TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 2

[Arianrhod]

Starting up part 2 of this thread since the old one closed at 1000 posts!

iggi lots of luck for today, hope it's nothing - I know it doesn't help but I know lots of women have spotting and/or bleeding in pregnancy and it still goes ok. Definitely call the EPU, get scanned - it's worth it, honestly, at least you will know one way or another. Virtual hugs coming your way.

free I also started AF properly this morning, so looks like we may be both importuning a friendly witch for a good fertility spell on Hallowe'en? I know exactly what you mean about the scary stuff ... a small part of me was actually sort of relieved when I didn't get a BFP purely because it means I don't have to go through the whole worrying about miscarrying all over again. Bizarre, but there it is.

Right - I love a bit of real like research to comfort me so have spent the last meeting I was in scribbling down notes from my iphone - (looking v busy and important) when I was actually pulling some facts together from our group.

Kind of an overview - thinking out loud-

All the TTC group - there are 10 of us now, just want the BFP as soon as possible so we can get onto the next stage.
There are 3 of us with HIGH NK cells (although I am one of these with boarderline V HIGH but only on the HIGH treatment - that freaks me out a bit) and 6 with V HIGH. It would be good to understand what steriod cycles we are approaching this month as I hear you havingkittens and that does seem quite strange that you haven't been looked at even with chlomid (which is cheaper than Letroloze) expecially given the fact you conceived so quickly prior to the treament - so it might be useful if we have a review of that (for anyone happy to share)? It might help you when talking ot the doctors - esp if it isn't always dr s you seen

So the BFP group - there are 7 of you now, just want to get past the 12 week mark (or the 8 week mark) or whatever your next scan mark is to be able to breathe more easily again.
There are actually 3 of you with V HIGH and 3 with HIGH so makes good odds for all of us.

You lot seemed to get a BFP in 1, 2 or 3 cycles - but I am not sure about coconutfeet, Iggi or comedy - did it take you ladies a bit longer ?
You are the pioneers ladies so it is so good you still take the time to update us TTC lot on what you are facing...I keep hearing Dr S words that most get PG within 3 cycles and only get to 6 before stopping for a break.

I would be a little suprised if people weren't offered some help in TTC after this considering the circumstances we are under, so Having kittens have you just tried naturally to conceive for almost a year or did I mis understand ?
x

Ahh apologies for the typos - I blame my fat fingers on this iPhone

Duggs I tried for 6 months worth of pred cycles. My last M/C was 14 Dec 2010, I got a referral from my GP to Dr S and had my appt on 15 March but was advised not to TTC until my results came back. They came back at the beginning of April so I've been TTC since then. I am in my 2nd cycle now of post 6 month break so will be TTC again in 3-4 weeks depending on when my period decides to turn up this month. My cycles were about 28 days but the last 2 months my period has turned up about 4-5 days earlier than expected, which on one hand is good because it meant that I can potentially start TTC almost 2 weeks earlier than expected but on the other hand it does make my luteal phase somewhat short. Hmmm. They didn't seem too phased by this at the Clinic though. I have been pregnant 6 times before and each time it's happened in 1-3 cycles. The consultant I saw last week said it didn't look like I had fertility problems but from what you said, it seems that Dr S was ready to give you Letrozole regardless, just to get things moving.

I might give them a call tomorrow when I get back from granny-sitting.

