TTC/ pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 3

[freelancegirl]

For those who are TTC/pregnant undergoing immunotherapy treatment. Current list as it stands, do feel free to come and join us, it's moving quickly round here!:

Tuesday 22nd November

TTC
Waiting to test
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, will be Ist try with Pred, Intralipids on bfp Testing from 21/11
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 after 2 month break/testing 29 Nov -2 Dec depending on my resolve.
Waiting to ovulate
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - ov 3 Dec (Pred and Intralipids at BFP)
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle1
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/ ov 25th-26th Nov/ 4th cycle of pred
pureequeen - High NKC TTC #2 again from November (BFP cycle one but mc)
eurochick - TTC#1 awaiting first appointment (in Nov)/ov expected 28-30 Nov.
BFPSeeker

BFP
2nd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 24+3 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 -19+1 Due 16/04/12 anomaly scan 23/11
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks ? 16+1 next scan 14/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 13+3 due 26/5/12 next scan 12/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 12+6 anomaly scan Jan

1st Trimester
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid - 11+4 next scan 28/11
Scooterchaser - V High NKC - BFP cycle1 - 8+1 Due 01/07/12. Scan 25/11
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. LMP18/10 - 4+6 - Scan 3/12
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 BFP 2nd pred cycle LMP19/10. 4+5 Scan 7/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 4+5 Scan 6/12.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1 BFP 4th Pred cycle LMP20/10 4+4. Scan 3/12.

brownie - you're 2nd trimester now, right?

Well ari... as far as I understand it.. super ovulation is the term used for ladies who already ovulate on their own. You just take a estrogen blocking drug (Clomiod or Letrozole/Femera) from CD 2 to 6. This mean your body produces more estroogen in follicular (first phase) of cycle. I had done one cycle and no side affects at all for me. Was a breeze - maybe one headache but that could have been anything. COST - £24 for 14 tablets- so enough for 2 mths here.

The intention is you produce more than one dominant follicle. You then see Dr S for mid ovulation scan - either CD10, 11 or 12. He will check how many and size of follicles. Ideal between 18 and 22mm I have read but Dr S didn't say. He just said 27mm is a little big - too mature.... COST - £200 or £180 or whatever Dr S scan costs are - 1st one more and then it goes down subsequently)

He will then - depending on your results - give you a trigger injection (you can take yourself as you get from boots on his perscription) - £40 for injection.

You will ovulate between 24 - 36 hrs later so lots of SWI. (shagging with intent)

Then 2ww.

I like that he looks around the uterus and the ovaries - is only reason I have had PCOS diagnosed.

Can't believe St Mary's. Well I can acutally.. breezy. They missed by PCOS 2 weeks before Dr S. They have also diagnosed a possible "septum uterus" and I am booked in for a hysteroscopy and treatment of it in Jan. Dr S said he couldn't see a Septum uterus. It was a bit like a benny hill show.
He said, she said.. you said.

So my approach now is - 2nd round of super ov. (Dr S doubled by letrozole form 2.5mg to 5mg for next month due to PCOS) if not pg next month then I will have Jan off and go skiing and have husteroscopy op.
Prob need to revoer in Feb so off too.

Then I will start again on super ov in march. Hopefully my blood sugar will be more balanced and metformin will help my chromosonally abnormal eggs. DH and I resigned to fact this will cost us about £200 per month until I get PG again.. but dr S says it really shouldn't take that long for us lot who have had pregnancies before.

Hope that not too long post.. I know a few were asking about super ov - sue and kittens I think.

oh and breezy - I am seeing Dr Rai too.... have to admit, not been bowled over so far. He hated that I asked politely why PCOS wasn't picked up 2 weeks before .. (I was more of asking it is comes and goes rather than criticising) and he pretty much walked out of the room with a huge sigh and left me with the nurse.

