June was an interesting month...I accomplished my goal of relaxation at home, no doctor's appointments, fun with friends. However, worked SUCKED! June is apparently the worst month for my job. My stress level with work and the whole baby thing was driving me crazy! I did try to relax when I could but I have never been so excited to see July.
Once July came around and worked calmed down, it was decision-making time. Are we going to try this baby thing again or not?! Heck yeah, we are! I felt so FREE after making this decision to dive in and accept whatever may come my way. I was still afraid of the idea of the shots but I was ready to take them on. Just needed that little break!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
What I know about APS and 4G/4G
I really do not know much about the Antiphospholipid Syndrome or the 4G/4G gene but what I have learned is this...
APS can come and go and doctors are unsure if a miscarriage causes the syndrome in women or if APS causes the miscarriage. A study, from what I told, has not been done on a pregnant woman. I have heard that Antiphospholipid Syndrome is fairly common and if you have never had a thrombotic incident or you have APS by itself, then it can be treated with a baby aspirin while pregnant. Not sure if this is always the case. There is also the question if hypothyroidism is tied to APS, which I find interesting.
4G/4G is the mutation of the gene that can cause your blood to clot. 4G/5G is normal, and 5G/5G is thin blood. I wonder how many people are out there with each type who doesn't know?? And why, if it is so important to our health, are babies not tested at birth? It's such an easy thing to test!
This gene is important because people can react differently after surgery, pregnancy or even travel. Now that I know I am 4G/4G, I must take a thinner if I am in a car or airplane longer than 2 hours. I have been taking Pradaxa which is a relatively new drug on the market and is in a pill form. Super easy to take and actually met a pharmaceutical rep that sells it recently! I'm thinking that I could do that!! :-)
In addition to travel, it's important to take care of yourself before/after surgery to find out what type of medication is best for you. Since pelvic and leg surgeries are most likely to cause clotting, talk to your doctor about medication. I did Arixtra shots for 2 weeks and Pradaxa for 2 weeks after my fibroid surgery. The Arixtra shots are expensive and come pre-filled. You only have to do them once a day - the needles are not tiny but could be worse. They burned for about 5 minutes. I was told this was because of the alcohol from the swabs, but I believe that it was the medicine. Pradaxa is a 12 hour pill, so I took that twice a day until my 30 days after the surgery were complete. 30 days is the "trouble zone".
Most people are not tested for either of the above until they have had multiple miscarriages. I guess it is a blessing that I found out so early! Since I have both 4G/4G and Anti-phospholipid Syndrome, I will be taking Heparin when I am pregnant, just to be on the safe-side. There is still so much research being done on both disorders, that it's hard to tell what is necessary, BUT it's certainly not worth the risk to not do the shots.
Once again, I am not any type of medical professional so take what I say with a grain of salt and talk to your doctor. I am only expressing what I have heard and have done in my own experience.
APS can come and go and doctors are unsure if a miscarriage causes the syndrome in women or if APS causes the miscarriage. A study, from what I told, has not been done on a pregnant woman. I have heard that Antiphospholipid Syndrome is fairly common and if you have never had a thrombotic incident or you have APS by itself, then it can be treated with a baby aspirin while pregnant. Not sure if this is always the case. There is also the question if hypothyroidism is tied to APS, which I find interesting.
4G/4G is the mutation of the gene that can cause your blood to clot. 4G/5G is normal, and 5G/5G is thin blood. I wonder how many people are out there with each type who doesn't know?? And why, if it is so important to our health, are babies not tested at birth? It's such an easy thing to test!
This gene is important because people can react differently after surgery, pregnancy or even travel. Now that I know I am 4G/4G, I must take a thinner if I am in a car or airplane longer than 2 hours. I have been taking Pradaxa which is a relatively new drug on the market and is in a pill form. Super easy to take and actually met a pharmaceutical rep that sells it recently! I'm thinking that I could do that!! :-)
In addition to travel, it's important to take care of yourself before/after surgery to find out what type of medication is best for you. Since pelvic and leg surgeries are most likely to cause clotting, talk to your doctor about medication. I did Arixtra shots for 2 weeks and Pradaxa for 2 weeks after my fibroid surgery. The Arixtra shots are expensive and come pre-filled. You only have to do them once a day - the needles are not tiny but could be worse. They burned for about 5 minutes. I was told this was because of the alcohol from the swabs, but I believe that it was the medicine. Pradaxa is a 12 hour pill, so I took that twice a day until my 30 days after the surgery were complete. 30 days is the "trouble zone".
Most people are not tested for either of the above until they have had multiple miscarriages. I guess it is a blessing that I found out so early! Since I have both 4G/4G and Anti-phospholipid Syndrome, I will be taking Heparin when I am pregnant, just to be on the safe-side. There is still so much research being done on both disorders, that it's hard to tell what is necessary, BUT it's certainly not worth the risk to not do the shots.