Joining in on the Letrozole discussion - I was offered this during my second cycle on pred when I'd turned up for an appointment (private) at CD19 and a scan showed my ovaries to have no activity. I was fed up at this point of cycles of 50+ days and without asking was offered Letrozole plus Ovitrelle as a plan for my next cycle. He said it was preferable to Clomid in my circumstances as it didn't thin the lining and therefore you you weren't limited to a certain number of cycles on it. He also said that multiple pregnancies were less likely on it - which if you're trying to minimise risk is definitely something you want to avoid if possible.
As it turned out I didn't need to go on that treatment - which has saved me a few bob as you need cycle monitoring scans, possibly more than one per cycle.
The main reason Mr S gave for suggesting this plan was to help take the uncertainty out of when to start the steroids. DH and I were SWI-ing almost daily for 2 weeks plus up to ovulation...which as fun as it is, can get a little physically tiring. Thankfully my acupuncturist sent me a herbal concoction that helped me ovulate that cycle and voila! He said that Mr S has sometimes used the same herbal treatment with some of his patients.

kittens if you can afford to I would definitely recommend acupuncture - especially if you think you have a short luteal phase. Daniel at the LAC is great. I also went to the Harley St clinic as it was easier for me.

brownie did you have your scans with Mr S - I can't remember if you're under his care or not. The hb has often just started in the 6th week and can take a while to speed up. But glad that you've been given extra meds to try and combat it. Good luck on Wednesday - we'll all be thinking of you. Are you 8+6 today or 8+6 on Weds? Either way, very nearly at 9 weeks which is Mr S's magic week.

Good luck to comedy for Weds too.

Double figures tomorrow iggi double figures!

On the sibling discussion, I really want a sibling for DS. In fact I would love to have three DC - but I don't think it will make sense financially and I really really don't know if I could put myself (and DH) through this again, emotionally and physically. I do think my need to have a sibling for DS is based more on my emotional desire than a logical decision on what's best for him. I think he would be perfectly happy as an only - he would be well provided for, he doesn't have any cousins his own age but he does have lots of extended family who love him and I make sure he has lots of friends his own age. He plays happily by himself, making up stories and songs. He doesn't have to share his toys, and he gets a lot of cool hand-me-downs from his young uncles (7 and 11yo). But equally I think he'll be very happy with a sibling (eventually). I almost feel sorry for the sibling in that they won't have that same effort put into finding them friends their own age until school, because they'll mainly be dragged around DS's activities and playdates. However they will have a super-cool big brother to look up to, which makes up for it.

DH told me yesterday he was beginning to get excited about the new arrival. I think we've spent so long being cautious and careful to not let ourselves be too happy about it, that it suddenly dawned on him that it was probably ok to look forward to it now. I think it's helped that my family are very excited about it now we've told them. And DS is telling everyone that there is a baby in his mummy's tummy. He is getting rather confused by people asking him whether he wants a brother or sister (seeing as I haven't explained this to him yet). He's told them he's going to have a sister...

Hello all. Is Letrozole a self-administered injection? Just wondering as a friend has just started injecting herself for ovulation - the one who saw Mr S and he didn't diagnose high NKC. What was that herbal concoction Digi? I might mention it to my friend.

Talking of friends, no more news from the one who is pregnant after IVF and measuring small with no foetus at 6 weeks. She has a scan on Thursday so I am keeping my fingers crossed for her. Has had a bit of spotting and cramping since BFP so hope that's not a bad sign.

Digi I am glad you are both starting to let yourself get a bit excited about the new arrival! I can't quite believe it myself, when you think of everything that has happened over the last year or so. I feel like I have followed your journey and I remember you being so miserable (as we are wont to be...) when you just had another miscarriage and were struggling with ovulation etc. It is great to see it panning out well!

I am sure it won't come to this, for those who already have DCs pining for new babies, but hopefully from what we have seen here and in RL of people who are onlys it isn't such a bad thing if that's all you have ever known. I don't blame you Digi for thinking hard about going through all this again for a third. I guess the difference between those of us who don't have children yet and those who do is that we have started having our 'problems' before a successful pregnancy so, like with you and the potential third, the thought of having to go through it all again is rather daunting for all of us!

Duggs am loving your summary of the research. Do you think a pie chart might be too much to ask for? Actually my tongue is only slightly in cheek when I say that, it's great to have it all laid out. Incidentally, are any of the BFP crowd having their first? I can't keep up. Maybe we should say on the list TTC #1 or #2 etc. I also like the fact you're sitting in a work meeting mapping it all out. In fact I love the fact that there are so many clever, intelligent, successful women here. You are all inspirational!

