TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 3

Hi all

Sorry for lack of personals, but

• spots- check
• flabby arse and hips and bloaty Mr Greedy belly following cumulative effect of 4 Pred cycles plus pg dosage - check
• no gym for months due to rollercoaster, tiredness, chem pg, emotional wreck -ness, and (currently) pg paranoia/tiredness in evenings - check

Whoever it was with a bfn on 10dpo, I didn't get a BFP until 14dpo...

And if it's a chem you should be ok to crack straight back on with ttc tho I'd suggest you use ov sticks if you don't already as you can't be sure when you'd ov.

Well I'm looking forward to an evening of trying to relax and blank out the Fear. What would help would be a large quantity of red wine. Pah. Or in-pah, if it's all ok in there, I don't mind not drinking as its more than worth the sacrifice. In fact it's no sacrifice is it?

I'd love to see a hb but will genuinely be happy just to know its still potentially viable and in the right place. Gotta prepare for the worst though haven't you. All I can say is that I've thrown everything at this one, couldn't and wouldn't have done anything differently, but if it's failed at this stage it needn't necessarily be the NKCs anyway. Nothing we do removes the chance of a mc for any of the "normal" reasons. And as we know a good scan is only good for that day/moment and doesn't guarantee anything at this early stage.

Sorry, trying to gee myself up a bit and make myself feel a little less panicky. Difficult as we all know from bitter experience.

I'll post result as soon as I feel able... I know all you guys have everything crossed for free and me, which is such a huge boost I can't tell you

Thanks breezy.. crikey.. can't wait for Jan then.
Have PM all 11 of us for Tuesday. (let me know if you haven't got it)

Seeker meant to say earlier, in deepest Devon- we are here for you and doesn't matter where you are for 99% of the time.. we are on the screen....and someone else sue I think mentioned a more northern meet up who knows perhaps we will all meet one day in RL with our babies ? The pioneering ladies that we are.

Added you to spead sheet breezy

docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtEN_z1FdjUMdHd6c0xCd2JRd3hXVmtTZXROYVE1OGc#gid=0

Duggs have just sent you a pm re my septum experience. Sorry for delay but had to clean flat then my parents have arrived for the weekend!

Ari , re the spots, i have lots at the moment and definitely blaming the pred for them!!

Free & choccy best of luck for tomorrow's scans. All fingers and toes crossed for you both.

Yes please, add me to the list and i'll update as soon as AF turns up!

I'm off for a cheeky glass of vino now!! Have a good night all!

Ari, Pred can cause spots, yes. As can pregnancy. I used to have reasonably good skin before I started TTC. It has been ravaged by the hormonal rollercoaster and I can only be thankful that I have the professional skills to disguise the carnage.

digi I ROFL at your description of yourself and I love your attitude! That's exactly what happened to me when I was pg with DD, despite my healthy eating. Mince pies, mmm, now there's an idea!

iggi's comments about spots made me wonder - does Pred cause spots too? I have them in abundance on my chin mostly (nice) and had the same with the other 3 pgs this year. I wondered this time if they were Pred-enhanced, does anyone know if this is yet another charming side-effect of the Pred?

Tubby tummy is allowed with early preg free, and I'm sure you just look blooming :) Oh the things we put ourselves through!

Yes, of course! Good plan catching up on Tuesday properly..you'll be keen to get in for your scan.
Don't what you look like but I'll most probably spot you if you have a camera with you! I'm gonna have DD baby cherry with me I think so you'll spot me easily too!

Hi ladies..

Just whizzed through all the latest posts quickly as on a quick break at work.

duggs can you also add me to the list for Tues please, not sure what time I can get there yet but hopefully about 7pm

free and choccy I also have a follow up appt at NLC tomorrow at 930.. I wonder if I'll bump into one of you??

Big waves to everyone.. Sorry for short post but have to get back to work!

Digital, I love your description of youraelf! When I read it I felt I was looking in a mirror..
Ari I don't know what to say. It is so hard to wait but just keep hanging in there. I hope it turns out to be a false alarm.
And Breezy, nice to meet you but sorry you've had bad news this week.
Today I fell asleep while minding ds - I have less than zero energy. Probably my body is using up all its strength to make the spots that are covering my chin. Still nothing back about the tests from the 12 week scan, said I'd know withing two weeks and it's been 16 days. And midwife who said she'd chase it up and call me yesterday still hasn't. Pah.

