TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 2

Congrats Scooter and Digi great news. I'm v impressed too by digi's domestic goddess-ness - way beyond what I tend to produce!

Definitely up for a Pred Thread dinner. I'll bring vino. Lots :)

Family day today. Still feeling very low...hope I don't get asked how it's going, I shall either cry or have to bite my lip to avoid Pred-withdrawal-fired snappiness. I've got this week off work though so hopefully the break will help.

Yey scooter that's fab news, good luck on the rest of your journey Hun xx

digi Congrats on another lovely scan, isn't it funny when they do little things like that, like they have their own little cheeky personality already, soooooo cute !!
Yeah mr s signed me off at 15+5 and he gave me a scan, he was very excited !

How amazing is mr s guys !!!! We should start an appreciation society just look what he's done for us so far on this thread and won't be long till were all in the up duffed club Yey !!!

We made our first big purchase today, a little swing/bouncy thing it's lush and even has it's own mp3 socket ha ha, promised I wouldn't but know already this baby will be so spoiled ha ha !! X

Hello, I so want to come to Digi's dinner party!
Congrats and good luck, Scooter!
Spent the afternoon with my MIL so had to stop all the tummy rubbing I seem to do at the mo. Thanks for advice re scans and midwives. When I add in the S visits I more or less have a scan every two weeks, but no thanks to the EPU. I got a load of nhs leaflets in the post today, about screening tests - I suppose I should be happy if I get as far as worrying about tests, rather than early mc!

I think the idea of womb cctv is just what we need, I'm surprised dr S hasn't thought of it himself. If we had something permanently installed we could use it to cut out the 2ww as well.

Congratulations to both Digi and to you Scooter - great news!
Re meds I don't think there is anything else - I had to go to 40 but assuming you're staying at 25? In which case just the lovely nighttime ritual of cyclogest insertion. I was told Mr Shehata would like to see me every two weeks between six and twelve but not sure what from then on? I tried to cut the cost a bit and went to EPU at seven weeks and then saw him at eight and will go again at ten. It seems from chatting to him last week that this is the biggie and will be a big landmark.
Time does seem to be dragging and I hate wishing my life away but do wish I could travel forward a month or so. I'm feeling sick and having pregnancy symptoms but then I think the cyclogest can cause that too - I need a permanent video link up to bean - a bit of womb CCTV would do the trick!!

Digi crossed posts with you. Fabulous news about the scan :)

Hi, slightly disappointing not to be joining the woolly-socked, crop-topped, halloween ttc fun-bus this month....but find myself tentatively checking in to report a BFP.... aaaaaah!

free seems you were right about the symptoms... I was fairly sure by the time I took the test this morning, but there was always the possibility the pred was responsible for feeling so weird, so I didn't believe it til I saw it (and bought a test with WORDS this time so I couldn't argue with the answer!)

I guess I start cyclogest tonight then? Any advice for the very early pg on pred gratefully received, convinced I am going to forget some important part of the plan!

ari I am the worst in the world for symptom-checking so sympathise. I have been in the not-knowing-either-way limbo for two weeks now and its no fun at all. Its weird that the different signs are not ALL good or ALL bad, I have had cramping since the beginning with this one (always previously BAD for me) so I have had to believe its just stuff shifting around and good things going on because otherwise I would feel doomed from the outset. I hope you get your answer soon, I got two false negatives earlier this week, one on day 25 (which is usually the last day of my cycle) so I guess I just jumped the gun.

Anyway, in homage to the happy sunshine outside I have adopted new positive mental mantra.... 'Baby Five will Survive!' its quite catchy and I hope I can stick with it :)

stogan, comedy, coconut, iggi - so pleased to hear that scans have gone well. Great news. I don't know when I'll get my first scan (5 weeks is it?) but I know these early days are going to prove such a sloooow and agonising wait! Couldn't we all just get into a speedy-uppy time machine thing just to move the weeks along a bit?

Hope all out enjoying the sun today :-) and ps digi SO want to eat at your house....impressive skills!

Scan went well! Baby kept putting it's hands in front of it's face when the sonographer attempted to check for cleft lip (thanks for the reminder stogan). Another sigh of relief.

Stogan did you get a scan at your 16 week appt with Mr S? I have mine in two weeks - and just wondered if I'd get another peek. Well done on sorting out your ML already.

free The hydroxy sounds like a proper 'diet aid'! Wonder if models and c-list celebs have discovered it yet? A pred thread dinner party sounds like a fab idea: Prune juice for the preggos and man juice for the ttc'ers. Chip butties for those on pred and hydroxy laced brownies for those in between pred cycles trying to lose weight. Bring your own vests.