I've had a not very busy day as DH was working from home too and gets grumpy if I am here taking to him, so I went out to the gym and for a long wander around the shops at Canary Wharf. Means I have to work tonight to catch up so I best get on with it. Oh BTW I think I felt a tiny bit of left-ovary twinging when in the gym. Come on ovulation!

To give my perspective on the dc asking for a sibling issue, I would have loved a little bro or sis, quite sure I asked for one regularly (eventually I changed to a puppy). I was the youngest of 5. If any of us have a 2nd dc, they will also ask for a baby - we have to accept we can't make babies for ever!
What I'm after isn't so much a 2nd dc as a happy ending - I want to be able to see pg people and not resent them, I want my last memories of babies to be positive ones. If I'd had my mc before I had ds, there's no way I'd have tried for no.2. The trying is a pain but it's the grief I can't bear, I still hope that another baby would go a long way to soothing that pain.

hello everyone :0

Interesting reading about siblings and how many children to have. Ideally I would have wanted 2 but I would settle for one just now! Twins would be fab.

Does Mr S make you have a break after 6 months on the pred then? I am on my second cycle but have not been back to see him as we have just moved house and financially we are a bit strapped, but I am concerned I should go and see him soon. ......maybe I should wait and see what happens with this cycle??

Talkingof which - I have now OV'd and am knackered. Literally. Should I update the list as me being onthe 2ww or not

Duggs, to complete your piechart I conceived this one on the second cycle. The older I get the quicker it is, strangely (ds was my first pg and took 7 months).

Here you go Battery I've updated the list and put you on there - guessing that's 14 days from when you were ovulating? But change it if you need! I have also added #1 for both of us. Anyone else do update stats and add #1/2/3 whatever too!

TTC
duggs1976 - High borderline V High NKC TTC/ Ov 28 Oct. Pred
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Testing 12th Nov?
Suemays - V High NKC TTC/ov 31st Oct.
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 /ov 1st Nov. Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC/ov 1st Nov
eurochick - awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/cd9/ov 31 Oct-2 Nov
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / cd10/ov 3rd Nov
Cheerfulcharlie V High NKC (intralipids on BFP, no Pred) TTC/ov 5th Nov.
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC/ov 16 Nov ish/will be Ist try with Pred Itralipids
Havingkittens - High NKC TTC again from November

BFP
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP ON 9/7/11 cycle#2 - 21+2 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 16+0 Due 16/04/12 next scan 7/11
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - 12+6 next scan 15/11
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - 9+6 next scan 7/11
Comedy 9+3 due 1/6/12 scan 2/11
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 5+1. Due 01/07/12. Scan 10/11
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Introlerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid. 8+6 scan on 2/11

eeeekkkk! testing 12th November?? I hope I can last that long .

2 dpo and symptom spotting already! feel free to slap me someone.

LOL. testing 5th November...? :) Actually you probably need to test before given that you're on Pred - unless you are one of the ones off Pred...?

Sorry hun it had to be done x

Hi all, list updated with my details. Historically I have conceived on 1st or 2nd month of trying/aiming properly. So am trying to keep calm and optimistic about this month, and def feel ready again. Again. And so far enjoying the swi-ing but then again it's only half way through the week...

