TTC/Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 4

[digitalgirl]

A positive thread for all those diagnosed with High or Very High NK Cells and looking to start TTC or already pregnant on Prednisolone and/or Intralipid treatment.

Newcomers very much welcome!

Part 3 here

Part 2 here

Part 1 here

Happy new year everyone!
Lovely news sue! X x

A few questions as I prepare to start the plan.

• do I take the first steroid the morning after the day of a smiley face? Or as soon as I get a smile?

Also, the last few months we've been using condoms whilst on our break. Now that we starting again, and I'm expecting to hatch in the next few days can we forget them as of tonight? Or should I be using condoms right up til the first steroid? Any other hints and tips as I start this journey ladies? Feel so nervous about ttc again, after 5 losses last yr. It's so scary!! May 2012 be our yr ladies x

So frustrating not being on the laptop but, to address lash first: hopeful I never did ovulation sticks properly but this time took it when I thought I had def ovulated, just to give myself a chance to be on it for 14 days without having to go off it before getting a bfp. But plenty of people here have taken it at days sooner or later and been fine too, so it's not an exact science. Also, just chuck away the condoms and go for it :)

Iggi thanks for helping with my symptom checking! It's so good to hear. Sorry you are mentalling too though. It's natural for us all to do so I guess.

Cheerful good to hear sbout your symptoms too, especially as we are at the same stage. Yes I guess there is a lot going on inside at the moment, isn't the placenta starting to hopefully take over too? Your back ache sounds exactly like mine. This evening I am also getting a tightness in my lower belly, a stretching feeling. Half of me feels that if I talk about symptoms i will just look silly when a scan show it's been a mmc and I've been having phantom symptoms. But I guess looking silly will be the least of my worries if that happens.

As for telling people, well done for telling your mum cheerful. My mum has known since I did my test in America as I needed the family on board to sort out the intralipids but I can completely relate to weird people knowing like random check out people! I am starting to feel a bit bad as I haven't let dh tell mil yet. But she's not very understanding and would tell all his side of the family and I would want to wait until after 12 weeks and even then tell them we were still being v cautious as anything could still go wrong.

I forgot whether I ever mentioned what MIL had said when I told her about the first mc of the year? As she has had 5 children I asked her if she had ever had a miscarriage and she answered 'no, but sometimes I wish I had done'! I practically spat out my drink with shock. Not the most maternal of women my MIL...

Glad Xmas was good battery and yes I think we are all pleased t have 2011 over with! Welcome home snoopy. Hope you had good time at cinema Duggs. Waves to everyone else xx

Very good film. Have people read the books? Steig Larassen. Daniel Craig is just so hot - I even liked the main bad guy. Those Swedes r an attractive bunch - the more so the older they get I'd say. Anyway cinema is a good past time for pregnant ladies! no alcohol involved.

Hopeful I would take them from day 2 I think, though I don't think it would matter if you did it either way. Definitely chuck the condoms, you want lots of sperm swimming away in there ready to catch that egg (can't believe the stuff I talk about sometimes!). And be prepared to keep going a day or two longer than you might normally, as some of us think the steroids can delay our ovulation slightly.

Hopeful I would take them from day 2 I think, though I don't think it would matter if you did it either way. Definitely chuck the condoms, you want lots of sperm swimming away in there ready to catch that egg (can't believe the stuff I talk about sometimes!). And be prepared to keep going a day or two longer than you might normally, as some of us think the steroids can delay our ovulation slightly.

Hopeful for me on round 2 I took the preds the day after I got my first smiley face (the one time I got a smiley face) but it delayed my ovulation. With this cycle where I conceived, I started taking them at around 4DPO (using BBT) and only took them for 3 days as the clinic told me I hadn't ovulated so was set on starting the superov programme in Jan and didnt want to mess my cycles up anymore. I think Free took hers at 4DPO too. Don't forget though that as I conceived on round no.4 I had built up the steroids in my system. The steroids messed my cycle up from the first month so we had to have sex every other day from day 8 to 22 this time just to cover all bases! I would take the condoms off as you might ovulate early and could miss it (or late as in my case).

