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.

Grrrr. Also wrote a post hours ago that I forgot to 'post' so have lost my message.

battery Its still early days, I'm pretty sure my lines were faint till at least a week after AF was due. Did you get your HCG number and will you be able to do a repeat test tomorrow to compare?

comedy hooray hooray for good scan and sign off! You so deserve to have your happy ending!!! [frgin]

scooter oh dear, I'm so sorry your family aren't being as supportive as they should. Recurrent miscarriage is really one of life's loneliest bereavements. You never ever get used to it . I feel so sad for you that no-one other than your dad acknowledged your email about cancelling your birthday, it really doesn't take much effort to reply 'I understand and I am sorry'. I think what's important is that you do everything you can to protect and care for yourself over the next few weeks. If that means letting people down once in a while, then so be it. You have a very good excuse.

choccy sounds like things are getting back to normal for you,which is one less thing to worry about - but good that you don't have the pressure this month to do anything about it (although that kind of has the opposite effect on me, if someone says don't do something it makes me want to do it!)

PQ great idea - I will bring along my stash and divvy it up fair and square.
As for your academic question, I read on MN about reserach on implantation shags (ie sex around the time of implantation). Apparently it helps boost your chances of a bfp - something to do with the body recognising that your partner is still around and therefore more likely to help raise the baby.

ari interesting that activation is down but count is up. Perhaps the count is up because you were miscarrying - ie in a 'normal' miscarriage it's the nk cells that attack the pregnancy.

Think my mum has slunk off somewhere to lick her wounds as she's ignoring all calls, texts and FB messages. Even if she realised that she's cut off her nose to spite her face she can't unschedule these extra shifts she's signed up for now. So have accepted that she's probably happier working than she is spending christmas with us (although feeling a bit like the rejected child) and am now looking forward to a cosily intimate christmas with dh, ds, dsis and her dp. It'll be great.

charlie that is the number I used for absolute count as it was the one mr S pointed out to me, but I am the most novice of all of us at this so I am not sure that it is the best NK cell indicator!

Egads, I'm home now and just checked what my original NK cell count was. Absolute count was originally 322.3 - and it's now 471? What on earth does that mean, why have they gone up so much?! And because I have so many more of them now, does that mean there's more attacking going on, even though overall they're less aggressive? Questions questions, all for Mr S on the 4th Jan!

So updating stats list:

Name/absolute count/activation
Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred
eurochick 412 and 0.92
Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
Buster 272 and 4.11

argh, missed a couple off. Try again!

Name/absolute count/activation
Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred
eurochick 412 and 0.92
Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
Buster 272 and 4.11
scooter 200 and 2.7
Cheerful 473 and 2.11

It is interesting to see what people's levels are at.

free Just read backwards through the posting .. don't feel sorry for the intralipid reminder, it's not down to you :) Truthfully I for one am really pleased you're doing so very well, it's not so much a reminder of where I should be as an indicator of where I can be, will be, in due course. And the St Mary's scan sounds excellent, so now you don't have to mental about being one day behind :) I do know what you mean about the double-edged sword but honestly, for me, seeing that some ladies even having MCd on Mr S's plan then went on (are going on) to have a successful pregnancy actually means a lot to me, it really does give me hope that it can happen for me too. Hope that makes sense. I really and truly want to hear about all the successes and step-by-step slow progress through pregnancy of all the ladies on here, it is so very encouraging.

Just wondered actually, how many others have had a repeat NK test after being on pred? PQ you did, right, but has anyone else? If so, what effect did the steroids have on your levels? Just out of interest!

Interesting that there is no correlation between the count and activation numbers. Does that mean one of them is meaningless I wonder?

Comedy fantastic news you have been signed off and that you might have a pink one! How did your DD take the news?

Free another good scan so brilliant news too!

It is interesting to see the levels everyone is - I wonder if Dr S has a similar list of us all? He probably sits in his fake moustache and rain mac compiling them!

