Aa
my little one lost the battle
To those of you who have followed my strange story... Well, yesterday I confirmed what I suspected since Monday, my little one lost his brave battle. This pregnancy has definitely ended. I am scheduled for a D&C (yet again), for Monday at noon. I am truly at peace. I was fortunate enough to see the little heart beating after everyone thought that it was dead. I'm thankful for that. Now it's all about healing mind and body. We did find out plenty of useful information in this wild process. I will be going to an immunologist. My OB/GYN found out through some blood work that I need to further investigate some things related to my immune system that may be hurting our efforts of conceiving. I've always thought so, but no doc would listen. I will also see a RE, per his request. My doc is confident that I will be able to get pregnant again, the problem for me is sustaining it. So, maybe all the doctors can put their heads together and figure it out. If not, it's ok, life will go on. I'm grateful for my blessings. I'll keep you all posted on the findings. Once again, I want to thank this community of wonderful women for their support.
Marie
Marie
From one mother who has lost a baby, to another. I am truely sorry for your loss.I know the pain of lossing a child, I have had 2 misscariages and one full term stillbirth who had a nuchal cord accident. All within 2 years time. You seem like a very strong woman. May God hold you in your time of sorrow.I am so very sorry for what you are having to endure.Take strength in your family and friends.May God bless you.
Melimeli: Yes, I have been on prednisone many times before to help with bad asthma/allergy flare ups. It doesn't make me gain weight, although it does make me very hungry! I do seem to have an extremely fast metabolism. I'm a little hispanic woman, 5' 2", and usually weigh between 93 to 98 lbs. I'm not much for diets, and yes, I still eat like a truck driver at 39 years of age. You are correct though, getting off of prednisone, is not an easy task. It is a powerful drug. I've avoid it like the plague after a bad episode I had a few years ago. I'll be on the look out once they start to suggest a course of action. Thanks for your advice.
Alikat: I do have something called hypothyroidism (Haschimoto), which means that I produce too many antibodies that are attempting to destroy the thyroid gland. Despite all of this, my thyroid is still working, but is full of nodules and "gunk" all over, I recently had an ultrasound of it. Both my dad and mom had the same problem. Their thyroid stopped working right around the time they were 50years old. My dad already passed away, but my mom has been on synthroid since her thyroid stopped working to replace whatever the thyroid gland used to do. She is now 62 years old. When they first discovered my Haschimoto, they told me that it wouldn't be an issue in pregnancy until the second trimester, if at all. Apparently my autoimmune problems go beyond just the Haschimoto. They are obviously playing a part in the earlier part of the pregnancy. So yes, you and I share some things. I will definitely keep you updated about my discoveries. This is all so new to me.
I am eternally grateful to you for your guidance. I've said it a million times, this website has been a lifeline to me. Thanks ladies!
Alikat: I do have something called hypothyroidism (Haschimoto), which means that I produce too many antibodies that are attempting to destroy the thyroid gland. Despite all of this, my thyroid is still working, but is full of nodules and "gunk" all over, I recently had an ultrasound of it. Both my dad and mom had the same problem. Their thyroid stopped working right around the time they were 50years old. My dad already passed away, but my mom has been on synthroid since her thyroid stopped working to replace whatever the thyroid gland used to do. She is now 62 years old. When they first discovered my Haschimoto, they told me that it wouldn't be an issue in pregnancy until the second trimester, if at all. Apparently my autoimmune problems go beyond just the Haschimoto. They are obviously playing a part in the earlier part of the pregnancy. So yes, you and I share some things. I will definitely keep you updated about my discoveries. This is all so new to me.
I am eternally grateful to you for your guidance. I've said it a million times, this website has been a lifeline to me. Thanks ladies!
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss - wishing you a quick recovery. I learned about baby aspirin/ low dose aspirin from someone I met on MH and asked my doctor about it. He gave me the okay , said they usually prescribe it to those who have had unexplained losses. I like to think its helping my pregnancy. Good luck to you - hope to hear some happy announcement in the near future. Again, hope your heart heals soon.
I also have a "borderline" clotting issue, and told to use aspirin and lovenox in another pregnancy (if it ever happens). ehlers-danos is a connective tissue disease. my mother has lupus, and i am hypothyroid, and my dr. said thyroid disorders are on the same gene as lupus, and thyroid problems contribute to infertility and miscarriage. i hope you get all your answers and get plenty of rest and recover.