I am still not convinced I am pregnant because of the clinic telling me I didnt ovulate this month - surely they cant have got that wrong??? This makes me wonder if I have a low progesterone problem as that should have come back high if I was either pregnant or had ovulated???? How much progesterone are all the pregnant ladies taking? I am using 400mg at night but I am sure someone said they were taking more than that as taking another in the morning too. If the clinic was open I would ask them!!!

Free I remember being breathless with my daughter - I think the blood gets thicker in pregnancy which is why its harder to breathe etc as less oxygen going around the body. That's what I was told anyway! Its normal to have backache too as the relaxin hormone will be kicking in towards the end of the 1st trimester so all your ligaments will become looser - its your bodies way of preparing you for labour so that your pelvis can move freely! Thats why you have to be careful at the gym as you can overstretch and damage your ligaments.

Snoopy with the amount of food I have consumed over Christmas I think I already have a moonface!!

Battery - my scan on 11th is with Dr S at Epsom. If all is well then I will have more intralipids! Are you with St Mary's and Dr S? I was originally seeing St Mary's but switched as they don't test for NK cells.

Hopeful - I would start taking the pred a few days after ovulation so as not to delay it. I took it too early on first cycle and delayed my ovulation but on second cycle I tool from 4 dpo and got pregnant!

Free - all your symptoms sound normal. Just wait until the baby gets bigger and is pushing up into your ribs - you will be out of breath then:) I can't believe you are nearly 12 weeks:) Also - what a comment by your MIL! Some women will never understand what its like to go through one let alone several miscarriages.

Sue - if the pregnancy test says you are pregnant then you are pregnant! I know some women have doubled up on the progesterone after bleeding. When does the clinic open again? Can you text Louise?

sue I have seen several forum posts with women saying they had progesterone tests which showed levels too low to indicate ovulation and had been pregnant that cycle. I have no idea what the explanation is, but if you have a hunt around the web, I am sure you can find others in the same boat. But you have a BFP, so that must prove the clinic's test wrong. You can't make an omlette without breaking eggs and you can't get a BFP without ovulating one!

Happy New Year ladies. Here?s hoping this is going to be a positive one for all of us. I feel quite proud that I actually managed to stay awake until after midnight as I?ve been going to bed ridiculously early recently.

Sue ? Fantastic news. Congratulations!! Did you use the Instead cups in the end?

Definitely all normal symptoms Free! I?m still getting aches and pains that feel almost period-like and an aching lower back.

I can?t advise about the pred Hopeful, as I was already 6 weeks pregnant when I started it, but hopefully my experience does go to show that there?s a bit of flexibility there if you don?t manage to get the dates exactly right.

Kittens, I think you said your mum?s funeral was tomorrow. I really hope it goes as well as it can. I?m sure it?ll be so hard to leave to make the journey back to the UK again too. I really hope this year brings you some good luck and happiness.

Well, I?m supposed to be getting some work done in preparation for going back to school. Also we?ve got a viewing on the flat tomorrow, so I need to get it in some sort of order (washing everywhere at the moment). So waves to everyone else - I hope you?re all doing well.

Hello, just selfishly posting coz I'm feeling crap today - some sort of dull achey feeling all over my stomach. Trying not to worry (ha ha).

Iggi - I know it's easy to say but do try not to worry. I've had lots of aching and stabbing pains at various times and it's all pretty normal. I find it can be worse if I've been doing too much. Could that be the case for you?

Thanks Coconut - the opposite really for me, have been lying in bed all day as am on my own and have rubbish cold, so no excuse of over-exhertion!

I think this is payback for the time I spent last night googling baby slings and the like!

Hi Ladies,

Well still knackered but managed a walk round to friends to catch some fresh air but DS had to be piggybacked back as he is like a zombie with jetlag too. DH back to work tomorrow so back in routine - which is kind of nice.

