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.

Great news Brownie! That really is amazing. Am so pleased for you.

Scooter wise words from your counsellor. Sorry time is dragging, especially in what must be a stressed time in terms of number of weeks for you.

I too would have thought they would be way more advanced here than at home. But it turns out it is exactly the opposite. Have spent ALL day trying to track down someone who will convert a prescription for me and finally come across a clinic about an hour away who are really speaking our language. They sound amazing! The trouble is they also want to do Progesterone tests and other things but can do intralipids there and I am probably looking at a bill of around 700USD rather than £350 but am thinking I can get the money together and it might well be worth it.

I was crying with frustration earlier - even the doc beer clinic told me they didn't believe in intralipids and only prescribed Pred to people with antiphos. diagnosis!!! Not want we want to hear when we are putting our faith in this stuff. These guys here sounded like they were more than on the same page as Mr S. Am still reeling from this revelatio - I thought Dr Beer's lot would be all over it.

www.acaciofertility.com/acacio-distinctives.html

My bro says it is a really lovely drive and nice area too. Waiting for them to get back to me after she has spoken to the doc.

Good to hear scooter that there is a back up plan in terms of me being able to wait until 5 weeks if I really have to. But am thinking that if they get back to me regarding the doctor here I might well go for it.

Sue in terms of SWI I did every day from CD11 to CD16, shorter than last time I was then away from DH at my friend's after 16. But I got pregnant very easily on the first time with Pred and that didn't help me.

One thing I am quite worried about is my legs and hips have started to ache already and this happened the last time. Having not had a successful pregnancy to compare to I don't know what's normal. I worry that it is my body going into attack mode already.

Morning ladies, not sure who but I remember some of you have scans today, everything crossed for u and can't wait to read your lovely scan stories tonight.

Have a nice hump day everyone !! Xxx

Morning ladies, only a very quickie as off to NLC in a few mins.

free hope the aching legs/hips have buggered off, and you managed to sort out your intralipids?

And good luck to those with scans today, give us the good news when you can!

Right, so I'm now into MAJOR panic mode because ... I tested again, 12dpo, and the line is exactly as faint as yesterday's. Reason I'm panicking is because out of the three pregnancies I've had this year, this is exactly what happened with the middle one where I lost it very early. Pregnancies 1 and 3, 12 dpo the line was as strong as the control line, no doubts there. Pregnancy 2 in Feb, 12dpo was faint, tested every day for next 4 days and line stayed exactly as faint, 5th day turned negative and 6th day I lost it.

Doesn't the fact that the line hasn't got any stronger indicate that my hCG levels aren't rising, and therefore that implantation either hasn't happened properly or just isn't developing?

I know others have said they had faint lines for quite some time, and still carried on with their pregnancies, but given that my history seems to indicate I get a strong line if it's ok and faint if it's not, doesn't that mean that's the case this time too?

Major panicking going on, and really wondering if I'm about to throw away £350 on intralipids I'm really not going to need. Bugger bugger bugger :( Absolutely no confidence at all in this "pregnancy" :(

Ari! What are you talking about?! It's unlikely your urine was the same strength as yesterday, so stop panicing and enjoy your intralipids :-)

lol Thanks cheerful, I need a dose of slap-in-the-face. But you know ... I thought of that .. my urine was actually more dilute yesterday, I drank more the night before, so it would actually have been stronger this morning ....

Keep slapping please! :)

ari I always try and wait four days between tests. But at the very least two days as it takes two days for hcg to double. At this stage your hcg is still quite low around 50-100. So there's not going to be much difference in line strength. Also if you are actually comparing it to yesterday's test by lining them up then yesterday's test will have got darker over 24 hours as it dries, so it's not a fair comparison.
Now stop panicking over strength of lines at this stage - it's really not scientific enough for you to tell whether your hcg is rising properly. Trust your body to do the right thing (and respond to the treatment accordingly). You've already upped your pred dose so you're doing everything you can.

free good luck with that clinic, nice of your brother to turn it into a sight-seeing trip!

brownie pleased to hear scan went well. Congrats on getting past your previous mc milestones, it eases the worry slightly.

iggi good luck today!