Please be careful with prednisone... my mom initially took this for her lupus and did for years.. her body ballooned up like she was full of air and you body becomes addicted to it. Everytime she would try to come off of it she would have a lupus flare up and have to go back on it. She eventually was able to wean down VERY slowly off of it and now she is great.. so just be careful about how long you are on it and try to find other options. Do your research and get a specialist in lupus if this becomes your diagnosis. If this comes out as lupus feel free to message me good luck
Ladies, I can't thank you all enough for all your support and understanding. My D&C went well and my body feels so much better. No doubt that pregnancy puts extreme pressures on my body...and in essence it makes me sick!. Hummmm, this is food for thought!
Alikat: ehlers-danos does not sound as what my doc mentioned. All I know is that my ANA tests-which are tests of different proteins secreted by the body, come back abnormally high, not too much that it would have caught too many doc's attention in the past, but enough for this one doc to raise his eyebrows. As he explained it, the antiphospholipid, and some other protein I can't even repeat, are antibodies that are working to destroy healthy tissue inside my body, such as my thyroid gland-which we already knew about. Luckily the thyroid is still working, but is now full of nodules and "gunk" covering it, due to the constant "attack". The doctor is just wondering, which other tissues these or other antibodies may be attacking. That's why we need an immunologist. He also mentioned that one of the abnormal test results points to perhaps having a connective tissue disorder. Which may or may not be playing a part in the pregnancy process. He does feel that it is very probable that my blood clots improperly while I am pregnant, so next time I'm pregnant I will have to be on baby aspirin and probably heparin too. If it turns out to be neonatal lupus, then I'll even need prednisone too-which will actually help with my asthma too. Anyhow, this plot is thickening and these are only hypotheses.
For the moment I am resting after my D&C, which was yesterday. I'm feeling quite well and will go to work tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted once the testing begins. I believe that without all the information you have all posted about your struggles and discoveries, I wouldn't have even known half of what I do. Knowledge is power, and at least now, when the doctor says something to me, chances are that I would have already heard about it through this site. I am eternally thankful for the information given to me and will gladly share with others what I learn in my process.
Marie
Alikat: ehlers-danos does not sound as what my doc mentioned. All I know is that my ANA tests-which are tests of different proteins secreted by the body, come back abnormally high, not too much that it would have caught too many doc's attention in the past, but enough for this one doc to raise his eyebrows. As he explained it, the antiphospholipid, and some other protein I can't even repeat, are antibodies that are working to destroy healthy tissue inside my body, such as my thyroid gland-which we already knew about. Luckily the thyroid is still working, but is now full of nodules and "gunk" covering it, due to the constant "attack". The doctor is just wondering, which other tissues these or other antibodies may be attacking. That's why we need an immunologist. He also mentioned that one of the abnormal test results points to perhaps having a connective tissue disorder. Which may or may not be playing a part in the pregnancy process. He does feel that it is very probable that my blood clots improperly while I am pregnant, so next time I'm pregnant I will have to be on baby aspirin and probably heparin too. If it turns out to be neonatal lupus, then I'll even need prednisone too-which will actually help with my asthma too. Anyhow, this plot is thickening and these are only hypotheses.
For the moment I am resting after my D&C, which was yesterday. I'm feeling quite well and will go to work tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted once the testing begins. I believe that without all the information you have all posted about your struggles and discoveries, I wouldn't have even known half of what I do. Knowledge is power, and at least now, when the doctor says something to me, chances are that I would have already heard about it through this site. I am eternally thankful for the information given to me and will gladly share with others what I learn in my process.
Marie
are you talking about ehlers-danos syndrome? it is a connective tissue disorder related to lupus. my mother also has lupus. you need to have it investigated and see if that is causing your problems. i had two late miscarriages similar to yours (saw heartbeat). i have also had a previous uterine rupture (symptom of ED). i hope you are home and feeling better :) and will have answers soon.
Sorry to hear....stay strong and be positive. I know it's hard but finding out what might be wrong and getting treatment will bring some good news soon. Good luck and keep ur chin up....
sending hugs. you sound positive which i think can be attributed to the fact that you know your body and you know someone is finally listening and agreeing. good luck with the tests and with healing inside and out.
I'm very sorry to hear this. Your attitude sounds great though. I found things got a bit harder when the hormones dropped away. Take care of yourself and make sure you do something nice for yourself.
