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Conception

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Original poster

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:
eurochick · 19/09/2011 22:35

Thanks ladies. That's helpful.

freelance my understanding is that failure to implant and MC are two sides of the same coin from a reproductive immunology viewpoint. Both are the body rejecting the embryo, just at different stages. So it seems logical that if you will treat one you will treat the other.

I guess I will have to call Mr S's clinic when the nosy people are out at work and see what they say! I know my acupuncturist (who sees lots of women going through a variety of fertility treatment) rates him and you all seem to be having pretty positive experiences with him so I think that would be my first choice if he will see people who are not miscarrying. If not, then I can look at Argc etc.

Original poster
freelancegirl · 20/09/2011 08:21

Yes that's my understanding of it too euro. Why don't you send them an email asking about it? I think the general address is [email protected]. Then you don't have to sit under your desk and whisper :) I can tell you, I too have had some funny phone conversations in public recently, like when arranging docs appointments and discussing details when on the train!

OP posts:
Original poster
freelancegirl · 20/09/2011 08:41

Ah, someone let me loose on Dr Google again.

Had anyone been tested for/looked into the association between miscarriage and ureaplasma and mycoplasma?

HERE is an article for your mentalling/perusal.

OP posts:
georgiepie · 20/09/2011 10:26

Stogan & Dig good luck for tomorrow. Let us know how scans and appointments go. All will be fine im sure xx

eurochick · 20/09/2011 11:31

Thanks freelance. I think emailing them might be the best plan. After being within the NHS, you kind of forget that private doctors and clinics use email to communicate with patients!

Stogan · 20/09/2011 11:52

Thanks georgie, totally bricking it,doubt I'll sleep tonight !!! X?

Arianrhod · 20/09/2011 11:57

Quick question ladies, for those of you who have seen Mr S - how long did your blood tests take to come back? I've seen it mentioned on another forum that it took 3 weeks, and I'm now concerned as I booked my follow-up 2 weeks after I had my bloods taken as I was advised by a couple of people who have seen Dr S previously to make sure I booked my follow-up appt for 2 weeks after the original appt. I'm now worried my results may not be through in time! My original appt was last Mon, my follow-up is next Wed. Would it be worth my asking The Doctor's Lab who are doing the tests if they'll be back in time, do you think??

Arianrhod · 20/09/2011 11:58

Darn, clicked Post before I said ... lots of luck Stogan and digi for tomorrow!!

Original poster
freelancegirl · 20/09/2011 12:12

By help you Ari as my appointment was 4 weeks after tests, but ask the office or Louise! Euro is right, it's easier to contact people when it's not Nhs. I al still waiting to hear from St mary's. Good luck for the scans tomorrow everyone!!

OP posts:
georgiepie · 20/09/2011 12:17

Ari I had my appointment 2 weeks after bloods. Agree with Free and check with Louise to confirm. X

Arianrhod · 20/09/2011 12:29

Thanks free and georgie, I'll do that.

eurochick · 20/09/2011 12:44

Yes, best of luck to stogan and digi!

Stogan · 20/09/2011 14:59

Arian I had my results within 2 weeks but def call to check especially If u have to travel as far as I do !!!
Thanks for all the luck ladies, this time tomorrow I'll hopefully be on cloud nine and will eventually let DH buy something for baby !!
Thanks again and massive good luck hugs to digi and everyone else having scans this week xxx???xxx

batteryhen · 20/09/2011 16:37

ari I had my follow up appointment 10 days after my first. I asked the man taking my bloods if they would be back and he said 'oh yes - these will be back tomorrow - they only go to a lab in Tottenham court road' I think it does depend on which tests you are having - he only took 4 bottles from me.

Lurking for news of scans today......

digitalgirl · 20/09/2011 17:12

ari think two weeks should be fine. He often asks people to book in 3 weeks but I think that's usually because he's got other plans in between.

battery Looking forward to AF finishing and getting back to business soon? Grin

Went for acupuncture today. I told him that I've had loads of energy these last few weeks and I didn't know how I was going to cope coming off the steroids. He said that he didn't think my energy was coming from the steroids and that it was just how I was reacting to this pregnancy. He sees a lot of women on Mr S's plan and said that he gets just as many women with crippling exhaustion. He also said I'd most likely be fine weaning off the drugs as the most common symptom coming off them was sleeplessness - so nothing would change!

Have scan at St Mary's tomorrow at 9:30 and a booking in appointment with a midwife on Thursday morning. I didn't get this till I was 16 weeks with DS, so was a little surprised to get the phone call today. Never got to this stage with the previous so the question about pregnancies vs live births might be a bit of an eyebrow raiser for someone used to dealing with normal women. Or maybe not, maybe I'm not as special as I think I am and she'll just carry on ticking boxes.

stogan good luck tomorrow!

