Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no. 22!

Oh @Chickjen you are so lovely.

So today's panic. My friend with the 12 year old IVF twins gave me some very strict instructions on what to ask the clinic which was mainly about them monitoring my immune levels.

I emailed them asking and they responded 'no, you don't need any more tests. All you need is intralipids within a week of your positive test and then 4 weeks later.' This is very concerning as this is the first that I've heard of this (their protocol differs slightly from Mr S's in that they give intralipids before the transfer so I've already had 2 lots). This is just so frustrating. My clinic is lovely but this sort of thing happens far too frequently. I sent a pretty sniffy response back saying 'well that's fairly concerning as that's the first I've heard of this: can you please check my notes and get back to me'. No sleep tonight no doubt....

@KittyKatSmile I might join you with a cry, what wonderful news! ❤️

@ginandtonicformeplease I think he could be right too and that age is only really detrimental on the egg quality. My sister-in-laws sister-in-law (if that makes sense) recently had a baby when she was 50 using a donor egg.
And well done on the weight loss! 😀

Thank you @Wishing5tar and @ginandtonicformeplease, so lovely of you. The support on here is just crazy. I honestly wouldn't have got through it without you all...

@ginandtonicformeplease what your DP is saying is broadly correct, yes, as it's only really your egg and sperm quality that change over time, rather than your lining specifically. So the risks etc with older mothers are around what they're putting in rather than where they're putting it (eloquently expressed?!)

Amazing to hear about your health progress. You feel so much better when your body is working with you don't you?!

Amazing news!!! 🙌🏼 @KittyKatSmile

So pleased for you, you must be on cloud 9 xx

@KittyKatSmile That's fantastic, so happy for you!

I've just been on my yoga and detox retreat - it was really good to get away and clear my head for a few days. Just weighed myself this morning, and since I started my diet and doing more exercise I've lost almost 1.5 stones! I'm feeling so much better in myself as well.

I'm going forward with another FET. We decided not to do the PGS testing on the embryos, especially as we got the results from some tests we'd had done and both of us are chromosomally (is that a word?) normal. I've had one intralipids and need to schedule another for next week. Then pay a fortune for another NK cells test.

Because 2 out of 3 transfers have worked, I'm a bit worried that DH is taking it for granted that this next one will as well - by nature he's a cup half full person (I'm a cup half empty!). He also seems to think that as the embryos were frozen when I'd just turned 36 and he was 33 then it doesn't make a difference that I'm getting older - does anyone know if that's right?

@KittyKatSmile awwww congratulations! You have literally made my day 😍 I’m soo happy for you! Enjoy this moment, I know it’s easy to worry but this is such a big step forward xxxx

Thanks @Chickjen @Anatrina

Just been for the scan. I was terrified after the news (and the bedside manner) I'd received the last time so I asked them to be very quick.

They were and said almost immediately 'there is definitely a heartbeat here' at which point huge sobs just shook my body and I cried my eyes out.

A long way to go but a milestone I haven't reached before.

Keep going ladies. You'll get there.

I have everything crossed for you today @KittyKatSmile you have done extremely well to stay calm this far! 🍀

@DaniMERL a boy! That's perfect - one of each 😍 Congratulations on graduating, but I am glad you are still here with us 😀

I can test tomorrow but I don't have any hope. DH's sperm test was at the same time as O so we could only DTD a few days before. I have been taking the pred just in case but mainly in the hope it will build up in my system for next month. We should also get his results tomorrow or Monday 😱

@Hopeful07 keep going. They can only help you once you conceive.
How long have you been trying? Sending you positive thoughts xx

Hope it all goes well today @KittyKatSmile

@DaniMERL great news that you’ve been discharged from Mr S and you’re now a normal pregnant person!

Hi Cream123 - its a bfn for me, so frustrating!! neither the hcQ nor the gcsf seemed to have worked for me!! jus dont know what else to try..
how r u getting on? hav u tested?

Hopeful any news?

Hi All
@DaniMERL is absolutely right, also cyclogest can delay your period, make sure you stop it 10dpo. Good luck xx

I just don’t think any but the FRERs are as sensitive (i mean scientifically, not just gut feeling) and the faintest line would just be a complete negative on other tests. Even the clearblue early detection tests don’t seem any way near as sensitive and those blue lines are so unreliable.
I got 2 positives at 9dpo which is incredibly early but I know some other women who didn’t get them until more like 12dpo - all FRERs.