Cheerful Dr S told me that anything under 200 was normal for the amount of NK cells and anything over 1.8 was in the v high category for the absolute count. I think they are both important but have no idea why! I seem to remember it is the activation one that is more important though - the treatment plan is slightly different between high and very high.

Am on iPhone on train - I know my count was totally normal but my activation ( how aggressive and active the cells were ) was 1.79 boarder high/v high. But because my count was within the normal range I am only on the high programme 25mg pred and no intrallipids. Can't recall the normal
count number but will dig it out. Loving the new stat focus think I need to work on the spreadsheet and get that going again.
Interesting points - count v acrivation
Also unfussy womb people.

Will post later after my stat work.

Btw free must have missed u at st m was there for 2nd APA blood test first thing. Probably means nothing and outcome to take asprin which I'm doing anyway but not much hassle for me- may as well finish up with them.
On way home to get dh to inject me in the belly with my trigger shot of ovitrelle to get those eggs out and hatched then some
Shagggin' action before Grays anatomy box set. (only on season 1)

Good news scanning ladies

Duggs I am joining you in the superovulation programme so fingers crossed we will both be up the duff soon! I am starting in Jan. Louise said it can take up to 6 months to fall pregnant on the plan!

Hello! Gosh you lot are chatty today! Hooray for good scans again, boo for insensitive families and friends. xxx

Just quickly - my hcg was 58 yesterday at what would have been 4+2 so not huge, but the lady said it is within range, and should be over 100 tomorrow when I test. We will see. I am not overly stressed about it - what will be will be, worrying won't change the outcome. I will let you know tomorrow xx

Comedy ? Great news about being officially signed off and handed back to the NHS! I really hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful.

So sorry your family are being so unsupportive, Scooter. Mc is such a lonely time, you?d really hope those closest to you could offer a place where you can be honest about how you?re feeling.

Sounds like you?re stuck in the middle of your parents as well Digi. It must be really hard juggling obligations when your parents are divorced.

Battery - I really hope you get some definite news soon. It's so difficult having to wait.

Well, I had my anomaly scan today. And thankfully all seems OK. I don't think I realised but I was actually getting very anxious about it. Baby was very active and is a boy! I'm really glad that someone (Stogan, I think?) made me remember to check the cleft palate as well.

Well, something has definitely suppressed my immune system as I've had a hideous cold that I haven't been able to shift for about 3 weeks now. I've now got really bad earache. I haven't had that since I was a child and I'd forgotten how horrible it is. Bath and very early night for me tonight, I think and maybe a celebratory glass of sherry.

Updated list:

Name/absolute count/activation
Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred
eurochick 412 and 0.92
Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
Buster 272 and 4.11
scooter 200 and 2.7
Cheerful 473 and 2.11
Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32

Yay, more good news!

Hooray for comedy and coconut great scan news (excited about one blue, one probably pink one!)

stogan did you find out what you're having?

Also massive hooray comedy for getting signed off, must feel like a massive vote of confidence so hope your confidence levels are rising too and maybe even some enjoyment of pregnancy can creep in now... perhaps?

And a bonus scan for free with happy measurements. Fantastic!

battery you sound amazingly grounded and calm about things, sorry you didn't have more conclusive results today but 'in range' sounds as hopeful as one reading on it's own can be. Fingers x for tomorrow's level.

Thanks for all the supportive messages about the family dramas, feel bad for them because they do try to get it right and last week were in fact brilliant with me. Its just they've moved on and I haven't. Thing is they haven't really met with anything like this before and I think mostly (as a youngest child) I am throwing my toys out of the pram because I am so angry that none of them have prepared me for all this. They made me think life was great and you grow up and have your children easy-peasy and life ticks on happily.... it's been a rude awakening is all I can say.

digi thinking of you and your mum and hope she has a change of heart soon, even if your Christmas can't be exactly how you pictured now. Will there be any time between shifts you can see her?

