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.

Thanks digi :)

Ari it's good to hear from you and I am glad you are being pragmatic about it all. Yes it is a set back but I am fully with you in understanding how it is good that there isn't actually anything there now and your body has dealt with it early and efficiently. You never know it might just well have been one of those 'everyday' miscarriages that the whole population is said to sometimes have. I know that's no real compensation. I remember after my mc on the treatment I felt that I had been set back a few months again, but in the scheme of things a couple of months doesn't really make much difference in the whole scheme of life so I hope that can be some comfort too. Even if the months we spend at the moment seem to drag in a haze of mc, ttc and drug taking. :(

Glad Mr S was very supportive. He does really seem to care which is very nice.

I think, when I saw him the other day, that he said the other person he has prescribed Hydroxy to is actually not yet pregnant. I thought she was. He might have given it to another one or two people I am not sure. I was a bit confused though taking it all in so I will have to ask him more about that at a later stage. So I might be trail-blazing this second line of treatment and I am sure he will be watching intently to see how I get on. Shame that time seems to have slowed down to an hour a minute in my pregnancy and I am still only 7.1.

Thanks for updating the list properly Digi and for adding Breezy. Another sad day on the list. That gap in between the first trimester and the second is like snakes and ladders.

Well to be honest free, now that this one has failed the pressure on me to have a sibling for my DD has largely gone out of the window, so pragmatism is all I have right now. If this one had worked, then my DD would have been five and a half when the baby was born, which I figured was just ok, at the maximum end of my acceptable age difference between the two of them. Now that this one has failed, any subsequent pregnancy will result in the age gap being (I feel) too big between them for the baby to be the playmate for my DD that I wanted, so really, in a way some of the self-imposed pressure to meet a visible-only-to-me 'deadline' has been lifted. There is now nothing I can do to get my DD a sibling while she's still young enough, so now the baby will be only about adding to our family, and so some of the time pressure has gone. I still have the biological thing, but in a way, a bit of the intense pressure on myself to 'produce' has gone, which can only be good. I hope that makes sense to you guys, it doesn't mean in any way that I'm any the less determined to have this succeed, but perhaps I can stop beating myself up a bit that I'm failing. Hope that makes sense!

choccy When Mr S said to meet up with you in the New Year, did he actually suggest a date? Or tell you when to contact him? He didn't say to us, and I'm not sure when - presumably after the first natural AF it's ok to try again, I'm a bit confused as to when I should contact him/Cheryl for the next appointment.

Oh, I forgot to mention, duggs I asked Mr S about superovulation and asked if it would be of any use to me. He said no, because I seem to fall pregnant fairly quickly (or at least I have up until now, not wishing to jinx future attempts!), then my ovulation is doing what it should do, and the superovulation plan wouldn't help me. Well, at least I asked :)

It makes perfect sense. I have passed all sorts of self-imposed deadlines and been gutted when they have passed, but then moved the goalposts! Age ones, work ones, social ones, previous mc due date ones.... Goal now is just to have one healthy child and see what happens after that.

But yes, it is good for all of us I think to let go of additional stresses that we are just imposing on ourselves. We are going through so much as it is that any self-beating we rid ourselves of is a good thing! And ok, the playmate idea for you has fallen by the wayside but I am sure there would be other positives such as your DD being mature enough to help out more and also love and look after a sibling at whatever age she is when they arrive.

I would email Louise when you are ready to ask what he said about when you are ok to try again and then worry about the appointment around that. Had you been on 40mg or 25 of Pred? To me (having got to 8 weeks with the mc on treatment) he told me to wait two cycles to give my body a break from the steroids.

I've been on 40mg of pred free, and in truth started the 'weaning' process at the weekend. I know we're supposed to do it 5mg every 4 days but I've gone for the every 2 day approach, so I'm down to 25mg as of tomorrow. I'll wait for one natural AF, then see what Louise says.

I tapered like that too more or less, just a tiny bit faster than they said - probably every 3 days initially and then two. Not sure if I should have done! I did get some weird things like tingling limbs and some aches but it's good to know it's going out of your system.

