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

@Smrahc48 awwww thanks Hunni - fingers crossed this is a good healthy one eeks 🤞 xxxx

Eeeeeeeeeeek @Sunshineblonde1 this is frigging amazing news. So excited for you xxxxxxx stick bean stick!

@HappyApple05 @Smrahc48 @JoeyWally

Hi lovelies, quick update from me, I got a 'squinter' of a line when I test 11dpo yesterday and a minutely stronger line today. I am not used to testing so early!! So I guess I have me a BFP! Booked in for intralipids on Tuesday, As I have not taken the steriods yet I popped those bitter bastards for the first time today. Obviously extremely early days, and the FEAR is already within me. But will keep you posted.

Hope all are well x

thanks sunshineblonde1 that is really helpful.I think I am deaf covered this month. I will check my original sheet though!

Hi @JoeyWally and welcome! Sorry you find yourself here but you are in good company as we are all on our journey's with Mr S . Big hugs.

I have only just started on the Protocol so have not had the Super0 but I know some ladies on the Pred Thread 21 have experience with it. I will tag you into that thread so that you can perhaps paste the above into there and get some advice . With regards to the Pred Protocol, I am on the Complex Plan and it says to take Pred until 12 weeks and then wean off? Were you given a Treatment Programme handout from Dr Shehata which lists out the timeline?

With regards to having sex close together - I think that is just the gold standard when ttc. He wants us to get our BFP as quickly as possible so by law of averages, the more times we do the baby dance around and during our Ovulation window the more chance we have. It can be a struggle boinking relentlessly! My DH has slightly low sperm DNA too and he is on the anti-oxidants. Hope you can get some answers to the SuperO on the other thread and do keep us posted! :) x

Hiya Wondering if anyone can help me. I am 41 (42 next month) and I have a 6 year old daughter conceived naturally and with no issues however have been trying for baby no 2 for 2 years and have had several early miscarriages. I am being treated for NK Killer cells through Mr Shehata since May 2018. He has prescribed me steroids from ovulation and progesterone (joy!). We tried for a few months but no joy so I am month 3 of the super ovulation program. This month feels promising with 4 follicles - do you know why they ask you to have sex so closely together - Friday Sunday and Monday? if sperm can live a few days. Managed Friday and Sunday but not sure if tonight will work? Also have a burning sensation in my tummy and wondering what this could be also ! Maybe the egg releasing after my ovritelle sat night but not had it before. Its all fun and games but the steroids play havoc with my sleeping so also wondering once you get a positive test how long you have to stay on the pred / steroids for? I asked the nurses and they said as per protocol - so not the best answer! I have spent a fortune on all this and just don't know how to stop ! Feeling hopeful for this month as only had 1 follicle the first month and 2 the second so four feeling like a positive outcome! Is this a good number? Husband had slightly low sperm DNA but nothing major and Shehata not concerned after testing but has taken the vitamins to improve and has got me pregnant three times so hoping all ok ! Thanks in advance, Sorry so many questions Jo the Aussie

Oh girls thank you so much for your well wishes. It means a lot.

I am hoping to meet Dr S soon, have emailed his secretary (I see him via NHS) and hope to get an update soon.
Xx

Awww best news ever @Smrahc48!!! That’s one big step of the hurdle done. Everything crossed for you. Do you have to go for intralipids? Or just stay on the Pred? I got my static smiley on Sat so did the dance. But haven’t started the Pred yet.

Best wishes to all 💐

Hi ladies. Thought I’d jump back on here and update you all. Today I am 10 dpo and got my bfp 🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🌈

One step at a time, but for now, at this very moment, I am pregnant.xx

@HappyApple05 I hear what your saying and a very good point. I guess like @Smrahc48 I am worried that it may muck my cycle up and thus take longer to conceive, hence my rationale behind perhaps waiting for a BFP before starting the Pred. Also as my cycles are now varying in length, if it takes months to conceive then that's months of being on the Pred on and off and I don't like the thought of it still :( I know Dr S knows far better than what I do, but I also know there are women on the thread that waited for a BFP and then started the Pred. So I guess I just have to do what I feel comfortable with at the end of the day :( My body and mind seems to be fighting it.

I am on the 'Complex' NK cell plan which prescribes Cyclogest at ovulation and to take for 10 days (alongside the Pred). As you can probably sense, I am still reluctant to take the Pred but I know that if I get a BFP I will suck it up and take it, to tick the box.

It feels like such a mindfield at times!

Good luck with your TTC windows ladies, everything crossed for you :)

Sorry to hear you’re poorly @HappyApple05

I got my static smiley yesterday, so the pred starts tomorrow and let’s hope it’s a positive for all of us this month!