You have my deepest sympathies for this loss. I have been following your story and was really hoping that it would have a different ending. But it does sound like you are finally get some answers to why things have been difficult. Immunology can be very tricky. Make sure you have good doctors that listen to you on your team. You may want to also consider accupuncture in the meantime - there is growing evidence that it helps with fertility and pregnancy.
Your strength and tenacity are inspiring. We'll all be here rooting for you!!!
Your strength and tenacity are inspiring. We'll all be here rooting for you!!!
My mom has lupus and has had it since I was 14 (i am now 36) she almost died because it was attacking her heart and they couldn't figure out what it was until she was diagnosed with lupus. She does not have the kind that has the rash. It is very difficult her own mother died at 52 probably from lupus (because of symtoms) but then there was no diagnosis for lupus. My mom has it undercontrol now and has had no flare ups (knock on wood) for over 10 years. I had the test done when I was having fertility issues in my 20's didn't show an indicator for it but I know it can affect fertility. Good luck it is very hard to diagnose and then once you get a diagnosis it is just as hard to treat until you find the magic cocktail that is the best fit for you... prayers
I am sorry to hear about the miscarriages you had. You mentioned that you figured out why it was happening.. Would you mind sharing with Me?
I am so sorry to hear of your lost. I truly can relate to your story. I had five miscarriages myself last year, and my doctor keep telling me everything was normal. (WOW) He told me that if my husband and I continue to try we will conceive. I took it upon myself to see a specialist this year in Febraury, and after several tests we have discovered the problem that was causing the miscarriages. All my lost could have been prevented with a simple blood test and medicine. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Sometimes our trusted primary doctors just isn't enough!
Yolanda
Yolanda
Sorry about the loss of your baby, it must have been very hard seeing him growing so slowly!
Next time, yes take the baby aspirin if you're not allergic to aspirin, this medication can sometimes make the difference between keeping or loosing the baby!
I too have asthma and thyroid problems, my lung doctor suspected lupus but the test was negative (as well as an older test in the past), it's really hard to pinpoint which immune problems one can have.
Good luck with everything!
Next time, yes take the baby aspirin if you're not allergic to aspirin, this medication can sometimes make the difference between keeping or loosing the baby!
I too have asthma and thyroid problems, my lung doctor suspected lupus but the test was negative (as well as an older test in the past), it's really hard to pinpoint which immune problems one can have.
Good luck with everything!
my deep sympathies and best wishes to you. i wish the doctors help you to get more answers, and i pray that you will get your baby wishes soon.
i am so awestruck by your strength and courage through this very difficult experience. (hugs)
bless you.
i am so awestruck by your strength and courage through this very difficult experience. (hugs)
bless you.
My prayers are with you and your DH.. Im going to see the RE this month and I pray that we both can get pregnant again very soon.. LOTS OF BABY DUST to you and your DH.. Keep us posted ... God Bless you both...Mary.
So funny you mentioned that. One of the things that my doc mentioned is the fact that one of the tests that showed a questionable result, would indicate that perhaps I have a disorder that relates to having connective tissue problem. He mentioned the name of the disorder, but I have never heard of it and quite frankly, I forgot what it's called. He tried to explain it in the lamest terms and came up with "it's in the family of lupus". If you know a little about lupus, you know that it is very difficult to diagnose it, because you have to kind of test positive to a number of things before they can conclusively say, yes, it is lupus. So, in two weeks, he'll repeat the infamous blood work. If it gives the same results, then I decidedly have to see an immunologist to get further, more comprehensive testing done in order to reach a more accurate diagnosis. My doc also found that although my test results are not always the same, a few times he's seen evidence that perhaps I will benefit from taking heparin during pregnancy, along with daily baby aspirin. All these things are new to me. No other doc had even suggested to do this. I'm not sure why, I've told them all that my body has been "attacking" my thyroid gland for years. That's an immune system problem. Anyhow, yes, like someone else said, we've learned a few things that may be very helpful in the future. For that alone, I'm grateful.
Thank you all for your love!
Marie
Thank you all for your love!
Marie
i am sorry you had to go through this....i am happy though that your doc may have found something and hopefully a visit to the RE will help you....
i wish you the best and hope you stay in touch
i wish you the best and hope you stay in touch
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy 35 and Older Community
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