Afternoon ladies,

ari keeping my fingers crossed for you...I've had the on/off brown/red spotting and cramping in both mc and my pg with DS, so from my pov it's too early to call. Most of my MCs however [TMI alert] started brown, went a bit black and then turned red.

breezy sorry to hear the tests have turned negative, that is disappointing. But I guess after the sort of experiences we've had - better to happen before AF is even due than to wait till further on. Rather shite all round really. I suggest chocolate. And wine.

scooter so so pleased you've returned to the thread. Would very much like you to join us on Tuesday so we can all give you a big RL hug (unless of course you don't 'do' hugs in which case a manly tap on the shoulder).

I had very low expectations of my St Mary's experience, so I wasn't particularly bothered that they didn't really diagnose anything. For me it was a question of getting into the system so that when pg I could get the TEG tests and the early scans. I was completely upfront about my treatment with Mr S and no-one batted an eyelid. I saw Mr Horner for both my pre-pg consultations and then finally saw Mr Aziz for my graduation consultation.

Am off out tonight for friend's engagement drinks. Have bought a dress to wear which is a bit too clingy for my liking and is probably the dress I'm going to have to wear to all the christmas parties (have three next week). I am not one of those svelte preggos who looks lovely and slim except for the neat, perfectly formed bump. I have put on loads of weight, my arms are fatter, my face is fatter (after losing the moonface it's now just a fatface), I have cankles already. My arse is bloody enormous. I can't exercise, or even just go for a long walk, because of my stupid pelvis. But of course, I am not complaining. I have accepted I am one of those women who blows up like an elephant as soon as that second line appears. May as well eat another mince pie.

Good luck to tomorrow's scanners free and choccy. NB: When I had my early scans with Mr S he always measured me one or two days behind St Mary's, if this happens free do not be alarmed. A good strong hb is what you're after at this stage.

Updating list for today, so free and choccy can amend easily tomorrow with further appointments (positive thinking). Hope I got it right.

Friday 2nd December
TTC
Waiting to test
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle1 test 4 dec
Suemays - V High NKC TTC#2. OV 23 Nov, testing on 7th December, pred cycle no. 3
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2/ ov 25th-26th Nov 4th cycle of pred
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Test 10 Dec
eurochick - TTC#1 Awaiting NKC results/period due 12 Dec.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - Test 12 Dec

Waiting to ovulate
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, #2, ov 10th Dec ish
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1
pureequeen - High NKC TTC #2 again from January (BFP cycle one but mc)
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC TTC in New Year
BFPSeeker -

BFP
2nd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 25+6 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 20+4 Due 16/04/12 MW appt 25/01
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks ? 17+4 next scan 14/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 14+6 due 26/5/12 next scan 12/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 14+2 anomaly scan Jan
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid -13+1 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 6+5 Scan 3/12
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 BFP 2nd pred cycle LMP19/10. 6+2 Scan 7/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 6+1 Scan 8/12.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1 BFP 4th Pred cycle LMP20/10 6+0 Scan 3/12

Yup free, I've actually just had exactly that situation with my GP requesting my 6-week thyroid tests, the lab tested only TSH, declared it fine and refused to do anymore. But it was my Free T4 level that particularly flagged as too low, and why I started on the medication in the first place, so my GP is trying again, she's filled in another form requesting (and underlined!) just Free T4 testing. We'll see what the lab does this time! My GP did tell me I may have to have it privately tested ... sheesh ...

Sounds like there's going to be a taking-over of your venue on Tuesday! You should all have tshirts printed, your slogan free of "Fertile But Deadly" ...

choccy and free ... do post your scan results soonest tomorrow, please (obviously when you feel like it, not being pushy here!), I shall be watching for good news :)

duggs thanks a lot for that overview, that does give me something to think about. I shall print out your info, digest it, and go armed with it on Wed. I'm not sure if Mr S will be happy to talk about superovulation when this pregnancy hasn't actually technically even ended yet, but I'll try to make the most of my appt with him :)

oh and breezy - I am seeing Dr Rai too.... have to admit, not been bowled over so far. He hated that I asked politely why PCOS wasn't picked up 2 weeks before .. (I was more of asking it is comes and goes rather than criticising) and he pretty much walked out of the room with a huge sigh and left me with the nurse.