Once again, I am not any type of medical professional so take what I say with a grain of salt and talk to your doctor. I am only expressing what I have heard and have done in my own experience.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Am I ready??
After months of doctor's appointments, including multiple trips to the lab, I was so happy to hear those little words from the surgeon: What are you waiting for, it's time to start trying again!! We waited months to hear this!!! So why was I nervous when he said it?
It was fear. Was I ready for potential disappointment again? Another D&C? Administering shots everyday? No, I wasn't. I needed a break. A break from doctor's offices, lack of privacy, blood thinners, test results - even if it was for a good cause - I just wanted the normal life that I knew. Brad and I going out to dinner and bars with friends, a glass of wine, a normal bathing suit and a trip to the pool. A stress-free summer.
I allowed myself one month for this and boy did I need it. I think that it took days to absorb all that had happened in the last 6 months. I cried, I still felt anxious. My body couldn't wrap around the idea that I didn't have anything to worry about! BUT, it gave me some time to acknowledge where I was at this point, what I could handle, and how strong of a person I really was.
When I was in high school, my friends and I were grounded for going out in Atlanta when my parents were out of town. My friend was at home, bored out of her mind, and made each of us a frame with a picture of the words "This too shall pass". Cliche or not, it holds true!! haha
It was fear. Was I ready for potential disappointment again? Another D&C? Administering shots everyday? No, I wasn't. I needed a break. A break from doctor's offices, lack of privacy, blood thinners, test results - even if it was for a good cause - I just wanted the normal life that I knew. Brad and I going out to dinner and bars with friends, a glass of wine, a normal bathing suit and a trip to the pool. A stress-free summer.
I allowed myself one month for this and boy did I need it. I think that it took days to absorb all that had happened in the last 6 months. I cried, I still felt anxious. My body couldn't wrap around the idea that I didn't have anything to worry about! BUT, it gave me some time to acknowledge where I was at this point, what I could handle, and how strong of a person I really was.
When I was in high school, my friends and I were grounded for going out in Atlanta when my parents were out of town. My friend was at home, bored out of her mind, and made each of us a frame with a picture of the words "This too shall pass". Cliche or not, it holds true!! haha
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Glossary & Terms
D&C -Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to scrape the uterine lining. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after a D&C may help ease your worries and make the process go more smoothly for you
Fibroid - Uterine fibroids (leiomyomata) are non-cancerous growths that develop in or just outside a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterine fibroids develop from normal uterus muscle cells that start growing abnormally. As the cells grow, they form a benign tumor.
Thyroid Disorder - Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome - Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by recurring blood clots (thromboses). Blood clots can form in any blood vessel of the body. The specific symptoms and severity of APS vary greatly from case to case depending upon the exact location of a blood clot and the organ system affected. APS may occur as an isolated disorder (primary antiphospholipid syndrome) or may occur along with another autoimmune disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus (secondary antiphospholipid syndrome).
4g/4g - (Link to information on this, no true "definition" is easily found!)
Fibroid - Uterine fibroids (leiomyomata) are non-cancerous growths that develop in or just outside a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterine fibroids develop from normal uterus muscle cells that start growing abnormally. As the cells grow, they form a benign tumor.
Thyroid Disorder - Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome - Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by recurring blood clots (thromboses). Blood clots can form in any blood vessel of the body. The specific symptoms and severity of APS vary greatly from case to case depending upon the exact location of a blood clot and the organ system affected. APS may occur as an isolated disorder (primary antiphospholipid syndrome) or may occur along with another autoimmune disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus (secondary antiphospholipid syndrome).
4g/4g - (Link to information on this, no true "definition" is easily found!)
Leggo My Preggo, 4G/4G!!
A little background on why I am starting this blog.....It all started 6 months ago. 2 days before Christmas of 2010, I found out that I was pregnant. Surprised that it happened so quickly, my husband and I were ecstatic. What a great Christmas gift!!!! We waited patiently for the 8.5 week appointment - it felt like an eternity. At the appointment, we found out that there was no heartbeat and the embryo was only measuring at 7.5 weeks. Needless to say, this was the worst possible news. With all things in life that our awful, you never think that it will ACTUALLY happen to you.
I opted to have the D&C, despite my fear of being put to sleep. I had never experienced any type of serious procedure up to this point. Things that I learned: the happy drug before surgery is the smartest thing every invented, eating 5 salads within the first week of the procedure gives you horrible gas. Don't do it. hahhaa.
It was finally all over, so I thought.
The next week, I received some of my blood work back from my appointment and found out that I had hypothyroidism so I went and saw an endocrinologist, had some tests and went on some meds. No big deal, right? Well, at the next appointment I found out that those tests showed that I had extremely high lupus anticoagulant levels. More than my doctor who has been in practice for 40 years had ever seen. Note to self: Don't ever have a doctor's appointment on a Friday. He tells me that I have to go see a Hematologist immediately. A what??
