TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 2

kittens I feel so awful for you about your mum. It must be such an upsetting time. You are being really strong, what with everything else going on too, and I completely agree with you that spending time with her and your family is a lot more important than work. Ok we need to earn money but that is one of the great things about being self-employed that you have that freedom. I do hope your mum's vomiting gets better as soon as possible and that you have a lovely time when you go over in a couple of weeks.

I am crap at the ovulation/TTC thing so can't really help out, but glad Digi is around for expert advice. I like it on here that we all have an expert (well, supported by Doctor Google) area. Mine is thyroid and also as the only flag bearer for Hydroxychloroquine.

I don't know how I feel about BFN's Digi although I did have them the first couple of times I tested last time I got a BFP. I am ok with those I think but faint positives might freak me out, considering what happened last time. I know plenty of people do get faint positives and have successful pregnancies. And if I do get a faint one it always could be because it was early. So maybe BFNs to me are actually better than faint positives, emotionally! Oh god, I've set myself up for a faint positive haven't I. Law of sod.

Not watching the choir but did see a terrible 90s film that I wish I hadn't bothered with. Damn new Sky Box.

Watching your twinges too Cheery :)

Hi digi, well, the CD21 test was whilst on pred. Mr S's colleague didn't see any reason to be re-scanned even though I told her my periods were v light and that's I'd not conceived in the 6 months on pred vs 1-3 cycles before taking it so I guess I'll just see what happens the next cycle or two whilst waiting for my referral to the fertility clinic. To be honest, at the moment I don't have the energy or mental capacity to think about anything more involved than taking pred and TTC at the relevant time. I am trying to fit my trips to France around TTC and also work. Although, hard as it is being self employed, I am trying to make work my second priority as I have some savings and am painfully aware that it's easier to recoup work and money than it is to recoup precious time with my mum. TTC on the other hand requires more consideration because that is, hopefully, my future. Once my mum is no longer with us it is important that, if it is possible or "to be", for me to nurture a new generation of our family. Very difficult situation though. I have also had to prioritise in as far as I have to give my time to my mum over and above my dad when it comes to trips overseas. My dad is going through a terrible time too but he is otherwise relatively strong and healthy and I can spend time with him in due course. My mum has had a really bad weekend and has been sick a lot. We have been really worried as she's not been eating, has been vomiting and has lost 2kg. Today the doctor came to the house and it seems that it is nothing too serious but a reaction to her medication and a symptom of her condition as the tumour is in her intestines so it's bound to cause problems with her guts. I was going to go over tomorrow for a few days but she needs to sleep so I will wait until after OV, which is a couple of weeks, and go and spend a week or so over there. I am just feeling really sad and frightened a lot of the time and the fear of TTC again is quite overwhelming on top of that. If I am successful I think that will be very emotional for me too, partly because of my history and then the bitter sweet scenario that I may have a baby which will never get to meet it's grandma, and vice versa. She was so excited the first couple of times I was pregnant. Only about 6 months ago she was saying that if I am lucky and have a baby she would be coming over to London to stay with me more regularly.

Oh dear, sorry, that was rather a long paragraph! My head feels like it's going to explode at the moment! Thanks for asking digi. Sorry to go on so

Welcome cornflakes how long have you been ttc under Mr S's treatment plan?

Good luck tomorrow stogan - hope baby behaves itself and allows the sonographer to get the measurements this time.

kittens so to hear you've been so down . How's your mum doing at the moment? Are you planning trips to France around ttc? Or do you have to go around work? My comment earlier about having a post-ov scan was to maybe have one during a pred cycle - as it seems you're fine when not on pred but could be worth checking out what's going on after ov when you're on the roids.

free tricky one. If you've worked out a back up plan for intralipids in LA then I think that's the best you can do. Depending how you feel about BFN's (I hated them as they'd bring me down) you could just keep testing from 10dpo till 14dpo (fmu only!).

Anyone watching the choir? Am blubbing (again).

digi and Iggy lovely news about today's scans!

comedy loved your build a bear story.. It made me bit teary, so sweet

I am trying not to symptom spot at the moment.. But, hey, who am I trying to kid? I feel like half my life is spent trying to spot pregnancy/ AF/ ovulation
I have had a few twinges in my lower belly today though

Hi cornflakes I have also only recently joined this thread too, but already feel so welcome

I take back my post yesterday about sleeping well, the pred has kicked in now so I had about 4 hours sleep last night and look like the actual moonface from the cover of the Faraway Tree book

duggs I think I'm ovulating normally. I get a positive surge on my OPKs every month for a couple of days and had a CD21 test in August which showed that I was ovulating too. We have been going at it like rabbits too for around 10 days leading up to, on and just after supposed ovulation.