I also don't think the septum uterus thing is anything- even Lesley Regan in her book says they are an unlikely cause.. why would an embryo implant there when there is who yummy uterus bedding to chose from. Would be interested to hear your experience via PM if you don't mind as I am booked in for late Jan.
x

Well ari... as far as I understand it.. super ovulation is the term used for ladies who already ovulate on their own. You just take a estrogen blocking drug (Clomiod or Letrozole/Femera) from CD 2 to 6. This mean your body produces more estroogen in follicular (first phase) of cycle. I had done one cycle and no side affects at all for me. Was a breeze - maybe one headache but that could have been anything. COST - £24 for 14 tablets- so enough for 2 mths here.

The intention is you produce more than one dominant follicle. You then see Dr S for mid ovulation scan - either CD10, 11 or 12. He will check how many and size of follicles. Ideal between 18 and 22mm I have read but Dr S didn't say. He just said 27mm is a little big - too mature.... COST - £200 or £180 or whatever Dr S scan costs are - 1st one more and then it goes down subsequently)

He will then - depending on your results - give you a trigger injection (you can take yourself as you get from boots on his perscription) - £40 for injection.

You will ovulate between 24 - 36 hrs later so lots of SWI. (shagging with intent)

Then 2ww.

I like that he looks around the uterus and the ovaries - is only reason I have had PCOS diagnosed.

Can't believe St Mary's. Well I can acutally.. breezy. They missed by PCOS 2 weeks before Dr S. They have also diagnosed a possible "septum uterus" and I am booked in for a hysteroscopy and treatment of it in Jan. Dr S said he couldn't see a Septum uterus. It was a bit like a benny hill show.
He said, she said.. you said.

So my approach now is - 2nd round of super ov. (Dr S doubled by letrozole form 2.5mg to 5mg for next month due to PCOS) if not pg next month then I will have Jan off and go skiing and have husteroscopy op.
Prob need to revoer in Feb so off too.

Then I will start again on super ov in march. Hopefully my blood sugar will be more balanced and metformin will help my chromosonally abnormal eggs. DH and I resigned to fact this will cost us about £200 per month until I get PG again.. but dr S says it really shouldn't take that long for us lot who have had pregnancies before.

Hope that not too long post.. I know a few were asking about super ov - sue and kittens I think.

brownie - you're 2nd trimester now, right?

kittens thanks for asking ... I'm still mildly cramping and low back ache, hasn't stopped all day. Spotting is now just that, very light brown and only a tiny bit. But (without wishing to seem too pessimistic) this is still exactly what I had in my first MC, exactly this kind of thing dragged on for 2 weeks before starting to turn heavier and red. I'm still waiting to see what shows on the scan, but I'm really not expecting to see anything good.

free and choccy just wanted to say good luck for your scans tomorrow, and I especially want to see some good news from you both, please! You and cheerful are carrying the flag for us 1st trimesters!

duggs hmm that's a very interesting suggestion, actually. I did vaguely wonder about superovulation myself, whether it would help anything. I had the initial ovarian scan with Mr S (seems years ago) where he pronounced himself pleased with what he saw .. 6 antral follicles on one ovary and I think 5 on the other. No idea what that means in terms of validity of eggs, and I don't recall him mentioning sizes either (sizes of ovaries, yes, but I don't remember anything about sizes of follicles being mentioned). I will definitely ask him about it on Wednesday, now you've suggested it, and see what he says. What does superovulation actually do?

Sorry you got a BFN duggs but I'm still chuckling at the thought of an eagle egg

Thanks for the amazing welcome everyone!

Cheerful I am so very jealous of you topping up your vit D levels. It's beautiful and sunny here, but at 7 degrees not quite bikini weather!!

