Immune/NK cells pred thread #34

Hey ladies,

Back from my week away in spain @TammyinCork we flew into Malaga and spent a few nights there and then onto Estepona along the coast.

Had such a nice time away - felt proper relaxed for what feels like the first time in forever. Could feel him move loads and reached the third trimester. I am 28.4 weeks now. Had a scan with the NHS yesterday and got a 3D image of his face which is incredible to see the features - i honestly cannot believe i am here, feels so unreal and i am so grateful.

How is everyone? welcome to the new ladies, sorry to see you here but we are super supportive and this has really been a lifeline for me.

@Hopeandfaith1990 you have made it to 22 weeks :) Hope you're mental health is ok, totally know what you mean when anyone announces their pregnancy if triggers me. I don't think I will never not. Recently i have been supporting a good friend after a miscarriage which has been pretty tough and i want to be there for her but its quite intense and she is really leaning on me.

How are you doing @Deerdancer34 ?

ohh that’s amazing so happy for you!!
what was your diagnosis and treatment plan? Xx

I have started bleeding this afternoon so it’s all over rover and new cycle has begun. I am glad to be honest as tests being negative just wanted to get cracking. Did I read above right that you are pregnant? 🥰 congratulations and how many weeks etc? Hopefully you don’t find me too nosey and intrusive I am just interested in everyone journey but realise to read all of the thread I would probably be here all year 😂😂xx

if anyone has experienced this, after stopping progesterone how long did it take for bleeding to start? X x I stopped mine day before yesterday x

Hi there,
6-8 weeks I believe. Initially he told me to miss a cycle of trying so the medication had time to work. I should have expected this to happen it just still hurts when it does doesn’t it. Part of you still hopes it won’t happen.
The whole progesterone thing has fried my head a bit because now I know for sure no bleeding doesn’t mean everything is ok as the progesterone masks it. I would be interested how others manage this. I can’t imagine getting to the reassurance scan and being told there is nothing there. So do others do a test to see if they’re still pregnant or progression testing?
Sending you lots of love x x x

@Deerdancer34 thanks for sharing. It was really helpful to hear about your protocol and his rationale for super ov. Rooting for you you - rooting for all of us 🙏🩷 Ill let you know what my protocol ends up being

@Waitingforthesunshine24 thanks for sharing. How long does he usually want people on hydroxybefore getting pregnant? Im so sorry youre going through this and I can relate to the relief of seeing a negative pregnancy test before it all happens - kind of messed up really but knowledge is power 🥲 hang in there, I am in a constant black cloud these days and it is heavier immediately after my losses - its so so hard. One foot in front of the other 🩷

Hi all, I am new here! Hope it is ok for me to join. I started a post the other day on Hydroxychloroquine and was kindly sent a link to join here.
I am 38, history of Graves Disease (been in remission for 2 years) and now 3 losses in 3 years. I have one son who is 6, I saw Dr Shehata on NHS. I am on his protocol of Hydroxychloroquine, Cyclogest and Aspirin. All blood test were ‘normal’.
But he thinks some immune activity is causing the losses.
I had a positive pregnancy test 2 weeks ago but didn’t start his protocol until 2 days later. It wasn’t intentional it just happened that I was pregnant at the time I went to see him for the protocol but I didn’t know. I had hope but today did a test and was negative so I believe was a chemical pregnancy but the progesterone has been masking the bleeding. I haven’t had any bleeding yet.
I know it didn’t have time to get into my system properly so I can’t expect miracles but you know how it is. You get those lines and can’t help but dream. But realistically the medication needs time to settle in, so I shouldn’t be surprised this has also ended in loss.
In a way I am glad the test is negative today because it would have been worse to go to first scan in 2 weeks at 7 weeks to be told there is nothing there. After being hopeful due to no bleeding, oblivious that progesterone masks it and pregnancy still not progressing.
Thanks for reading, I know I should have expected it but I feel flat tonight and need to pick myself back up and carry on.
Sending love to you all and thanks for joining me to the thread x x x x

@pagey23 I'm not sure what to suggest, I'd be tempted to take the meds but then if they want your hormones to rebalance, maybe its best to take a break? 🤔

@Auberginesky Welcome and so sorry you have to be here. I'm so sorry for your losses, we're a very supportive bunch - literally been a lifesaver for me, so hopefully you can feel a bit of support here 💓
I'm not sure of all the different protocols but I can tell you what I followed if that's helpful?