Still getting these shooting OV type pains consistently since I mentioned it earlier. I hope my appendix isn't about to blow!

Baby brain all round

Lmfao! Good work with the acronyms tonight ladies!! :)

ohh yeah - doohh..!

Durr, New Life of course. I've been there about 5 times now! I will remember the acronym from now on.

free Yes check out this link below.. HCG kicks off once implantation happens and this goes through our blood and into our urine .. that is why we need early morning urine as is more concerntrated

www.babyhopes.com/articles/results.html

Not sure what NLC is..some fertility clinic I presume? But same day is good- not all do same day so perhaps chocy will enlighten us. I don't think you should risk 5 weeks without intrapillids..no, def go for the blood test.

euro I meant to ask - are you trying IVF for the first time ? or are you just investigating at this stage- I can't remember? Would you look at CGH then to get your best embryo? sorry is rubbish not to remember but I think you did tell us around a week ago?

Great news Iggi and Digi - really pleased.
coconut - must be great to be off the pred - my last tablet will be on 1st December maybe I'll be sleeping by Christmas!

My stomach is bigger than it's ever been I'm not a scarf wearer but am fast becoming one so I can go onto the playground and hide the bump as much as possible - I'm sure there must be a few conversations going on about me piling on the pounds!!

I understand how you feel Duggs it's hard when you hear people planning exactly when they are going to get pregnant and give birth - it's certainly made me very aware about being sensitive telling other people.

Thank you for your lovely comments snoopy and others - it was a lovely day yesterday and no matter what I'll have that as a very special memory. DD said this morning that she's thought about it in the night and even a boy would be ok as it takes them a while to become annoying! She is also even more keen than me to go shopping - think we'll wait until the new year.

Good luck tomorrow stogan

Symptom spotters - it's sounding good so looking forward to that pregnancy list growing over the next week or two.

New Life Clinc in Epsom free

Welcome Cornflakes! Gosh you have just made me want to reach for the cereal bowl and some ice cold milk... Yes please do come and join us. There are loads of us now. Make yourself comfy and add yourself to the list. And do tell us all about yourself! Everyone here is really supportive and it is great to have people who know what you're talking about. Do feel free to add yourself to the lists or post your stats and one of us will do it. Where are you at now with treatment?

Coley and Choccy my fellow symptoms spotters. It's so hard isn't it. There are symptoms there but then you think you're going mad.

Duggs that is a really good point about getting a blood test - can you definitely tell that bit earlier? it would certainly be a bit of a relief to know earlier. What is NLC CHoccy? I will have to look them up. I think there is a walk in medical centre in Canary Wharf I could go to.

Hi Stogan and good luck with the scan tomorrow! Do we have any more scanees this week?

NLC do hcg tests for £60 and you get results the same day.

Just a thought free - you will feel so anxious on the plane etc if you are still unsure.. could you get a blood pregnancy test - supposed to show up a few days before urine test. The Medical Centres - those private ones all across London do them about £50.. but I am not sure how long they take. It isn't a def, but it buys you a couple of days perhaps. I know is more £, but maybe lump it into trip expenses in your mind. Am sure you thought of this but it is all you can do really?

Welcome *cornflake" ! When you say TTC - you not having much luck how long have you been on Dr S programme then?

kittens - that does seem a bit strange for such a change. Are you seeing dr S on NHS ? I think you were and I was offered letrozole - and you were suprised he hadn't offered to you. I guess it must be an ovulation thing as your man obviously gets his swimmers there? Is that a fair enough assumption - are you ovulating normally? (hmm)

Yey digi and Iggi excellent news woo hoo ????
Hope my scan goes as well tomorrow, bricking it, least it's at 9am tho so not going to be waiting all day at least

Evening all! Fab scan news all round. coconut what a fantastic milestone to reach. Yay!

euro I'm sure that's really frustrating, but at least you can talk to S about IVF as part of what he can do for you in just a couple of weeks.

duggs great recap on the stats... I got pg on 2nd cycle tho was obv chem, but on the basis that there's lies, damn lies, and statistics, I'm taking an exec decision to count this 4th cycle as another 2nd one. :)

And I don't think it's in any way weird not to feel happy for those admittedly fortunate but naive people who merrily talk about having babies like its falling off a log. You don't want to spoil their protected world, but at the same time you know full well there's more to it. Tough when you're getting it rammed down your throat by sil

Thanks for all the symptom info. I find it's always different for me. eg I didn't realise I was pg in Sept but I guess I was upset and assumed the Pred had messed up my cycle with an early AF so I just wasn't looking for signs. I've got a bit of cramping now too. Thanks for the optimistic thoughts free and Digi - if only it was Friday and testing time! I was just saying to dh that after the last couple of months, this is the month I've felt most emotionally balanced and ready to crack on with a pg, so perhaps that bit of positive thinking will help. It is bloody scary though to go through it again with no guarantees and The Fear... Eek!

