Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar

999 replies

freelancegirl · 13/06/2011 16:21

I am not sure there are enough people here to start a thread but have been chatting on one on the pregnancy boards and was wondering if I could find any fellow ttc'ers on Prednisolone or similar?

I have just received a diagnosis of very high NK cells. It was a bit of a shock actually as it turns out I have some of the highest levels - 3.79 when anything over 1.8 is considered 'very high'.

Am trawling through Dr Beer's book and Dr Google and trying to found out more. I have been recommended 25mg prednisoline steroids for two weeks starting with ovulation, increasing to 40mg if/when BFP and then Intralipids Cyclogest too. I still have 13 days until I pop my first Pred.

There now just seem like so many hurdles - actually getting pregnant being the first one. I was prepared for high NK cells as I have high thyroid antibodies but it was shocking to be in the top 5% of people treated at the clinic. I am not sure if that gives me much less of a chance of being successful.

It would be great to hear from anyone else who is undergoing treatment and of course also if you've had successful treatment.

OP posts:
batteryhen · 08/09/2011 11:42

Libby - firstly huge congrats! :) This thread is turning out to be lucky (I hope for all of us!)I think that is a good plan - Mr S's midwife said to me that if I didn't go for all the scans then the 9 week one was the most important.

Nothing to report here - I too am on a manic high from the steroids - 7DPO here, lots of CM and cramps which I am not reading too much inot (trying not to anyway!) Hope everyone else is Ok, xx

Stogan · 08/09/2011 13:43

Yeah Libby I had a local scan at 6 weeks then dr s at 9 weeks then local at 11 and 14 and seeing dr s at 15-16 where he says he wants to sign me off ! Good luck honey sounds good so far x

digitalgirl · 08/09/2011 14:19

stogan great news!

Libby congratulations on your bfp - I wouldn't worry about bleeding unless it gets worse, implantation bleeding is very common. And stay away from the cb digis. I think waiting till week 7 for a scan is very sensible though.

kittens maybe you missed the full on surge by a couple of hours. Or maybe it's yet to come. Do you feel post-ov like?

battery cramps and cm at 7dpo? Very interesting...Grin

georgie glad I've given your dh hope!

Dh and I have hardly spoken at all in the last few weeks. I think we're both exercising caution and not wanting to get too carried away. Doesn't help that there's an unspoken sex ban in force right now. I'm hoping after 12 weeks I'll feel a bit more relaxed about that side of things.

Now, all this talk of the 9 week scan with Mr S has got me wondering if I need to book one. Tbh I'm pretty happy with having them at St Marys (possibly because yesterday's was fine). I don't know what else Mr S would see and whether it would impact on my treatment.

eurochick · 08/09/2011 15:17

There's a lot of very encouraging happy news on this thread. I'm very happy for all those with BFPs and good scans!

Kittens I have been tested for thyroid stuff a few times and I am normal but one of the tests (can't remember which now) is only just into the normal range.

I do wonder how accurate the normal ranges are though. A few years ago I was so tired I could barely manage going about my daily life. I was tested for everything under the sun and about to be referred for a load more obscure tests when a locum spotted my iron stores were within the normal range but a bit low. Two weeks of iron tablets later I felt better than I had in years. So the low end of normal was clearly not normal for my body.

batteryhen · 08/09/2011 16:52

digi - I did also wonder about the 9 week scan. Mr S's midwife said the 9 week scan was important as if the HB is slow they would be able to see. To which I wish I had asked - and if it is slow what can you do? - Nothing is sure to be the answer, so if you are happy to stay with St Marys, then I would say that would be fine?

Stogan · 08/09/2011 17:30

I agree with battery digi if ur happy with st marys then stay there just ask them to check the heartbeat as that was all mr s seemed interested in at my 9 week scan X

freelancegirl · 09/09/2011 09:06

Ooh, a lot going on here. I have been at a conference for a couple of days, so lurking on the phone but no real time to post properly. Libby thanks for your kind words and well done on the pregnancy. I know it is just the first step but it is crucial step and I really hope it works out this time!!

