FertilityZone

Ladies,

I've been reading search results posts on humira flares and I still need some reassurance/advice. Dr Beer's book (page 154) doesn't say much other than to say that you can still have success with humira flare so long as IVIg is administered. It doesn't answer the crucial question of whether success after a flare, is dependent on the levels coming down.

I appreciate that it is best to speak to Dr Gorgy about all of this, and I've made an appointment to see him. I'm also happy to go with whatever he recommends but I want to be armed with as much information as possible before I see him later this week.

I got my TH1: TH2 retest and seems to be a massive flare after 2 humira injections:

TNFa 31.4 before humira, now 43.1 (limits 13.2 - 30.6)

IFN 13.3 before humira, now 25.1 (limits 5.8 - 20.5)

I understand that humira flare may come down on its own or be brought down by intralipids and IVIg, I don't really understand why we take it in the first place if it can cause such a flare. I also understand that the flare may be the humira drawing the TNF away from the uterus into the blood stream, but as no one measures the former, this kind of sounds to me like just theory.

Questions:

Has anyone had such dramatic increases and gone on to get pregnant? If so, did you have to take IVIg or/and intralipids or did it come down on its own?

Given this high flare, would you take humira again, if recommended or just go straight to IVIg and/or intralipids?

Given the cost of IVIg, has anyone taken only intralipids and had success bringing down levels?

I'm due to go on the pill at next period, (in a week or less), and then start buserelin injections 3 weeks later. Given these figures, is it better to delay the cycle until the TH1:TH2 is sorted or can you start a cycle with high levels and still have a chance of success? My main immune problems are these and LAD negative for which I've had two LIT treatment and will be retesting in July.

Any thoughts, very gratefully received.

Many thanks.

MB xx

Maria,

Thank you soooooooo much for taking out so much time to answer my questions so thoroughly. You really a star and a gem!

Much gratitude.

Lots of love and regards,

MB xx

Thank you. xx

Hi Jewels,

Thank you so much for your email and kind words!

I'm thrilled that all is going well with you, wishing you the very best of luck honey. 33 weeks already!!

All very inspiring and gives me hope. Interesting that you've had 4/5 IVIG. DH and I figured that humira not working means an additional budget of about £10K alone on IVIg needs to be added to our already scary costs and it sounds like those figures are realistic. Goodness. Anyway, just praying that it works!

I think it's such a good idea going with the flow and trusting whatever the clinic says instead of analysing every result beforehand as I've done. Having said that, it meant that I was prepared for the consultations without surprises. The Beer book and all sorts of fertility books are all by my bedside. Might be time to ditch the obsession!! I just need to sort my head and relax about all of this - easier said than done!

My turn to learn something new - what clinic is Argo?

Thanks again for the response honey, and take good care.

xxx

Lol at Argo! I even Googled it and as always, there was even something called Argo that did IVF but didn't think it was as in some random location.

Chatterbox, thanks so much for the email and good wishes. Hope all is well with you. xx

Update is that we saw Dr Gorgy and he has asked us to postpone starting our cycle by a month to try and sort out my TH1:TH2. He said that the positive is that we now know what my body will do when I get pregnant. He's given me two more humira injection, and the last injection will be followed immediately with an Intralipid drip. I asked why humira if it didn't work previously, and he said because it could still work.

I'm actually relieved about postponing the cycle for a month because it will avoid the nightmare of taxing into Central London during the Olympics. It also avoids being bang in the middle of IVF with 4 houseguests who are staying for 6 weeks!

Whatever the next test results show in late July, we'll be starting a cycle with our August cycle.

Thanks again for all your support.

xx