As I predicted I overdid it physically yesterday. We hired some bikes and went on some very short bike rides (20 mins max, no hills). But had also done about an hours worth of walking too. So very very achy and stiff last night with accompanying cramping and twinging. Feel fine this morning but will have to take it easy today. Bum hurts from bike too as I haven't ridden a bike properly since I was 10. DS is having a great time though, which is wonderful. Dh has a trailer on the back of his bike and took him for a longer ride while I was having a massage. Will definitely come back here, as long as it's out of season and I'm not pg.

I've been to centre parcs a few times in my youth Digi, always had fun. Enjoy the massage!

I'll slap Ari when I see her later. I was cheered by a line appearing straight away on this morning's test and it was definitely more obvious than yesterday's. Saying that my back is aching slightly, kinda pre AF style, but I am trying not to panic about it, as I know full well it could be bad but equally could be pg symptom or just tension or from having sat wrongly or whatever.

Off to NLC shortly.

Hello, had the scan, complete ball of nerves but all seemed good.
Never thought I'd get to 12 weeks.

Woohoo iggi, brilliant news!! So pleased for you :)

Great news iggi. What a milestone.

Well it took a while to find a vein but I'm sat with my feet up plugged in to intralipids as I type. Ari's in another room here too - it's all very sociable!

free keep us posted... I hope to hear you've sorted it out very soon. :)

If anyone's online ATM Andy Burnham is about to do a live MN chat about various incl the MN mc campaign...

Hello all.

Digi centre parcs sounds great! Very idyllic. Loving your bike rides and massages.

Iggi it brings a lump to my throat to see you get to 12 weeks and all be well. So very pleased for you. I wonder if after week 12 you go on to a different level of mentalling? Maybe a bit more relaxed? Probably not! Maybe we should split the BFP list into those before and those after 12 weeks or off the treatment after 16 weeks (Duggs....?)

Choccy and Ari how did it go?! Are you still there? Was it weird to meet each other - especially in the odd circumstances.

Regarding faint tests, Ari, I spent a long time reading all about this on POAS yesterday and I have come to the conclusion that they don't really mean much at all. I was going to buy another test when here but really, I am thinking, what is the point? I have had one pregnancy test. If the pregnancy is going to fail I will find out sooner or later. Think how many people actually have a miscarriage and are still testing positive a few weeks after. Really, I don't think it means anything. I was really not happy to just get a faint one again but I am trying not to worry about it too much. Then again, I am scrutinising every wipe after having a wee! But that doesn't mean anything either.

Leaving in a couple of hours to this amazing sounding clinic near Laguna Beach. Am still reeling a bit from the dismissing of Dr Beer's lot of the intralipids/Pred treatment so very pleased to find these people speaking our language. Been texting Louise this morning and she says she has faxed them the prescription so hopefully that is all in order.

Pretty glad we are all getting these in early. I think I will only be 4.0 or 4.1 today - depending when ovulated. Yes there is a chance it is a huge waste of money and we will a) lose it early and b) lose it less early but we really have to give it all we have got, know we have done what we could and then sit back and let nature/hard core drugs take it's course. Phew. Not easy though, I know.

Hey free. Yep all fine, we ended up sitting in reception plugged into our drips and having a lovely chat! Funny to meet face to face and already know quite a lot about each other, be part way through conversations etc. The staff seemed to like the fact we knew each other, they know about this thread... (waves to Louise :) )

There were a few other people coming and going while we were there, and we said how we hope that either they're already on here, just didn't "declare themselves" to us chatting away, or find us soon.

I still don't feel pg, and know what you mean how it could be a hiding to nothing... But I actually feel relatively positive because, you know what, I'm doing all I can to ensure it won't be the NKCs that mess this one up, if it goes wrong it'll more likely be the kind of bad luck that any normal person can have. And you can't legislate for that so feck it. Ask me again in a couple of weeks when I'm looking to the scan on 3rd Dec and it'll probably be panic panic panic but for now, I'm calmer than I thought I could be. :)

Hey free ... glad you got something sorted, what a palaver! I really would have expected Dr Beer's own clinic to have been on board with all of this!

Well, we came, we saw, we got dripped into ... ! As choccy has mentioned, it does seem a little strange to meet someone for the first time but already be in mid-conversation, as it were!

I know what you mean about the tests, free ... I did chat with Louise over my concerns about my faint 12dpo where usually I would have a strong line, and she was very reassuring. And digi, you're right too, I shouldn't really test one day after another. I'll compromise .. AF isn't due until Friday, I'll test again on Saturday. And if it's still a faint line ... well, as you rightly say free, there's bugger all I can do about it anyway, I'll just play the waiting game and see what happens. Patience is not my strong suit ..........