Good luck x

Hey @DaniMERL So pleased things have worked out for you, lovely news :) Thanks for your input re taking the medication and so interesting re the tests, I just didn't know that before now! I hate testing with a passion and never do, always wait for my period (slow torture) but obviously with Mr S we have to test. I was buying the digital ones but just haven't been convinced of their reliability so early on.

Thanks again for the input today Ladies, super helpful and has put my mind at ease loads. I have a bit more confidence re what we are doing! X

^^ that was supposed to say waiting, not wasting

Hi all ,

Just reading the above conversation and happy to confirm what I know which is the same as others have pointed out.

It’s okay to stay on the pred a day or 2 longer than 10 days but also no harm in coming off after a negative and then still testing and restarting after a positive because it stays in your system.

I would strongly advise taking it from ovulation and not from BFP as this is the clear advice from Mr S and this is the bit that he believes makes the difference. I figure if we are paying a fortune for his advice it’s worth listening to.

I didn’t find the meds messed with my cycle but I did find it took us longer than usual to conceive (5 months for first one which failed before we added Hydroxy to the protocol).

As for the tests - FRERs are absolutely the most sensitive and IMO reliable and you can buy them cheaper online in packs of 2. I’m a serial tester of all varieties, makes and models and I wouldn’t try anything else when testing before period is even due. It also gives the most consistent results when comparing line progression which actually proved to be important for me as on one cycle I had developing positives from 9dpo but they then disappeared at 13dpo. I rushed to have my intralipids (as advised) but If i’d just held off a few days I’d have saved £350 as it was a chemical preg! Admittedly they don’t advise wasting but I found it really depressing to pay out twice for intralipids for 2 failed pregnancies.
For this successful pregnancy I held off a bit and it obviously hasn’t affected it negatively.

Had my 16 week check and intralipids yesterday and all okay. Got discharged from Mr s which is great.

And it’s a boy - we found out from the harmony testing done at 10 weeks.

Good luck all. Am still v much on this journey and love to hear the updates x

I get the impression, that a few of you, despite being on Mr S's plans, go with your gut feeling sometimes and continue the med's for a day or so longer, test again etc which is really good to know and is what we did the first two cycles - Glad to know I'm not alone in this! X

@Wishing5tar Thank you and thanks for your input re the tests and meds Xx

Thank you @KittyKatSmile and agreed, I find the digital ones so harsh! I didn't know that re the pink dye ones so have just bought some on Amazon (obviously after panicking and buying various different brands from the Chemist this morning for an extortionate price!) X

@Anatrina - So interesting to read about your negative/positive, thanks for sharing that and sorry you had a the same result as me today! Next time XX

@Anatrina @EmsIMO aww sorry to hear that you didn’t get your BFP this month ladies 💔 it’s such a cruel waiting game.

With me, I’ve finished the steroids and got AF 3 days later. I actually found that my cycle became like clockwork since I started the treatment plan & meds (it was usually always a 28-30 day cycle but dropped to 27) so I don’t think the meds are holding AF for me.

I use the FRER tests but have used the clear blue digital with the weeks indicator too. Although seeing the weeks on the screen and feeling like it should be higher does stress me out so I maybe shouldn’t anymore 🙈 I definitely agree with @KittyKatSmile that the pink dye tests appear to be more sensitive.

@EmsIMO I believe Cyclogest holds off your period, yes.

I hate the digital tests with their aggressive 'not pregnant' windows! I favour the FRER especially given how early we are supposed to test. And then the opportunity for some line eyes of course!! Pink dye ones are supposed to be the most sensitive I believe.

Same here @EmsIMO So disappointing!!

I don’t know the answer to your questions as it’s my first cycle on meds but interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

I usually use the pregnancy tests that come with the clear blue fertility monitor. I don’t think they’re very sensitive for testing early though as that was the one that I had a negative at 12dpo and positive at 14dpo. Using the Frer’s though now x

@Anatrina Ha! Good luck - I tested again today and another negative so haven't taken my medication today x

I wondered if anyone knew whether taking the medication holds off your period from coming (perhaps the Cyclogest?). Last cycle I tested, got a negative, stopped medication and my period came the very next day. I'm just wondering if by taking medication for another day or so that I'm delaying the obvious... Or has anyone has their period whilst on the meds? Any info greatly received! x

Also what P-tests do you Ladies favour? I've been using digital ones but it sounds like a lot of you use the good old basic ones?

XX

@EmsIMO I think we are the same dpo. I may wait until Wednesday too ... I would rather just wait and see what happens than test! Just difficult with the drugs. Good luck 😊