I also don't think the septum uterus thing is anything- even Lesley Regan in her book says they are an unlikely cause.. why would an embryo implant there when there is who yummy uterus bedding to chose from. Would be interested to hear your experience via PM if you don't mind as I am booked in for late Jan.
x

Ari I can empathise with the frustrating about people not testing when they say they would. I?ve had exactly the same. Also with thyroid tests often the labs refuse to do what the docs ask if the TSH is in their normal range. Very frustrating. I too have worried about that fussy uterus theory, being that I seem to get pregnant very easily. Sorry you are still spotting and cramping, hope you get some answers soon.

Duggs is right, I have definitely also heard very good things about the super ovulation programme. I am going to copy and paste that run down of it you gave and send it to my friend who is also now seeing Mr S.

CHoccy I forgot we were both going to be there tomorrow! I think I will have gone by the time you get there though and it is perhaps not the best time for us to meet! I have my fingers crossed for both of us. I guess the one thing I do know is that mine is in the right place and there this time but my strong worry is that little flicker will have gone

Hopeful we can all empathise with that Fear! It is really daunting to start again. Breaks between trying can actually be quite nice. It?s like teetering on the precipice ? watching everyone else jump off the cliff whilst you know soon it?s going to be your turn.

Sorry you are feeling low Sue, that is indeed crap AF arriving on 9DPO. Others may have some wise words on it. And it must be awful being around so many pregnant people who would have shared a similar due date. It?s always so weird comparing isn?t it, knowing your life would have had the same dramatic changes as theirs are about to have. Big virtual hugs from all of us.

Same to you Kittens, that is a really sad story about the two friends! It just seems so unfair sometimes.

Breezy, am so shocked about your experience at St Ms too. What do they actually DO? Pretty frustrating to get a chemical but yes I can definitely emphasise with the almost-relief of a BFN. But as we all know, we have to face the fear of pregnancy to be in with a chance. Again, back to waiting on that precipice. Oh, as a London girl are you going to be joining us on Tuesday?? Duggs is collating a list of email addresses and RL names

I had a BFN at 10DPO too Duggs, though. Just saying.

I?ve had a lovely day so far with no hint of getting any work done. A long and leisurely session at the gym, lunch with DH in Greenwich and really better start doing something now.

Scan tomorrow. Gulp. Will be thinking of you too Choccy.

Yup free, I've actually just had exactly that situation with my GP requesting my 6-week thyroid tests, the lab tested only TSH, declared it fine and refused to do anymore. But it was my Free T4 level that particularly flagged as too low, and why I started on the medication in the first place, so my GP is trying again, she's filled in another form requesting (and underlined!) just Free T4 testing. We'll see what the lab does this time! My GP did tell me I may have to have it privately tested ... sheesh ...

Sounds like there's going to be a taking-over of your venue on Tuesday! You should all have tshirts printed, your slogan free of "Fertile But Deadly" ...

choccy and free ... do post your scan results soonest tomorrow, please (obviously when you feel like it, not being pushy here!), I shall be watching for good news :)

duggs thanks a lot for that overview, that does give me something to think about. I shall print out your info, digest it, and go armed with it on Wed. I'm not sure if Mr S will be happy to talk about superovulation when this pregnancy hasn't actually technically even ended yet, but I'll try to make the most of my appt with him :)

Afternoon ladies,

ari keeping my fingers crossed for you...I've had the on/off brown/red spotting and cramping in both mc and my pg with DS, so from my pov it's too early to call. Most of my MCs however [TMI alert] started brown, went a bit black and then turned red.

breezy sorry to hear the tests have turned negative, that is disappointing. But I guess after the sort of experiences we've had - better to happen before AF is even due than to wait till further on. Rather shite all round really. I suggest chocolate. And wine.

scooter so so pleased you've returned to the thread. Would very much like you to join us on Tuesday so we can all give you a big RL hug (unless of course you don't 'do' hugs in which case a manly tap on the shoulder).

I had very low expectations of my St Mary's experience, so I wasn't particularly bothered that they didn't really diagnose anything. For me it was a question of getting into the system so that when pg I could get the TEG tests and the early scans. I was completely upfront about my treatment with Mr S and no-one batted an eyelid. I saw Mr Horner for both my pre-pg consultations and then finally saw Mr Aziz for my graduation consultation.