Ari sorry for your news but you obviously knew what the outcome was going to be and like you said if nothing there then that's something less to have to endure. I thought that about kids ages not being too far apart a couuple of yrs ago when he was 4 and have got past that one now. My son is 6 in jan and he would just be delighted with one whatever age it was and would just take over mummy duties I know (I wouldn't get a look in). Free is right there. My friend has a 21/18 and 6 yr old and she says the gap is nice as he adores his older brothers and they can babysit etc! Also the age gap when your older seems to matter less and you don't even notice it. I do understand though.

Went to hospital for eye probs this morning and had to walk past dreaded EPU. Last time I went about my eyes in jan I was pregnant. Everywhere I go reminds me "oh yeah I was pregnant last time we were here or saw them"

Sorry for the ladies that got BFN's in last couple of days.

cheerful Hope it's just general spotting your end and nothing more.

Need some bfp's to lift our spirits now......

Feel for you ari it is hard going in for these scans, knowing what you know. I'll have that experience tomorow afternoon at EPU, dreading it. I guess it was strange sort of relief not to find any complications and glad to hear Mr S was reassuring and kind. Makes a difference when the professionals are genuinely hopeful for us. I won't see him for about six weeks but I hope he is optimistic for me too.

Understand exactly about the goal posts, keep moving mine so much I have stopped trying to imagine age gaps and just figure DS will end up semi-parenting the next one with me.

Well I felt it was total therapy meeting up last night, it has been hard coming out of hiding but it was such a relief to talk to people who are genuinely interested, so knowledgeable and care. I feel like all my friends seeing me through this horrible process have nothing left to say to me this time, all the platitudes (and budgets for flowers and pick me ups!) were used up after the last one. So it was really good to spend time with people who really understand and actually have a whole lot to say. So thanks everyone and already looking forward to the next one :)

free if it helps I was permanently frozen in my first trimester with DS. Remember styling myself in layers of extra-thick wraparound cardigans so it didn't feel quite such a wrench from my fluffy dressing gown in the morning!

cheerful sorry to hear about the spotting, that's all you need right now. Hoping the acupuncture can nip it in the bud and give you a bit of a chillout zone. Try to imagine you're in cocoon house for half an hour, butler of your choice x

Ari really sorry to hear about your scan and i completely understand your being relieved at not having your body take weeks to sort its self out. Let's hope your acupuncturist works their magic and gets things back to normal again soon. Sending you a big hug.

Cheerful i hope your acupuncturist has managed to sort out your spotting.

Cherry and Sue sorry about your BFN.

It is blinking freezing today so no wonder you are feeling cold free. I have just whacked my heating up to 25 degrees as I am so cold and have my hot wheat cushion and a blanket over me on the sofa!!

It was really great to meet all you ladies last night and I'll definitely be up for doing it again in January. Duggs thanks so much for organising. Kittens when i was at work I used to slip out for the odd cigarette and was one of those dreaded social smokers when I went out with people from work, nicking cigarettes right, left and centre. OH didn't know and he hates smoking, so I used to have to rush into the bathroom, brush my teeth and spray perfume on me as soon as I got home so he wouldn't notice the smell!! Also Kittens hope your appointment with Mr S went well.

Have moved myself down to the WTTC as will probably give December a miss. OH and I are going on our first holiday together in nearly 4 years at the beginning of January and I don't want to be far, far away in the very early weeks or be spotting on a beach in my bikini!

waves to all!

Wednesday 7th December
BFP
2nd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 26+4 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 21+2 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 ? 18+2 next scan 14/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 15+4 due 26/5/12 next scan 12/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 15+0 anomaly scan Jan
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid -13+6 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 7+1 Scan 13/12
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 BFP 2nd pred cycle LMP19/10. 7+0 Scan 7/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 6+6 Scan 8/12.

TTC
Waiting to test
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
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle2
Suemays - V High NKC TTC#2. OV 23 Nov, testing on 7th December, pred cycle no. 3

WTTC
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC = TTC in New Year
PQ77 - High NKC TTC #2 again from January (BFP cycle one but mc)
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1 from January

Really sorry to hear ur news ari but as u have already said it must also be a huge relief to know your body has "dealt with it" so to speak.