Stats updated to include me testing on Saturday. free why not test on Friday or even Thurs just in case? Worth a HPT if you can slot in intralipids without having to delay or try to get it done overseas. And up the Pred of course.

TTC
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2/ ov 30 Oct (Pred and Intralipids at BFP)
duggs1976 - High/V High NKCOv 28 Oct. Pred.TTC #1 Testing 11th Nov
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Testing 12th Nov
Suemays - V High NKC TTC/ov 30th Oct. TTC#2. Testing 12th Nov
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC 2/ 3rd cycle of pred /ov ??2nd Nov. Testing 12th Nov
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC/ov 4th Nov. Testing 16th Nov
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 /ov 1st Nov. Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. Mc first cycle. Testing 17th Nov
eurochick - awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/cd9/ov 1 Nov
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1/ 4th Pred cycle/ov 1 Nov / testing 12 Nov
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC (intralipids on BFP, no Pred) TTC/ov 5th Nov.
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC/ov 16 Nov ish/will be Ist try with Pred Intralipids
Havingkittens - High NKC TTC #1 after 2 month break/ov around 18 Nov.
pureequeen - High NKC TTC #2 again from November (BFP cycle one but mc)

BFP
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 22+2 Due 10/03/12 next scan 8/11
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 -17+0 Due 16/04/12 anomaly scan 23/11
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks - 13+6 next scan 15/11
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 10+5 next scan 7/11
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 10+3 due 1/16/12 scan ?
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Introlerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid - 9+4 next scan ?
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 6+1. Due 01/07/12. Scan 10/11

Hi all I hope it's ok imhave come over from the other thread I'm with dr sheeta nk cells and under active Thyroid... I have had 4 mc and now ttc again..... With no luck ......
Thought I would say hi....

Hi freelancegirl and other 2WW buddies - I think I might be having some symptoms but I have no idea. I've been nauseous, very tired and increased CM but who knows? I've just come down with a terrible cold which I'm sure is thanks to the pred suppressing my immune system as I never get sick:( I'm still not entirely sure when I ovulated but I'm going to test on Wed or Thurs AM and if that's negative I will probably stop the pred.

Congratulations to digi and iggi - it really gives me hope how well you are going in your pregnancies!

Yes, Ari that idea of Cervical CCTV would be marvellous :) Keep an eye on those sore boobs.

Duggs I love your stats! I am still eagerly awaiting that pie chart :) I might use you to do some workings out if I ever get any further with the documentary. I love imaging you skulking off to get the train with a packet of chocolate buttons. I had an equally as mature treat this evening, picking up a Drumstick chewy lolly at the newsagents along with the milk. It was only 5p! Bargain. Hope the butler keeps everything out of the way when he is rolling those fajitas...

Thanks for the pep talk too. It does help me feel a bit better about my high levels (and hope not to freak Cherry out being that she has the same nk cell count). You are right, I should be positive that this time/next time the antidote will work.

I really am going mad now, I just randomly took my temps after a bath (yep - hot) even though I haven't been temping at all except one cheeky test on awaking this morning - around 36.59 when all my previous pregnancy ones were over 37 (except on the day of implantation... temp again tomorrow morning...?).

Last time I was pregnant I actually got a BFN on 12 DPO. But maybe I would get one before this time if it is all looking ok? Annoying as I might not still know when I fly to LA on Saturday and that means i am either waiting for AF or have to kick into action over there and try to sort the intralipids. I think my brother has found a place but it would obviously be a lot easier to do it here. Either than or wait until the 22nd for intralipids back here but that would be 5 weeks gestation, assuming I got pregnant, and might be too late.

duggs I seem to be the opposite. I have fallen pregnant 6 times, mostly within 1-2 cycles, and once or twice on the third (although the first time it took me 3 cycles because I didn't actually know about the 'fertile window'). This time, nada. According to my last Day 21 test I am ovulating. I've been referred to the fertility clinic but not sure if they will actually find a reason - apart from me being older.