I finally saw Mr S last night. He asked all about what happened and basically started off with telling me off for not having gone to him for scans AND ERPC as he would have done it himself and checked for chromosomal abnormalities. I felt a bit put out by the telling off as, ok I cancelled the scan after the first one, but then after that he wasn't here! Yesterday was the next nearest appointment I could get. But he said next time he wants me to stick to the plan and trust him and trust in the treatment. I said I did trust him and the treatment but it was a case of finances rather than not trusting him. But he insisted next time - all scans with him as scheduled.

He said a pretty similar thing when I mentioned a referral for St Mary's or for any other possible tests for that matter. Not sure if you have mentioned it to him Digi? He thought everything that had been tested for had been tested for. I brought up things I had found online and in books about hidden infections and clotting and he said no need to do more, just trust this treatment. A running theme I think. Actually I think if I do get a referral to St Mary's I will follow it up. I do trust the treatment but I also want to try everything! I just won't tell him that if I can help it.

Although he said we couldn't be sure (I did ask the hospital to test the 'products' but whether they will do or not is another issue, no pun intended) he was hopeful that this pregnancy had failed due to chromosomal issues (as it was so early) and basically the plan is to just have another go. He did say that one thing he had tried with one patient was adding hydrocholoquine (sp) tablets - anti-malaria pills! Apparently they have a immune suppressant affect too. But he said he didn't want to just throw pills at me, so try the normal treatment first. I asked about doing intralipids preconception and he said that would really be a waste of money, as it wasn't sure I was going to get pregnant each month, and that the steroids were more effective anyway.

The one thing he did say was, to give my body a break from steroids, wait for 2 cycles!! So I won't be able to start trying until November. On the one hand I feel ok about that because it IS good to have a break from steroids and stressing and life is so much more fun being not pregnant, but on the other hand I am a bit stressed about it as I am not getting any younger and it just delays it all. Part of me wanted to try again as soon as possible. I guess in the scheme of things, over a whole life, waiting another month or two isn't going to make any difference. But I am aware of the clock ticking.

I guess these things never going to plan really do they but I hate it that I have had to try so hard to have a baby. I look at people with children and, to be honest, I don't even envy their lives, I just have an urge to have my own baby. I guess a lot of people say that don't they, they don't necessarily like hanging around with other people's children, they just like having their own! All this really trying hard to have a baby makes you question your motives I guess. Oh, this is far to deep for 9am, who can say why people want children anyway? It's just an instinctive thing I guess. Am off to have breakfast and try not to think about it too much!

OP posts:
Havingkittens · 09/09/2011 11:35

freelance I'm with you on the double edged sword of taking a 2 month break from the steroids. It would feel like a blessed relief to take a break and also not think about pregnancy for a little bit as it does get a bit all consuming. But, like you, time ticking away makes me nervous. I'd rather not have to wait 'til 43 to have a baby if I can help it!

digi I'm not really sure what post-ov is supposed to feel like. I don't do temping as my waking time is so erratic, I can't reach my cervix most of the time and I don't get EWCM at all, and now with the revelation that OV pains can strike before, after or during OV, the OPKs are really my only guideline. The only possible sign of ovulation for me is the eruption of spots around that time, but then again my skin's pretty ropey most of the time anyway. I haven't had another double line since that 'almost' one on Monday. I have been diligently jumping my OH every night this week though and shall continue to do so over the weekend and then maybe go on to every other night whilst continuing to test next week just in case of a latecomer but I suspect Elvis (egg-vis?) has now left the building. As today is day 16 I guess I should just start the prednisolone today just in case that almost matching line was the surge.

