Recurrent Miscarriage Thread

[dairymomma]

Okay ladies. Quick question-what do y'all know about antiphospholipid syndrome? That really rare clotting disorder my uncle was diagnosed with isn't actually as rare as my dad made it out to be. I did some research (okay, I consulted Dr. Google) and it looks like you need to have at least one positive test from a list of three- lupus anticoag, anti-cardiolipin, and beta-2 glycoprotein I. I've had the first two done but I'm not sure on the third. Waiting on my dr to get back to me on whether or not I need to be tested/retested but I'm curious about what everyone else has had done to test for it. Also wondering about treatment. Is it just adding heparin to your treatment plan and if so, do you have to do it the whole pregnancy or just the first trimester?

 

[Squig34]

Dairy, BrunetteBimbo has it; she could tell you more. I was treated for it although my tests were negative because my loss history indicated that that may nonetheless be the problem. It mustn't have been though, as it didn't work for me, but I'd have been on Clexane for the whole pregnancy. BB was too as was an IRL girl I know. I was also on low dose aspirin (75mg). I was supposed to take it before getting pregnant so you might have to take it from LMP as I didn't start the Clexane until I'd had a scan at 6 weeks to confirm it was a viable intrauterine pregnancy.

I think you're right about testing, if you get a positive test you get another 6 weeks later or something like that. It's possible I've mixed that you with something else but I'm right about the Clexane although I suppose UK protocols aren't much help to you.

 

[pinkpassion]

Dairy, that's actually what my dr suspects is my issue and is what I'm being tested for on September 1st (or sooner if I get my way ) .. I don't know much about it, I just know my dr said sometimes it can be hidden and then present itself later in subsequent pregnancies .. but I hope you get answers !!!!

 

[Hope39]

Dairy - aps is automimmune

You have to be tested 6w post mc which i know you are and if it's positive you have another test 6 or 12w later to confirm. Brunettebimbo was tested on day21 post mc and then got pregnant so wasnt re tested , however, the treatment did still work for her

You will just add in clexane/heparin upon a bfp

If you get a chance maybe listen to some podcasts by Dr Tom o Brien, he a coeliac doctor feo US but covers aps in his podcasts . You can reverse it by going gluten free

Xx

 

[laughingduck]

Im about to have my second miscarriage in 3 minths. I have a daighter but had almost miscarried her too (major bleed at 13 weeks and she only had a partial placenta when born because of it). I have ulcerative colitis and psoriasis, both autoimmune diseases, what are the chances my miscarriaged are autoimmune too?

 

[Hope39]

Laughingduck - do you mean your miscarriages are due to you having auto immune diseases?

Maybe get your NK cells tested, they tend to be raised when you have automimmune conditions z

 

[laughingduck]

Laughingduck - do you mean your miscarriages are due to you having auto immune diseases?

Maybe get your NK cells tested, they tend to be raised when you have automimmune conditions z

Yes I have read that some miscarriages are caused by the mothers body attacking the fetus. Im wondering if that could be my case, given my autoimmune history? I have not started bleeding yet but have been constantly cramping since yesterday, my hpt's are still very faint, and my bbt dropped this morning, so I know it is on it's way I took a baby aspirin this morning, is there any way that could prevent the inevitable?

 

[dairymomma]

Dr says I've been tested for antiphospholipid syndrome but he didn't say if I've had all three blood tests done so I have to ask him about that when I go in. Also going to see what his thoughts are on steroids in the first tri. I'm going to request a full thyroid panel and that he add a prescription for heparin and possibly steroids to my treatment plan. We'll go from there. But my dad said his brother and his sis-in-law (both of whom work in the medical field) feel I have either thyroid issues (hence the full thyroid panel, which I've never had done-just the TSH and a manual exam every few years) or an underlying autoimmune issue causing the majority of my problems and there's likely a clotting disorder somewhere in there too. So that's my latest update. Hopefully this leads to some answers.

laughingduck-I was just reading up on antiphospholipid syndrome as a family member was just diagnosed with it and it causes clotting issues. APS is autoimmune but if you have existing autoimmune conditions, you could be a bit more likely to have it too.