TTC
duggs1976 - High borderline V High NKC TTC/ Ov 28 Oct. Pred
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Testing 12th Nov?
Suemays - V High NKC TTC/ov 31st Oct.
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 /ov 1st Nov. Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC/ov 1st Nov
eurochick - awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/cd9/ov 31 Oct-2 Nov
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1/ 4th Pred cycle/ov 3rd Nov
Cheerfulcharlie V High NKC (intralipids on BFP, no Pred) TTC/ov 5th Nov.
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC/ov 16 Nov ish/will be Ist try with Pred Itralipids
Havingkittens - High NKC TTC again from November

BFP
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP ON 9/7/11 cycle#2 - 21+2 Due 10/03/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 16+0 Due 16/04/12 next scan 7/11
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - 12+6 next scan 15/11
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - 9+6 next scan 7/11
Comedy 9+3 due 1/6/12 scan 2/11
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 5+1. Due 01/07/12. Scan 10/11
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Introlerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid. 8+6 scan on 2/11

Hi Digi...I got a bit carried away when I added myself to the list :) I am 8+4 today, will be 8+6 when I have the scan. I think I must be the only one here that isn't with Mr S :(. I was at St Marys but we jumped ship and went to the CRGH at KX at the recommendation of our councellor. They said I had secondary infertility issues and that they would treat me. However they will only see me up to 12 weeks which scares the pap out of me. When I went to my local NHS hospital last week they said that my history was too complicated for them and they had no specialists and that I should consider staying in London!?! We definitely can't afford that so not sure what we will do. Feel a bit let down to be honest. Even with my past they said they would only scan me at 6 and then at 12 wks. So private scans it is.

I was only using the progesterone pessaries twice a day Free but then they added the injections which I have to say suck. My DH has to do inject me in my derrier and makes the clexane needle look diddy if that is possible :). If it means keeping the bean safe and sound then happy to oblige. As are all of us who are on the cocktail of drugs for NK etc. I just keep on reminding myself that I want to know I have tried everything possible in our bid to have a baby. That is all we can do.

What time is your scan Comedy on Wednesday? Mine is at 16:30. I will be keeping everything x for you.

Good evening ladies hope I find u all well.

Been to hear our heartbeat again today but needn't have bothered as am sure I'm gonna give birth to Jackie chan the kicks I've been getting today !!!

Good luck to everyone having scans this week, I'm totally off all medication now so very nervous and scared as feel like I have no back up. 2nd anatomy scan next week may confirm my babs can survive on just me and not pred or intralipids (can't believe it !!! )

Been on drugs for so long I have lost part of my morning routine now lol !! Xxx

Working on the pie chart ladies..

I've got my first apptm at St Mary's tomorrow.. backward - last ERPC 01 Aug and has taken this long to get a slot.

Meanwhile saw Dr S privately. I am not expecting much tomorrow, kind of just going to get into the system and would be stupid to miss the slot. However I know Lesely Regan isnt a fan of immunological theories so I am preparing to take whatever happens (probably not much) with a heap of salt.
This thread and you ladies have given me the strenght and proof that Dr S is the man who I would rather put my trust in.

Here is the list then.. with mine added.
A couple of gaps still...

TTC
duggs1976 - High/V High NKCOv 28 Oct. Pred.TTC #1 Testing 11th Nov?
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Testing 12th Nov?
Suemays - V High NKC TTC/ov 31st Oct.
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 /ov 1st Nov. Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos.
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC/ov 1st Nov
eurochick - awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/cd9/ov 31 Oct-2 Nov
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1/ 4th Pred cycle/ov 3rd Nov
Cheerfulcharlie V High NKC (intralipids on BFP, no Pred) TTC/ov 5th Nov.
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC/ov 16 Nov ish/will be Ist try with Pred Itralipids
Havingkittens - High NKC TTC again from November

BFP
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 21+2 Due 10/03/12 - 2nd cycle Digitalgirl - High NKC -BFP cycle#2 -16+0 Due 16/04/12 next scan 7/11 - 2nd cycle
Coconutfeet- V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - 12+6 next scan 15/11 - ? cycle
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - 9+6 next scan 7/11 - 2nd cycle
Comedy - 9 +3 due 1/16/12 scan 2/11 - / cycle
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 5+1. Due 01/07/12. Scan 10/11 -1st cyle
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Introlerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid. 8+6 scan on 2/11

Evening all. I'm just checking in quickly. It's been a busy weekend with visitors and trips out and this is the first chance I had to have a proper read through.