Florida was like a warm bath weather wise and the place we stayed at was amazing - (felt like being in The Truman Show, everything was perfect (fake)- sprinklers timed to perfection, piped music in town squares, white picket fences! Not really a true reflection of Florida but hey it was great. Oh and if I don't see another burger or rib again then I'll be happy.
DS was more interested in swimming all day and driving golf buggy on DH lap than going to Disney! Gutted didn't see Mickey Mouse, thought he would be wandering around for a picture but apparently you have to go visit him in a particular place, guess he's to busy for casual photo ops! Got to Kennedy to see the rockets etc which too (in danger of sounding like an American) was Awesome!

I know it's old news but my stats are as follows: (cannot find list anywhere to add (someone may want to add for me).

Count (normal Dr S said) 151.9
Activation 3.16 V High

Coley Just read back and missed your preggers news. woo hoo! brilliant AND your relaxing in Lake como - just perfect, enjoy!

Scooter Off to the Carribean sounds bliss, I hope you can relax and do what ever you want without family pressures. Are you just two or did you take your lovely son with you?

Duggs I feel for you re round 5. I am gettin pissed off already on round 3. I was stupid and naive to think it would work quickly at forty (bloody) two. Wish I could rewind a few yrs. Has he given a reason or does he just think you've been unlucky not producing enough eggs/quality or what? Did you suggest Super Ov? Or he? I at least want a chance to see if pred works for me. Oh DC in the film you saw, I agree he's so gorgeous in a mean and moody kind of way. I will have to go and see that one. The bit where he sucks blood off her fingers in Casino Royale is imprinted on my brain -(sorry that sounds a bit kinky)!

Free I too was out of breath from quite early on and yes lots of pulling feelings. When I was past 20 weeks with DS I couldn't even lay in bath for long (favourite hobby) as had laboured breathing, I was gutted. So try not to worry. Can't believe your over double figures, it goes so quick from the outside and so slow when it's you.

My cycle is getting really confusing now. AF and Ov all bloody merging into one! Don't know what I'm doing. Been SWI from CD8 continuosly (apart from 1day) to cover all bases but haven't got any FR smiley face sticks so don't know when that happened or if it has so just going on cheapies on which I have had positive line from CD9. I haven't taken any pred as picking up in morning CD12 which is bit of worry but like has been said before, it's not an exact science and DR S says if not sure take from CD14.

So that's me - glad to be back and indulging my obsession with MN...

x

Hey glad to have you back snoopy!!
Yeah am really fed up with ttc. 4 mths on pred and nowt to show. Am going for the hysteroscopy end of jan so am not ttc this month. May as well see what is going on in there. He suggested super ov. Timing isn't an issue. I am more worried about my eggs. Anyway not much I can do. Hopefully all will be ok and I can try IUI in feb. ( where they put the damn sperm in uterus via catheter). If that doesn't work I'll worry about next steps then but sues info was really helpful if it takes 4 to 6 mths on super ov. Thinking of u kittens.
any scans this week ? A few I think Inc free !!

Just echoing duggs and thinking of you kittens - hope the funeral went as well as one can go and that your flight back is hassle free so you can just get home to grieve without having to worry about anything.
Waves duggs the hysteroscopy sounds like it's worth doing to rule anything out. I can understand what people say about the pressure of not ttc for a month now as all this does your head in so try to enjoy the break.

Just reading back over some posts i have missed and sue time is running out cos of my age and DH and I agreed we wouldn't keep trying past 43 which is 8 months away. trouble is thought I would fall by now. Hope things continuing to go well for you.

forgot to add fwiw that had terrible cold in Florida which started day we flew out and lasted 10 days. Thought the weather would have help to get rid of it but it really dragged on. So hopefully thats a sign that pred well and truly in system now.
also I have been pecrisbed eye drops (I have constantly either dry or severe watery eyes) by Opthamologist at hosp which have steroids in them!! great..it's only 5mg but the consultant said with other stuff I;m taking it should be ok. Might double check with own gp.

DS still asleep in bed with jetlag - he has never ever slept to this time. He was up at 12 mucking about laughing with his ducks and saying why can't I sleep. Bless him.

