IVIg- anyone know about it?

[Heather719]

Hi Ladies- I know this is a long shot here, but I figured I'd ask.

I am currently going thru my 3rd miscarriage. I have PCOS- so I need help ovulating. Thankfully we body responds well to the drugs, so the ovulating part isn't the Big Issue any more. After my 2nd miscarriage, we did all the Repeat Pregnancy Loss tests, which revealed that I have a MTHFR mutation, as well as ANA. This (in very simplistic terms) means I have the tendency to develop blood clots, which leads to early miscarriages.

So this time around we combated this issue with twice daily shots of heparin, as well as twice-weekly shots of HCG once I got my positive HPT. We also threw in progesterone suppliments just in case. Well, all of this wasn't enough and I am going to miscarriage again.

I had a meeting with my RE today to discuss next steps and he thinks we should use Lovonox this time around instead of heparin. He also wants me to seriously consider doing IVIg :confused: . This is the first I've heard of this- so I was hoping some of you ladies may be familiar with it. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks,
Heather

[BTB]

I'm so sorry to hear what a long, painful road this has been.

I took IVIg during my pregnancy, as well as baby aspirin (which I'm on daily for life) progesterone supplements (started oral at 2dpo from the first cycle TTC based on charts and bloodwork, then used injected progesterone in addition to oral during pregnancy) and subcutaneous Lovenox twice daily until week 35 when I switched to unfractionated heparin to lower the risk of uncontrolled blood loss at delivery (Lovenox is low molecular weight heparin, like a petroleum fraction, it has a longer half-life than unfractionated heparin but is more effective and also way more expensive).

I started the IVIg after a week of low-dose and then a week of moderate-dose prednisone failed to help. I took it only after I was pg, because that was when my immune issues were discovered (I'm also an MTHFR homozygote and protein S heterozygote with a history of a blood clot and a family history of fatal pulmonary embolism, but my clotting issues were already known which is how I came to be under an RI's care in the first place). However, many ladies with immune issues begin IVIg treatment prior to conception as it can make successful conception more likely in a subset of RI patients.

No one can ever know, of course, what would've happened had I taken a different treatment path (or no treatment path), but my DD is fifteen weeks old today and whether or not IVIg helped, it certainly didn't hurt. I'd be happy to chat anytime, feel free to PM or email or respond here as you wish, and all the best to you and your DH as well as my condolences.

[Heather719]

BTB- you rock! :D Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience. In talking to my RE, he wants me to do the first IVIg transfusion the day I get my BFP- he doesn't see the point in my paying for it if I'm not even pg, which I agree with for at least this first go-around.

I'm still doing lots of research, so I may be reaching out to you soon with more questions. Thanks for offering to help!

-Heatehr

[Soulmate]

Yahoo has a group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/immunologysupport/) regarding this issue. I investigated the whole immune system cause for RPL when it was discovered that I have thyroid antibodies. When I talked to my RE about it (he was a giant quack though) he said that the field of reproductive immunology is very controversial. Things I've read about IVIg is that there is no clinical proof that IVIgs work (I could be wrong just going off what I've heard) and it is coincidental that a person who is receiving the treatment does not miscarry again. IVIg's are crazy expensive and was not something I was willing to try. My situation is much more mild though.

I think the link above will give you really good support and information to make your own decision. It will also give you links to dr.'s who work directly as RI's or who will consult with Dr. Beer. My main motivation against it was the cost and having all that medical intervention. I did not feel right just taking clomid let alone all the other stuff.

[Heather719]

Thanks so much for the link, Soulmate. Yahoo groups was going to be my next stop. I really appreciate your input- it's great to hear how other people approach infertility (and related topics)! Always gives me a lot to think about. :)