The first time I needed to have 2x Humira injections because some of my NK cells were high - that meant I had to wait about 2 months before I was allowed to try - frustrating but Dr S is all about preparing your body for pregnancy... I then tried for 3 months with just medications (intralipids + Prednisolone) and then to help speed the process up they talked about Superovulation. You take letrozole Days 2-6 to produce up to 3 follicles, you then have a follow up scan to determine when to trigger and when to dtd. After years of losses it took a lot of stress away and basically boosts your chances as you usually produce just 1 follicle.
This time I didn't need Humira and have gone straight to Superovulation and doing intralipids, Prednisolone & Hydroxy.

I'm not sure how clear this is and tbh I still don't really understand all the NK cells etc. Do ask if you have more specific questions. Sending you so much love ❤️ It is such a dark place but the one thing that Dr S gave me was a plan and hope 💓

Oh and 1 more question re superovulation which I have seen a few of you have done before.

Why does this get suggested? I have a 28 daycycle and ovulate consistently day 12 to 14. Is there an added benefit of being put on superovulation?

I just want to be prepared for anything offered and also nervous as whilst I keep losing my babies, my body does at least seem to be regular in cycle and am scared of messing it up!

Hi all!

Im new here and have found these pred threads incredibly useful. I am 35 y o with 1 LC (2.5yrs) since then have had 3 MCs - 2x 10 week MMCs (one stopped at 6.5 weeks other at 8.5) and a chemical at 5 weeks last month. It prompted me to see Dr S and had my bloods done this month, results to come back soon.

I wondered who else is currently seeing Mr S and how youve found it?
What different treatment protocols there are (Ive heard of the 'complex' one).
And which treatments mean you have to wait to try again? Im so desperate to start straight away.
Anything I can do to better advocate for myself when I get the results?

I am in such a dark place with all of this loss, whilst I do feel somewhat hopeful, I just feel miserable! Solidarity with you all, recurrent loss and fertility treatment is no joke 🩷

@Rainbowchaser87 hello! Sorry for my late response - I’ve been so hectic!! It went ok with CRP but I ended up with a £1k bill for not a lot… consultation plus a blood test. Quite brutal!! We discussed the chemical I had and we will never know why it happened but we think it’s more of a chromosome issue rather than immune. My previous two miscarriages were slightly further down the line and I was on no immune support then. So I will stay on the protocol I’m on and not add hydroxy unless I get another chemical. The suggestion was to take a break so my hormones rebalance so I’m probably going to try naturally this month and not do SO or intralipids. It allows me to save some money too. Unsure whether I’ll take the meds post ovulation... maybe the progesterone?! Any thoughts? the bloods were because my previous ones from a year ago were out of date - those bloods showed I had to take an injection called adalimumab/humira - immune related stuff again.

are you thinking of trying SO? I didn’t for a while but I’m finding it less stressful - though it is more expensive!

hope everyone is well and loving all these positive stories!! So excited for you ladies! ❤️❤️❤️

@pagey23 hey darling how did it go today?
no I am not doing Super Ovulation.
yes, lovely day today xx

@TammyinCorkhow did it go with the lister? I’ve heard good things about Dr Thum. Did they recommend anything different to CRP? I have a thyroid issue and went on thyroxine as my TSH was high xx

@Rainbowchaser87thank you so much for this and everyone else’s help ❤️🥹. It’s very useful ahead of my meeting with CRP which I’m on my way to now. I really don’t want to skip a cycle but I’ll let you know what they say. I’m sorry you haven’t had a positive yet - are you doing super ovulation? How many rounds have you done now? Take care everyone and hope you get a chance to head outside today - it’s a lovely day!! ☀️ xx