Big hugs sweety xxx

So sorry Ari. I know what you mean by relief, but it is all so unfair.
I don't know if this is a good or bad thing to say, but the next sibling to me was 6 and a half when I was born, and we were very close growing up. (And another sibling who's 15 years older than me wasn't close when I was a child, but is now we're adults!). I don't believe in a 'perfect' gap. Any child we had would be at the perfect time.

Sigh!! So 5 of us got a BFP in November and 3 didn't get through 1st trimester. Umm. . . I wonder if dr s will try something different with u 3 in the new year? Let's hope that is your mc on pred behind you and you'll all sail through the next pregnancy. It just seems quite a lot of us - but it doesn't seem to put dr s off - it seems to make him even more determined. Is it a numbers game and we just have to keep going as long as our minds, bodies and bank accounts can last or until we are successful? Someone said last night we need to think of time before dr s as irrelevant. Starting again with the pred post diagnosis is what counts and it might not be perfect first time. Difficult to do, but there is logic in that approach. Dedicating 2012 to "the cause". Objective to have none of us 22 ladies on here this time in 2012. ( we can be somewhere else thread wise but preferably baby related). x

Just popping in quickly to say how sorry I am Ari to see your news. I know you were expecting it but it's still absolutely shite. :(

I confess to not having actually read through all today's posts, I've just gathered what Ari's news was. I've had a long and very tough day today tbh and am utterly drained. Not long been home and just need to switch off now. Will catch up properly soon.

/tired wave to everyone

Hello Ari, so sorry to hear your suspicions were confirmed. Totally understand what you mean about your deadlines and the pressure being off. I do wish you every success in the New Year though.

Sorry to hear you've had a tough day today Choccy. I bet you just wanted to tell everyone at work to bugger off and leave you alone.

My appointment was, well, potentially expensive. He has recommended various fertility tests. Most of the blood tests can be done on NHS but there's the HYFOSY scan which, if I can't get on the NHS or if it takes ages to get an appointment will cost me £450 with him. This is to make sure there is no scarring/ashermans/blocked tubes due to infection post last m/c etc. Then sperm analysis etc. Annoyingly I showed him my results from the day 21 test I had back in August, to which my GP and his colleague at St Helier both said looked fine and had showed that I'd ovulated and he said the opposite. Wish I'd known that sooner rather than wasting the last 4 months. Although it could've just been an anovulatory cycle I suppose. He did say it was a good sign that I was getting OV pains and +ve OPKs though. So, I will need to wait until next cycle to do these blood tests and just hope I am back from France in time for the first set which should be Day 1-3, then I need to do the "Day 21" tests twice in case I have a longer cycle (as they can be between 24-28 days), so once at Day 18-20 and again Day 21-23.... and hope I can get all these done before I need to go back to France. I'm assuming it's important to do all these tests in the same cycle. Then, if the problem is that I am not ovulating he will put me on the Superovulation programme. I dread to think what the plan will be if there's a problem with scarring or blocked tubes though. An expensive operation and time out of the game?

Hey kittens maybe a silly q - but why can't you go on the super ov programme anyway. If you r not ovulating then it will make u ovulate and if u r it will be stronger and he will tell u exactly when?? What r all the other tests you talk about? Why would u need those when you've already been pregnant ? Sorry to ask so many questions. X

Ari sorry to hear that you were right and that there was nothing left at the scan. That's far better than seeing a dead foetus and wondering whether to go for the D&C or wait it out though. Like you say, at least it means you can move on quicker and start to TTC again. People that haven't been through this don't understand that it's the thought of getting pregnant again and hoping the next time will be the jackpot that keeps us going.

My DH doesn't understand my need to keep the sibling gap small either. My DD is 3.5 now and I wanted less than a 5 year gap (ideally 3 years). Every month that goes by makes me feel more desperate about it! We had a big argument last night when we should have been BDing as he told me we will never get pregnant with how uptight I am about TTC. He says he is really miserable and feels like it is taking over his life as that's all I talk about. He also doesnt want to hear about it anymore and won't keep trying for much longer - talk abotu put the pressure on even more. Does anyone else's DH/partners feel like this? Its hard to get them in the 'romantic' mood when they know there is an ulterior motive.