 

[laughingduck]

Dr says I've been tested for antiphospholipid syndrome but he didn't say if I've had all three blood tests done so I have to ask him about that when I go in. Also going to see what his thoughts are on steroids in the first tri. I'm going to request a full thyroid panel and that he add a prescription for heparin and possibly steroids to my treatment plan. We'll go from there. But my dad said his brother and his sis-in-law (both of whom work in the medical field) feel I have either thyroid issues (hence the full thyroid panel, which I've never had done-just the TSH and a manual exam every few years) or an underlying autoimmune issue causing the majority of my problems and there's likely a clotting disorder somewhere in there too. So that's my latest update. Hopefully this leads to some answers.

laughingduck-I was just reading up on antiphospholipid syndrome as a family member was just diagnosed with it and it causes clotting issues. APS is autoimmune but if you have existing autoimmune conditions, you could be a bit more likely to have it too.

Just wanted to put out there that prednisone (the steroid they would give you) is awful for your thyroid. Make sure you really need it if you take it as it has a long list of side effects (I've had two courses of the stuff and it's not fun!)

 

[Hope39]

The Prednisolone didn't affect my thyroid , pregnancy affects my thyroid. Some get side affects but I never had any and I was on it for 14w x

 

[stuckinoki]

The prednisone has not affected my thyroid either, but it has given me a seemingly normal pregnancy. Without it I most likely would have miscarried like the other 15. I agree that you definitely shouldn't take it unless it's necessary but for me, it might as well be a miracle drug.

 

[dairymomma]

I certainly wouldn't ask for it without cause but I'm getting to the point where I feel like I need to throw the kitchen sink at this you know? And it's more that I just want to talk to the dr about it because we've never discussed it.

Also I talked to my dad who relayed some more info from my uncle and I guess my unc would recommend I have my thyroid checked and try the lovenox first and only add the steroids if the blood thinners didn't help. But it's good to know that steroids can cause thyroid stuff. I wasn't aware of that.

 

[dancareoi]

Hope, how many weeks are you now?

 

[laughingduck]

I certainly wouldn't ask for it without cause but I'm getting to the point where I feel like I need to throw the kitchen sink at this you know? And it's more that I just want to talk to the dr about it because we've never discussed it.

Also I talked to my dad who relayed some more info from my uncle and I guess my unc would recommend I have my thyroid checked and try the lovenox first and only add the steroids if the blood thinners didn't help. But it's good to know that steroids can cause thyroid stuff. I wasn't aware of that.

Ya prednisone can be a very useful drug for the right problem. It should not cause issues while on it (tends to make people feel pretty good and energetic) but the getting off of it can be tricky. Sounds like you are getting all the right tests done though, I hope you find what works for you soon!

 

[nocturnalstar]

Hi ladies, I have been reading this thread for a while but have never posted!

I wonder if any of you might have some advice...

I have had two missed miscarriages with d&c's in the last year, the first was a blighted ovum and the second the baby died at 7.5 weeks. I have always had regular cycles but in the last few years I have had spotting a few days before each period starts. Recently I have been spotting for 4/5 days before each period and my cycle length is only about 26 days. This month I have started spotting on day 20! Has anyone had any experience of this? Could it be a symptom of a problem that may have caused the miscarriages?

I will man up and make a GP appointment but I would be very grateful for any of your words of wisdom!

 

[laughingduck]

I seem to remember reading the spotting before your period can be a sign of low progesterone? That can also cause miscarriages. Have you had yours tested? If that is the problem, it is very easy to fix!

 

[Hope39]

Hope, how many weeks are you now?

33+2 today x

 

[ab75]

Are you team yellow Hope?
How are you doing being in hospital now? Hope the staff are being nice to you now!

 

[laughingduck]

For those with recurrent miscarriage who have a baby already,mdid yiu have issues with your previous pregnancy? I jad high blood pressure and very swollen feet, and wonder if it was the beginning of pre-eclampsia. I read if you had ore-eclampsia on your first, you may have APS (antiphospholipid syndrome) and now Im wondering if that is what caused my two early losses?

 

[pinkpassion]

Laughing duck, I am normally in the 80/60 blood pressure range and was during pregnancy with dd until about 28 weeks it shot up but they said it's "still in normal range" and I swelled ridiculously (literally 32 lbs of fluid my last 10 weeks). They refused to do anything because I was still in normal ranges of everything. I'm a little person 4'10" and knew something just didn't seem right!! I still believe I had pre-E. .. and now after my 4th loss I'm being tested for antiphospholipid syndrome.. so there may very well be something to that... that's very interesting. . I'm being tested Friday and my results will be in sometime the first week of September .. so I'll be sure to update!!!