Ari fingers crossed everything settles down for you today

Sue and Ari I cannot believe how rubbish different areas are for mc testing. I had the same sonographer for my 2nd and 3rd mc and because she knew my history immediately said that I'd automatically have testing done after the d&c and I didn't even have to ask. It was exactly the same for the rmc test referral too. Guess i have been very lucky.

Duggs interesting that you say St Marys missed diagnosing your PCOS. I had a scan with them in Feb 2010 to see why I hadn't managed to get pg in over a year. It came back all clear. FF to June 2011 and the scan I had as part of the rmc and imagine my shock when Dr Aziz told me my scan showed a possible septate in my uterus which could be contributing to my mc. I asked why it had just been picked up now and not at the scan over a year earlier and he said he couldn't be sure but the sonographers doing the scans for the rmc clinic are more in tune with looking for things that contribute to rmc....great reason . Also after the septum removal I went to get the coils taken out and saw Dr Rai. When asked if the septum had been my issue, he said well it could have been but also could have been chromosomal, despite the fact that cytogenetic testing on my last mc had come back normal. He obviously hadn't read my notes!! And when asked about aspirin he said absolutely not, studies have shown it does more harm than good!
Funny though, this morning I got my surgery discharge letter from St Mary's dated, wait for it....12th October! Seriously??!!! Either St Mary's forgot to post or royal mail are pants!! I could have crawled there and got it quicker as I live about 2 miles from them!!

Had some more brown spotting this am and also some back ache so decided to do another test as I am convinced that things are not as they should be. CB digi said "not pregnant" and a FRER test didn't seem to have a line any more, so i assume it must have been a chemical pg. My first one it would seem. Waiting for Louise to let me know what to do about the pred. Actually am strangely relieved in a way, though god knows why - could be that I'd like to deflate my bloated tum! I bet the sadness and anger will probably hit when AF arrives in full, although who knows when that may be .

Hi to everyone else. Hope you are having great Friday afternoons! I'm off to put my Christmas tree up!!

Hi Ladies,

Ari I am hearing you. 44 yes facing facts it is the more difficult end of the spectrum. Could I make a suggestion (being CGH expert) my friend is TTC her 2nd she is also 44 and her consultant has said they don't like to do CGH so much post 40 yrs as they "want to take the eggs they get and give them the best chance" rather than picking the good chromosonal ones. I don't agree with this as you have eggs - OBVIOUSLY.

Would you be willing to speak to Dr S and try super ovulation programme (costs about £220 per month on top of everything else). The main benefit will be the scan so he can pin point your egg number. Reason I ask is after seeing my 27mm follicle on CD12 and Dr S saying "it was a little big and perhaps a little too mature". This can be caused by hormonal imbalance (high insulin for me) and can affect the chromosonal integrity of the egg. Hopefully Metformin will reduce my blood sugar and have positive affect on hormones and subsequently my eggs. For you, if it is jsut down to age - then it is more of a numbers game and ovulating the egg at the right siz2 - 20 - 22mm may help with the chromosonal integrity of the egg. (I AM NO DR and hope this isn't inaccurate, but is def worth a conversation with Dr S before you give up or even throw everything at IVF &CGH. Happy to talk further on this if you like ?

Scooter of course I will PM you the details. Will be fantastic to have you and - actually you seem to get PG pretty darn quickly so am sure free particularly will be a great source of inspiration.

"Sue" - you sound like you may be having implantation bleeding. Although my luteal phase post ov has been shortening. I am happy to meet up with you near you next week or weekend as I think it would be nice. comedy too if she fancies we can re schedule.

I am 10 DPO and a BFN this morning. Am ok with that as convinced I have ovulated twisted eagle egg this time at 27mm. Hurry the F up though now please so I can get on with round 2 of super ovulation.

waves to everyone else
x

Ari how are you doing today? I hope things have calmed down and that everything is ok. Don't forget that brown blood is not necessarily a danger sign.

Scooter, good to see you here. Please do come along on Tuesday. It will do you good to be out of the house and also to be amongst people who truly understand what you are going through. Like you say, it can be pretty lonely and isolating when nobody 'gets it'. I think this is the worst time of year for it too. I had my last miscarriage 2 weeks before last Christmas and by a week later everyone, including my family, were so involved with Christmas that they forgot that I might be suffering.