I used to be the one that popped up on the conception boards telling people not to worry about lack of EWCM and that I'd conceived very easily without it 6 times but, apologies for the TMI, it's pretty much opaque white with no stretch to it at all. More or less what people identify with sperm hostile CM. I am using an equivalent to pre seed, drinking grapefruit juice etc to no avail. Seriously, if it doesn't work this time, before my 2 month break I shall have to think about a strategy I think. Acupuncture? Reflexology? I'm a bit reluctant to take anything like Agnus Castus or Evening Primrose as I don't know if it's a good idea to bugger about with hormone balance. Any thoughts?

eurochick · 09/09/2011 11:57

kittens is it possible that the "CM" you are seeing actually comes fromyour partner? I find it very difficult to tell what is what these days. I used to get very clear EWCM before we were trying (although I had no clue what it was back then as I was living in blissful ignorance about all of this ttc stuff).

Freelance I feel the same about kids. I rather like my life now and when I see how tired some of my friends with kids look, I do question whether I want them! But I have a proper innate biological urge within me telling me to procreate. It's not coming from my head or even heart. It is pure instinct. Like being hungry and needing to eat or something. Until someone flicked a switch on this when I was about 30/31 I had always thought I would stay childfree.

Havingkittens · 09/09/2011 12:27

euro, no I don't think so. It looks very familiarly like CM I have been having for years. Very creamy. Maybe I'm wrong, who knows. I would expect it to be a bit more on the runny side if it were something to do with him! I do remember that stretchy clear stuff but I don't actually remember seeing it for several years now. Not even during the TTC gaps post M/C etc.

I am totally the same as you guys with the kids thing. It's pretty confusing. I was pretty adamant that I didn't have any interest in having kids, pretty much until my mid 30s! But quite vehemently so during my entire 20s. I have the same feelings when I see tired mums with their kids acting up too, like "Really? I'm putting myself through all of this to be in their shoes? Is that really what I want?" But, like you say, it's almost like a primal urge. Even when I first started trying TTC I wasn't really convinced it was what I wanted. But that first time I was pregnant I had this fierce emotion of wanting to protect what (who) was inside me and the loss was heartbreaking. That was when something inside me switched. I do now find myself looking wistfully at other people's babies and kids (normally when they are behaving themselves or being delightful!) and feeling a yearning to be a mother but I do also have moments of just not being able to imagine myself fulfilling that role or my life turning out like that. Not because of the losses or fear that it won't work out for me, but because I'm am not overall a broody person. It's a very baffling contrast of feelings but I think it's actually very common.

Iggi999 · 09/09/2011 13:45

Kittens I know I said about the ov pains being maybe before, during or after - I read that in one of my (many) fertility books. But for myself, if I've had the pains I've then had ov confirmed by other methods for either the day of the pain or the next day. Come to think of it, haven't had any since before my last pg!
Freelance I don't think it's that helpful to be told you should have gone to him for scans etc (no way I will be, could not afford it) as it would not have affected the outcome in the slightest, how could it?
Since last weekend I have now heard 4 pregnancy announcements. Have almost perfected my fake smile.
S's midw told me by the way that the steroids do not delay ovulation, but could delay af.

Havingkittens · 09/09/2011 13:58

Good to know that the steroids don't delay ovulation. I'm sure Mr S would've mentioned it if that were the case but I have read that a few times in various threads.

I had ov pains at the beginning of the week, or maybe even the weekend so I guess Elvis has left the building! Will carry on shagging just to be sure though seeing as this is my last chance until December.

I feel the same about Mr S's insistence at having the scans with him, especially as whilst seeing him on the NHS he's told me I can have my scans at my own EPU, but that I should stay in touch with him. Does that mean it doesn't matter really, or does it mean that I have less chance of it working out because I'm not being scanned by him? Hmmmm. My cynicism suggests the first option. I can, perhaps see his reasoning with the ERPC but if he's out of the country what are you expected to do?

eurochick · 09/09/2011 14:20

I get two bouts of ov pains - the first for one or two days around CD9. These are quite mild and are almost always on the right side. Then they stop completely for a couple of days. And then I get more severe pains for about three days with the last day of pain the day FF usually gives me for ovulation. I then don't feel anything for about a week and then I get usually mild, occasionally severe, cramps around 7dpo which might be attempted implantation. I don't remember getting them before we started ttc but it could just be that I didn't notice them.