Ari levels are confusing aren't they. Agree with digi that your count was probably raised while it wasn't going well... I rang the midwives when I was bleeding saying please can I have my NK levels taken just to see what's going on and the one I spoke to said it would be pointless because my count would definitely be up if I were miscarrying. Not terribly helpful at the time, but there we are.

Completely irrelevant but just thought I'd share that DS asked for "cheese and pickle and frankincense" in his sandwiches today. CONFUSED at Christmas in this house!

Battery - we cross posted before. "In range" sounds good at this early stage. I really hope tomorrow's results are going the right way. You sound very calm and collected, too.

Yay for more good scan news, very exciting. Knowing the sex must make it all so real.

free I can only repeat what Ari said. You'll know it's hard going through dates when xyz was due to happen, it's just a mc recovery stage. It's the flip side of the comfort of scans every other week in the first trimester that you get with the Pred regime, that post mc we get to Oh I'd have had intralipids this week. Absolutely nothing for you to feel awkward about.

The fact you're still going strong is what I concentrate on more, and that gives me hope that it'll work for me too. It's like dh keeps reminding me - it may be 5 mc in all (and the grief and emotion attached to 5) but its only (ha! Only! How battle hardened we are) one on the Pred.

Battery you sound very calm about the hcg. As you say what will be will be and there's nothing you can do about it except get tomorow's number and react accordingly. Fingers crossed.

Digi hope you get hold of your mum soon, and straighten it all out. Really feel for you.

Name/absolute count/activation
Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred
eurochick 412 and 0.92
Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
Buster 272 and 4.11
scooter 200 and 2.7
Cheerful 473 and 2.11
Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32
ChoccyPud 247.1 and 2.11

Duggs do your stat thang!

RIGHT.. have been looking at stats and apart from the fact I have no idea what they mean apart from understanding the words count and activation..I was trying to find a pattern.

What I've done is listed us in order of count and then order of activation level and given us a position in our little cocoon group.

I've then given us a collective position number. Not sure the point of that but at least it makes it easier to identify ladies who are similar to us and more importantly those successful PG ladies.

Updated list:

Name/absolute count :
1Cheerful 473 and 2.11
2Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred
3eurochick 412 and 0.92
4Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
5Buster 272 and 4.11
6Duggs 165 and 1.79
7scooter 200 and 2.7
8ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
9Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32

Name/activation :
1Buster 272 and 4.11
2Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32
3scooter 200 and 2.7
4ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
5Cheerful 473 and 2.11
6Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
7Duggs 165 and 1.79
8eurochick 412 and 0.92
9Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred

Now pop yourself in position and once all have done (who want to) I will work out collective order.

Lovely x

free think i cross posted with you - hooray for another good scan. You do realise though that (holidays permitting) you can choose when to have your scans at both st m and with mr s. Obv you can only have them in weds at st m but if you want to have it every week or every three weeks that's up to you. They advise every two, but said if you're worried they'll do weekly. But v pleased to hear all is well at 8+ weeks. Just another week to get through now.

coconut congrats on team blue! Will you be picking a name before you meet him? And wonderful that all measured well today!!

duggs I had total nk cell count of 226.7 and activation of 1.25 - this was tested two weeks after an erpc at 8 weeks.

Was rather depressing flicking through all my medical papers that we filed. All that pain condensed into results printouts and doctors letters.

OK anyone know anything about a "soft cup" or "moon cup" helping you conceive? Feel like I'm 13 yrs old with no idea what is going on? Just read it on a website. . Thought cocoon house folk may have an idea or opinion?

I think kittens is your mooncup girl Duggs. She mentioned it the other day. I had to google it too as had never heard of it. I'm a gravity/legs in the air kinda girl myself. Much to dh's entertainment...

