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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:
Original poster
freelancegirl · 25/09/2011 20:28

Oh Digi that is not what you need! It is completely understandable that you are terrified but we all know that this can happen to anyone and it can all be fine. A fellow MN friend had a lot of dark brown gunk for the first 7 weeks more or less every day and a scan showed everything was fine. They said it was probably left over from implantation bleeding.

And yes everything can be a lot more sensitive when pregnant and we know sex can lead to a bit of spotting. There is every reason for you still to be positive. Remember you are on the treatment and (with only very rare exceptions like me) that does really seem to really help everyone go on to be successful. You are not cramping which is good and it is just a small blob at the moment. And headaches can be anything - you are bound to be stressed with everything that is going on.

I realise it just makes the mentalling a lot worse though and I really wish I could say something or do something to make it better :( Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, but in the meantime here to hold your hand.

Iggi how much thyroxine are you on? I personally work a lot better when my TSH is lower than that, around the 1 mark is good, and I would want a tiny bit of an increase in thyroxine I think. Have you upped your dose since being pregnant? The advice is to increase it slightly. I didn't increase mine ths time as my TSH was already low to start.

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 25/09/2011 20:30

Oh digi, I wish I had the answer for you - and I wish I knew that it was good news! Our rational heads must tell us loads and LOADS of women get some old blood - even red blood - and go on to be absolutely fine. But there is no point telling you not to worry. At least, you have your scan booked so are not too far away from answers. I do believe you will be fine, by the way. X

digitalgirl · 25/09/2011 20:32

Thanks free - I have a 4 hour audio session to get through tomorrow before the scan. Hoping to be suitably distracted. But fuuuuuuuuck, why now when I was just beginning to relax?!!!!!!!!!!!

Iggi999 · 25/09/2011 20:32

Freelance I am on 200mg, I haven't had it increased this time (due another test in 2 weeks) but tbh after I posted earlier I took another 25mg, I think I will take that alternate days till the next blood test (if I get that far).

digitalgirl · 25/09/2011 20:33

And thanks iggi. I hope you're right.

batteryhen · 25/09/2011 20:34

digi and breathe. I feel your pain and terror. HOWEVER....... brown gunk is normal at this stage. The placenta is taking over, and the baby does imbed more at this stage. Brown is fine - just old blood that has been sitting around , and maybe sex just dislodged it. You had a very good scan this last week, hold on to that thought. I know exactly how you feel when you see a bit of blood, but the odds ARE in your favour xx
georgieif you are reading - I know where you are coming from when you want to call it a day xxx good luck in your future xx

I can't see who was asking about acupuncture - but my lady really wants to see me all the way through up until 12 weeks. I didn't see her last time and had a mc so thought it can't hurt can it? She does specialise in fertility too

Well with me - I got a peak on my cbfm today and yesterday, so a trip down the m3 to see dp mid week may be in order - just as we are moving house. Great timing !

Coconutfeet · 25/09/2011 21:12

Oh digital, you poor thing. I can completely understand why you're shitting yourself but the others are right, it's very likely sex-related and the odds are still very much in your favour. I've got everything crossed for you. I hope you make it through the day ok tomorrow and manage to sleep tonight.
Stogan good luck tomorrow too. It sounds like your mws are really understanding. It's great that you can go every week.
Ugh, I've done nothing but eat today and have got the hugest bloated stomach. I sold all my maternity clothes on eBay because I couldn't bear to have them in the wardrobe any. more. I think I may need to get some sooner rather than later at this rate...

Original poster
freelancegirl · 26/09/2011 07:41

Digi good luck today, let us know how it goes. I too am in an edit/voice over session all day in town so am around if you need me. You have my number I think.

Iggi you are actually on more than I am. I am on 125mcg. 200 is quite a high dose. But that's irrelevant as if that is what your body needs, that is what it needs. Is your doc thyroid-friendly - ie does he/she realise that you prefer to keep it below 2 when pregnant? In all honesty being at 2.8 is not going to do any harm but if it is creeping up when pregnant I think it is best to keep it lower.

Stogan did you have a scan today too? Hope it all goes ok! It's a bloody rollercoaster this whole thing isn't it.

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Stogan · 26/09/2011 08:08

Massive good luck to digi today everything crossed for u honey. ?

No free not a scan today I just rang last Friday and said I was worried and my MW said well why don't u come and have a listen to the heartbeat on Monday ???? I was not saying no so hopefully will hear it beating away in a couple o hours. No reason to believe anything could be wrong but am bloody terrified Sad x

batteryhen · 26/09/2011 09:11

digi good luck today xx
stogan - you too - Let us know when you have heard that lovely heart beat x

Arianrhod · 26/09/2011 10:06

Hey all, just catching up after the weekend, and wanted to say Good luck! to digi and stogan for today and Hello! to Coconut, I'm also 43 with a wee one and 3 MCs after her, all this year, waiting to see Mr S for my results on Wed.

digi hopefully by the time you read this you'll already have had your scan and seen everything is ok but I'll echo what the others have said - small amounts of brown 'gunk' is apparently very common in first trimester (and I'm told even after that too), hopefully it was just sex dislodging it. I know it's panicking to see, but fingers crossed all is well and let us know ASAP after your scan please!!