/waves to everyone, hope you're all doing great today?

Just got in from work and have come straight on here to hopefully get good news ... and that's great seems to be pretty much good news all round - brilliant everyone.
So pleased to hear about more successful scans - well done brownie and Iggi - makes me feel a tiny bit better about tomorrow.
really glad you are all getting intralipids no matter where you are in the world!
ari if it helps I'll give you a quick slap too - 12dpo still early and so any line is good - mine have often been faint I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress too much.

Hello, it's all go here today
Scooter I think you need to keep posting whatever advice your counsellor gives you for us all to benefit from!
I had a question - anyone know why Dr S likes to do a scan a 15 weeks? Ie what is he looking for? I'm not going back to London but could pay for one up here - don't want to keep scanning if not necessary as it freaks me out so much every time.

Just posting latest listing -

Wednesday 16th November

TTC
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - ov 30 Oct (Pred and Intralipids at BFP)
eurochick - TTC#1 awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/cd9/ov 1 Nov
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, will be Ist try with Pred, Intralipids on bfp Testing 21st Nov
Havingkittens - High NKC TTC #1 after 2 month break/ov around 18 Nov.
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1
Suemays - V High NKC TTC/ov 30th Oct. TTC#2.
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2/ 3rd cycle of pred
pureequeen - High NKC TTC #2 again from November (BFP cycle one but mc)

BFP
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 23+4 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 -18+2 Due DC#2 16/04/12 anomaly scan 23/11
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks - 15+1 next scan ?
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 12+0 next scan ?
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 11+5 due 1/16/12 scan ?
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid - 10+6 next scan 28/11
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 7+3. Due 01/07/12. Scan 25/11
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 BFP 2nd pred cycle LMP 19th Oct
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. Mc first cycle. LMP 18th Oct.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1 BFP 4th Pred cycle LFP 20th Oct
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (intralipids on BFP, no pred) - BFP cycle? - 3+6

Just about to update spreadsheet, I concur it is indeed hard to write it out but it is a consolation that everyone else on there knows how tough the journey has been and we have each other to lean on.

Free - It must be so stressful trying to organise intralipids and the such over there. Stay strong, am sure they will be very nice at the clinic. Hope too the achy hips and pains are subsiding. I definitely felt like my period was about to come on at the beginning and it freaked me out. Now I just freak out cause I don't feel anything :) Can't win.

Ari - I am a shocker when it comes to testing, I tested 7 days in a row to monitor the line and kept them there for DH to see so I could grill him on whether he thought they were getting darker. It just got me more stressed (and it just confirmed I am a loon to him :)). I used the clearblue digital and tested each week to see it move from 1-2, 2-3 and then 3+. Not sure that is any better mind on the mentalling front. Am keeping everything crossed for you.

Digi - Sounds like you are having fun at Centreparks.

Congrats Iggi so happy for you. Was it your nuchal? Mine is on 28th, seems like an age away. When did you start to wean off the roids by the way? I am the only one on here not at Mr S clinic so want to check I am doing things by the book as all you ladies are doing so well. Have been told to take 20 for 5 days from 11 weeks, then down to 15 for 5 days etc and so on. they don't want me to do another Intralipid. Staying on Clexane until 12 weeks and Progesterone pessaries and injections till 18 weeks. Don't know when to stop double dose of folic though?

How cool is it that Choccy and Ari got to meet today!

Good luck for tomorrow Comedy will be thinking of you.

Waves to everyone else, am still catching up on thread so sorry for missing some of you out x

Great news Brownie and Iggi (and Brownie, sorry I forgot you yesterday. I had a feeling there was another person due a scan)

Iggi - I don't know if he is looking for anything in particular except to check basic measurements (not as thorough as the NHS scan) and make sure everything's OK before he signs you off.

Well, enjoy your day out Free! I hope they treat you like a queen for that price.

How funny that Ari and Choccy were at the clinic on the same day. I've never actually managed to meet another patient when I've been a NLC. And Ari just to add my bit about the tests, I agree with the others' wise words. And also remember that different test have different amounts of dye in them as well which can affect the intensity of the line.