Havingkittens · 09/09/2011 15:04

I never remembered getting those before but I get cramps about 7dpo too, every month.

Iggi999 · 09/09/2011 15:31

I have twinges around 7dpo too (ie now) - I prefer to see them as a sign of a definitely implanting, going to work out fine, pregnancy!

freelancegirl · 10/09/2011 12:47

I am glad a few of you have the same feelings about the children thing. My friends with children have had it too - and I don't know whether those amongst you who do have children already felt the same before - they say to me they were never desperate to have that first child. But they just decided to go ahead, got pregnant and had a baby. Didn't have to think about it too much. We all have to think about it a lot! It makes you go over every detail.

I can't really join in the conversation about ovulating etc as I only charted the month I got pregnant the second time this year and before then had not really taken much notice. Obviously now I am taking a lot of notice but it is the WTF cycle so who knows what is going on. But it is good to know you all have ovulation pains at various times before and after ovulation as I think I do too. Because of that I was never quite sure FF was right about me ovulating on day 14. I remember Digi concurring that it might have been 18 instead!

I am not sure how I feel about waiting for two months before trying again now. I think I am starting to feel ok about it. I went to the gym this morning and it made me aware of how much I want my body to get back into shape. Not sure what I can do in 2 months (especially as I am still enjoying going out and doing non-pregnant things like having cocktails :) ) but will give it a go. My moon face is definitely going!

Yes it is also a funny thing about Mr S and the scans Kittens. DIgi it will be interesting if he tells you off too! Have you mentioned St Mary's to him or kept quiet about it? I guess he might only be pissed off with me for not going to him when I knew it was going wrong. But he seems to have forgotten he was out of the country too.

OP posts:
georgiepie · 10/09/2011 16:31

Hi everyone! Im back from holiday and pleased to be home! I did have a good time but this pregnancy am I going to miscarry or not is driving me mad. I have my first scan on Thursdsay evening with Mr S and I should be exactly 8 weeks. So nervous and still not feeling pg

Free I think it was wrong of Mr S to tell you off about the scans, bit cheeky. Money is very important to most of us and I only plan to have this one on Thur and see where I go from there. I do think his programme is amazing even if it does not work out for me. However, you have to ask why he doesnt insist his NHS patients come to him for all the scans?! I guess that big expensive Bentley car, new premises etc has to be paid for some how!!!

Stogan please can I ask your age? Will you do anymore testing like CVS?

Digi how are you doing hon? You only take 25mg of pred and not 40mg right? Sorry I cant remember. Is your next scan all booked? Any pg symptoms yet? x

Libby Congrats on your BFP. How are you doing? I have not seen anyone yet, no doctor, midwife so not had my blood pressure tested.

Iggi How you getting on with pred? Any more side effects

Battery & Kittens sounds like you have had some good results with your testings.

Ari good luck with apt on Monday.

Hi to Comedy, Cheerful and all you lovely girls

digitalgirl · 10/09/2011 17:48

Have been thinking about how I should prob see Mr S at some point during this pg as he has put me on this treatment so I do owe him a courtesy call. So e-mailed yesterday to get an appt for next week and only available one is 8am Weds in Epsom! It will mean leaving the house at 6:30 and taking DS as we won't have childcare. Not the most relaxed of situations but at least it gets it out the way. Still, am very Hmm about his 'telling off' of free.

Interesting about your friends free saying they weren't particularly broody before having kids but got pg anyway. When ttc ds it took us a few months to work out how to time sex around my weird irregular cycles, during which I got more and more desperate to have a baby. I was definitely broody and had a very romantic view of parenthood. Coffee mornings, walks in the park, baking biscuits etc.

This time round I know what's coming so I'm much more biologically driven to reproduce despite knowing there will be hellish nights of no sleep, nightmare breastfeeding problems, and struggling with ds' jealousy. I see other parents with two - and don't envy their exhaustion. So I do wonder why I'm putting myself through this particular part of hell only to enter another hell!

georgie still very vague in the symptom dept here. But I've been very busy lately so maybe just don't have time to notice anything. Whenever I get a little queasy I just eat, so by the evening I'm having to deal with mild stretching pains in my stomach area, which I know is from eating too much and tummy having to expand upwards and out because uterus has grown. Boobs have stopped hurting, but are still big so maybe that's it for the hurty boob stage.

