Immune/NK cells pred thread #31

@HopefulH thanks for replying 😊 I’ve decided I’m going for it as you say may as well get it done and that’s another thing to rule In or out so Friday here we come. Am soooooo nervous but hey ho. I’m not expecting any miracles from it and starting ivf in June but figure may as well give it one last go and see.
@VenusStarr thanks so much for the reply yes my hyfosy is with Dr Edge as well so thank you I feel much better now speaking to you and hopeful.
@VenusStarr and @HopefulH I’m starting back at counselling myself I actually already do private counselling but this is through the nhs it’s unfortunately at the hospital same area as where we found out our heartbeat had stopped so worried it may do me more harm than good . I’ve tried to get antidepressants from my go 3 times now since my last loss and got knocked back but think I’ll go back and insist. My only worry adding another med to the hydroxy and steroids have u guys been ok with this if you are in the same meds as me.
im doing intralipids for the 1st time on Friday as well this is the one thing that I really wish h didn’t have to have just don’t see how they reduce nk cells but hey ho best do what I’m told. Gentle love and hugs to all xxx

@VenusStarr I've also started on antidepressants. They seem to be helping me a bit three weeks in. How are you finding them? I'm on Sertraline. Hoping they are okay to ttc on but to be honest I was in such a low place I need to prioritise my mental health.

@Gizmo1983 If you can afford it I'd get it checked because then you know. And some women have more luck falling pregnant after a tube flush. I'm contemplating having another one - out of desperation!

@VenusStarr How are you doing? I've been thinking about you a lot. Hope you're doing okay. X

Hi ladies argh on
it sure what to do. Went for my nhs hysteroscopy today all was good thank goodness but they did t flush my tubes. I have the hyfosy booked with me shehatas clinic in Friday they have said they can still do it even after the hysteroscopy today but I’m not sure whether to still go ahead or just do it another time. I’d appreciate any advice xxx it’s mainly getting my tubes checked I’m bothered about

Hi @Sprinkleofbabydust ive just had my first ivf consult to discuss starting ivf combining mr s’s immune plan. The ivf clinic were pretty easy going with the whole plan and happy to accommodate all but everything except the intralipids which the dr took the horror at saying there was a lot of bad press about people having awful reactions and also they would not use the fragmin. Not sure what to think or do tbh xxx

@MotherOfShihTzus thank you so much that’s reassuring. So hard to navigate differing opinions. Will see what they say. Hope you’re doing well!

Hi @Sprinkleofbabydust me! I've been with 2 clinics and also had treatment with mr Shehata. Consultants have been supportive if it's what I wanted, and most will be aware of it, although most nurses, staff etc won't be. If you can discuss in 1st consultation, ensure they are supportive first before committing to them. Some may not believe in the efficacy, but at least agree it no harm so will go along (in my experience)

Hi all, just wanted some advice please. I’m under Dr S and started phase 2 and didn't fall pregnant naturally in the first month so going to go ahead with ivf at clinic we had already enquired at previously. Has anyone had ivf with another clinic whilst also being under Dr S and did you share all your results from CRP with them? Just nervous about how it will work and whether ivf clinic are all ok with it? Thank you in advance. Sending lots of love xx

@VenusStarr good on you for starting some meds, I’ve been to my dr 3 times and each time they talk me out of it. I was doing pretty well till we got our autopsy report about 6 weeks ago and since then I spend my life just wanting to crawl into bed and forget the world exists. I keep waiting to wake up and feel better and it just isn’t happening. I don’t want you to think I’m making this about me I just want you to know you’re not alone as these feelings are sooo hard.

just finished my 2nd cycle under Mr S and got another negative. And decided we are starting ivf in June I just want to get started and it feels so far away still got to have my hysteroscopy. I’ll be 41 in July and just think it all feels bleaker and bleaker but I guess we just have to keep going. Love to all ♥️

@VenusStarr I'm a nurse, they aren't contraindicated but pred can reduce serotonin. Some people are prescribed antidepressants to counteract this so it's safe to take them together.

