Friday, January 7, 2011

Completion

Today AF arrived which signaled the completion of our miscarriage. Really everything with the D&C was text book. I barely bled the day of the procedure, had no bleeding for 20 days after the surgery and took about 5 weeks for AF to arrive. I suppose if you have to go through one this would be the best outcome.

I also got my list of additional blood tests that I will have drawn tomorrow:
  • factor V (Activated Protein C Resistance) - treatment = heparin or aspirin; may need Foligard if due to high homocystine levels
  • protein S (normal is greater than 60% non pregnant, greater than 35% pregnant; If positive retest for free and total values) - treatment = heparin
  • factor II (Prothrombin) - treatment = heparin

So at our next appointment we'll get those results as well as for the other two tests for anticardiolipin or lupus anticoagulant.

I am curious why he is not testing for the following:

Protein C - recommended to be tested along with protein S
Fibrinogen
Factor XIII
fibrinolysis (PAI-1)
thrombosis (Human Platelet Antigen-1)
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene

I know that I've read they have been associated with 2nd and 3rd trimester loss but I have also heard that a high number of people have MTHFR and that if it is associated with another of the clotting tests that it's a bigger problem. Hmmmmm.

Thank you for all your kind comments and those that shared your stories. It's been a great encouragement. And let me clarify that when I say, "I'm to blame" it's more a wording rather than a negative thought I have about myself. So no stinkin thinkin is going on :)

5 comments:

Hope said...

Well as much as I know you're not happy to see her, glad AF is here and you can start moving on.

I would ask for the MTHFR test. I was positive for it so they have me doing the Lovenox shots. Although I'm not 100% convinced that was my issue, it's better to be safe than sorry. And considering I have to stick myself everyday that says a lot!! Good luck with your tests.

Miss Megan said...

I'm glad you have made it to "completion" as I hope now it is somehow a bit easier to move on. None of this is easy I know, but when you are stuck in limbo it makes things that much more stressful.
As for the testing, I think you should push for all the testing you can. I know when I did the "recurrent miscarriage" testing they tested for 9 different things including the MTHFR and Protein C&S. I guess I thought testing for all of those items (including the ones they are testing and the ones you are suggesting) were standard at that point, but maybe not. Please keep us updated to what you find out =).
BTW - I'm with Hope - I tested + for MTHFR - I'm compound heterozygous - so I had to take baby aspirin and metabolized folic acid (no need for lovenox since my homocysteine levels were good). I don't know if that was the cause of my m/c's or not, but after I started it I got pregnant again via IVF and I carried twins to 36 weeks, so I guess I am a success story. You just never know. Good luck!

Jessica said...

Hey,

I just found your blog through a mutual friends. Just wanted to say hi and that I am walking this infertility road with you. Hope you recieve your heart's joy soon.

~Jess
http://bringingyoumorethanasong.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I'll be interested to see what the results are. There's no way I'm giving up hope for you!

Ashley said...

Hi! I found your blog through a mutual friend and I just wanted to say that I am sorry for your miscarriage. My story is different, but it is still one in which my miracle baby is on the way due to IVF, because that is the ONLY way she was getting here. Praying for you and your family.