Am off out tonight for friend's engagement drinks. Have bought a dress to wear which is a bit too clingy for my liking and is probably the dress I'm going to have to wear to all the christmas parties (have three next week). I am not one of those svelte preggos who looks lovely and slim except for the neat, perfectly formed bump. I have put on loads of weight, my arms are fatter, my face is fatter (after losing the moonface it's now just a fatface), I have cankles already. My arse is bloody enormous. I can't exercise, or even just go for a long walk, because of my stupid pelvis. But of course, I am not complaining. I have accepted I am one of those women who blows up like an elephant as soon as that second line appears. May as well eat another mince pie.

Good luck to tomorrow's scanners free and choccy. NB: When I had my early scans with Mr S he always measured me one or two days behind St Mary's, if this happens free do not be alarmed. A good strong hb is what you're after at this stage.

Updating list for today, so free and choccy can amend easily tomorrow with further appointments (positive thinking). Hope I got it right.

Friday 2nd December
TTC
Waiting to test
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle1 test 4 dec
Suemays - V High NKC TTC#2. OV 23 Nov, testing on 7th December, pred cycle no. 3
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2/ ov 25th-26th Nov 4th cycle of pred
batteryhen - High activation NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 Test 10 Dec
eurochick - TTC#1 Awaiting NKC results/period due 12 Dec.
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - Test 12 Dec

Waiting to ovulate
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, #2, ov 10th Dec ish
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1
pureequeen - High NKC TTC #2 again from January (BFP cycle one but mc)
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC TTC in New Year
BFPSeeker -

BFP
2nd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 25+6 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 20+4 Due 16/04/12 MW appt 25/01
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks ? 17+4 next scan 14/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 - 14+6 due 26/5/12 next scan 12/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 14+2 anomaly scan Jan
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid -13+1 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 6+5 Scan 3/12
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 BFP 2nd pred cycle LMP19/10. 6+2 Scan 7/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 6+1 Scan 8/12.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC / TTC #1 BFP 4th Pred cycle LMP20/10 6+0 Scan 3/12

Digital, I love your description of youraelf! When I read it I felt I was looking in a mirror..
Ari I don't know what to say. It is so hard to wait but just keep hanging in there. I hope it turns out to be a false alarm.
And Breezy, nice to meet you but sorry you've had bad news this week.
Today I fell asleep while minding ds - I have less than zero energy. Probably my body is using up all its strength to make the spots that are covering my chin. Still nothing back about the tests from the 12 week scan, said I'd know withing two weeks and it's been 16 days. And midwife who said she'd chase it up and call me yesterday still hasn't. Pah.

Such a great description of your current look Digi I am sure you are not nearly as rotund as you make out. But at least you do look pregnant now! I happen to know that when not pregnant you are a very svelte thing (and that was when like me you were moaning about a bit of post-mc etc weight gain) so I am assuming that you will get back there very quickly again. Have a mince pie for me. Actually you don't need one for me, I am eating plenty enough for myself. Haven't had a mince pie yet though, mmm. I did notice today in the gym that my tummy just looks flabby and a bit thicker. It's rather annoying to have been in that annoyingly chubby early stage of pregnancy for 9 bloody months of this whole year!

I've can relate to that fight with the labs about thyroid tests Ari. How can the labs have more power than the doctors?! I just don't understand it.

Breezy shall we add you to the list...? Digi is a great list keeper. Duggs is our stats girl. I am press and PR :) We all have a role here.

Hi ladies..

Just whizzed through all the latest posts quickly as on a quick break at work.

duggs can you also add me to the list for Tues please, not sure what time I can get there yet but hopefully about 7pm

free and choccy I also have a follow up appt at NLC tomorrow at 930.. I wonder if I'll bump into one of you??

Big waves to everyone.. Sorry for short post but have to get back to work!