Corticosteroids can make some people really really psychotic so that's probably where the MH reference comes from, but lots of folk with severe MH problems are on them for various reasons.

Pred sounds like such a fun drug, I can't wait to try it alongside my Fluoxetine if/when I get a bfp 😂

I am really sorry you are having a hard time @VenusStarr. I’ve not contributed much to this thread but I have been following for help and for what it’s worth, I also went on Sertraline after our second loss and have been on it ever since. It was a bit rough to start, my doctor also prescribed me pills to help me sleep both for the immediate stress of the loss but also because antidepressants can cause insomnia at the start. But after a few weeks that all went away and I do believe it has helped me. It of course doesn’t take the pain and the grief and the anxiety away, but it has helped and I hope it gives you a bit of support too.
I am also on pred and my consultant just said he would keep an eye and to reach out if I felt it was impacting me, which so far it hasn’t. So there are options if you decide you want to do that.
I really hope that maybe has given you even the tiniest bit of support or reassurance at a really shitty time and absolute kudos to you reaching out right now - I know you really generally have to be at breaking point to do so xx

@Ems123456789 thank you so much. I really appreciate your reply it’s all so confusing. I’m sure they said they’d put some dye through my tubes at the hysteroscopy but to be honest it’s been that long since I saw the consultant I can’t remember exactly what she said. I’m hoping the saline scan will look for issues in the womb then the hyfosy will check the tubes. Xxx I would think the private one would be better than the nhs but not sure

Hi @Gizmo1983 i think they are quite different. Hycosy is to check you don’t have blocked tubes. Hysteroscopy is a camera into the uterus to check for no polyps, cysts, scar tissue.

if anyone has any advice I’d be really grateful. I’ve been offered a hysteroscopy by the nhs ( I’m struggling to get my cycle dates to match their availability) or the hyfosy and saline scan from mr shehatas clinic. I’m not too fussed about the cost but is any one of these procedures better than the other I really don’t know much about them xxx

Hello lovely ladies I hope everyone is ok (ish)
@VenusStarr been thinking of you this journey sucks.
@KtAgs massive congratulations such wonderful news it’s lovely to hear happy endings I’ve followed your story through the past threads 😊.
@Pupsandturtles @MotherOfShihTzus how are you guys.
had my meeting with ivf clinic today they are happy enough to go with Mr shehatas complex plan but she was dead against the fragmin and took the horrors at the intralipids, she said they’d had warnings against it causing severe allergies she told me to do my own research I’m not really worried about it as so many women have had it it’s more the travel to get to the intralipids which is my problem. I had an impromptu scan ( am 6dpo) isn’t it funny no matter what you know you always hope there’s a miracle baby just floating about in there or is that just me 🤪) anyway I have ovulated from my right ovary and my lining was 9.9mm so I guess these are things to be grateful for. I’m due my hsg via nhs on 8th April which is going to fall on day 6 of my cycle so I’m not sure they will do it if not I’m just going private as I just want to know once and for all if there’s anything to worry about and needs sorting. Everyone keeps saying everything looks perfect and yet since this last MC I just can’t get pregnant. We also got the ivf prices and hubby went very pale I probably did as well 😬😬😬 love and gentle hugs to all it’s a long tiring expensive road xxx

Oh @VenusStarr it's such a cruel and heartbreaking journey. It always seems that it's us that want it the most that struggle the most. You are so strong, but it's also ok not to feel strong, too. Everything crossed for this third round - I have seen so many stories of later rounds working ❤️

So happy to hear of your incredible news @KtAgs ❤️ it is always inspiring to hear. I hope the Labour went smoothly and enjoy that baby bubble - you absolutely deserve it! 🥰

Hi everyone, I'm really sorry to hear about how tough it's been for everyone recently. It's really unfair why some things work out and others do not, despite our best efforts.

I know how much I needed to hear positive stories when I was trying yet I'm aware the timing isn't great based on the last few posts. But I'm delighted that our little girl arrived safely on Thursday at 39w5.

