About Us

My photo
United States
We were married on September 27, 2009. We began our journey more than three years ago. We have had four losses to date and are still trying to conceive our sticky bean.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I got my diagnosis.

I have two MTHFR mutations. I don't know which mutations yet. I asked and he just said he'd send it to me. This diagnosis comes with good and bad news.

The bad news is MTHFR can be very nasty.
Those with the mutation show a higher propensity for thrombosis (blood clots), arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries), Alzheimer's, stroke, heart attack, Fibromyalgia, migraines (especially with "Aura" migraines), osteoporotic fractures, bone marrow disorders and for those of child bearing years, it has found to be connected to higher incidences of down's syndrome, spina bifida, other neural tube defects, trisomy, miscarriage, stillbirth, implantation failure, placental abruption, preeclampsia, higher incidences of autism, amongst others.
Source: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/forums/Fibromyalgia_General_Discussion/MTHFR_Deficiency/

The good news is I have an answer and therefore a plan. I will be taking folic acid, B6, B12, and a prenatal vitamin daily. Once we're pregnant he said he'll start me on blood-thinners. However, Chris and I have decided to add a baby aspirin a day on our own. I have a hard time got positives on home pregnancy tests and we're worried about starting it too late and therefore losing another baby. Plus an aspirin a day will decrease my risk of a clot or stroke (since these mutations increases my chances).

This news is bittersweet. I am relieved to have an answer, a plan, hope. But I'm also scared and feeling guilty. I'm scared at the knowledge that we have a higher chance of having a special needs child. Don't get me wrong, we'll love our children just the same. We've even talked about adopting a special needs child, but I'm still scared. I feel guilty because we now know that it was a problem with MY BODY. I can't carry. It's my fault. How can I be smiling from relief and yet feel ready to burst into tears at any moment?

No comments:

Post a Comment