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.

This is copied and ammended from Kittens version on Tuesday so hope it's ok. Feel free to copy and edit xx

Thursday 15th Dec

BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 27+2 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12

2nd Trimester
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 22+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 ? 19.0 next scan ?
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 16+4 due 26/5/12 next scan ?
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 15+6 anomaly scan Jan
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid - 14+4 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 8.2 Scan 23/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 8.0 Scan 12 weeks
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle?. 4+4

TTC
Waiting to test
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2/ ov 25th-26th Nov 4th cycle of pred
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - Test 12 Dec
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, #2, testing 17th Dec
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1, testing 26/12

Waiting to ovulate
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle2
Suemays - V High NKC TTC#2.
buster76 - V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
eurochick - High NKC, superovuation cycle 1, pred cycle 1

WTTC
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC TTC in New Year
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 again from January (BFP cycle one but mc)
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - (chem pg cycle 2 of pred (only found afterwards), mc @c.5 wks cycle 4 of Pred, confirmed @6wk scan) TTC#1, review w/Dr S 14 Jan.
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1 from January

I have a feeling some of the dates will be out as I just moved them forward a couple of days, so do change them to update yours.

NK Cell Count 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
2 Freelance 3.79 (no other figure at this time)
3Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32
4scooter 200 and 2.7
5ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
6Cheerful 473 and 2.11
7Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
8Duggs 165 and 1.79
9eurochick 412 and 0.92
10Arianhod 322 and 1.83 / 471 and 0.83 with 40mg pred

If I remember correctly Cherry is also 3.79, the same as me.

Taking my post-pred figures out, cos it's confusing the issue. I assume now I've stopped taking the pred my activation count will go right back to where it was :(

NK Cell Count List

Name/absolute count :
1Cheerful 473 and 2.11
2eurochick 412 and 0.92
3Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
4Arianhod 322 and 1.83
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
2 Freelance 3.79 (no other figure at this time)
3Coconutfeet 130 and 3.32
4scooter 200 and 2.7
5ColeyOz 132 and 2.40
6Cheerful 473 and 2.11
7Suemays 334.3 and 1.9
8Arianhod 322 and 1.83
9Duggs 165 and 1.79
10eurochick 412 and 0.92

Hello lovely ladies. I did another POAS today and is was definitely darker, and I have had my bloods done too. I won't get the results till this afternoon so keeping my fingers crossed too. I hope this one is just a slow burner but we will see. Had some lovely new born cuddles this morning from a colleagues little girl who is just scrummy :) Will post more later but am at work now x

I decided to try the mooncup before I'd actually read of others using this method. It was a bit of an experiment for me and I can't say whether it was a coincidence or not but apart from this ridiculous year that I've not managed to get pregnant, it's worked for me pretty much every time. I also do the laying with my legs in the air, but I figure there is a point where I am going to have to get up and go to the loo, or go about my day if it's been a morning shag. Gravity goes both ways, what goes up must come down! It may still, for some time, be the wrong side of the cervix as coley points out but it is, at least, the right side of your body (ie. inside rather than in your knickers, running down your leg or in the toilet . I don't know how fast these buggers swim but for insurance purposes I am going to assume that preventing any fallout is only going to be a good thing. How many times after SWI have you needed the loo quite badly and had to hold it for an hour because you're too scared to get up and loose your precious, er, delivery? Or coughed and thought "oh shit, there it goes!" Or the rather annoying situation I find myself in more regularly than I'd like - OH in the loo, cat comes charging in busting the bedroom door wide open, lodger coming up the stairs, me lying there thinking "Oh fuck, don't want to get up and close the door in case anything comes out but don't want lodger getting an eyeful of me naked with my legs in the air!" So, there you go. The Mooncup theory according to kittens.

Scooter, sorry to hear about the way your family are handling your situation. I can relate very well to your situation. My last miscarriage was a year ago yesterday. I got lots of sympathy and concern that week and then Christmas came and it was never mentioned again. My mum is a bit of a funny one too. She has been fairly crap with all of my pregnancy losses and it has, sadly, caused rifts between us over the past couple of years. It meant that I didn't visit her in France anywhere near as much as I should've over the last couple of years and now I am bitterly regretting that. The thing is, unless they have been through what we have they really have no idea. I remember when my best friend had a miscarriage and I'd not been through it I didn't give her nearly as much support as I should have. It wasn't until it happened to me that I felt really sad and awful that I'd not been there for her. What I'm trying to say is try not to feel angry with your family. I'm sure they have other positive things to offer you, including distraction and although it may not feel like it just now, love too.