Hi Everyone!
I disappeared I know but felt overwhelmed lately and needed space!
congratz to the new pregnant ladies! So happy for u and so encouraging to hear!
@pagey23 sorry to hear about ur loss! I actually had a chemical back in Nov with CRP. Tbh in my case they had to change the meds as I have been on steroids for a tear and never felt pregnant. The month I felt pregnant I didn’t take the steroids so we realised that prednisone was too strong for me and perhaps we had to change my meds. So I am now on Hydroxicloroquin l. Don’t remember they mentioned to me about egg quality after miscarriage…I took a break of a month as I was exhausted but also because u need to be at leats 3 weeks on Hydroxicloroquin before starting ttc again. Started to ttc in Jan but few days ago had my 3rd negative test of the year so waiting for the period to come anytime now.

hope this helps? Keep me posted xxx

Thank you @TammyinCork . Really crossing everything for you next week 🤞💓

@pagey23 So sorry to hear about your chemical, and sending you my warm thoughts. I really hope CRP give you some reasons for the egg quality issue, and a plan for the next superovulation cycle. It must be so hard and frustrating...

@Jecca88 Have a fantastic time in Spain! Whereabouts in Spain do you travel? Really pleased to hear you have come so far - that's awesome!

@Hopeandfaith1990 Fantastic news, and great to hear you've had so much support from colleagues when you announced!

@Deerdancer34 Very sorry to hear about your negative. I also thought that trying for a second would be much easier than it has been. Really wishing you well for the next cycle and all your efforts.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

It has been a while since I last posted... We had our second IVF cycle at the clinic in Alicante in mid-February. Got 9 eggs again, but this time only 3 fertilised: 1 made it to blastocyst stage and we will get the results next week. They have asked me to come back and do an ERA test with them at the beginning of April, a month before the proposed transfer of my euploid embryo from the first cycle!

In the meantime, I am coming to London on Tuesday morning to visit Dr Thum at the Lister, and get re-tested for NK cells and thyroid antibodies. (I still disagree with Dr Edge's prescription of intralipids, and my doctors at the clinic in Spain agree that they would be dangerous for me, so am hoping for a second opinion from Dr Thum). Just wondering on the off chance that anyone from here will be there at that time?

@Hopeandfaith1990 Aww thank you 🥰 So pleased you had a good scan again, especially going by yourself! Makes it all feel a bit more real when it's announced doesn't it!? I'm so glad your referral has come through 💪 ooo what do you think you might buy? That'll be very precious 💓

@Jecca88 Awww I'm so pleased you had a good appointment too, the tape measure thing makes me laugh, I still don't understand how that can measure the baby! Ooo really enjoy Spain. Hopefully you can relax, take stock of how far you've come and make the most of the rest!

@pagey23 I'm so sorry it's a chemical 😕 I haven't had a chemical with them. It seems a bit strange your egg quality would be lower but I don't know anything on this. Maybe they want to boost medications to help support a pregnancy but then if you're doing SO, can't that just be discussed in that appointment? What meds are you currently on?

Hi ladies. Quick question.. I think I had a chemical this month. CRP are advising me to skip the next cycle as egg quality will be low?! Has anyone heard the same? I really don’t want to miss a cycle. They also asked me to come in for a consultation so see if any meds need changing. Has anyone had a chemical with CRP and was anything changed? Really appreciate all your help!!! Have a great weekend girls xxx

@Hopeandfaith1990 so glad you got to see baby again and omg so scary doing it without husband, such a brave lady. Did you find out the gender?- can't remember if you wanted to find out or not.

Amazing about the referral, think it will also come in handy too once baby is here - as i feel like we will still be traumistised - i am still so triggered by pregnancy anouncements, someone in my team at work just announced at 11 weeks with a babygrow and scan pic etc - they haven't even had the 12 week scan - i am like how can you be soooo sure - its just pure blissful ignorance. Good news about getting the news out at work - must feel a bit of a relief.

I too had my midwife appointment on Weds and bless the lady - she was trying to talk to me about the glucose test whilst holding the doopler and i couldn't concentrate on anything she was saying - i was like 'is that me or the baby' - heartbeat all good and i am measuring bang on - so old schoool where they just measure your bump with a tape measure lols. 27 weeks tomorrow and we are going away to spain for a last min holiday - got a fit to fly letter just incase and my husband speak spainish fluently and we go every year - so know it well/ all hospitals have been scoped out and thought it was a safe place to go - hopefully will be able to enjoy.

xx