I was only considering altering the amount of pred to try to avoid it mucking up my cycles if I’m on it for a while. No other reason apart from that. I didn’t really suffer as such on it last cycle, but my fear is it goofs up my cycles and I’ll be in even more bother.

Let’s just say, google has been my best friend and worst enemy since finding out about the elevated NK cells.

Hey @HappyApple05, welcome back! Best of luck with your dance - everything crossed for you! Glad to hear all going well on the Pred and it’s not mucking Cycles up x

Hey Smrahc48, that’s interesting to hear. I was actually debating whether just to start the cyclogest (Progesterone) once I ovulate and wait for a BFP to start the Pred. I am anxious that the Pred may muck up my cycle and then it’ll take longer to conceive. Since my D+C in August my cycles have lengthened to 30-35 days which is annoying as I was so regular at 28-29 days before. But I’m having weekly Accupuncture to help with that. I guess I just want to get pregnancy now as quick as possible! I’ve only just been given the green light to TTC again, although my partner has been advised to take some antioxidants for his sperm health too.

We have to go back and see Dr S in March if we haven’t conceived on his protocol for two cycles. My AMH levels are quite low for my age so he was talking about the possibility of Superovulation to speed things up depending on how things go.....x

@Sunshineblonde1 I’ve tried to tag you, but not sure if this is working as I’ve not posted here much. I was lucky enough to see him on the NHS. I also read about the bananas a they’re high in potassium and they help. I think the pred can cause you to retain lots of water and sodium magnifies this, so cutting it out and drinking loads of water may help counter act that.

I’ve not had any spotting and today is CD17 and I’m due to ov tomorrow as per my opks. This will be the same as last month. I read a LOT of things about cycles and pred and it’s scared me a bit. I even considered only taking 10mg from ov and upping it to 25mg if I get a bfp, but I know it’s against dr s’ theories. I also considered not taking until bfp, but I know the NK Cells don’t wait until bfp and act from ov/conception, so again, don’t really want to go against the professionals. I’ve read lots of women have taken from bfp and gone on to have successful pregnancies.

When are you going back to see him?x

@Smrahc48 that is interesting to note about the diet! I read somewhere that cutting caffeine, focus on plant based food, and eating bananas can help with the side effects. I didn't know about the processed carbs and salts. Euch, I am bracing myself for the acne! Have your cycles remained the same? Have you had any spotting? I am still dubious about taking the Pred, but I know it's what I have to try if I want to do everything I can to have a pregnancy stick! Did you go the private route to see Dr S or via NHS referral? xx

Hi! I found the pred not too bad last cycle, ten days of 25mg. I made sure I did my very best to avoid processed carbs and cut all salt out of my diet. I didn’t suffer insomnia, but I certainly felt less aches and pains. It played havoc with my skin though and I’m really spotty at the mo. Just got my static smiley on the cb ovulation test, so about to start up again in a couple of days.

I was told my thyroid was fine, but have high levels of NK cells.xx

P.S. Meant to read HNY! Not NNY! (oops)

Welcome @Smrahc48 and happy new year, may 2019 be OUR year for a positive success story with Dr S's treatment plan . How are you getting on with the Pred? I have yet to start, will likely start when I ovulate this month, I had to wait until my thyroid results were in the right place which they are now. What were you diagnosed with from Dr S's test? (if you don't mind me asking).

@HappyApple05 NNY! How are you doing on the PP?

Hi ladies. May I join? Just about to start cycle two of ttc with the pred under dr s.

Fingers crossed for us all x

Hey @HappyApple05 lovely to hear from you Great to hear you have started on the PP and all seems to be fairly uneventful symptom wise so far. I am getting the flashy face on the OPK. I have decided to track this month just so I can get a rough idea for when i start on the PP. Looking forward to seeing Mr S. on Thurs, have to go to Surrey for that appointment as he is fully booked in London! I am raring to start now, seems like ages since my D&C in late August - I am DEFINITELY ready to go now!!! I just want to be pregnant again.

Wow that's super about your Holiday plans, do you go abroad? We have just spent the weekend up in Lincoln and visited the Christmas Market. We were at a German Christmas Market last weekend too. I was born around Christmas so I am biased in saying it is most definitely my favourite time of year.

I love yoga too :) It has really helped me this year, and keeps my mind set and mood balanced. I learnt some breathing techniques too, but am guilty of not engaging them when I should!! Had my first accupuncture sesh last week - that was soooo relaxing, and have another sesh tomorrow. Feels good to be doing something holistic!

Sending back sack fulls of baby dust too [santa]

Hey @HappyApple05 just checking in to see how you are getting on? Have you started the Pred protocol? How do you feel? I have my thyroid follow up results next week so fingers crossed can start next cycle.