Cherry I will probably see you as mine is 9.50! Come over and give me a quick hug and say hello won't you? Do you know what I look like? I will leave the proper catching up till tuesday but it will be weird if we walk past each other when there at the same time as I would be smiling at everyone I see in the waiting room. I must be the one directly after you. DH and I will be there in the waiting room, probably with a small camera on a tripod, so can't be missed.

Yes, of course! Good plan catching up on Tuesday properly..you'll be keen to get in for your scan.
Don't what you look like but I'll most probably spot you if you have a camera with you! I'm gonna have DD baby cherry with me I think so you'll spot me easily too!

Long dark hair, dusky complexion (Asian dad, English mum), probably wearing furry leopard print coat. DH - tall, pure bred Yorkshireman (sans whippet) :)

digi I ROFL at your description of yourself and I love your attitude! That's exactly what happened to me when I was pg with DD, despite my healthy eating. Mince pies, mmm, now there's an idea!

iggi's comments about spots made me wonder - does Pred cause spots too? I have them in abundance on my chin mostly (nice) and had the same with the other 3 pgs this year. I wondered this time if they were Pred-enhanced, does anyone know if this is yet another charming side-effect of the Pred?

Tubby tummy is allowed with early preg free, and I'm sure you just look blooming :) Oh the things we put ourselves through!

Ari, Pred can cause spots, yes. As can pregnancy. I used to have reasonably good skin before I started TTC. It has been ravaged by the hormonal rollercoaster and I can only be thankful that I have the professional skills to disguise the carnage.

Duggs have just sent you a pm re my septum experience. Sorry for delay but had to clean flat then my parents have arrived for the weekend!

Ari , re the spots, i have lots at the moment and definitely blaming the pred for them!!

Free & choccy best of luck for tomorrow's scans. All fingers and toes crossed for you both.

Yes please, add me to the list and i'll update as soon as AF turns up!

I'm off for a cheeky glass of vino now!! Have a good night all!

Thanks breezy.. crikey.. can't wait for Jan then.
Have PM all 11 of us for Tuesday. (let me know if you haven't got it)

Seeker meant to say earlier, in deepest Devon- we are here for you and doesn't matter where you are for 99% of the time.. we are on the screen....and someone else sue I think mentioned a more northern meet up who knows perhaps we will all meet one day in RL with our babies ? The pioneering ladies that we are.

Added you to spead sheet breezy

docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtEN_z1FdjUMdHd6c0xCd2JRd3hXVmtTZXROYVE1OGc#gid=0

Hi all

Sorry for lack of personals, but

• spots- check
• flabby arse and hips and bloaty Mr Greedy belly following cumulative effect of 4 Pred cycles plus pg dosage - check
• no gym for months due to rollercoaster, tiredness, chem pg, emotional wreck -ness, and (currently) pg paranoia/tiredness in evenings - check

Whoever it was with a bfn on 10dpo, I didn't get a BFP until 14dpo...

And if it's a chem you should be ok to crack straight back on with ttc tho I'd suggest you use ov sticks if you don't already as you can't be sure when you'd ov.

Well I'm looking forward to an evening of trying to relax and blank out the Fear. What would help would be a large quantity of red wine. Pah. Or in-pah, if it's all ok in there, I don't mind not drinking as its more than worth the sacrifice. In fact it's no sacrifice is it?

I'd love to see a hb but will genuinely be happy just to know its still potentially viable and in the right place. Gotta prepare for the worst though haven't you. All I can say is that I've thrown everything at this one, couldn't and wouldn't have done anything differently, but if it's failed at this stage it needn't necessarily be the NKCs anyway. Nothing we do removes the chance of a mc for any of the "normal" reasons. And as we know a good scan is only good for that day/moment and doesn't guarantee anything at this early stage.

Sorry, trying to gee myself up a bit and make myself feel a little less panicky. Difficult as we all know from bitter experience.

