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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Had consult with Dr. B to make a plan after completing a lot of testing. Feeling totally overwhelmed!
I did not expect to have to do IVF.
Dr. B thinks we've been repeatedly fertilizing but not implanting due to immune issues. So I had thought that I would just need meds to address the immune issues but that we could still try naturally.
Dr. B explained why IVF is a better plan but I was so overwhelmed that I didn't take it in. I will ask him again -- but in the meantime, was wondering if anyone else has done a similar protocol?
One of the reasons I'm so freaked out about IVF is that I have a $10K lifetime cap on IVF benefits on my insurance. So basically, if it doesn't work the first time, any future IVF cycles would have to be out-of-pocket. Plus, the cost of the IVIG ($1,500 each dose).
TIA 
Message edited 1/26/2011 10:19:16 PM.
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Posted 1/26/11 10:11 PM  |
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curiousO
he is here.. thank you God
Member since 10/07 2344 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
what is your DX?
i am asking b/c dr B told me I need both lovenox and prednisone as well ( but IUI). He explained about immune issues, but i was totally out of it, so i did not get a full picture. Something along the lines of eleveted B cells and some antibody
Message edited 1/26/2011 10:20:16 PM.
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:19 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by curiousO
what is your DX?
i am asking b/c dr B told me I need both lovenox and prednisone as well ( but IUI). He explained about immune issues, but i was totally out of it, so i did not get a full picture. Something along the lines of eleveted B cells and some antibody
I seem to have every immune issue (except ANA).
So I have elevated NK (natural killer) cells, NKT cells, both types of inflammatory cytokines, B cells, and D cells (and probably some others that I couldn't write fast enough).
He said the levels and pattern indicate recurring immune rejections of a possible pregnancy.
Plus, DH and I have 4 HLA matches. Anything above 5 is a problem, but 4 isn't great either. It has some sort of effect on the body's recognition of the pregnancy and reacting the right way (i.e. not attacking it---which I seem to be doing. SO disturbing!!!)
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:28 PM |
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curiousO
he is here.. thank you God
Member since 10/07 2344 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
i will FM you tomorrow, but wonder why IVF vs. IUI with the same meds?
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:37 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by curiousO
i will FM you tomorrow, but wonder why IVF vs. IUI with the same meds?
yes, my thoughts exactly!
OK, but it gives me hope that he told you IUI. Maybe that will be an option for me also.
I remember he did say that he was recommending the most aggressive course of action.
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:51 PM |
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curiousO
he is here.. thank you God
Member since 10/07 2344 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
do you have any male issues?
i was not even discussing IVF, i actually got prego with first IUI ( different RE), but mc
i know that I do not have elevated NK cells, the rest is mystery but i also have some "great" stuff, such as MFTHR and PCOS.
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:53 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by curiousO
do you have any male issues?
i was not even discussing IVF, i actually got prego with first IUI ( different RE), but mc
i know that I do not have elevated NK cells, the rest is mystery but i also have some "great" stuff, such as MFTHR and PCOS.
No significant male issues, just slightly low volume, which Dr. B said would maybe be improved if DH took anitbiotics.
That's another reason I'm confused by IVF.
I'm sorry for your loss!! Hopefully Dr. B will be able to work around all of our issues. Sigh.
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| Posted 1/26/11 10:58 PM |
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PurpleC
Miracles Do Come True
Member since 8/10 2287 total posts
Name:
Caren
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I have had the same issues with the immune stuff. Dr. B suggested to us that we move on to IVF, we had done a bunch of IUI's and one IVF at another place. We had to pay out of pocket for both IVF's and even paid for our 3rd before taking a break with Dr. B. I plan on going back to him in March with the 3rd already paid fore. The IVIG was expensive but after I did it my immune blood work had improved. My insurance does not pay for anything except for some of the meds but still the cost of meds was high. I think he suggested the IVF so that he could observe our egg quality and to see what is going on.
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| Posted 1/27/11 6:57 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I had similar results and did end up having a healthy pregnancy. Your IVF coverage is a 10K limit but that will probably cover 2 IVF's. Not all of those funds are used from there. For instance-your meds will fall under your prescription plan. There is probably someone who can address this beter than me since I was a self pay. Also you can look into seeing if your nsurance will reimburse you for IVIG. If you join Yahoo's Immunology Support Group they have a primer on how to code this and get it covered.
I had 5 pregnancy losses all together without meds. I also had an ectopic in which I lost my right tube...we still don;t know if it was the immune meds or the IVF(bypassing the tubes) that worked but this was my treatment:
Vitamin E(helps with clotting issues)
Metanx-like Folgard but better
Baby asprin
Lovenox-every day from 6 dpt until 32 weeks when I switched to heparin
prednisone-I was n the same boat as you. I paid for IVF(12K) out of pocket and did not have money for IVIG My Dr suggested I use prednisone..I did until 16 wks and I did great.
