Large number of miscarriages

happiness

0 Posts
Reply Large number of miscarriages Posted on: Nov 1, 2010 at 3:46pm
Hello Dr. Braverman,

I found my way to your web site late last night, and found it to be quite informative, complete with information I was not aware of (a rarity at this point!).

I am writing to receive your honest opinion on whether you think my case if "fixable", or if I should just move on. Admittedly, I've been in the "moving on" category for some time now, but lately have been revisiting the idea of treatments. I will try and make my lengthy and complicated history as brief as possible.

I'm 38 years old, and I've been with the same partner for 21 years. We've been married for 20 of those years.

We have a 19 year old son, conceived on the first try just off of BC. Uneventful pregnancy until 34-35 weeks -- the preterm labor and pre eclampsia. He was born at 37 weeks.

5 years after that, a daughter, conceived on the first try, no complications with pregnancy. She just turned 14.

3 years later (in the year 2000), I found myself unexpectedly pregnant, and miscarried around what I think was 7 weeks or so.

9 months later, another pregnancy, heartbeat at 8w3d -- no heartbeat at 10 weeks, D&C.

Another, similar pregnancy a few months later, HB seen, miscarried naturally, didn't get to quite as many weeks.

etc, etc

Over the past 10+ years (neither trying to become pregnant, nor preventing), I've had over 30 miscarriages. Many have been like the ones above, many have been chemical, many have been somewhere in between.

I've tried progesterone many times -- pills, suppositories. Baby asprin. Baby asprin and progesterone together. Prednisone in smaller and larger doses.

Nothing ever seems to make even a day's worth of difference.

I've had HCG levels monitored, I've had ultrasounds -- but more often as the years have gone by, I've not even called my doctor on a positive pregnancy test, since I already knew how it would end. Most of my natural miscarriages have been uncomplicated, except for one.

My doctor has always been willing to try anything new if I could come up with it and the details for it --- but I'm not a doctor, and I really don't know where to go from here (if anywhere).

I've had various blood workups over the years. Thrombophelia (I think I spelled that wrong) panel all came back OK. No MTHFR. I had a positive ANA (1:80) a number of years ago, but when repeated, it was normal. Everything always comes back normal, except for thyroid issues.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2003. After not finding the correct dosage to feel better for many years, a year ago I went out of state to a thyroid specialists. I feel like a new person on 100mg of T3, and 25mg of Synthroid daily.

I will say that as I've aged, I have definitely seen a decline in my fertility. I see a positive pregnancy test occasionally, but over the past 2 years or so, they are extremely short lived -- just a few days, really. In the past, the pregnancies lasted longer and were more frequent.

Anyway, to not get any longer, I will end.

My question is -- with my unusualy high number of miscarriages, would it be best for me to just move on, or do you think there is any chance of success?

Thank you for your time.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Large number of miscarriages Posted on: Nov 1, 2010 at 9:56pm
Hi "happiness"

I am so sorry for all your difficult times. The answer to your question is you have never been adequately diagnosed or treated for obvious reproductive immune issues as evidenced by your pos ANA and the Hashimotos as well as your significant clinical history. The number of losses is not the determining factor on whether you should move on , it is your ability to respond to treatment that you have never had.
Im sure you still have a chance at a successful pregnancy and you certainly should at least get the proper workup so you can look at all your treatment options.
Feel free to call my office to set up a consultation, this is not a waste of your tme as you do have a chance to concieve and carry your child to term.
If you decide to call for a consult please fill out the new patient questionaiire on the "contact us " portion of the website and fax it to me.
I look forward to speaking with you. Good Luck.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

happiness

0 Posts
Reply Re: Large number of miscarriages Posted on: Nov 1, 2010 at 11:59pm
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, Dr. Braverman.

This is the first ray of hope in what has been a very long and painful road. I hope to find happiness at the end of this journey.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Large number of miscarriages Posted on: Nov 2, 2010 at 1:43am
My pleasure, hope I can be of service to you.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.