Great news from comedy and coconut on your scans. You lot are our trailblazers!

Had a really awful day yesterday. Mum had been in a lot of pain in her legs and back so they had given her some strong painkillers. In the night she fell out of bed and couldn't move to press the nurse button or get back in bed so ended up sleeping on the floor of her hospital room . So heartbreaking. She had a load of tests and scans and what have you and they have now all come back ok as we were worried she may have had a stroke but luckily now it seems she had a bad reaction to the meds and is doing well enough for them to let her go home today. I may end up staying on in France for a bit after Christmas. I may even end up canceling my scan. I don't know. It's all a bit of a mess right now.

I'm a bit scared by suemays comment about it possibly taking 6 months to get pregnant on the Superovulation plan. By the time I can actually get my tests done and establish whether that's the plan of action it will probably be halfway through another year. That is also assuming that I don't have anything going on in my womb that needs surgical attention, healing time etc before even being able to TTC again.

My MOL/MIL is a retired therapist and keeps telling me I have to think of one thing at a time as it's all too much to take on at once but that's a lot easier said than done. I have an appointment with someone from my GP surgery today to assess me and see what the best course of action is. She mentioned giving me skills and techniques to help me deal with stress and anxiety. I guess that might be helpful but she told me they don't actually offer free counseling on the NHS and has recommended I contact MacMillan, The Miscarriage Association and also mentioned that bereavement counseling is offered for free but I don't want to end up going to 3 different places to untangle my head. We'll see what she has to say this afternoon. I did see a counselor on the NHS after my terminations and did end up talking about all sorts of stuff, not just the pregnancies, so maybe there is a solution somewhere.

Thanks for all the congratulations. It feels weird to have got this far! I think we'll need to start working on names soon Digi as it was a nightmare deciding last time.

As for the softcups - I've tried them! (Sorry Freelance!) Basically, you pop one in after dtd and they're supposed to push the sperm up towards the cervix. I've no idea whether they work, as I always get pregnant quickly, but you'll find some people on the Fertility Friend talk boards swear by them. In fact I've got a couple (brand new, individually wrapped) if anyone wants to give them a try. I can either post them out or bring them to the meet up. I've got a few pregnancy tests too, which I can also post or bring.

Freelance - Homerton (Hackney) is probably a bit too far for you isn't it? I had ds there and found them really good. The aftercare was grim, but I think that's the case anywhere. I'm going to switch from my local hospital to Homerton again soon.

Also lurking for news from Battery... Fingers crossed for you.

battery, glad to hear your line is getting darker. Incidentally, my granny is a believer than cuddling babies is a very good thing to do in early pregnancies as she thinks it makes your body release nurturing hormones that give your pregnancy a better chance.

Oh, I forgot to say, I have absolutely no idea what my NK Cell levels are. I only know that the first tests showed they were 1.45 but no clue about the activation and that they have gone up since my re-test after my 2 month break off pred.

I can't remember who was asking about loosing the pred weight. During my 2 month break I lost about 5lbs and I was eating as normal and not really exercising much at that time so I can only assume it was pred weight that fell off quite quickly.

Yes I think Hackney is a bit too far from me but that's good to know Coconut anyway. It feels weird having to think about these things. One thing I might consider is instead of assigning myself to a hospital now before Christmas I might just take my chances and have a private nuchal if I still need one in January instead. If I last that long of course. That way I don't have to make any hospital decisions or cancel anything if it goes wrong. In the real world it is only three weeks until I would need a nuchal (earliest could be done) and obviously in terms of hospital waiting times that is quite soon, however in our world we know that three weeks is something of a gulf yet to successfully cross. Anything could happen.

Kittens that sounds like the most horrendous night for your poor mum. What a nightmare. It's hard to believe how much you have going on, yes you really do need to try to take everything a step at a time and hold on to those things that are your anchors.