I hope it's not too insensitive of me mentioning my symptoms here. I know when I was ttc it got a bit much listening to pg women moan about symptoms, so I hope I'm not coming across as moany. I'm actually happiest when feeling a bit off and needing a lie down.

Iggi999 · 10/09/2011 21:00

Digi after rmc it's like we've gone through the looking glass into Alice in Wonderland world - up is down and down is up etc. So, feeling crap during pg is bad for most people, for us it's a positive sign. We can be pg ourselves and still hate the sight of a smugly pg woman (she doesn't have to do anything special to be smug, just be pg and not look worried about it!). So, moan away!
Georgie maybe being at home will give you more to take your mind off things! As luck would have it I'd be due to come off steroids (failing a bfp) two days before a v important interview - no way am I doing so, withdrawal makes me down and stupid! Also don't really want to do bfp or bfn just before, wondering I could put off testing just a wee bit. Bet the other candidates aren't thinking like this, though of course they may have their own problems.

Iggi999 · 10/09/2011 21:11

God I'm rabiting. Have been having strong ovulation type pains all day, am 7 dpo, it is too much to hope isn't it? Even if something's implanting it'll just be another (ancient) egg that nothing will come from.

Havingkittens · 10/09/2011 23:50

iggi, don't forget that if you take the steroids for more than 14 days you have to wean yourself off them.

Iggi999 · 11/09/2011 14:27

Oh right thanks, HK, I would just be at 14 days I think.

Stogan · 11/09/2011 15:47

Hey georgie I'm 30 years old and now at 14 weeks plan to have no more tests just one more scan with dr s a week on we'd and hopefully will be a normal pregnancy from there. Good luck for Thursday Hun let me know how it goes xxx?

freelancegirl · 11/09/2011 15:57

Ha! I really remember obsessing at every symptom when on my one charting 2WW! I also checked those 2ww symptom lists you find on forums a lot. So much so that I did my own. Here Iggi, something else to obsess about :)

No real symptoms until this point I don't think, can't remember but didn't take notes:

CD13 VERY faint 2nd line on OV test - poker up bum feeling!
CD14 No ov stick Def feeling in left ovary side. FF reckoned this was Ovulation day.
CD15 High temp, neg ov test (tiny faint line).
CD16 STARTED PRED, FF says 3DPO.Left ovary twinges.
CD17 Neg OV test. Ovary twinges, lots. Bloated in evening.
CD18 Twinges, bloating, bit of nausea, some dizzy spells - prob the Pred.
CD19 'Awareness' of area, tired, irritable, twinges later, sticky cm, hip ache
CD20 25 min run. wheezy after. ov pain and low back ache (7 DPO ac to FF)
CD21 Constipation. Ov pain still. Bloated.
CD22 Still ov twinges
CD23 Mid AM sudden nausea and hunger, nothing I feel like eating!temp dip.
CD24 Twinges, slight headache, hungry
CD25 Electric shock like zap in uterus x 2
CD26 BFN. 12DPO Creamy CM. Still took Pred. (13DPO ac to FF).
CD27 Tired, emotional, cramps in night, thyroid swollen, chronic PMT feelings
CD28 No notes
CD29 DPO15 Faint BFP Very very faint on two tests
CD30 DPO16 BFP

Digi and everyone else who has mentioned it. Yes it was a bit iffy about the telling off. He did mention that when things are going wrong it was more important than ever to see him, so he might not tell you pregnant ladies off as you have confirmation it is going well so far.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 11/09/2011 16:49

Is it really sad that I found that fascinating? Grin
The positive spin on the "telling off" is to compare it to what happens at local RMC or EPU when you show signs of mc - ie nothing. Nothing to report, not asked to come back etc. It shows that S really does think that each mc is bringing you closer to a success story.