Morning all. Hope everyone has a good day today :)

Yeah sounds a bit Fiddly... Legs up it is then anymore nk cells stats to add ladies?

I've read about this moon cup too - but don't see how it can help? Isn't the sperm still on the wrong side of the cervix??? Might be worth a try but I think gravity is a much better option:)

I wanted to ask you all - should I be worried about AF not arriving 7 days after stopping pred? Is this standard or am I unusual? I don't think my body knows whats going on with all these drugs- not used to it!

I thought a moon cup was for AF? I would think perhaps you DTD and then use the moon cup to, erm, hold the spermies in place? Dunno, will of course defer to anyone else who knows what they're talking about, since I'm only working on theory!

Morning everyone, how we all doing today? battery you're getting your hCG level tested again today, yes? Fingers crossed for a nice fat doubling!

coley I think the pred can mess up AF arriving, OV arriving, from what I've read it can make AF come earlier, OV come earlier, AF come later, OV come later, AF be shorter/lighter or heavier/longer. It's a bugger, and it can mess up your cycles - that's about all I can make of it!

As for successful DTD ... only thing I've found works for me seems to be pre-seed, and I don't know if even that's a coincidence, it might be! But in 3 cycles of using it, 2 of them I got pg. shrug Could well be coincidence.

Lovely any successful conception tips more than welcome !!

Yes I have heard of people using a mooncup to keep the blighters from falling out Duggs and Ari :) Eww. The thought makes me a bit nauseous [grateful for any pregancy symptoms emoticon]. I was also of the lying down for at least 20 minutes afterwards. I did what Digi said (I think) and followed the Sperm Meets Egg Plan. It's got me pregnant twice first time.

Not sure about AF and Pred Coley but I have heard some people say it has messed up their cycles. Also waiting for a cycle is always bound to mess it up anyway isn't it! Sod's law.

Coconut, huge congratulations on the scan and on Team Blue! Gosh this is so exciting this week on here. People are actually properly pregnant and seeing babies and finding out what flavour they are. It?s really inspiring for the rest of us further down the journey.

Digi, you are a bit of a life saver having trodden this path before me and being able to fill me in on all the info. Yes the thing with Christmas does stuff it up a bit. At the moment my next scan dates are Fri 23rd with Mr S and then (if it was still alive on the 23rd of course) Jan 4th with St Mary?s. But I imagine Mr S will also want to see me the same week as St Mary?s. It does seem a bit of a waste but I think that would be my last St Mary?s appointment anyway. Maybe if it was all ok I should schedule a scan for NLC?s second week back rather than first. I don?t know. It?s just around the corner of course but there still seems such a huge mountain to climb to get there. I will see what happens on the 23rd Dec and then, if the baby is alive, face facts that I have to start scheduling in some appointments.

I am having a similar dilemma with the doctor actually. I know if I go to see my GP she will need to schedule me in for a hospital appointment as theoretically the nuchal would only be weeks away from now if I lasted. The dilemma is 1) I don?t want to go back to the hospital I was at before but don?t know which else to go for and 2) I don?t want to schedule anything as something might go wrong. Actually PQ, I need to ask you about hospitals being that you are a local girl too. If I am brave enough to tell my GP where should I go?

Digi sorry about your family Christmas situation. Parents are immature sometimes aren?t they! Christmas can be such a logistical nightmare trying to keep everyone happy.

Choccy your DH is right. It is ?only? one mc on the Pred and there is every hope that it is going to work ok next time. I keep trying to tell myself that my mc on the Pred might have been ?just one of those things?. Hard though it is of course.

Lurking for news of Battery?s HCG too.

Loving the Frankincense sandwiches Scooter! Hmm, could just eat a cheese and pickle sandwich

Will add my half-stats to the levels list. Digi could you be a super star and update the other list? It?s good to have it close to hand so we can see at a glance when everyone?s next scans etc are! I might have a go at it but if I get it wrong will you come along and rescue it??