Talking of weight gain, Moonface has definitely made a re-appearance. Exactly the same amount of time it took for me to be on the Pred last time - 8 weeks gestation. I went out with some 'miscarriage friends' (ie the group I met here) last night and they definitely agreed my face was different again. When I wake up in the morning I look like I have been punched. Most attractive. I actually turned down a TV appearance yesterday. I feel crap about it as those sort of things are good to do but I didn't feel I could a) speak as coherently as I liked and b) manage to look half decent!

I have a mooncup but have never tried it for that purpose. I will have to give it a go.

I was also a bit dismayed by sue's comment about it taking 6 months. That's ages! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I know (particularly from being on this thread) that seeing that second line appear isn't the end of the story, but I have never seen a positive pregnancy test, ever, and I am getting a bit impatient now!

battery that's good news.

Euro I think he says up to six months, as far as I am aware.

Do you all remember I mentioned my friend who had had a mc after IVF? Well I sent her along to Mr S and she has been diagnosed as having high NK cells! She is my oldest friend (might be lurking - hello!) (I mean we are the same age more or less but been best friends since the age of 7) and I just KNEW this might be her issue - history of allergies etc etc. Well, Mr S reckons this has been what has been her issue all along and that she doesn't need IVF but needs super ov. So she is going to be doing that too. Anyway, I think from what she said he said the same thing - try for 6 months. It doesn't mean it won't happen before that! It's just TTC in general can take quite a bit of time anyway. Of course it only takes one sperm and one egg though...

Next time someone updates the numbers could you please add me? Impossible on iPhone. ChoccyPud 247.1 and 2.11

Ta muchly

Lmao at the swi visuals being described this morning. perked up my day nicely!

Looking like good news battery hope the numbers are good too this afternoon.

It is scary looking any distance ahead isn't it? I'm just avoiding doing so as no target dates. It's quite refreshing actually after months of ov/start Pred/ poas am I aren't I pg?/ af/ high Pred/ etc etc.

Now if only work would calm down a bit. Xmas party tomorrow... [going to drive so I stay sober and controlled to avoid possible emotional breakdown emoticon]

Euro sorry I might have misled you, around 80% conceive in the first 6 months on the superovulation plan. I dont know how many of those achieve it in 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 months! For all we know most of them might be in the 1st month.

Oh kittens you do have a lot going on. I appreciate your concerns re timing as you are not 23 - well none of us are- but the frustrating thing is when people say "oh don't be stressed it isn't good when ttc". Feek off I always think - as if feeling stressed is an active lifestyle choice.

Umm re timings on super ov. I think 6 mths is time you stay on it before they move u onto something stronger. IUI or IVF. I guess in your situation u would be hitting unexplained secondary infertility as youve gotten pregnant with same partner before - a number of times. They also want to rule out all the traditional barriers and causes - which slows things down. Bit of a vicious circle as time won't stand still for any man or woman in this case.

I guess the fact on the super ov plan - they give u drugs to force more than one egg each mth - increases your conception chances each month - then it has to be a more positive step than going "blind". I wouldn't worry so much about the 6 mth time frame. Think is max from what I understand.

If you could get your mits on letrozole/Femera and have an in monitored cycle - (no mid ov scan) then you might be helping anyway. Just 5 tablets days 2 to 6 or 3 to 7. Not sure on the protocol and might be a stab in the dark but if I were u I'd just want something to stick and at least give it a go. Not sure how that impacts u with inteapilids but could be a nice dilemma to be in? Just a thought. No idea how possible it is but it can't do any harm I don't think??! X

Oh coconut! I'm off to find a cup now do boots do them? Also bit concerned about fitting it near the cervix - have visions of using some kind of chop stick to get in place - hilarious !!! This faking attempt had better work with 3 damn eggs or else i will be asking for some egg doners as mine will officially be all shite!

At work so can't post properly but just want to say free that I would really really recommend booking in a hospital now as they fill up quickly and you may not get your first, second or even third choice. Yes I know it's horrible to cancel the booking in appointment - I've had to do it a few times - but please get to your GP and get them to send in the booking in request. I would suggest, thinking about where you are, in order: Kings then St Thomas' - both may let you in if your Dr mentions your history (worked for me as I am "out of zone"). Otherwise Lewisham and then your current EPU hospital last. That covers almost all of South London so I hope I haven't disclosed too much personal information about you!

I could start a whole new thread on hosptials and birth choices so will stop there!

Hope to catch up properly tonight.

Opps meant fekking not faking. Oh dear not a good omen.