HTH and good luck!
Message edited 1/27/2011 8:35:21 AM.
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| Posted 1/27/11 8:35 AM |
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KMCGK
Gotta have faith
Member since 7/09 2176 total posts
Name:
Keep the Faith
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I seem to have every immune issue (except ANA).
So I have elevated NK (natural killer) cells, NKT cells, both types of inflammatory cytokines, B cells, and D cells (and probably some others that I couldn't write fast enough).
He said the levels and pattern indicate recurring immune rejections of a possible pregnancy.
Plus, DH and I have 4 HLA matches. Anything above 5 is a problem, but 4 isn't great either. It has some sort of effect on the body's recognition of the pregnancy and reacting the right way (i.e. not attacking it---which I seem to be doing. SO disturbing!!!)
DH and I are a DQ Alpha match plus we match on 5 out of the 15 HLA genotypes. Talk about a problem. That's me. With Dr. B, we started doing IUI's. I forget how many I did, maybe 3? If I was ready for IVF, I totally would have done it sooner. I also have had a similiar drug protocol for the immune issues with Prednisone, Lovenox and Intralipids. I've never done IVIG.
I think if you're not ready for IVF, then speak to Dr. B about it. I'm sure there is a reason why he's suggesting IVF over doing IUI's.
Lots of luck.
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| Posted 1/27/11 12:31 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by DRMom
I had similar results and did end up having a healthy pregnancy. Your IVF coverage is a 10K limit but that will probably cover 2 IVF's. Not all of those funds are used from there. For instance-your meds will fall under your prescription plan. There is probably someone who can address this beter than me since I was a self pay. Also you can look into seeing if your nsurance will reimburse you for IVIG. If you join Yahoo's Immunology Support Group they have a primer on how to code this and get it covered.
I had 5 pregnancy losses all together without meds. I also had an ectopic in which I lost my right tube...we still don;t know if it was the immune meds or the IVF(bypassing the tubes) that worked but this was my treatment:
Vitamin E(helps with clotting issues)
Metanx-like Folgard but better
Baby asprin
Lovenox-every day from 6 dpt until 32 weeks when I switched to heparin
prednisone-I was n the same boat as you. I paid for IVF(12K) out of pocket and did not have money for IVIG My Dr suggested I use prednisone..I did until 16 wks and I did great.
HTH and good luck!
Thank you so much for sharing the details of your treatment! I really appreciate it.
I just pulled up that Yahoo Immunology group...thanks so much for telling me about it!
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| Posted 1/28/11 12:17 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by PurpleC
I have had the same issues with the immune stuff. Dr. B suggested to us that we move on to IVF, we had done a bunch of IUI's and one IVF at another place. We had to pay out of pocket for both IVF's and even paid for our 3rd before taking a break with Dr. B. I plan on going back to him in March with the 3rd already paid fore. The IVIG was expensive but after I did it my immune blood work had improved. My insurance does not pay for anything except for some of the meds but still the cost of meds was high. I think he suggested the IVF so that he could observe our egg quality and to see what is going on.
Thank you! Sent you FM
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| Posted 1/28/11 12:20 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by KMCGK
I seem to have every immune issue (except ANA).
So I have elevated NK (natural killer) cells, NKT cells, both types of inflammatory cytokines, B cells, and D cells (and probably some others that I couldn't write fast enough).
He said the levels and pattern indicate recurring immune rejections of a possible pregnancy.
Plus, DH and I have 4 HLA matches. Anything above 5 is a problem, but 4 isn't great either. It has some sort of effect on the body's recognition of the pregnancy and reacting the right way (i.e. not attacking it---which I seem to be doing. SO disturbing!!!)
DH and I are a DQ Alpha match plus we match on 5 out of the 15 HLA genotypes. Talk about a problem. That's me. With Dr. B, we started doing IUI's. I forget how many I did, maybe 3? If I was ready for IVF, I totally would have done it sooner. I also have had a similiar drug protocol for the immune issues with Prednisone, Lovenox and Intralipids. I've never done IVIG.
I think if you're not ready for IVF, then speak to Dr. B about it. I'm sure there is a reason why he's suggesting IVF over doing IUI's.
Lots of luck.
I just went to look it up in my notes....DH and I are also a DQ Alpha match, but I'm not sure if I wrote it correctly--I have something saying there are two kinds and we only match on one kind...and only one is donated by the male each time -- I have HLA-Cs written also, so not sure if this is referring to the same thing or not.
I emailed Dr. B and he wrote back. Basically, he's recommending the IVF right away because of the IVIG.
Thanks so much for your reply and Best of luck to you as well!!
