Is anyone on STEROIDS for pregnancy after m/c's?

[oinker]

I have not been prescribed this yet, but am after as much info about treatment with steroids.

I have had 7 m/c's and no viable pregnancies. I always miscarry at the same time (7to 8 weeks). Beanie always has a HB but it is always slow. I have no problema other than thick blood. I am always prescribed heparin and two 75mg aspirin.

Steroids will be my next and final attempt at being a mum.
I have been told that I would be prescribed 30mg of prednisoline... (I have to get my
BMI down by 2 first)

I have some questions about this treatment and would apprecite all answers and thoughts...

Were any test done to diagnose NKCells?
What tests were they?
How long did results take?
If private, how much did it cost?
How many mg of steroids were you prescribed?

When did you start taking them?
When did you stop?

Did you have any side effects?
Did it work?

I would really appreciate both positive and negative responses

Thanks for helping
If so, what?

How much weight if any did you put on?

[wen10]

Hi Oinker,
i am new to this forum, my name is wen. I too have now had several m/c's over the past 22months and am now thinking of asking for a referral to see Prof Regan, she's my last hope really other than tryin to find somewhere that will test for Natural Killer Cells.

I am on steroids, not for the mc's though but unfortunately i was dx with rheumatoid arthritis last year (prob caused by the stress/trauma of the m/c's). I have been on between 10 and 25mg since last May (07) and havent had to many side efects. I have gained alot of weight though and a round face, hot sweats (quite snappy at times too!) But i guess if it gets us where we want to be it's worth it.

I am very sorry for your losses and really hope things do work out for you, i know how hard and sad it is to keep m/c.
Takecare.
wenXXX.

[minster]

I've been on steroids in two pregnancies - first time 5mg dexamethasone/day (lost the baby due to a placental abruption & PROM), second one I was on 25mg of prednisolone/day. I put on quite a lot of weight (15kg over the two) and not very nice emotional side effects from the pred (although the dex wasn't as bad).

My diagnosis is raised NK activity (I had the Chicago tests at the ARGC) and a clotting disorder so I also take aspirin & inject clexane (heparin) throughout pregnancy.

I'm sorry for you losses. As well as Leslie Reagan (who is very conservative) there's also Dr Shehata who specialises in recurrent mc has a private practice in London as well as seeing NHS patients in Surrey.

[oinker]

Fantastic........

This is exactly what I was after.

Thanks for the replies....

Keep them coming...

[oinker]

I should have mentioned, I am actually at St Marys in Paddington and being seen by Prof Reagan and her team.
They don't actually run any trials there.
They do the heparin/aspirin and steroid treatments but not on a trial basis. No NK cell tests done. They just give it to you.
I always see Etienne Horner who in my opinion is great. He is a very compasionate and kind person. He really does care. Lesley Reagan comes across as being quite cold and very firm...I didn't really warm to her.

[OracleInaCoracle]

oinker, im sorry.

the NK cells test at LWH costs £500-550 unfortunately it isnt available on the nhs.

i so hope that you get your baby x

[wen10]

Justjules,
thank you so much for the info on NK cells, i can't believe the information im getting from this forum, thanks everyone. Does anyone know if it is expensive to have the test done?

Oinker, there was another consultant i could see at St Marys called Raj Rai, perhaps i should opt for him instead! How odd that St MArys dont test for NK cells!

wenXXX.

[oinker]

JJ
I was taking clexane injections daily.

I actually had a funny rash from taking heparin so was changed.

LL
£550 is a reasonable price to pay.
What tests were done?
How often will I have to go to the hospital?
and
How long does the whole process last?

[wen10]

Sorry i sent the post whilst you had sent that one answering my question already. Blimey, i can't believe it is sooo much money!

[oinker]

wen10,

I really don't want to put you off...

Try and get to see Etienne Horner (google his name)

Raj RAI is a bit of an eccentric.. Nice but a bit mad.
He has made my experience of the clinic quite stressful.
He insisted my problem was my weight.. I lost the weight he asked me to and then changed the goal posts and did this several times.
My problems according to Mr Horner is not my weight cos I can get pregnant. It would only be an issue if I couldn't.

Anyway, I lost 5 stone and still another two m/c's

Still, Raj will not agree to me having the steroids until my BMI is 30 or below.

[wen10]

Hi JJ,
Im not sure whether to ask for a referral to St Marys or LWH, my gp will only allow me one referral so i really need to go to the best place that will really help me. How do you find LWH? As i dont have hughes/aps i dont hav heparin but do take baby aspirin.
wenXXX.

[OracleInaCoracle]

havent had mine yet oinker, bit pricy at the moment, but give them a call to discuss it. Ann Maria is lovely.

[oinker]

Minster

I may try doctor Sehata.

I notice the clinics are quite local to me.

I my give them a call. It would save me a trip to Liverpool.

Do you have any idea how much he charges at his clinics?

[wen10]

Thanks Oinker, well done you for losing the weight, how annoying that he said to do it though. Im certainly not thin anymore and have no prob getting preg but i just cant hold on to them! Sometimes the professionals just send you crazy dont they, i wonder whether they really know what to do sometimes!!! Wat does BMI stand for?

I have never been able to chat to anyone about this before, feel so relieved that i found this place and you all have so much knowledge!
wenXXX.

[oinker]

BMI is your body mass index.......
basically percentage of fat your bosy is made of. It should be between 25 and 30 I think

[wen10]

Minster,
where is Dr shehata based in London?
wenXXX.

[oinker]

Whoops...........sorry......

meant BODY not bosy

It;s late and dark....I'm getting tired..

[wen10]

Thanks oinker,
i dread to think what mine is!!!!

[OracleInaCoracle]

oinker, i was the opposite and was told that i had to put weight on, mr f at LWH, told me that while a stable BMI was v important to conception its not as important to maintaining a pg.

[oinker]

LISTER HOSPITAL (NEAR VICTORIA STATION)

HARLEY STREET

AND

ASHTEAD HOSPITAL

CHECK OUT HIS SITE

www.miscarriageclinic.co.uk

[oinker]

Lister Hospital is 10 minutes walk from work for me.....

[oinker]

GOOD NIGHT

Will catch up in the morning.....