Oh dear also mean "unmonitored"not "in monitored". Better get off the iPhone as can't type and am behind on topics. Off on a cup hunt.

That's exactly what I was looking for PQ. Ok then, I will book an appt with my GP and start proceedings. It's silly to think about jinxing things, as what will be will be.

I've heard St George's is supposed to be very good free. Not exactly on your doorstep so not sure if it's out of your range but still south.

Duggs, the mooncup is very easy to put in. You can buy them in Boots, they're about £11. They come with a sort of stalk, which you will need to trim otherwise you will get considerable chafing! The diagram on the instructions gives a couple of suggestions on how to fold them to get them in easily. I've found folding one side down and pushing the rim into a point is the easiest to avoid the bloody thing pinging off out of your hand and onto the floor. Anyone who's had a diaphragm with be familiar with that scenario .

You've hit the nail on the head with your comment about stress not being a lifestyle choice. My trainer at the gym kind of freaked me out last time I went. She asked how I was getting on with TTC (as this was one of the motivations I gave for starting to exercise and had to tell her I wan on pred etc.) and I told her I hadn't had any luck yet. She said the same thing about stress so I told her what was going on with my mum and my grandma and she pretty much said I should stop worrying about them and concentrate on myself and trying to relax and get pregnant. Her further comments about the fact that they have had their lives and I still had mine and my potential baby's to focus on now was really not helpful at all. She is really sweet generally but I found that a really bizzare attitude. I have a nasty feeling that if and when I do get pregnant she will be all excited and congratulating me and make a big song and dance about it when I just want to ignore it. I will have to tell her though as it will affect the exercises I should be doing.

List rescuing:

Thursday 15th Dec

BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 27+5 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12

2nd Trimester
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 22+3 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 19+1

Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 16+5 due 26/5/12 next scan ?
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 16+0 anomaly scan Jan
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP on cycle 3 of Clomid - 14+5 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 8.2 Scan 23/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC 1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). LMP17/10(Ov'd 3rd Nov) 8+0 Scan 12 weeks
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle?. 4+4

TTC
Waiting to test
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2/ ov 25th-26th Nov 4th cycle of pred
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2 - Test 12 Dec
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, #2, testing 17th Dec
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1, testing 26/12
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle2

Waiting to ovulate
Suemays - V High NKC TTC#2.
buster76 - V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
eurochick - High NKC, superovuation cycle 1, pred cycle 1

WTTC
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC TTC in New Year
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 again from January (BFP cycle one but mc)
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - (chem pg cycle 2 of pred (only found afterwards), mc @c.5 wks cycle 4 of Pred, confirmed @6wk scan) TTC#1, review w/Dr S 14 Jan.
Arianhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2
Lemonsherbet - awaiting results
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1 from January

Just a quickie ... Louise called, Mr Shehata had discussed my NK cell results with her and wants me to start taking the Hydroxychloroquine like you free, so Louise is sending a prescription out to me today. What side effects did you get on this free, if anything? Apparently I have to be taking it for 6-8 weeks before TTC, so best to start it straight away.

So just as I come off one tablet, I'm on to another .. I shall continue to rattle yet awhile .. :)

Oooh! A second Hydroxy person. I think there was only one other person on it when I started and she was not at that time pregnant. He must be feeling a bit encouraged by my recent scan and starting other people on it. Gulp. Don't want to let anyone down.

I have actually found it a very nice drug to be on. Much nicer than Pred. No real side affects except that it really did help with the increased appetite I had had after the mc and being on then coming off the Pred. I think it actually helped with weight loss. One of its side effects can be decreased appetite :) and for me that just meant things going back to the most normal stage they had been since the first pregnancy of the year. I got back down to 10 stone and my size 10s were fitting me nicely again. All that has changed now of course.

I wasn't taking it that long before TTC, will just consult diary. Damn, I didn't mention when I started it but I think it was only about 4 weeks before TTC. First mention of it in my diary is CD19 on Nov 5th so obviously was already mid-TTC.

But generally I have quite enjoyed it as a drug! As one does...

Thanks for list rescuing Digi!

Found it in another diary - I started the Hydroxy on the 20th October which was CD3 of the cycle I got pregnant and think I ovulated on CD14/15. So technically was only on it a couple of weeks before getting pregnant.

Am quite excited that someone else is trying it.