Just updating this with approx test date...........have I scared everyone off today with my Daniel Craig blood sucking thing? Or have I bored your all into a stupour with my holiday tales....helllloooooooooo......

Sunday 1st January

BFP
3rd Trimester
Stogan - V high NKC - BFP 9/7/11 cycle#2- 30+1 Due 10/03/12 next scan 30/12

2nd Trimester
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2 24+6 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 22+0
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2 ? 19+1 due 26/5/12 next scan ?
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2 - 18+3 anomaly scan 05/01
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3 - 18+1 next scan?

1st Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxchloroquine, Pred, Intralipids. Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st cycle. BFP#1 10+5 Scan 6/01/12
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR/TTC#1/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 10+3 Next Scan 10/1/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. TTC#1 BFP cycle 3. 7+1 Scan 29/12/11
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid, intralipids, prog, 7+1 Next scan 11/01/12
coleyoz - V High NKC. TTC #2, BFP cycle2, 6+5, Next scan 11/01/12
Suemays - High NKC, TTC #2, ??? Scan ????

TTC
Waiting to test
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - Superovulation cycle2
buster76 - V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Janethomas
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, #3, testing 10/11th ish

Waiting to ovulate
eurochick - High NKC, superovulation cycle 1, pred cycle 1
picolina123 - V High nkc, pred cycle 1
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc)
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2

WTTC
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
AandRmum - High NKC*

Am lurking! Just hard to post as my laptop broken and just on iPhone. Got nothing interesting to say either! Thank for updating list. Did you move everyone forward by two days too? Last time it was updated was Sunday do everyone on the bfp list needs moving forward 2 days if not. I can't believe if it's all alive in there I would actually be 11 weeks today based on LMP. If it's alive of course... Does anyone else have scans this week? Theoretically I might also have intralipids again on Friday, again based on it being alive of course.

Iggi hope you are feeling ok now, do you think you were having Braxton Hicks?

Hope everyone else is ok, kittens hope all went as well as it could.

Snoopy glad you are settling back in, it's always weird adjusting after a holiday. So jealous it was very warm and sunny.

Normal service unlikely to be resumed from me for a few days. I can work from my desktop mac when back in London tonight but am not signed in on there as yet and prefer to keep my mnetting private from dh! Still need to figure out how to get data off so can fix the laptop.

hello snoopy - am just in a work induced coma! Lovely to hear your holiday tales, and I love DC too.

iggi you ok? Have you managed to get the baby to move for you? My DS didn't move at all - just like carring a 6llb bowling ball for months- such a pain.

duggs - glad you're going for the look around. One thing to cross off the worry list when it comes back fine.

free PUPO!

dashing to meeting - back later!

Also lurking as nothing interesting to say, but definitely here :) And ha! snoopy you're a mere spring chicken (coming from the old lady who's 44 in - gulp - 5 days time). It's funny, I've never cared less about my age, and still don't except for the effect it has on my reproductive ability now. I honestly don't care what the numbers say, I certainly don't feel 44 (whatever being 44 feels like) .. but of course, my eggs may feel differently!

Fed up today as have just come back from NLC after having an hcg test. I think this pregnancy is going to be a chemical as the last 2 preg tests i have done hardly show a line now. They are getting lighter every day so i am waiting for the inevitable to happen now. So much for a fresh start in 2012! I get the results tomorrow and if it shows there is still a pregnancy i will go back for another hcg on thurs to see if it has increased. I am not holding out much hope though.

Lurking too for a break from the shock of being back at work. Nothing interesting to say either tho tbh as am in limbo at the mo on the ttc thing. Maybe more constructive comments from me after the 14th!

Good luck for all scans this week.

Happy birthday when it comes Ari. You're only as old as you feel :)

Sue crossed posts. That's crap I'm sorry to hear that. Been there. But the hcg tests will tell you what you need to know so it's a question of waiting for those numbers and going from there.

Oh Sue sorry to hear about the line getting fainter. This is probably a dumb question to ask but were you using first morning urine ? Could it have been that your urine was more dilute?
When do you get the blood hcg back? Hope there's not too much waiting.