The next week again, I go to see what will soon be my new enemy/best friend - the hematologist. I get more than 10 viles drawn..SICK. Find out I don't have a lupus anticoagulant but instead an anti-phospholipid syndrome and a recessive 4G/4G genetic mutation. Both of which research is still being done and not a whole lot is known about. GREAT. My Mom & Dad both get tested and we find out that my mom is also 4G/4G. Now, she had 3 children with no problems, so I am going on that. However, I also find out that whenever I do get pregnant again, I will have to give myself Heparin shots. I was SHOCKED, dreading the whole idea of it.
The 3rd and final issue? When I had my first ultrasound, they found a fibroid outside of my uterus about the size of a large orange. I am 5'3", 120lbs - so this thing is huge for me. I was wondering why I had already been showing at 7 weeks! It was pushing my uterus out to the side and making it stick out! After the D&C, I had to decide if I wanted this taken out now or go ahead and try to get pregnant again and deal with it later as it just grows and grows. They can get to the size of watermelons!! They can also cause a lot of pain as well, so after much debate, prayer, and torturous decision making, I decided to go ahead and have my first "real" surgery.
Yay! So the decision was made..well I thought it was made. The hematologist was waiting on more blood work to find out about the 4G/4G so I had no idea whether or not I was actually going to have the surgery until a few days beforehand. My surgeon talked to him the day of to figure out what we were going to do. The solution? blood thinner shots. Arixtra is the name. Because that is just awesome, giving yourself painful shots just an inch below where you had surgery. The surgery went well..I had my first experience spending the night in the hospital and eating my first hospital food and taking baby steps down the hallway. Once home, I did the shot once a day - well, my husband and brother - in law did it for me..I could NOT do it. Got through it, though, healed nicely, and got the approval to start trying again!!
Now that you have read my rather long tale of medical conditions in the last 6 months, I hope that this blog can give information and hope to those who have been in similar situations. I could not find much about people who are pregnant with clotting issues and wanted to provide my own experience to anyone interested. You are not alone!
I opted to have the D&C, despite my fear of being put to sleep. I had never experienced any type of serious procedure up to this point. Things that I learned: the happy drug before surgery is the smartest thing every invented, eating 5 salads within the first week of the procedure gives you horrible gas. Don't do it. hahhaa.
It was finally all over, so I thought.
The next week, I received some of my blood work back from my appointment and found out that I had hypothyroidism so I went and saw an endocrinologist, had some tests and went on some meds. No big deal, right? Well, at the next appointment I found out that those tests showed that I had extremely high lupus anticoagulant levels. More than my doctor who has been in practice for 40 years had ever seen. Note to self: Don't ever have a doctor's appointment on a Friday. He tells me that I have to go see a Hematologist immediately. A what??
The next week again, I go to see what will soon be my new enemy/best friend - the hematologist. I get more than 10 viles drawn..SICK. Find out I don't have a lupus anticoagulant but instead an anti-phospholipid syndrome and a recessive 4G/4G genetic mutation. Both of which research is still being done and not a whole lot is known about. GREAT. My Mom & Dad both get tested and we find out that my mom is also 4G/4G. Now, she had 3 children with no problems, so I am going on that. However, I also find out that whenever I do get pregnant again, I will have to give myself Heparin shots. I was SHOCKED, dreading the whole idea of it.
The 3rd and final issue? When I had my first ultrasound, they found a fibroid outside of my uterus about the size of a large orange. I am 5'3", 120lbs - so this thing is huge for me. I was wondering why I had already been showing at 7 weeks! It was pushing my uterus out to the side and making it stick out! After the D&C, I had to decide if I wanted this taken out now or go ahead and try to get pregnant again and deal with it later as it just grows and grows. They can get to the size of watermelons!! They can also cause a lot of pain as well, so after much debate, prayer, and torturous decision making, I decided to go ahead and have my first "real" surgery.
Yay! So the decision was made..well I thought it was made. The hematologist was waiting on more blood work to find out about the 4G/4G so I had no idea whether or not I was actually going to have the surgery until a few days beforehand. My surgeon talked to him the day of to figure out what we were going to do. The solution? blood thinner shots. Arixtra is the name. Because that is just awesome, giving yourself painful shots just an inch below where you had surgery. The surgery went well..I had my first experience spending the night in the hospital and eating my first hospital food and taking baby steps down the hallway. Once home, I did the shot once a day - well, my husband and brother - in law did it for me..I could NOT do it. Got through it, though, healed nicely, and got the approval to start trying again!!
Now that you have read my rather long tale of medical conditions in the last 6 months, I hope that this blog can give information and hope to those who have been in similar situations. I could not find much about people who are pregnant with clotting issues and wanted to provide my own experience to anyone interested. You are not alone!
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