Scooter - I completely understand why you're freaking out. I don't know if you remember my story but I had an appointment with Mr S booked quite a long way in advance, because he was away and we were away over the summer. Anyway, by the time I got to see him I was already 6 weeks pregnant and completely kicking myself that I'd been so bloody stupid not to wait ( I think it was the fact that my birthday was looming, I was feeling a bit panicky and just felt that time was of the essence). Anyway, because of this, I didn't get any pred until then. Then my blood test results came through and I had v high activation of NKC and I had to have the increased dose but didn't start that until I was more than 7 weeks. I had intralipids the same week. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that, so far it all looks OK for me and Mr S is very confident, so just because you weren't on the higher dose straight away doesn't mean that all is lost. He actually said, "Coconutfeet, I don't think you're going to lose this baby." I don't mean to be all me, me, me but I just wanted to try and reassure you that it can be OK.

Interesting that several of you mention your mums having mcs too. Mine had 3 mcs and a stillbirth and Mr S thinks it could be that she also had the Factor II gene mutation (sticky blood) and I've inherited it from here. Has he identified a link between any of your difficulties and the issues your mums had?

Got to rush off again. Sorry not to name check everyone. But I hope you're all OK and that the SWIers are wearing their warm vests and making hay while the sun shines (or whatever analogy is appropriate)!

Hello. Needy post here as I've woken this morning with the same upset stomach I had all day yesterday - yucky feeling inside, don't really want to eat (tho hungry), some diarhoea, bit of dry retching this morning. Am so convinced this is the start of the end. I'm sure I've had a stomach upset in the past when I've mc. I just can't focus on anything else, and I really need to.

Oh Iggi try to relax hun can u not go to a drop in to see a MW and have the heartbeat listened to just to reassure you? If it's any consolution hunni I had a bout of diahorea at 11 weeks lasted about 48 hours ( which was how I knew I was having my fourth mmc) so thought everything was over but called EPU and had a scan at which they actually dated me 12 weeks, so a week ahead of what I thought and they said it was because I had started eating "real food" ie veg after coming off the pred as all I had been eating was crisps and biscuits and the veg etc had given me the upset stomach and caused baby to have a growth spurt.
Sorry to go on but thought by drawing attention to my own panic and worry it might bring you some comfort and hopefully all is more than fine in your little oven !! Xx

Thank you Stogan, it just all seems too predictable that I'd get to ten weeks and something would go wrong.. Not sure if midwife would listen for hb this early? My eating has indeed been crap, very variable in terms of good food/bad food. Today it will be no food at this rate! I can't leave work today, first day in new job better get my fixed smile on.

Well good luck in the new job today hunni chin up and carry on and hopefully all will be absolutely fine but I'd def call EPU and see if u could go in a lunch break one day maybe? Just to give u peace of mind xx

iggi hang in there and try to think of it as part of the pregnancy, hormones could be responsible for the sickness and imagine the cyclogest could be making normal sickness worse. It could also be a build up of the pred? I haven't suffered too much with the steroid related tummy troubles they predicted so far but expecting it to really hit at some point. Try not to focus on what happened in your previous mcs, I kept freaking out by getting the sinister backache I had just before my 2nd and 3rd but it hasn't persisted like it did before (and no bleeding with it) which is making me less frightened of it and I am starting to think of it as perhaps the more normal part of pregnancy, everything shifting about. Really hope you feel better soon but maybe ring the midwives to try to reassure you. It's really hit you at a bad time with starting your new job etc, are you feeling slightly anxious about it, imagine you have a brand new class? I know that nerves always go to my tummy and can't think about eating. Thinking of you today x

coconut your message was a godsend :) I am so glad to hear you've got so far and that Mr S was so positive. I have been convinced that he would see my results and write this one off. Had intralipids yesterday and saw on all the paperwork it's meant to be done a week ago, it's so expensive I wondered if I was throwing money (we don't have) after nothing but now feel more hopeful, so thank you.

