TTC/Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 6

[Arianrhod]

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 5 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1391787-TTC-Pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-5

Part 4 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1366323-TTC-Pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-4

Part 3 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1348773-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-3

Part 2 here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1323594-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-2

Part 1 here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1236324-TTC-pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar

free to prep for my the birth last time I read a LOT of the childbirth threads on MN. I went to NCT classes (which didn't teach me anything new as I'd picked up a lot of info from MN by that point) and also did pregnancy yoga which focussed a lot on breathing exercises through contractions. The most affirming book I read was Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. I wanted to reaquaint myself with it this time as I found it gave me a lot of strength reading about positive experiences of childbirth. But I can't find it anywhere .
When my waters broke with DS I was very calm and collected. Breathed through the first few hours of contractions - and then apparently I was making so much noise (being vocal on the out breath) they offered me the gas and air and then a couple of hours after that they offered me pethidine. I never actually asked for more pain relief but I think I was making so much noise on the ante-natal ward (while they were waiting for a room on the labour ward) that they thought I deserved some! I found vocalising really really helped. A bit like screaming on a rollercoaster! Remembering that the pain is good - as each contraction brings you closer to your baby - helps as well. We're so used to those sort of pains meaning we're miscarrying that it's hard to understand why we'd eventually welcome them...but hopefully by the time you get to that point you'll also be desperate to feel a twinge (like I am right now).

Had a MW appointment this morning. BP fine, baby's HB fine. Keep getting told to keep my legs elevated to reduce the swelling - but then how on earth am I supposed to do all the things to bring labour on, like ball bouncing and going on all fours? After having the process of induction explained to me I told DH that we HAVE to have sex before that happens. He's either been working late or 'had a headache' . Way to make a girl feel wanted.

Now, where's that raspberry leaf tea?

Iggi The Snuza sounds really simple to use!! I had the Babysense II with dd and I have to say it was a huge relief to be able to see alight flashing after my c-sec and does give peace of mind, although we often forgot to switch it off and the alarm went off when we pick her up ;-)

Duggs Fantastic news re: eggs and hope all goes well on Friday. Amazed they don't put two back as always thought that was the standard.

Digi lurking now for news..!

choccy sorry to hear what you're going through and I hope things are stablisiling with you Dad!

Free thanks for advice re: hols went ahead and booked Greek Isles!

Snoopy, Duggs, Ari, Choccy and anyone I haven't mentioned - do hope you get a sprinkling of the Easter bunny's magic dust! It's about time you all had some good news.

Hello ladies

I have been a serial lurker on this board for many months, but finally having a bfp, I think I am going to go ahead and take the dreaded steroids. I am one of Dr S's patients. Please can you tell me how you go about getting seen by them. I have left messages with the appointments number, telling them I am now pregnant, but no one has called me back. Should I call Louise instead?

Also, please can someone tell me, where do they do the scans? Can they be done in London or do you have to travel to Epsom?

Thanks so much for your help.

Hello London! Welcome to the thread. And congratulations on the BFP! Don't worry, we all know it is the first step here so you are allowed to be comfortable taking congratulations from us, even though we know you will be mentalling about it.

Are you only just taking the steroids from BFP? That's interesting as a few people on here have been contemplating that recently having found steroids mess with their cycles. The two times I tried it I took it from ovulation. Am now 23 weeks pregnant (after one miscarriage on my first Pred cycle).

You can see Mr S in Harley St or Epsom - I have had scans in both. For some reason all the recent ones have been in Epsom, so am not sure if that has been a deliberate move. In fact, come to think of it, everyone seems to go to NLC in Epsom at the moment rather than Harley St. It is a bit of a pain for some of us to get to.

Usually the appointments line is best to arrange things as Louise only deals with the midwifey things. Do you need to book intralipids? I think I have done that directly with NLC before.

Am guessing, as you don't mention intralipids you might be on the lower dose Pred (25mg) for high cells rather than extra high? If that is the case then you don't need to have an appointment for a scan until around 7 weeks pregnant. Anything before that can be a bit touch and go about whether you see a heartbeat.

What's your background with it all? Do you have any children already? As you can see by our lists we are a mixed bunch here.

But overall a bit welcome to the thread! Do stay around and chat.

Thanks very much for getting back to me. I am taking the steroids from BFP. My AMH was low, although normal for my age (40) and my FSH at 10 was normal according to GP, but high according to Mr S. I honestly got the impression that he was trying to sell me the superovulation programme. I had only been trying for 4 months since the last miscarriage at that point, and had been pregnant twice in the 12 months prior to that. (Sorry, hope that doesn't upset people who are doing superov, I have friends it has worked for, and I am not trying to dismiss it. Just he was a bit quick to suggest it).

TBH he didn't seem that interested in my miscarriage results, which was my main concern. My numbers were only high not very high, so maybe that is why he said from BFP? My circulating NK cells were high, but the NK69 active ones were normal. This is why I have been agonising over whether or not to take the pred.

I have other clotting issues, which may be the real problem. It is just that the other pregnancies I opted to live on hope. Now perhaps I need drugs!

