Immune/NK cells pred thread #34

Hello everyone, reading through what you have said over the last day or so and,of course, wishing you all well with whatever your stage and situation

@Fletchasketch Probably not relevant but one thing they did mention in my early bloods was a raised white blood cell level. They weren't overly concerned but it got flagged. Googling it (why do we do it to ourselves) I have found that it was almost certainly because of the pred. Pretty common apparently.

I'm still on 5 mg pred at 19 weeks and likely to be until 20. I put my details into co-pilot and asked it what Dr S would do, keeping in mind my allergy to intripilidd and tge fact that my repeat assat at 13 weeks showed a slightly raised level of baddies. It said Dr S would probably taper more slowly, possibly up to 24 weeks so I am a bit worried about fully coming off at 20.

By the way, anyone on pred had a flu jab! I didnt think you could have one due to compromised immune system but my mate co-pilot seems to think differently.

@Hopeandfaith1990 thanks for the tip- have also started following Annabel Gurnett. I regularly listen to the TWGG and find it a comfort. The last one with Georgie from Bake-off had me crying in the car though. All the best for your natural cycle this month.

@Deerdancer34 Thank you! I was actually in CRP today for intralipids. I've had some out of range test results on the wellbeing bloods which is a bit of a concern so waiting to hear if I need to change my medication needs to be changed. They wanted to check if the results were an annomaly so I had to have another set of bloods- basically a pin cushion at this point. You're right- I really need to distract myself, I'm off work for the next two weeks so will be getting out and about and seeing people. It's the pre-bedtime scrolling and googling that I need to knock on the head as I'll drive myself loopy that way. Pregnant until proven otherwise is the way to do it! Hope you're doing well today xx

@Jecca88 thinking of you, it sounds like it's been a rough time lately and hope you get those results soon. xx

@Fletchasketch Thank you 💕I really feel you, I still feel resentment that other people get to feel happy going to a scan... Anyway just take it day by day... it'll feel like an age so try and keep distracted!?! Impossible I know but think I'm pregnant until proven otherwise! 💪

@Hopeandfaith1990 Thank you 💕I actually had a Hyfosy after my ectopic and amazingly both of my tubes were fine (even though the hospital were going to remove one... really glad I said no!) So a deep breath and see what happens! Hope you're feeling ok!

@Jecca88 Isn't Ms Edge fabulous, she was a shining light when I was at my wits end. Wowza that is a lot of meds to keep track of!! I'm glad you're going away, it'll be nice just to have time to decompress before getting started. It's a very lonely journey isn't it and no-one can really understand what you are actually going through. Everyone always says the cliché things of relax, it's nature's way (my first few miscarriages), is it your age etc etc Tbh people have no idea what to say, so I don't blame them but I cut them off, even some of my siblings because I couldn't cope. Just know it's so normal and we are all here if you just ever need to get things out, I did find this group helped to make it slightly easier.
Is your Husband's birthday early or late November? Can you have the appointment after his birthday? Sending you lots of love 💗

Oh and ugly thoughts, I was genuinely shocked what I could think! I'm gonna take a look at that podcast! Lots of love 💖

@Hopeandfaith1990 oh I just went on and had a look at Annabels post - i can relate to that so much. Thanks for sharing - I’m now following.

I am head of recruitment at my company and work in the HR department - I have had it from everyone I have told at work. My go to is - ‘my issue isn’t getting pregnant it’s keeping it. But yes it is exciting and we are grateful we have a chance’

I recently became part of the warriorship
and sometimes join the Friday group chat therapy type things.

annoyingly I haven’t had a date - they pushed back my appointment and without my go pgta results I don’t feel I can push for it to be brought forward. Also my husband turns 40 in November - and want to make sure it’s a special time for him - I’m wondering if I wanna be going early pregnancy and that stress if the transfer works.

I totally know what you mean @Hopeandfaith1990 it such a complex fertility journey for us and having light conversations about it feel meaningless. I am also re-senting the 'so exciting' comments from people in regards to IVF, as you guys know conception is never really our issue, its keeping the baby and its not even half the battle, but i get it - people are just trying to hold out hope for us. I totally know what you mean about feeling bitter - i think thats why i am keeping my distance. Do you listen to the TWGGA podcast? they talk about 'ugly feelings' and make me feel reassured that is quite normal.

Did the IVF clinic give you Fragmin? yes thats the blood thinner. Humira is only if my blood says i need it. and the GCSF is for like bone marrow - some sort of immune thing. I know what you mean about it worse than a regular cycle, but not as bad as a Miscarriage :( awful comparison but its where we are hey.

So are you looking at another transfer October?

Hey ladies,

Sorry been a bit quiet, just having a nice break from the TTC but anxiously still waiting on the PGTA results. We have also been dog sitting lots, which is lovely but also solidifys that i can't get another dog for a long time as i miss my boy Archie so much and its just painful that other dogs don't bring the same feeling of comfort - which i of course know. Despite the hormones settling from the IVF - i am still crying every day - just feeling incredibly isolated and lonely and only really spending time with my husband and close family.

I had an appointment at the CRP yesterday with Dr Silva Edge - it was so lovely to see her and was so impressed with our IVF results - same for all the nurses - it just feels like they really care :) I was waked with a hefty bill as because i had a chemical pregnancy just before IVF on the same protocol - she wants me to add something else in for a frozen transfer - basically chuck the kitchen sink at it as she said she doesn't think emotionally we can take another loss. So had some more blood tests to check to see if i need Humira. I need to add Fragmin pre transfer and if my bloods come back and I don't need Humira - she wants me to have GCSF. Is anyone else on that? She has also upped the steroids to 25mg.