Stogan · 20/09/2011 17:34

Cheers digi u too hun, no way will I sleep tonight, haven't had my 2pm-5pm nap today just to ensure I'm tired.
I'll try to check in to see how urs went but were flying down to London at 9.30 and my appt is not till 2pm so will just have to try to get on here when I can.
All the best Hun xxx?

Original poster
freelancegirl · 20/09/2011 17:56

Aggh! Scans! I wish we didn't have to have them. Or there could only be positive outcomes :) Actually I would say that there WILL only be positive outcomes from you pregnant ladies, being that you have got so far and the treatment IS working. Yes Digi I imagine you will be one of those patients that know a hell of a lot more about your situation than any mid wife you see! I always find that veyr frustrating, it would be nice to see doctors who know all about it. I guess that is why it is reassuring seeing Mr S. But then the non-reassuring bit comes when you realise other people all have their own conflicting opinions!

Oh I wish I felt more enthusiastic about babies and becoming a parent. But like you said, it will probably kick in when I start TTC again.

I am having some weird spotting that is definitely not yet what could be properly called a period, but at least whatever it is is happening on schedule which I am at least relieved about.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 21/09/2011 09:44

Saw gp this morning, first hcg test done.
Then phoned epu to arrange an early scan - they said had to wait till 8.5. This is nonsense as I have had ones at 6 weeks in the past. It was very distressing, I will phone them later and hopefully explain myself without the tears this time! It's odd that the place that's supposed to support you makes you feel worse Sad
Freelance, 4 weeks to the day of my erpc I had a splash of blood - nothing more - then a normal period another 4 weeks after.

digitalgirl · 21/09/2011 10:47

Phew - scan went well again. Baby back on track at 10+3, and hb flickering away. Bloody hell.

iggi good luck with the repeat hcg. Re epu I always get dh to make those phone calls as I'm such a wobbling mess when it comes to fighting my corner.

Iggi999 · 21/09/2011 11:27

Congrats Digi, that's great news. You are really far along now Smile
Just WHY is it a case of fighting our corner though, why doesn't the epu work WITH us?

Arianrhod · 21/09/2011 12:13

Wooohooo digi, so pleased your scan was a good one!

Well I took your advice and emailed Louise yesterday. She was really helpful, phoned me this morning to say that all bar one of my results are back already - but that one, the Doctor's Lab have messed up and need to take more blood to do the test. However, as it's their mistake they're coming to my house (in Woking!) to take the blood tomorrow morning, and Louise says the results will definitely be back in time for my appt on Wed.

Iggi I always, but always feel like I have to fight my EPU to get anything, and it's draining - of all the things you want right now, you want reassurance and help, not having to feel like you have to fight to get anything you need. It's rubbish :(

free I seem to get spotting a day before my actual AF starts, could it be that? I've actually been really surprised by my cycle this month, which is really only my first 'proper' cycle since my ERPC. I OVd 18 days after ERPC and AF CD30, but this cycle I OVd unexpectedly on CD14 and AF arrived today on CD28, which is exactly the cycle I used to have before my MCs started - but not since. I haven't had a CD14/CD28 cycle since this time last year, when I first got pregnant. I'm wondering whether it's the acupuncture that's sorted out my body quickly? I guess I'll never know. But I hope whatever it is for you, it's a good sign that your body is sorting itself out too.

And free - I honestly have no real enthusiasm for babies at the moment either and in fact have been questioning myself why I feel so remote and detached from the whole process. I definitely want to know my results from Mr S, as I want to know if there's a reason my babies have died, but I'm just not enthusiastic about going through the whole shebang all over again. Maybe it is the instinctive inbuilt defence mechanism for us both? shrug

Waiting now to hear from Stogan .......

Stogan · 21/09/2011 12:15

Yey digi that's fantastic news massive Congrats to u. I'm here in Epsom now trying to eat something before my 2pm appointment!!!! ??

georgiepie · 21/09/2011 14:58

Digi congratulations on another v positive scan. Smile I hope to have good new tomorrow at my 9 week one. I keep promising myself if it is good news I will relax but I bet I dont!

xxx

georgiepie · 21/09/2011 14:59

Iggi would your GP refer you for a scan?

Stogan · 21/09/2011 15:36

Woooooooo hooooooooo !!!!!! A very busy little 15 +4 baby all well and kicking like mad. Mr s was delighted, has signed me off and gave me a massive hug and said he wants pics emailed as soon as baby is born. That's my journey over hopefully but I'm going nowhere ladies can't wait to hear a million more success stories xxxxx

Massive good luck hugs for tomorrow georgie xxxxx?

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