Friday, May 27, 2011

RPL Results...

Emily - you have "impeccable" timing!!! LOL

We finally have our long overdue update and results from all of the blood work I had done. I suppose 13 vials of blood should show something! LOL

I spoke to our RE yesterday and they have determined that I have MTHFR. I am not sure exactly what type yet and am not 100% sure if it is heterozygous or homozygous, I should know more on this next week. Basically, this is a genetic disorder that does not allow my body to properly create and metabolize folic acid and B vitamins. This causes issues with the blood and not only results in recurrent miscarriages but also puts me at a much higher risk of having children with birth defects and genetic disorders like Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome. Thankfully, this can be treated with very high doses of Folic Acid and B vitamins. I will start treatment today and because this not only affects my reproductive system, but causes other issues as well, will likely be on this regimen for the rest of my life. I will follow up with my Primary care Dr. to determine if any other treatments are necessary. I will also be on some sort of blood thinner once we get pregnant throughout my pregnancy.

After speaking with our RE yesterday, he would also like to do a urine culture analysis to check for bacteria and viruses that are not normally checked for in a typical bladder infection check. There are certain bacteria and viruses that can cause recurrent miscarriages that harbor in the bladder and urinary tract and due to my history of chronic bladder infections since the age of 3, he definitely wants to look into that as well.

Even with these results, our RE is not convinced that these are the only causes of our miscarriages and because it is less expensive to just treat for everything that may be causing them than it is to test for them, when I do get pregnant again, I will be on a long string of medications throughout pregnancy to hopefully prevent another miscarriage. This will all be worth it in the end if we can come home with a healthy, full term baby.

I am extremely grateful for the wonderful team of Dr.'s that we have and of course for each and every one of you. Your support, love and prayers have been invaluable in this journey. We have been so blessed even through the tough times and I feel very blessed that we have found this MTHFR mutation so we can now treat it!

I thank God for each and every one of you and realize that it isn't just Pace and I on this journey, all of you are walking this with us and it is so humbling to feel the love that you all have showered on Pace and I.

8 comments:

Kakunaa said...

I am soooo happy you got a diagnosis! It's not good, but it's manageable :-) this is fantastic! Let's make a baby!

Christy said...

I am homozygous for this condition....and I have three kids with a few miscarriages in between. Hang in there...

~stinkb0mb~ said...

i'm glad to read that you have a diagnosis and that you can now take steps forwards - to becoming a mumma and bringing a babe home with you!

~x~

keeksaz said...

I'm so happy you said "when" you get pregnant. I can't imagine how hard this all must be but I'm so glad you still give updates and we are all here to support you and send all the virtual hugs an prayers we can.

Amanda said...

I wish you didn't have to get to this point, but if the additional treatment gets you a baby, then that's what counts. I hope the MTHFR isn't too severe for you, aspirin is a lot easier to deal with than injected thinners. My High Risk OB had me on 5 mg of folic acid a day (on top of my prenatal) which is super a super huge dose. I also take a took a ton of B vitamins and omega 3's and baby aspirin. Lots of pills, but not that difficult to manage. I can't complain.

Good luck going forward.

Emily Weber said...

I'm so glad you finally have some answers and at least can move forward with a plan. I hope and pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby for you!

Jill said...

I have seen success for so many women with RPL once they know about their MTHFR. It is so sad that you have had to already have so many heartbreaks but hopefully this will solve it! Can't wait until you bring your baby home!!

Cori said...

Yay for some answers! It still doesn't erase any of the heartbreak but I sure hope it can help prevent anymore:) XOXOX