So for a Frozen transfer - I have all the supplements - except co-enzyme. 400mg of Hydroxy, 25mg of Pred, Inofolic, Progesterone, Fragmin injection every day, Intralipids, and potentially GCSF, and then who knows what the IVF clinic want me to take. Hoping to have a transfer in october. Booked a holiday to Pulgia next week - and i cannot wait to just get away and reset.

Hope everyone is ok. @Hopeandfaith1990 i am so sorry you can't do a transfer this cycle and i know a failed transfer must feel like another miscarriage :( been thinking of you.

@Deerdancer34 and @Hopeandfaith1990 thank you, you both speak a lot of sense. I had the same conversation with my acupuncturist and she made the valid point that I don't really want my rhr to be like previous pregnancies. She advised me not to do any more tests, so as things stand I'm going in for intralipids this week and then a 6 week scan in about 3 weeks, the idea of which is already terrifying me.

@Deerdancer34 I feel you with the anxiety- really hope that all goes well with the Letrozole.

@Hopeandfaith1990 glad to hear you're also getting benefit from your acupuncture sessions. I was deeply sceptical, but my accupuncturist is so wise and calming that it almost feels like a therapy session which is very much needed. All the best for this cycle.

Hope everyone is having a good week, lots of luck and love to all xx

@Hopeandfaith1990 I hope you're feeling a bit better, I think sometimes the uncertainty of everything is unhelpful too. Now you know you will try naturally and then transfer Oct (if needed!), I always found having a plan made me feel a bit better. Wishing you well for this cycle!

@Fletchasketch Don't look into pregnancy symptoms, easier said than done! I found that when I thought I had pregnancy symptoms, I wasn't pregnant and vice versa. Plus I stopped looking at RHR because actually when mine rose it was usually before a miscarriage so I stopped myself looking. Unfortunately it's just time and waiting but in the end I took the approach of right now I am pregnant, I will deal with anything bad when it happens. Have you done anymore tests?! Sending lots of love 💕

I'm still waiting to start the letrozole, feeling anxious about what's to come but trying to take it day by day. Plus CRP were actually very good at reassuring me about how unlikely an ectopic is.

Anyway lots of love to you all 💖

It does take its toll mentally, this journey. Sending you a hug and everything crossed for your next transfer.

I am pretty good, thank you. Always a little anxious but all fine so far xx

@Hopeandfaith1990 Sorry to hear it's been a rough time for you, hope the sunny weekend helped a bit. Also hope you get some positive news about your transfer soon.

To be honest, I'm feeling okay- not pregnant in the slightest though I'm driving myself slightly bonkers with my fitbit and wondering why my RHR isn't going up more. I didn't have any symptoms in my other pregnancies though, so I guess that's to be expected. I know the Pred masks symptoms too. Have another accupuncture session this afternoon which I always find very calming and then intralipids the Monday after.

@CarpeDiem75 Have you tried probiotics? I've been taking this one which was recommended to me for about three months and had no issues since https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236278963980?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A18JR0rWsmT0im3z1VX689TA44&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=236278963980&targetid=2361954446071&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045907&poi=&campaignid=21726791677&mkgroupid=167881213859&rlsatarget=pla-2361954446071&abcId=10034014&merchantid=5618366295&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21726791677&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1e6R7UecHd7yOgPk2Gmu4D7K&gclid=CjwKCAjw_fnFBhB0EiwAH_MfZlyPmNqyC_NwAqrrNIMGTLsdL3QxFIQ_3Sr-X-2kmZzIo4SbmIjArBoC7hwQAvD_BwE CRP said that it was fine to use, but you may want to check with whoever you're seeing.

Lots of love and luck to all, hope you have a good week. x

@Gizmo1983thank you!!

@CarpeDiem75 yes it’s fine that’s from 2 consultants and a gp I must have used 14 pessaries in the last month 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ just insert with your fingers not the applicator. Fingers crossed you get a positive xxx don’t take the oral tablet

@Gizmo1983 you were saying you were struggling with thrush… did it start very early on in the pregnancy? I am in the 2ww and again it has been very itchy for the past couple of days… not sure if I can use the usual thrush treatment from the pharmacy? Is it safe if for any reason I am pregnant! Thank you!! Of course it always happens at the weekend 😒 thanks!!!

Thank you xx

Funny how we are all different. No way I can hide it :) I know what you mean though, its exciting but scary. Xx

@Jecca88 thank you, that means a lot. It was my second cycle with intralipids, definitely wasn't expecting it to be so quick at my age. I do wonder if it means I have an unfussy womb though, but trying to remain hopeful this time. When do you find out about your PGTA results? You had such great numbers, I have everything crossed for you too. x

wow @Fletchasketch gentle congratulations. Was this your first time doing the protocol with intralipids? keeping everything crossed this is your time.

xx

@Objectiontime 😂😂😂. its been a been a bone of contention between me and the husband he wants to tell the world, im terrified to tell anyone im quite petite so can still hide it under baggy t shirts. So far only my mam and the boss at work know. I’m just so scared to jinx it, we have had a couple of stand offs over it. He hasn’t told his parents yet 😬😬😬

@Gizmo1983 Your post made me laugh so much! 🤣. I must admit I am glad to be free of the progesterone pessaries. I also feel tired but not as much as I did while in them. It may just be trimester 2 but I think the extra progesterone did tip the balance somewhat when it came to the tiredness. You are right, of course, re the intralipids. No one can really say how much better things are with or without but I defo would have had them if I could have done. Saved a lot of money without though!! I was trying to keep things quiet till 20 weeks but it is very, very obvious now. Completely grateful of course xx

Amazing news xx