I'm not pg (yet?) but my acupuncturist has actually said she wants to see me right through my next pregnancy, she specialises in fertility matters too, so hoping I get to that stage I'll be seeing her right throughout.

Here's to a happy, healthy and relaxed!!! week for us all, and while I'm sure Georgie has probably left the thread by now, still I'm thinking of you and sending good vibes your way.

Ari x

Iggi999 · 26/09/2011 11:14

Spending the day on tenterhooks as still not got hcg back - may well be lying at the gp's as they said on the phone they hadn't opened the mail yet Sad
Finding it very hard to mind ds and get on with tasks and not just to lie in dark and have a goos cry!

digitalgirl · 26/09/2011 11:43

Oh iggi fingers crossed for you too.

stogan hope mw appt went well.

5 hours to go. Thanks for all your support ladies. Will report back as soon as possible.

And thanks for offer of a meet up free. Am in audio till 3, then have to dash back to the office to hand everything over before heading up to Harley St for 4.40

Stogan · 26/09/2011 12:03

Thanks for all your messages ladies. Our little heartbeat was ticking away happily MW was amazing told me not to buy a Doppler as I was panicking enough and said I could see her every Monday until the baby is born if I like rather than worry which was great !!
Not sure if it's the releif or what but I do feel alot better today, hope it lasts !!!

Can't wait to hear about ur scan digi, not long now hunni xxxGrin

Iggi999 · 26/09/2011 15:00

Got hcg back - levels have slightly more than doubled so looking good. Now a week to wait for a 6 week scan.
Is it silly to feel relieved, even though I've been here many times before? Good hcg does not equal a good scan Sad

digitalgirl · 26/09/2011 17:03

Good news here too! Baby fine, hb171bpm. Measuring spot on. Phew, phew and phew again. Thanks for holding my hands ladies Thanks

Comedyworks · 26/09/2011 17:09

I know that I don't contribute much to the thread but do want you to know I have been thinking about you all today - really great news - I'm really pleased for you

Stogan · 26/09/2011 17:14

Woo hoo digi great news. So how far along are u now?( sorry easier to ask than go back on the thread) xx??

Coconutfeet · 26/09/2011 18:04

Great news digi! I logged straight on when I got home to see how you were as I was thinking about you today. I think we all know that hideous walk from waiting room to scan room when you're not sure if your legs will carry you and you're just dreading what they're going to say. Really really pleased for you!

Stogan, Glad everything was OK. You're probably right not to get a doppler if you think you'd overuse it. Once you're feeling regular movement you'll be able to relax much more rather than having to wait for your Monday appointment (but great that you've got that option.)

Those of you on thyroxine, were you on it before treatment/pregnancy etc or is it something that came up in your tests? I've just started on it (50mcg so a fairly low dose, I think?) as it came up in my tests with Mr S. Does it mean my metabolism will suddenly start going really quick and counteract the effect of the steroids? (Hopeful emoticon).

Iggi999 · 26/09/2011 18:15

That's great Digi, I've been in a shopping centre with no mobile access and getting really stressed as I couldn't read the thread!

Arianrhod · 26/09/2011 20:38

Oh fabulous news all round, so pleased to read it all. You guys are giving the rest of us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not necessarily a train) :)

Original poster
freelancegirl · 26/09/2011 22:07

Gosh that is such a relief! For scans, heartbeats and HCG levels alike. I have been lurking all day and reading regularly but too busy to respond and only just got home from all day editing. My head and eyes are hurting so not hanging around as another day of the same tomorrow. But great news everyone - long may it continue!

OP posts:
Havingkittens · 26/09/2011 22:21

Lovely news all round Smile Hooray!

Digi did you decide whether to have a CVS or not? I guess you'll be having your Nuchal scan next week then?

Got my date for Dr Shehata's follow up "why aren't I pregnant yet?" appointment. Love the fact that you private lot get that after the first month of trying and I get mine after 7 months! Still, you get what you pay for I guess. Will be seeing him on 25 October.

I am flying back on Thursday night for a shoot and also to ensure that my mum doesn't get discharged from hospital only to find that my stepdad and I have killed each other! Will probably come back here again later next week when my mum will hopefully be home and I can look after her and have some proper time with her on my own.

digitalgirl · 27/09/2011 12:51

kittens re CVS, I'm hoping I won't have to make that decision. I have my nuchal and bloods in two weeks - will see what the results are for that. Right now I'm in blindly assuming all will be well mode (again)...although that could all change nearer the time (as you lot well know!). Good to hear your mum should be out by next week - did they manage to operate?

Iggi when's your scan?

stogan I'm about 11 weeks (11+2 according to St Mary's, 11+1 according to Mr S)

Iggi999 · 27/09/2011 13:15

Hi, it's next Monday. I will have ds with me so I'll need to be all stiff upper lip about it.
I realised this morning with a sinking feeling that I've reached that stage where it all gets harder - when you start to love the bean Sad