Also went to church on Sunday and that always makes me feel a bit calmer - it's patience I really need now, time is really dragging, not helped by these gloomy dark days.

Fingers crossed for the SWIers and 2 week wait-ers, I had symptoms and implantation cramps from 5dpo so it's not so strange to be symptom spotting already battery, although I didn't get a BFP until 14dpo and a few negatives between.

iggi, are you taking the Omeprazole with the prednisolone now? I can't remember if you are or not but I remembered you were having bad heartburn and bloating so thought I'd ask. Possible side effects of Omeprazole is diarhoea and nausea (charming trade off!). Also, there are a lot of sicky bugs going around at the moment. My OH has just had one. Being pregnant and being on Pred is a doubly whammy for compromising your immune system.

Try to stay positive. I know it's really hard not to compare previous experiences but hopefully this is something unrelated.

Hi Iggi sorry you are feeling rough and now worried about it. The good thing about a stomach upset is that it really could be just that - a stomach upset. If it's not weird, hormonal, something you have never had before...? I second what everyone else has said to see if you can get a scan sometime soon. When is your next one due? So sorry you feel like this on your first day in your new job. Do come and chat for some hand holding if you get a break!

Great news Stogan on the heartbeat and the kicks!

Brownie the injecting in the bum thing doesn't sound much fun, no. If it's any compensation if you were seeing Mr S he only sees you up to 14 weeks (I think) anyway. So after that you're kinda on your own too. Good luck for the scan on Weds and for Comedy too.

Thanks Duggs for updating the list. I must say I find it really comforting to look at it and see other people with similar issues. I know we all have similar issues, that's why we are all here, but it is good to see it written down. Comforting to know there are other people who are still TTC their first. No-one has yet topped my NKC count of 3.79 have they yet? I think I saw someone on the baby centre with higher once and there was one girl on MN who was successfully several months pregnant. She must have had a baby by now I imagine.

That is very comforting Coconut about what Mr S said, especially as you didn't get treated until later than planned. I wonder what made him so sure you weren't going to lose the baby. Amazing stuff though. My mum didn;t have any pregnancy problems although I think it did take her a long time to conceive her first (my older brother) and then she just went on to have me. She didn't have any miscarriages but maybe I should quiz her more closely to see if she was having mysteriously heavy periods that might have been chemicals when she was TTC my brother. She does have arthritis so that is an autoimmune condition. I developed my thyroid problem really early, around the age of 21, and I was the only one in the family with a similar condition until around 4 years ago when my brother's thyroid went over active! So that's in the family somewhere but nowhere we can find at the moment. And of course it's autoimmune too.

Scooter I agreed it is so hard not to relate to your last pregnancies to see if there is a pattern to them going wrong. In both pregnancies this year I had a certain amount of hip ache. No idea what it was. I looked up SPD but it would seem it was way to early for that.

So CD15 for me today and still no idea if I am ovulating. A tiny bit of twinging yesterday but nothing to write home about. I guess I just keep on with the SWI. I guess I COULD always take my temps or pee on an ov stick but am just keeping it casual at the moment. I think I might start the Pred tomorrow though just in case and keep going until the 16th.

Morning Kittens - crossed posts.

I also just had a quick TMI question: how do you know if you have EWCM when you're also having all that unprotected sex...? I feel a bit, er, slippy this morning but no idea whether that's from last night or not! Damn, I guess I should poas to see if I am ovulating today. Might take one out of the cupboard now just to check. It's only that I normally get a lot of ovary twinges. The Fear now is that no real twinges means no eggs

Morning freelance - EWCM is stretchy and "the other" isn't. But I don't know if your EWCM would be diluted after sex and so not be as stretchy. Hmmmm. I haven't had EWCM for so long now I can't really give you any advice based on personal experience. I pretty much rely 100% on OPK sticks.