Lmfao at Iggi - thanks for sharing!!

Good one Stogan, sod 'em! You've got something way more important to look forward to.

I've always got something bad skin wise, usually there's a few little spots round my jaw line but this month I've had a bit of a breakout on my forehead. And shoulders. Good to know its not likely to improve when pg!

When I was pg before finding out about my NKCs and Pred (all 3 times) I got little patches of dry flaky skin in my eye sockets just under the inner end of my eyebrows. Anyone beat that for weirdness?

Feeling really weird and run down today. Felt quite icky briefly first thing after having a drink of water. Af still here but yesterday morning was the only heavy period (no pun intended!). Paranoid about false negatives so I'm now letting some strength build up before I poas just to set my mind at rest.

Why isn't there a symptom that's definitely one thing or another?! Why is bleeding possible while pg?! I don't mind putting myself through some meds and stress to do all I can to have a baby but the headfuck is a real pain sometimes. :(

Digi, soooo impressed with your thai cooking! Could you not have a Pred Thread party and invite us all round to tea...? I will bring copious amounts of wine for us non updiffed folk and maybe some prune juice for you rather clogged up pregnant ones :) I've always suffered from such ailments and like prune juice but never found it powerful enough. Can you not take any natural laxative tablets when pregnant? I have to say the hydroxy feels wonderful for weight loss - gets thd bowels moving and puts you off food! Marvellous :) hope the effects counteract the Pred hunger and weight gain. Am certainly not looking forward to moon face again.

Iggi I second what everyone else says abou seeing if you can have a scan regularly. Surely there must be someone sympathetic who would put you on the list at Epu? I can't imagine how stressful it all must be. I think with the last pregnancy because I never saw anything and there was still nothing but a foetal pole at 8 weeks i could almost detach myself from the 'baby' side of things. I can't imagine thd level of stress Once you see a heartbeat and know it's there to protect. But do try to remember that although not all of us are lucky first time, 85% of people are! That's great odds. Once you hopefully get passed that 12 weeks mark you can maybe get a doppler at home?

Stogan well done for sorting out work! That must feel brilliant. I've left jobs I've hated in the past and it feels wonderful to be out of there! Having a food work life is so important (if you work of course).

I am out at work already, will be spending my day filming lots of fit men for fitness vids! It will be a long day talking about their abs and stroking their egos :)

Iggi could u not see ur community MW? I have been going weekly since 12 weeks and am in for literally 2 mins they just let me listen to the heartbeat say bye and take care and that's it, it has really helped me and I am continuing to go until I feel baby moving more regularly, really gives me peace of mind and would prob help u too, the hospital should be giving u scans every 2 weeks until u are 12 weeks tho unfortunately after that it's like getting blood out of a stone !!

Eventually got sorted at work yesterday and finish in 62 days( not that I'm counting) woo hoo !!!

As for the spots im gutted to say I still have mine, dr s assured me they would stop when the pred was out of my system but now I'm told this is pregnancy acne and is here to stay until baby comes, another joy ha ha x

Have a good weekend all xxx?

comedy the pred rid me of most of my skin complaints now they're back with a vengeance. Bumpy, rashy face? Check! Sore cracked fingers after washing up for 2 seconds? Check! Belly rash is now full on scabby mess which hurts to scratch but still itches don't want to put anything on it in case it stings/makes it worse. Now my shoulder itches...

Feeling lighter iggi?

My Thai night was a success. DS went to bed early which made life so much easier. The Pad Thai was v tasty (first time I made it). Beef Massaman curry got lots of compliments as did the red fish curry. Did fresh prawn crackers for starters which amused the men. And the ladies enjoyed the Chinese Lychee Black Tea at the end. And I don't feel too knackered. DH is tidying up so we can come down to a clean kitchen tomorrow.

Wow, that worked fast!

I really like prune juice. It's the only plus point for me when I'm constipated as I couldn't possibly drink it without very unfortunate consequences any other time.

Comedy, I'm pretty spotty most of the time unfortunately. I got really bad acne the first time I got pregnant and it hasn't let up in the 4+ years since . But spots are supposedly a symptom of the prednisolone too. Double whammy for me then!