Sue, I feel like we are in a really similar position. First with the strangely light and short periods, then the sudden change from conceiving 1st or 2nd try to a string of BFNs and then the short luteal phase (mine seems to be 10 days now). I can't help wondering whether Pred has this effect on a select few. I also understand how you are feeling about seeing your friends who are pregnant and around the same stage you should be. It's just not fair is it? I'm sending you a big hug too.

On Tuesday I am meeting up with 2 of my oldest friends for lunch. They both have babies. Last time we met up for lunch, in the same part of town too, we were all pregnant - but I had only just found out and they were both in their 2nd trimesters. I remember the first time I was pregnant, it was at one of their weddings and the other of them was complaining about how long she had been TTC with no luck and I was smugly/naively thinking "It's easy, you just need to know the right time to SWI". 4 or so years on, she has 2 kids and I have 6 pregnancies behind me. And just to add to the sting, she had her first baby shortly after I lost one of mine and unintentionally gave her the name I had always planned on if I'd had a girl. Sooo, anyway, by the time I meet up with you guys I will definitely need a drink and a small moan!

sue that's a big hug from me, I understand exactly how you're feeling about the age issue, believe me! And I've tried so hard to warn my DD that this 'baby' may not work out, she knows I'm pregnant (she saw the test(s), and is a bright little spark) but she's so very excited, it makes what I'm experiencing currently even harder. I'm not sure on the implantation temperature thing, but from a quick Dr Google it says your temp drops and then increases over 72 hours, so you could still be in with a chance? I had 2 days of implantation bleeding with my first pg last year, so it's still a possibility? Is your luteal phase usually ok, is this the first one that you're worried about? If it's normally ok, this could just be a blip? I don't know, I'm no expert by any means, no doubt others more clued-up can offer more reassurance but if this is just a one-off (if it does turn out to be AF, and isn't implantation, which it still could be?) then possibly it could be pred-fuelled, and nothing to worry about?

I know - and I'm sure everyone on here knows! - exactly what you mean about being fed-up of TTC. It's just takes so bleedin' interminably LONG, with the wait for OV, the 2ww, the wait for AF, wait wait wait. And it's hard not to get discouraged when it doesn't work out one month.

More hugs and good luck for the christening on Sunday, it is painful when faced with others being in the position you yourself should have been in but you know, when your pregnancy arrives and works out, it will all be worthwhile. That's what I keep telling myself, and I have to believe it or go nuts!

Sues -(((((( hugs))))))) xxxxxxxx

Morning ladies!
Scooter so glad you have come back to see us. We all know exactly how you feel so think forwards, not back.
Breezy hello from me too, shame you are here but hopefully you will find we can help you!
Ari I also requested testing after 3 miscarriages but was refused. At my 3rd one I called my GP whilst I was waiting for the D&C and she requested it but they didnt listen. They told me I could pay privately for £500 but we decided we would need the money to pay to see Dr S. My last miscarriage was too early on for any products to be left to be tested. I was told that you can only have testing on number 4 (you have to have had 3 already in a row!)
Its funny how tuned in to your body you are are you have said from the word go you didnt think this pregnancy would work.
Choccy good luck with the scan tomorrow - fingers crossed you will see a heartbeat.

I would love to meet up with you all but wouldnt get there until late as DH works late and I am around 1.5 hours away. Plus I still have my cold - had it for 3 weeks now so feel utterly crap. I feel really low today as my AF arrived yesterday at 9DPO. Thought it was implantation bleeding so spent the day feeling happy but its heavier today plus my temp has dropped really low. I am worried now that I have a luteal phase defect as 9DPO is not a good sign. Fed up of TTC as in all my 5 pregnancies I fell on 1st or 2nd month and this is not happening. Maybe I should just give up trying now???? I am going to be 40 next year so worried my time had passed by. My 3 year old saw me crying earlier, which upset her but I am finding it hard to hold it all together today! We have her christening on Sunday and 3 of my friends are coming who are 7 months pregnant. I would have been the same as them but miscarried in August so it will be hard. Have been avoiding them as its a painful reminder! Sorry for the long post but feel like I need a hug today!!