Dr.Shehata - Hydroxychloroquine for miscarriages?

[Bambii]

Hello there,

Do any of you lovely ladies have any interesting stories related to your experience with Dr. Shehata and being prescribed Hydroxychloroquine for recurrent miscarriages due to blood results showing high autoimmune NK cells? Mine were 303 when normal is less than 200 apparently!

I've just started taking Hydroxychloroquine today and have no idea what to expect (it is usually an anti-malaria drug). We've been told to wait 8 weeks before we try.


Thank you 💕

[housemdwaswrong]

What are nk cells?

[Teddybear45]

Er my NK killer cell count was higher than yours (presumably because I produce antibodies too) and a steroid / lipid protocol was enough. Why were you told to use this drug? Do you have a condition that prevents steroid treatment?

[housemdwaswrong]

I'm sorry, I don't understand your reply. I didn't give you any figures. I don't have any direct experience, but was wondering if the was a possible link to another condition, I just don't know what nk cells are?

[Bambii]

Hi @Teddybear45

He was going to go for steroids but when I told him I have a history of a delicate stomach (acidity etc)., he decided to go for Hydroxychloroquine!

I'm curious, do you think this drug is stronger than steroids? From what I've read it seems maybe the other way round? What was your killer cell number?

Thanks for chatting!

[Bambii]

Hi @housemdwaswrong

NK killer cells are part of our immune system and a way to fight bugs, cancer, viruses etc. The idea that doctor Shehata has is that if you have a higher number of these, they may be attacking the babies in early pregnancy and causing miscarriage. Studies are ongoing but women like me, who have had a traumatic time with 3 miscarriages and 4 surgeries under general anaesthetic, are willing to give it a try in the hopes of a healthy pregnancy.

Hope that helps.

[ihearttc]

Just to say I take Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an auto immune condition. I know nothing about taking it for recurrent miscarriages but I can see the reasoning in that it would help the bodies auto immune response.

Its also used to treat Lupus which is another auto immune condition.

Its been a miracle drug as far as my RA is concerned and Ive had no side effects at all (been on it 4 years).

[PerspicaciaTick]

I was on hydroxychloroquine for Lupus. My Rheumy consultant insisted that I came off it before starting to try to get pregnant.

[veneeroftheweek]

Op - I saw Mr Shehata many years ago but had steroid treatment instead. I believe there is still a long running thread about people's experiences with him and other consultants. If you do a search for "pred thread" I think the latest one should come up. You may find people with direct experience. Good luck!!

[TitianaTitsling]

Like @PerspicaciaTick also on hydroxychloroquine before l became pregnant had to reduce dose and come off before stopping contraception.

[Bambii]

Hi ladies,

Interesting that you were told to come off. Recent studies show:

Women with rheumatic diseases, including inflammatory arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), fare better in pregnancy when their disease is under good control1,2. The role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for achieving this control is now recognized. Several studies demonstrate that patients with SLE who continue HCQ during pregnancy have decreased flares and improved pregnancy outcomes, including longer fetal gestation and infants with higher birth weight3,4. Reassuringly, antimalarials are compatible with pregnancy, with no signals for safety concerns, and professional society guidelines recommend continuation of HCQ during pregnancy5. In support of this approach, a survey of North American rheumatologists found that over 69% of rheumatologists continued HCQ in their pregnant patients6.

[Bambii]

Here is a link to the journal saying women with RA and lupus fare better if they stay on it: www.jrheum.org/content/46/1/1

[TitianaTitsling]

Could you link to that? Would like to speak to my rheumy about it as hope to start trying for no2 soon.

[TitianaTitsling]

Ah xpost!

[AllFourOfThem]

I take it for arthritis and it’s considered safe for both pregnancy and breastfeeding.

OP, I have a friend who saw him and took both hydroxy and pred and now has a baby. Good luck. I’ve heard very good things about him from a couple of people.

[Bambii]

@AllFourOfThem thank you for that positive message, means a lot! Losing three after seeing a healthy heart beat each time and having no chromosomal abnormalities has been tough.. especially as I've needed surgeries for all of them because they were missed miscarriages.

The only thing that has been off is my killer cell count being too high.. everything else for me and hubby has been normal. Fingers crossed - 4th time lucky. Xx

[Bambii]

@TitianaTitsling - yes, definitely a good idea to show your consultant. Everything I've read so far says it's better to stay on.. but maybe she/he is concerned about how long you have been on it because I've read you need regular eye checks? I suspect it is more likely that she/he is not a fertility expert and is just being cautious...

Here is the link again to the journal saying women with RA and lupus fare better if they stay on it: www.jrheum.org/content/46/1/1

[AllySC]

Hi @Bambii, I know it's been over a year since you posted this but I wanted to follow up to see if you have had any success? I've just been told by a miscarriage specialist that I should start taking hydroxychloroquine before I have another round of IVF, as I have tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (suggesting that I have an autoimmune condition - I wasn't aware of that until now). I've now had four miscarriages so am hoping that the hydroxychloroquine works! Thank you x

[littleangle46]

Hi AllySC have you been taking the hydroxychloroquine?

I was on levothyroxine 25 mg, and 400 mg Hydroxychloroquine this cycle, my doctor is very sceptical but I managed to convince him, I was unable to conceive since my ERPC in August. My TSH was 2.7 before conceiving the baby we lost but found out it is 4.5 in my latest test. My pregnancy test is negative and my period is more than a week late. has anyone experienced delayed periods while on these medications?

[WishingWaiting]

Hi @littleangle46 - this is AllySC, changed my username for a little more anonymity. So sorry for the late reply, I didn't see that you had messaged. I have been taking the hydroxychloroquine, but sadly I miscarried again in December.

I am having a delayed or anovulatory cycle at the moment, I'm not sure if it's because of the drugs I was taking, anxiety, the miscarriage or covid. Thyroxine has never delayed my period but perhaps the hydroxy has affected us both?

[littleangle46]

@WishingWaiting thank you for your reply. I am very sorry for your loss. this journey is not the same for everyone dont lose hope, it will work.