Kittens how long have you been TTC for?

Breezy a holiday will be lovely and a good break from the whole process.

Free I was only hot in my last trimester, not in the first one.

Cheerful has the spotting stopped now?

Snoopy I know what you mean about reminders as my local EPU is next to the gym I go to so I am always reminded of it.

Quick question for the ladies in their 2nd trimester (Stogan, Digi, Comedy, Coconut, Iggi) - how many of you have been using acupuncture on this pregnancy? I am considering it to regulate my cycle again but its the cost factor again. I would rather pay for the superovulation I think - Duggs I will be asking you about this on Saturday!

Just popping in to give hugs to Ari x sad for you but glad at least you don't have to go through an Erpc x

Sorry not to post more am knackered too so hope to catch up properly soon x

The other tests are to check whether my fertility has declined for various reasons. Considering how easily I have become pregnant in the past it is remarkable, and I guess reason enough to do some investigations. The blood test I had today (AMH) was to test my ovarian reserve. I thought I'd been tested for this already but apparently the NHS don't do AMH tests so perhaps it was a different test I had for my ovarian reserve. Who knows? The rest is to make sure there has been no damage caused from all the ERPCs I've had. I've had 5 (I think, maybe 6, I actually can't remember!) plus the 2 terminations.

Mr S asked me about my periods, which I told him were very light and short most of the time. I went to the GP concerned about this a few months ago, which was when he did the day 21 tests. I was concerned this could mean one of two things, one was Asherman's and the other was peri-menopause (my mum and grandmother both had theirs at my age). When I mentioned my concern about Asherman's Mr S nodded and said "Exactly, that's why I'd like you to have the HyCoSy scan." He said that if I wasn't ovulating that wasn't necessarily a problem and gave me the info about Superovulation. But I guess if my tubes are blocked or I have scarring or adhesions (or, for that matter, there are sperm issues) then it doesn't matter how many eggs he can get me to produce.

When I went to see his colleague a few weeks ago she told me that if someone in their 30s said they'd been trying the amount of time I had they wouldn't think much of it but someone my age, they tend to investigate so that if there are any problems they can sort them out asap, so I guess that might be why some people just automatically get put on the Superovulation programme and some get more investigations first.

I am still continuing to try naturally and keep taking the steroids and hope that I get pregnant before having to fork out for all of the above! I have a nasty feeling I will come on whilst in France and won't get to the phlebotomist in time for day 3 so will have to wait yet another cycle. If that happens, I will be on my 4th round of pred and by the time I get any results I will be about ready for my 2 month break again. Oh joy....

Kittens since going on the preds my periods have become really light, short and irregular too. My last period lasted for about a day with hardly any bleeding. I am convinced its down to the preds so are you sure this is not the case with you? Before this they would last around 4 days with 2 days of heavy bleeding and were regular. I also became pregnant quickly in the past (last one was July this year) so I cant believe it would have declined that fast in a few months.

We did have this conversation before, didn't we sue? It may well be the preds. I didn't ask him actually and he didn't suggest that as a reason. Unfortunately, you know when you get to sit down in front of him all the questions you thought you had vanish from your mind. They only pop back once you've left! Grrr. Annoying when I was seeing him on NHS, more so at £200 an appointment . I think it was the combination of that and the fact that I've not fallen pregnant in 7 cycles of pred vs 1-2 months 6 times until the end of last year.

I did ask him about the flying (free and others who were asking about that) and he said it shouldn't be a problem at all, especially as the flights are only an hour and a half long. He said traveling on the tube was probably more stressful!

