let us know how u everything is going.
alisonn
u at, private or NH, there are many couples who have unexplained fertility
problems, i suggest u press the doctor for more info, surely
they must know if it does effect implantion.
last year my dp was on warfrin (heart probs) which effected his
sperm hence we did ici.
Dont give up, these days its amazing what they can do, all u
have to do is read all the posts on here to see that.
let us know how u everything is going.
alisonn
Welcome to the site - I've found it to be a great help and support - especially July Ann!!!
I'm now pg after 10 tmts - the last one I had loads of tests before hand to find out why the others hadn't worked. They found I had natural killer cells in my blood system and that I had borderline antiphospholipid antibodies which can both prevent implantation. I was on viagra pre tmt and been on steriods, heparin and IV immunoglobulin! But it was all well worth it - now 22 wks pg.
I'm not saying that you need any of these - just stay positive as you just don't know what will happen!
Di
I'm now pg after 10 tmts - the last one I had loads of tests before hand to find out why the others hadn't worked. They found I had natural killer cells in my blood system and that I had borderline antiphospholipid antibodies which can both prevent implantation. I was on viagra pre tmt and been on steriods, heparin and IV immunoglobulin! But it was all well worth it - now 22 wks pg.
I'm not saying that you need any of these - just stay positive as you just don't know what will happen!
Di
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Nicky Dean
- Member
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2003 10:28 pm
Hi Tulip
I just want to say dont give up, like the nurse said the dr wouldnt have let you get this far, do you take a lot of medication for your arthiritis, my mum has that quite bad, so i know how painful that can be.
Ive been injecting for 4wks now, dont seem to be makin any real progress but maybe things will be diff for me as i have had a kidney transplant and take a lot of sweets, not just for that but for high blood pressure, so i dont hold out much hope but just glad to be given the chance.
Hope everything works out for you, just look after yourself
Love
Nicky x
I just want to say dont give up, like the nurse said the dr wouldnt have let you get this far, do you take a lot of medication for your arthiritis, my mum has that quite bad, so i know how painful that can be.
Ive been injecting for 4wks now, dont seem to be makin any real progress but maybe things will be diff for me as i have had a kidney transplant and take a lot of sweets, not just for that but for high blood pressure, so i dont hold out much hope but just glad to be given the chance.
Hope everything works out for you, just look after yourself
Love
Nicky x
Hello all, thank you so much for all your replies. I have been manging on varying doses of steroids and anti-inflammatories for the nearly three years I have been off the main RA treatment (I had to come off the main treatment several months before we could even try to conceive). It hasnt been the easiest of times and I think, like everyone (ha!) I though I would become pregnant immediately. Well you learn don't you 
?
Yes this first IVF is NHS but that will be all - any other treatment will have to be funded by us so I guess we just see what happens over Feb/March. To be honest I am just pleased that we are doing something rather than nothing as I was getting very frustrated as the months went on and on and on with no progress. I am sure you all know this feeling well! I will let you know how things go. (I am not looking forward to the injections!)
thanksx
?Yes this first IVF is NHS but that will be all - any other treatment will have to be funded by us so I guess we just see what happens over Feb/March. To be honest I am just pleased that we are doing something rather than nothing as I was getting very frustrated as the months went on and on and on with no progress. I am sure you all know this feeling well! I will let you know how things go. (I am not looking forward to the injections!)
thanksx
RA and IVF
I found your post from last year regarding IVF and RA. I have been diagnosed with RA and have started IVF. If you do not mind, can you tell me what your outcome has been and share your ups and downs?
Michelle C
Arizona
Michelle C
Arizona