Making fajitas in the buff sounds like a rather dangerous pursuit for a man! All that sizzling . I might have to have my own butler. Judging from the suggestions so far you ladies have very different taste to me!

free i am no dr but the theory that your levels are too high is flawed really, because there is in essence an "antidote" it just means you need a higher dose of the antidote to the cells. The theory works, I guess it is just less common so dr s may need a bit of trial and error getting your levels right. ( I know I'm stating the bloody obvious) but sometimes it helps if someone looks at a scenario from the outside. There is no reason you won't get a BFP - youve had 4 ? It is just a case of ensuring those cells switch off. It will happen because you are so strong and you will get there.

I'm symptom spotting - lower backache so much so I just sacked off yoga and slunk off to paddington with a packet of chocolate buttons waiting for my train. I also feel i might get a bfp but to be honest last month i thought that too. I have felt more pg these past 2 cycles than any of the 3 times i was pg.

Statistically the preggers ladies - one was a first attempt, 4 were second attempts and 2 were 3rd attempts. Pretty quick really. I guess as we've all been tested for everything else and timing it right then our odds per cycle should be higher than 25%. the standard per cycle success rate.
Oh I sound like a geek- but the stats comfort me somehow. I can't quite believe how quickly people r getting pg on his plan.
Anyone that isn't has dr s said why or what he might do? Is it lack of ovulation ?
Apologies if that is too direct it just might be that one of us has heard or something to help.
I've never shown a bfp even on first response before 14 days before

Exciting scan news ladies. You lot are the only people I feel genuine happiness for when hearing positive pg news. (awful to admit).

Sister in law - only 28 - only married my brother in may banging on about their kids next year . . Ahh i wanted to stuff the prawn she was pulling apart into her mouth
Not really her fault but still. better reaction now I have you guys x this week would be a fabulous cocoon house week. I think the butler might be making fajitas tonight in the buff

I was looking through some old emails to my dad today trying to find a telephone number and came across an email conversation during my first (naive) pregnancy, four and half bloody years ago (yes, I'm an email hoarder!). All those questions.... do you want a girl or boy? What if it's twins? Do you have any names in mind? etc. That really cheered me up! Am having a particularly shitty day anyway . Been in tears fairly consistently since Friday.

Hurrah!! Amazing news for both Digi and Iggi. This truly does seem to be some miracle treatment, considering what you have all been through and how many people are coming out of this ok at the moment.

Doesn't stop me mentalling that my levels are too scarily high to cope but it is really encouraging and I am so pleased for all of you. Iggi I hope you are taking the train back feeling a bit more positive. Digi does he really have a baby wall of fame? And where is this? I need to film it at some point!

Choccy I did indeed have a lot of post-ovulation twanging for the last pregancy. Have you looked up corpus luteum? It's the bit that's left behind when you ovulate and when you're pregnant (!) it can stick around for a while and pump out progesterone. I think... But if I were a betting girl I would bet that you might actually be going to be pregnant this month!

euro IVF does indeed sound daunting, but it does work for so many people and of course you still have the Mr S appointment to come. When is it btw? I know it is Nov from the list but not the actual date. Thanks for the PM by the way - now I know!

coconut taking the last Pred is such a milestone!

comedy I am really glad you are feeling psotive about it and have had a lovely time with DD.

Kittens just refreshed and read your post. That is odd with the CD4 ovary twinges. Honestly sometimes it can all be so confusing can't it.

How are my fellow cycle buddies getting on with the symptoms spotting? Coley, Duggs, Battery, Cherry, Ari...? I woke up with mild cramps and have, like Choccy been having those ovary twinges. I also have an almost constant awareness of low level nausea. I have no idea what is related to meds and what might be 'something else'. I have gone off some food and I could SWEAR I had a slight metallic taste in my mouth earlier. Sometimes I think I am imagining it all though :) I think I might be going slightly mad...

If I were to bet about me too, I would be half tempted to bet that I might be looking at a BFP imminently. I am not really excited by this, just pretty damn terrified. And if it is not the case this month will happily breath a sigh of relief until the next month. Gulp. Maybe I won't get one. Although I am not really sure when I ovulated I am thinking it was possibly on CD14 which makes me just 7DPO today. Maybe I should test before Friday on the off chance that if it is a BFP I would be able to have intralipids before I leave the country on Saturday. All feels a bit too early though. Agggggghhhhh! Excuse me whilst I scream with the weirdness of all of this.