Immune issues and fertility

I had significant fertility issues related to RA.  I was able to get pregnant easily, however the NK cells in my uterus caused seven miscarriages- three of them alone were in the span of seven months.  Please consider doing a web search for Dr. Allen Beer, MD.  He was based in Chicago, but consults world wide. He specializes in women with fertility issues related to autoimmune diseases.  In my case the problem was solved by remaining on Enbrel until a strong fetal heart beat was viewed on sonogram.  My Enbrel baby is now 5 years old and will be starting school this fall.  I would not have this wonderful, smart little guy without Dr. Beer's cutting edge research.  

Best Wishes on your journey to become a mum.

Thankfully, my doc follows Dr Beer's protocol to a large degree (though I can't get to see Dr B as he died in 2006.  His book - Is Your Body Baby-Friendly? - seems to be a much-read book by those with fertility and related issues).  Despite difficulties getting there, it's good to read that ladies with RA are able to get pregnant.  Unfortunately, it seems to be because I have the inflammatory version of the disease that we're not getting there; I'm not offering the safe haven of a womb - I'm providing an oven (!) which even I find difficult to cope with so the embryos have little chance.  And, with the arrival of swine flu and the added risk that brings to pregnant ladies/people with suppressed immune systems, I fear that our chance has passed.  (We were on a time deadline as my other half is significantly older than me and doesn't wish to be a doddering dad ... )

Hi ... it's good to know that people with our condition can get a little one.  My rheumatology doc says that others with JIA get PG ... just not me.  For info, I had my Chicago tests updated after the latest failed IVF cycle.  My NKs were at exactly the same levels as pre-treatment (TNF-alpha is in normal ranges), even though I'd been on 25mg prednisolone daily plus had 1 x ivig and 2 x intrallipids.  The tests indicate that ivig should work for me but the intrallipids do nothing.  However, I have to ask if any of it actually works if my NKs haven't changed?  We've decided to give it a break for a few months as my body has been overloaded on all fronts and I've been terribly emotional lately - plus my JIA has flared-up and progressed.  And, when I saw my gastroenterologist last week, he said that a) I look like a wreck (he meant well and he's not wrong!) and b) my neck is swollen so now I've got to go and have thryoid and other tests done. 

If reincarnation exists, then I must have been v bad in a previous life - as it seems my body goes from one crisis to another.  Oh for a Fairy Godmother with a magic wand ...