Digi - Glad you're having a good time, despite sore bum. I would LOVE to be at Center Parks at the moment, anywhere but work in fact as it's so full on at the moment and everyone's on the edge. Which one are you at? My mum's always been really keen to go and I must look into it as an option for a birthday treat.

Anyway, must finish cooking dinner.

Hi brownie - I started weaning at ten weeks - coming off from 40 and dropping by 5 every four days. I'm keeping going with progesterone until week 16 - can't remember what was said about the multi vitamins.
I dont know the exact reason fir 15/16 week scan but think perhaps it's a good time for final check, off steroids etc + being interim between the NHS scans at 12 and 20 weeks. Hope that helps!

iggi, great to hear your scan went well today.

I'm on my second day of +ve OPKs and I have very definite ovulation pains today. The kind of pain that is not conducive to comfortable sex, ironically, but I shall be brave and persevere . OH has gone to the pub and had left by the time I got home from work but he is under strict instructions to stay sober and come home early.

I couldn't help but smile at work today. On the shoot i was on, one of the camera guys was getting a ribbing about his healthy "sperm enriching" diet and his fellow camera crew were all telling him "you want to tell her to get some of those 'wee sticks' mate. Persona or something? You've only got a 2 day window you know!" Very funny listening to blokes in groups having these conversations for a change! I didn't get involved in the conversation as it was my first time working with them but I think I'm going to be working with them again so might give him the benefit of my knowledge next time if he's still trying.

I got a text today from Annabella, Mr S's NHS secretary saying my referral/test results letter was sent over to my GP today so I will hopefully get my new prescription tomorrow.

Glad to hear you got your intralipids sorted free. That must be a big relief!

How lovely that ari and choccy got to meet at your intralipids session. It's about time someone's paths crossed in RL after being on the thread. I'm almost surprised it hasn't happened before. I met someone off a big MN thread I was on at work once. That was really strange! It was on the thread for those of us TTC after TOP for chromosome abnormalities so it was a big support thread like this. I knew she was doing a long term freelance booking for an ad agency and I was shooting in their building one day and happened to be working in the office next to her desk!

Hello to everyone else. I've been up for work since 5am so not quite got the energy to remember all the thread news so apologies for limited 'personals'. Will catch up soon.

ps. how many of us have signed up for this online fertility "webinar" tomorrow?

kittens Me! I have....... I wonder if we can ask questions? I would like to know what I can take / eat to thicken my lining. I am sure I am a bit on the thin side. Any suggestions anyone? I think duggs is signed up too.

free how goes it in the states? Glad you got things sorted :)

I am so pleesed with all the scan results, and also that people are meeting in RL!

I have my appointment with Prof Regan in 3 weeks. I don't know whether to mention the roids or not? Also I think if I am not pg by the new year then I will be seeing MR S so hopefully he can give me some super ovulation drugs!

comedy good luck for tomorrow!

coconut We're at Elveden (closest to London). Just come back from a post-fireworks dinner. Would definitely recommend it as a family getaway - kids are really well catered for. And there's the spa and golf for the grown-ups (on top of loads of mental outdoor activities I can't really contemplate right now...).

iggi hooray for another good scan!!! Think the 15 week one is to check all is progressing well. You could book one near you and if there's any concerns contact Mr S immediately. At the end of my appointment he reminded me that if we're thinking of getting pregnant again (!) then to see him for another nk cell test as levels can go up.

I remember looking at dh and saying things like 'couldn't possibly...the stress...the finances...would love to but...' and dh just patted my hand and said 'let's get this one out the way shall we?'

free so pleased you're on your way to that clinic. Let us know what it's like. Am also surprised dr beer's clinic wouldn't help you out. But perhaps they've become extra cautious.

ari and choccy how amazing and weird that you met up at nlc! Glad you're both sorted.

brownie I was on 25mg of pred and started reducing by 5mg at 12 weeks every three days.

kittens did you get your prescription in time?

snoopy you're next up with poas! We'll all be on tenterhooks!!!

Hi digi, glad to hear you're having a good time.

I'm hoping to get my prescription tomorrow which is probably when I will ovulate so fingers crossed it all works out. I may even wait until the day after to take it just in case of delayed ovulation. If it takes 24-48 hrs after a positive OPK then I don't want to take the chance of taking it early and delaying ovulation. I have fretted about this before but I've read more posts on here since about pred delaying OV so want to give myself a decent chance.