Choccy bit worried about you, don't burn out will you. Sounds like you're working really flat out. Hope you managed to have some chill out time with Mr Choccy tonight and not up maniacally ironing on a pred surge or anything! Look after yourself girl x

kittens wow sounds comprehensive, good that he has a plan of action ready for you. So he'll make a referral for the scan on the NHS and then just wait and see how soon it comes in? I guess then you've got to weigh up whether it's worth the wait or the small fortune? He seems to be offering very specific tests tailored to you which is great, do you mind me asking do you think that's because you went private for this appointment? (I have been worried that at my next NHS appointment, I will just be sent away for another bash with the same again and deciding whether it's worth paying to get closer investigations such as anatomy scans). Are you due on while in France or just worried about AF arriving early? Imagine you've booked your flights already so just have to hope your cycle is well-behaved this month, fingers crossed and, 'Hey Pred, no messing!'

duggs snoopy comedy sue and others, at the risk of becoming a serial support group attender I'm going to try to join the Farnham crowd on Saturday. I have contact details for two of you so will keep you posted, don't think it's that far from me, just requires me making a bid for the car.

breezy holiday sounds lovely, where are you going? I have the possibility of a Caribbean trip in Jan and hope it comes off, just need to escape this bone-freezing cold, not to mention the 'cloud' that has just descended over this Christmas.

sue my message got so waffly I pm'd you in the end!

Heaven knows why I am still up tapping away.... normal people are asleep.

ari sorry about the scan, but that is good you don't have to worry about the messy bit. That is definitely one less stress for you.

kittens It must be a relief seeing Dr S and getting his opinion. Can you find a local clinic in France where you can just pop in and get the blood tests done? It might be worth finding out if you can just do that, then you don't have to stress about getting back to the UK in time. Here, things are very easy and I can just walk into a clinic, get the test then results emailed to me in a couple of hours without even seeing a doc. All for about £40 too. Maybe it is similar in France?

It is very frustrating how different docs have different interpretations of results. I can see how on the NHS they will interpret them to result in the cheapest possible treatment or no treatment, but very very frustrating, especially when you feel time is not on your side. I think Duggs had a similar thing with the PCOS diagnosis too. I did too, but my doc over here said it was very bad, while Dr S said it was very mild. I now always ask to see a copy of the results before my appointment and try and do some research (yes I know Google is dangerous, but...) beforehand so I can see if I need to question what the doc's interpretation is. If you can anticipate what they might suggest in advance you can work out what your questions will be.

These holidays sound lovely. A bit of winter sun always lifts the spirits.

Free I am also feeling cold rather than hot. My feet in particular are always cold which is not good in pregnancy, but then they always are anyway.

My spotting seemed to stop quite quickly. It was bright red, but no cramping. I had an acupuncture appointment scheduled anyway and she did some moxa and some points to calm the uterus and stop the bleeding. To be honest I think it had pretty much stopped before the session anyway. I do have a sore throat and a bit of a cold starting and she said she could feel that my body was fighting something in my lung area. I am slightly paranoid this cold & sore throat has something to do with NK cells especially as I am sure I remember getting a sore throat last time too. She's also suggested I take a homeopathic remedy called sepia. I am reluctant to as I am really cautious about taking any medication whatsoever. It's supposed to be one for pregnancy though. I will see.

Digi - no scan for me today. I have cancelled and going to attempt to get to 12 weeks without one.

Morning ladies, off work today but work g for DH so will be longer than a normal day lol.

Sue in answer to your question no I haven't had any acupuncture in fact all I have done is go on Mr S plan and that is it just let everything else happen and so far so good. I am going to physic as my carpal tunnel has got so bad at nights and my heartburn is terrible but other than that my ankles have gone down and the itchin has gone and I have more energy than ever so long may it continue for my last few weeks at work !!

Morning to everyone else xxx

Glad to have you join scooter! kittens I agree with sue I find it difficult to believe that a natural fertility decline could be that quick and severe. Surely it is a steady decline over a number of years? Does sound like it could be expensive but I suppose it is a forward moving direction towards some answers. At least dr s knows history and seems to be able to handle fertility as well as rmc. Does anyone know if you end up with IVF if he does it or has some person he works alongside? I am thinking of 2012 and what the hell I will be throwing at this if I can't get pregnant next year ( or keep mc as I will do CGH to get that damn chromosonally normal embryo in there ).
Morning BTW have woken up in a weird mood. De ja vu of last yr. A difficult time if year creeping up on us. Kind of wish DH and i were headed to a Thai island to escape the festivities. . .