We finally have a "real problem" immune results

So as most of you know we had 3 transfers and all failed BFN and 2 chemicals. Our diagnosis is unexplained. I have been searching for answers and am now with SIRM. Here are my immune testing results that I received via email:

Your immune tests showed:

1) normal natural killer cell activity (NKA)

2) a partial match between you and your husband for the DQ-alpha protein. When you have a partial or complete match it has been postulated to increase the chance that your body will recognize the embryo at a later stage, fail to initiate early protective mechanisms, and this makes it vulnerable for rejection.

I recommend you get covered for this in a simple and safe manner.

· You will need to take intralipid IV infusion about 1 week before any anticipated transfer and every 3 weeks thereafter until you are about 16 weeks pregnant.

· You will also need to take prednisone at a dose of 10mg daily starting about 2 to 3 weeks before any anticipated transfer also and continue until you are about 10 weeks pregnant.


Anyone else have a partial DQ Alpha match? Any thoughts or anything??? I tried looking up info but not really sure what it all really means. I haven't spoken to my RE in person yet but will see him tomorrow for my possible Lupron start.

Happy I finally have some answers but a little freaked out about the results.

Thanks ladies! P.S. I missed you all. HA

UPDATE: Today's app went well. I felt so much more comfortable there today then last time. Dr. T answered all of my questions. He explained the whole partial DQ alpha match thing. Basically he thinks with the meds it should help out my issue. Over time my NK cell activity could increase and it could be detectable even when there is not an embryo. I'm hoping the extra meds help.

I had 1 18mm cyst. So since my BW was taken at 5pm they will call me tom and let me know if I can start Lupron. Kinda excited to get started. I'm doing Lupron for 8 days and then I start ganirelix then go back and if all looks good I start stimming. I asked Dr. T if we could be as aggressive as possible without compromising quality since this is my last IVF. He upped my Gonal by 75. His goal is for me to get 15 mature eggs. Oh and I think I'm gonna do the HGH....wanna pull out all the stops this time.

Please keep me in your thoughts. I've had enough!!! C'mon 2014! We all need some better luck.

Message edited 3/13/2014 9:38:44 PM.

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Omg I knew it!!!!!! Not happy but happy you found something that will help.

We finally have a

I think it's a great step. You now have a plan of action. Stop driving yourself nuts with your own research and put some faith in your dr. The stress you are putting yourself under is only making it worse.

I was put on prednisone before my transfer too for a couple days. Not for those reasons. I didn't question it. That's just what my dr told me to do.

Message edited 3/12/2014 6:08:00 PM.

We finally have a

I am so glad you have answers! Talk to your doctor tomorrow he will put your mind at ease.

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

This was my protocol (among other things, lovenox, etc) except I started weaning from prednisone at 6wks.

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

At least you have some answers and an approach!!!! Great news!!

On a side note.... I get more shit done while on prednisone..... I'm like a machine.... It's great except that you are always hungry

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Yesss you have answers!! And something you can definitely fix. Dr T is very experienced with immune issues and have faith that he knows what he is doing to lessen your immune response. I am almost done with my lupron protocol and it's a piece of cake. You will be just fine! Let me know how tomorrow goes!

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

DH and I are almost a complete 4.0 DQ Alpha match. There are varying degrees just as there are varying hla genes, yours may not be so bad. But basically, with each pregnancy, your immune system becomes activated therefore rejecting the embryo, resulting in failed implantation or miscarriage. The purpose of prednisone and the intralipid treatments, is to suppress the immune system so it's not fighting off the embryo. Dr. T will be able to tell if it's working with repeat immune testing. Dr. B has some info on his website that explains hla matching/genes much better :)
When I consulted with Dr. Sher (Las Vegas) he believed that I wouldn't be able to transfer more than 1 embryo at a time because of our high hla match. However, I have successfully proved him wrong!
If you have any other questions feel free to fm me!
HTH! and lots of luck

We finally have a

Thanks ladies!!! Hopefully I will find out more tomorrow. I have been very stressed lately trying to get them all the paperwork they need and having issues with my meds not being covered.

You ladies made me feel a little better about this partial dq alpha match. Hopefully that is the reason I haven't been successful.

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Dr. T never mentioned doing that with me. It was honestly only Dr. Sher. To some degree it makes sense because if you have a match with one embryo, your body triggers an immune reaction maybe creating an unwelcoming environment for the good embryo to thrive. However, I had always transferred two embryos. My dd is a result of my 4th fresh cycle with two grade A late hatching blasts. Dr. B has had success with complete DQ alpha matches, even worse that me, so I went with my gut, trusted him, and continued to transfer two. Now that I have a DD, transferring two is a different story! I've also always used Neupogen as part of my treatment which Dr. Sher didn't agree with either.

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results

Any update today?

Re: We finally have a "real problem" immune results