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| Posted 1/28/11 12:40 PM |
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Yes, I had basically the same issues as you (high killer cells, MTHFR, ANA) I had 4 losses (one being an ectopic where I lost my right tube) before I found Dr. B. He recommended IVF right away and I was a nervous wreck because like you, our insurance had a $10,000 cap. I was on prednisone, lovenox, baby aspirin and did 4 cycles of intralipids and my first and only IVF cycle was a success. My son will be a year old on 2/16. Good luck to you!
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| Posted 1/28/11 3:37 PM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I too saw Dr B this past January. He also suggested IVIg with IVF. My insur does not cover anything, not sure about IVF meds yet. I have secondary infertility. We have been trying for 2 years for our 2nd child. My first was conceived no problems at all and was a healthy baby boy. only thing was I had gestational diabetes. Since, I have been diagnosed with all these other issues. I knew nothing of with my first pregnancy.
I have PCOS, endometriosis, MTHFR, hypothyroid, VERy high NKa cells, 8 HLA matches, and some other match with 2 out of 2 matching
I tried 4 cycles of ovulation monitoring with Clomid. Ovulation was pos, but no pregnancy. That is when I was referred to Dr B and found out about all these NKa cell and matching issues 
Feeling overwhelmed!!!! Dont know what to do????
Dr B prefers IVIg over IL. I have read that other Dr's prefer IL due to significant cost savings and positive success rate. I have had a hard time finding information on the internet about IVIg...altho I only JUST started
My friend LOVED Dr B, she is preggo with twins!!!! He does come HIGHLY recommended!
Did u go for a 2nd opinion????
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| Posted 2/17/11 10:23 AM |
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mrsmck
Be a big girl!
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I'm a patient too, and have done IVF, been on prednisone, lovenox, baby aspirin and had intralipid infusions.
Unfortunately, I m/c, but I think it's an egg quality issue.
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| Posted 2/17/11 6:56 PM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
@ mrsmck: Did Dr B recommend IVIg with another IVF cycle? Maybe b/c of my situation and numbers, but he prefer I do IVIg because higher successful pregnancy outcome, lower m/c rate.....
Message edited 2/17/2011 7:54:39 PM.
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| Posted 2/17/11 7:53 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I did and have a 10 month old DD because of it! Just so you know, Dr. B has the best statistics in NYS for women delivering healthy babies. This is amazing because he gets the hardest cases too. You are in good hands.
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| Posted 2/17/11 8:43 PM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
@ Secret TTCer first CONGRATS on your baby!!!!!! Thank you for the stats on DrB, its very reassuring! BTW where do u find such info? Another Q, did you have the IVIg with IVF?
Lots of health and happiness with your little one 
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| Posted 2/17/11 8:58 PM |
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mrsmck
Be a big girl!
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by AngelRBM
@ mrsmck: Did Dr B recommend IVIg with another IVF cycle? Maybe b/c of my situation and numbers, but he prefer I do IVIg because higher successful pregnancy outcome, lower m/c rate.....
He never suggested ivig, just intralipid infusions. to be honest, i don't know all my "numbers and levels". too many to keep track of.
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| Posted 2/17/11 11:50 PM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I hear ya it is too much to keep track of!
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| Posted 2/18/11 3:02 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by AngelRBM
@ Secret TTCer first CONGRATS on your baby!!!!!! Thank you for the stats on DrB, its very reassuring! BTW where do u find such info? Another Q, did you have the IVIg with IVF?
Lots of health and happiness with your little one
Thanks! I did IVF. I think they are SART statistics. He came up highest in two categories.
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| Posted 2/18/11 9:24 PM |
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classc1
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/10 805 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
Posted by SecretTTCer
Posted by AngelRBM
@ Secret TTCer first CONGRATS on your baby!!!!!! Thank you for the stats on DrB, its very reassuring! BTW where do u find such info? Another Q, did you have the IVIg with IVF?
Lots of health and happiness with your little one
Thanks! I did IVF. I think they are SART statistics. He came up highest in two categories.
Under what name is he listed? I see niether Braverman Reproductive Immunology nor Wycoff listed on SART. I also wonder how he could be listed on SART since I thought that he does not do his own ER's or ET's? I know you can't be speaking of AFS because their stats are a far cry from #1 in any category. I also know that my Dr. is #1 in two categories in NY state...so I wonder exactly what two categories Dr. B is #1 in and where this info came from?
Message edited 2/19/2011 12:22:22 AM.
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| Posted 2/19/11 12:18 AM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I too did not find Dr B on the SART board. Maybe we are not talking about the same Dr.....Dr Braverman of Reproductive Immunology in NYC and Woodbury....is he the same Dr you are referring to????
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| Posted 2/19/11 2:37 PM |
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AngelRBM
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 60 total posts
Name:
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Re: Has anyone done IVIG, prednisone, Lovenox, IVF w/Dr.B? Or have encouraging words?
I think that he is part of AFS...American Fertility Services, his NYC office address matches theirs. I didnt see his name anywhere on the SART board
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| Posted 2/19/11 8:21 PM |
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