I'll post result as soon as I feel able... I know all you guys have everything crossed for free and me, which is such a huge boost I can't tell you

I have finally started my work for the day so just a quickie to say yes I have spots too!! I never get spots. I didn't even get teenage bloody spots. Humph.

Good luck Choccy. Sending you a virtual bucket of wine (oh how red wine is normally such as large part of my lifestyle...) as the virtual stuff is ok to neck in large quantities. In the meantime DH has been dispatched to the shops to get me some RL lemonade.

Hi scooter know what you mean about mc in RL - it's a very lonely place.
Had baby foisted into my arms today with the words "hope it works out for you soon, baby girls are so lovely" ( said baby girl same age as one of the female fetus' I had lost). Wtf? Hope you can stay clear of well meaning people like that.

Happy wineoclock drinkers and hope all the pg ladies have their feet up and are enjoying their lemonade.

duggs could you please pm me the details when you get a moment - I don't think I got your earlier msg.

Everything crossed for free and choccy tomorrow. I'm in the Harley st clinic on Monday (just more blood test results) if anyone else is around.

Ps will change my nickname to PQ if I can figure out how as am not making many purees these days and those who read my name "pure queen" must think I am a bit of a weirdo...

New nickname ...

Hi, had written a mammoth post but it was so negative and frankly miserable that I just emailed it to myself instead and filed it away as my own little bash at therapy, I don't think it really would've helped anyone here, it's all a little too familiar. After some chocolate and my absolute total quota of tears for the day I am feeling slightly brighter anyway.

PQ WTF indeed, sometimes I am just so gobsmacked by what people will say. Like it's the easiest thing in the world and surely can't we all just get on with it. Wouldn't it be nice to be that ignorant! I have people suggest to me... positive thinking, embracing the idea, committing to it... d'oh yes of course that's all you need to do to get a baby.

digi I'm a hugger by preference to a manly tap (although I'd like to see that in action) and I fully expect that we will all need one at some point in the evening, thinking of tracking down a furry coat to get the best out of it. Btw we will probably all take one look at you and think you are just radiant :)

duggs I haven't seen a PM yet but is it all on email and should I be PMing you my email address? Realise I am bit of a latecomer to the idea but I explained to DH just now about it and he's quite supportive of me joining you. Perhaps he just wants a bit of a break.

Thinking of free and choccy tomorrow, remember only too clearly how agonising the wait is, have completely everything crossed for you.

ari really hope your scare is over now and it's all just good ligamenty making-room type cramps.

On a completely different note I was wondering if anyone could recommend a hair salon/stylist in London/Epsom/Surrey area as I am having to spend Monday night out with DH in London in the land of the living. First proper evening out after the last two months spent holed up at home as a bloated raggamuffin secret pregnant, need a bit of tlc and confidence boosting. I've only dyed my hair once and its got out of control so I really need to go somewhere I can just put myself in someones hands and trust what they recommend and that they'll be gentle with me.

Nice to see u back scooter so pleased ur going to the meet with all our lovely ladies, wish I was coming x

Met up with my friend today for lunch who is due next week, she is so calm and looks radiant and I'm sat there crippled with heartburn, feeling sick as a dog !!! How come some people cruise through pregnancy and others, like us, have nothing but problems ??? Hardly seems fair but my baba has been kicking hell outta me all night tonight so as long as I no it's ok I can stand the discomfort !! Quite nice actually !!

Good luck to all with scans / appointments / testing this weekend xxx

hey stogan, it is good to hear from you 2nd tri ladies.. is our beacon of hope.
Tuesday RL meet ladies, did you get my group PM message ok ? do PM me if not, I haven't forgotten you, I think you just need the full nick name which I may not have done properly first time.

Hello Scooter, nice to see you. Trying to think of some virtual way to attend the meet!

My spots (for those similarly troubled) apppeared as I weaned off the steroids. So preg not pred I think.
Have spoiled a perfectly nice evening with dh by having another shot on the doppler - zippo. Convincing myself it is the machine/position of baby/amount of fat on my tummy causing the problem, not something actually wrong. Due to book a scan for this week anyway.