I was on the complex plan with Dr S. I think i am in the minority but i already miss taking hydroxy and my gastro and eczema symptoms have flared up since stopping it. Good luck to everyone pregnant and still on their journey to get there. Katy x

@VenusStarr I’m really sorry to hear things haven’t been going well for you. The strength and energy you have to have for IVF especially everything that’s happened in the past is incredible, and to have disappointing results is so hard and frankly unfair. Completely understand why you’ve mentally crashed and need a break. But I’m rooting for you and very much hoping things work out. Would you consider donor eggs or do you think it’s definitely over after the 3rd cycle? Sending love and strength x

Hi @VenusStarr it’s good to hear from you, it’s been a while. I’m sorry the last couple of months haven’t been good your end, it’s really hard.
Since we last chatted I had a natural FET which was a BFN. I’m blaming this failure on the embryo more than anything else. We hadn’t tested our embryos and at my age (41) I can’t expect all of them to be normal.

I didn’t really feel the need to have a consultation with Dr S but I did one anyway. I haven’t told him this but I’m stopping the hydroxy and just sticking with the complex plan. It’s starting to cause hair loss and I’ve tried it now along with everything else, which hasn’t worked. He still thinks Humira would be useful but I’m refusing right now. I may surrender to this if my next round fails, but for now, I’m trying to minimise meds wherever I can. No GCSF either - my immunity was compromised too much in my opinion last time, and I caught a nasty bug for the first time in years. I was in bed for around 3 weeks! Dr S didn’t push for this though, which is good news.

All we can do is keep trying when we feel ready. I met a lovely lady last week who gave birth to her first child at 45, using her own eggs, and only viable embryo they had! Good things can happen despite what doctors tell us xxx

Hope everyone else is ok xxx

@VenusStarr sorry to hear things haven’t worked out for you. Have you considered trying the Tacrolimus if you get a decent embroyo? xx

@HopefulH that sounds like a really good idea I did some hypnosis myself about 6 months ago to try and persuade my body to get pregnant ( hasn’t worked ) but what you’re doing is a much better idea.
@MotherOfShihTzus @Pupsandturtles how are you guys doing? I hope everyone else is ok ( ish)
im feeling a bit stressed, been waiting via the nhs for a date for my hysterosalpingiogram ( be a miracle if I’ve spelled that right) I finally get an appointment and it will land on day 6 of my cycle and they say you can have them day 6-10 so I’m hoping I will be ok I tried to move it but they have no appointments for months. I know Mr S does them so if it goes wrong then I’m just going to go to Epsom and have it done the same time as my intralipids hopefully they will squeeze me in but if not I’ll have to wait till the month after 😢😢😢. Got meeting at my ivf clinic on Tuesday to discuss ivf with my immune meds. I can not wait to start ivf it will almost be a relief, husband is definitely not as keen. Can not decide whether to pgt test embryos. I’m 40 and had 2 losses one was genetic, one wasn’t so 50/50 xxx

@VenusStarr I've been thinking about you wondering how you were getting on, its so lovely to hear from you but i'm so sorry things haven't been going great 💔

Did you say you were with Create? Have they given a reason for why this is happening i.e no blasts/slow progression? Did they do ICSI? Have they made any changes between each cycle for your stims? What stims or doses have you been on? Sorry for all the questions, I was with Create 2 years ago so I can probably relate to parts. I too had a very early blastocyst which they had to leave until day 6. Have you ever had your testosterone levels checked?

I definitely think you need to take a break and let your body heal if that's what your body is telling you, you've been through so much now. I also think, maybe get a second opinion for your 3rd cycle perhaps to see if a new set of eyes on your history of ivf rounds can help you suggest a different protocol. I have seen many stories where it simply is the protocol that isn't right rather than egg quality being the actual issue. I'm about to head into my 3rd egg retrieval and start stims next week and can't help but feel so anxious. I'm on a completely different protocol to what I've had in the past so I just hope I respond to the meds.

@HopefulH how are you getting on? Sorry to hear things haven't been well for you either. Fertility Coach sounds fab, this process does all sorts to us and it's quite possible the hardest, lonliest journeys I've ever been on. I'm glad its helping you.

Good luck to everyone and all the newbies since i've been on here last x