... was just thinking about what to take for constipation but may give prune juice a miss! Has anyone else found themselves getting spotty - forehead, shoulders ... I'm getting more attractive by the minute!

That's interesting, I wonder though if it would be like the presriptions for medicine, which my local doctor will not take on! I have a found a place locally where I could get one for £75 (which is a lot, but not compared to an S one!). Though really what Comedy says is right - I just want one every day as I can't believe things are still ok even a day after a scan. (All basically because of the one time I'd a great scan and then it just stopped the next day, unbeknownst to me).
Have just drunk some prune juice for constipation, I cannot believe how awful that tasted!

Iggi, Mr S told me that although I am under his treatment I can have my scans at my local EPU (FMU in my case), but that I would have them every 2 weeks from 6 weeks. Why don't you give him a call and see if he can "prescribe" your regular scans so that the hospital are obliged to give you the appointments.

Iggi - I really empathise with how you're feeling - I keep telling myself to be positive but a few hrs after each scan I wonder if little ones heart has stopped beating and it feels an eternity until week ten and the next scan.

My sister, who is a GP, often reminds me that children are born in terrible conditions in war torn countries and survive and that there is nothing that we do that causes miscarriages - so, although I'm not following my own advice try not to worry.

Arian, thank you - you're not wrong about the cushioning, in my case!
Every ache, every odd twinge just sends me over the age.
I am unimpressed that despite being previously told I'd be offered weekly scans due to my history, the EPU in fact have given me only two (and the early one I really had to push for). Guess they don't think it's a good use of resources.

Hi all - picturing myself in a lovely bright 'boob tube' with a nice thermal vest sticking out top and bottom - cannot think of a better way for conception to happen - shame we can't post pictures!

I had very bad aching coming off the pred (didn't know about the stomach rash possibilities that could come later - might have to take off the thermal vest to allow it to show below aforementioned boob tube!)

Congratulations Dtogan - lovely to hear you sounding so happy despite work.

Thinking of everyone else whether TTC or trying to believe that yes these pregnancies will work.

Well done Stogan, and good luck too for your confrontation at work!
That is lovely to hear.
I phoned up to make booking-in appt today, really didn't want to but I was almost too late to get one as it turns our so just as well. After asking when my LMP was, question 2 was to pick which local hospital I will deliver in. I find that kind of thing really hard, I think I must've sounded really remote and detached to her.
Sooo, anyone want to tell me that banging your stomach quite hard against the handle on a supermarket trolley is not going to cause a mc??

That's fantastic news stogan - how wonderful for you. And a bonus scan at 30 weeks too!

Have friends for dinner tonight. Am doing lots of Thai dishes. It's taking me most of the day to cook, but I am taking my time as am feeling a little uncomfortable today. Hips hurting since Wednesday and getting the occasional crampy/AF feeling which prompts me to sit down. Scan tomorrow will hopefully reassure me all these weird feelings are just growing pains.

Also, Mr S warned me I may get a rash coming off the pred. My belly is so itchy and covered in red bumps - so guess I'm not quite through the withdrawal stage yet.

Finding all the ttc tips hilarious!

Stogan that is so, so fantastic! That is how being pg should make you feel. It's so good to see someone get there after going through so much. Nearly cried myself

Assumed Dec date was your 11 weeks to go but you said "early" ML? Take some holiday before ML?

Anyone else get a thumping headache and really achy back after coming off the Pred? This end of proceedings is much less fun...!

Hey ladies ta for ur support

Well scan was awesome, I was so overwhelmed totally let my guard down and started going on about what an amazing experience this was and how ive never known love like this (emotional pregnant woman ahoy !!!) also met my new consultant and he was so lovely I'm so relieved, he wants me back in 3 weeks as although all measurements fine they couldn't measure heart properly. Also said he would give me another scan at 30 weeks to make me happy (I'm going to cry again now !!)
Don't know if any of you have thought about this or been told but dr s told me there was a possibility of baby having cleft pallet due to the prednisolone (slim chance) so my consultant even checked babys lips and said they were perfect ( total relief)

So far a great day but since coming back to work have requested a meeting with HR re early ML and they are not replying to my email !!! She is in her office as I have been past 3 times, she has until 2pm and I'm going in ( mad pregnant woman ahoy !) oh the joys !!!

Sorry it's all me me me just feeling amazing today want to climb to the top of the world and tell everyone my news, can't wait until u are all at this stage too xxxxxx