Sorry, just to clarify. The reason he said pred from BFP was that infertility was my problem, not the miscarriages (er, I beg to differ) and that other ladies had found their cycles messed up by the steroids, and therefore it might be wisest not to put another obstacle in the way. Hope that helps those of you interested in the 'from BFP' thing!

Are you taking anything for clotting issues too? Glad you got pregnant this time without having to worry about super ov.

Don't worry too much about the Pred - especially as you are just starting it now. It's not too hideous at 25mg. The most people seem to get is issues with sleep - ie waking up rather too early - but a few of us find that calms down after a while, and also early pregnancy tiredness helps combat it. I remember getting a few energy rushed after a few days on the 25mg but again that was all around implantation time so I am not sure what was just hormones! I definitely had things like Moonface (very attractive!) but I was on 40mg. And, all going well with the pregnancy, you will not be on it for a hideous amount of time. I know some of the girls even enjoyed the buzz they got! Nutters. I got quite a few aches and pains coming off (one time after mc and one time tapering) but again that was from 40mg.

So all you need to do now is make an appointment for the first scan. From personal experience most of us would say leave that until around 7 weeks, just as earlier ones can freak you out if not much is seen. How far along are you now?

You're in the right place here anyway :)

Thanks, that is really helpful re. the steroids and how they effect you. I am petrified! I am only on aspirin for the clotting stuff. My blood clots too slowly, but apparently aspirin helps with that. No sure how that works!

It is really inspirational hearing how all of your pregnancies are progressing on the pred. It keeps us all going.x

Welcome London and congratulations on the bfp. I think Free has covered all the stuff about pred. The effects seem to vary from person to person but hopefully at 25mg it shouldn't be too bad. It found it pretty grim at 40mg but it was definitely worth it in hindsight and it's not that long really.

Anyway, do stick around. There are so many of us now and you'll find us all a friendly bunch.

Hi London. Just to say I actually really liked being on the pred! Gave me indigestion (but you can take tablets for that) but otherwise lots of energy (which I could really use now!). I was on the 25 dose.

free how long did the joint muscle pain last for you? its so painful to move around ive taken pain killers the last few nights, it feels like i need a zimmer frame ! i i dont know what to take for it as well, tried hot bath & deep heat.

went for appt with lisa on mon, they are re testing my levels of nk cells, results on tue. late for work, sorry no personals

Morning ladies, this post coming to you for yet another time sitting in the waiting room of the walk-in phlebotomy clinic while I wait for the vampires nurse to take blood for my LH etc tests. I should have shares in this place, the nurse not only knows who I am now she also remembers my history!

Anyway just wanted to say a big welcome London, Pred from BFP is interesting, so Mr S is taking notice that some of us are having AF problems after taking steroids from OV. free has just about covered the side effects but you know, if you only start from BFP it's a relatively short period of time you'll be on them and ultimately it's all worth it to get your baby. Best of luck to you!

Hi London don't be too scared about the pred. I can't say I have found too many probs apart from creeping weight, unfortunately it gives you an apetite! Saying that I have little will power. My problem is insomnia but it's up and down and you may be fine. I certainly would just go for it and don't be scared like the rest said it's a relatively short time really and hopefully worth the results.

ari I thought you'd find that interesting. He must be reavaluating things for some based on feedback. If Prof Q results are good from bfp then who knows, this is all experimental for him as well.

Well I'm off to lovely Brittany from Sunday and I am hoping it will jinx me into getting a bfp as won't be able to have Intralipids for a week!

Ari my Nan calls the people who come round to do blood tests vampires and also she calls the chiropodist 'the vet' :)

I forgot about the hunger Snoopy! Yes Pred def makes you hungry. But like Ari said London, if you are taking it from a BFP it's a comparatively short amount of time to be on it. I've been lucky and got pregnant the only two times I've taken it but I think it gets more frustrating for those who are taking it month after month and haven't got a BFP - so put up with all the symptoms with no consolation. Yet - of course! I am sure they will all get the BFP imminently :)

Obviously taking it for several weeks when pregnant and then miscarrying like I did is not much fun either! But it was a good feeling getting to taper it off this time when I stayed pregnant.

Pico poor you still struggling with the side effects from weaning. How long has it been now? Maybe it is something else - worth seeing your doctor about? Or just a virus or something that will hopefully go. My limbs were aching for a few weeks but (I think) by the time I had got down to 5mg and then 0 things were pretty much getting back to normal, or much less noticeable. Glad they are re-testing your NKC levels - will be interesting to see if they have changed.

Ooh Snoopy a week in Brittany, how fabulous. Yes it might just be the jinx you need - adding wine and cheese into the mix too!

I am actually going to Spain on Sunday for a week or more (DH is coming for a week, I haven't yet bought my return!) to see my parents, very much looking forward to it as I haven't been home since Sept - being that I was grounded by Mr S over Christmas.

Am off to the doctor now to pick up a prescription for iron tablets, so best stock up on lots of fibrous-anti-constipation foods too. I might use this as the time to stop aspirin. Mr S only said for me to take it until 20 weeks and am now 23+2. I was planning to continue to viability, not sure why - it was just the letting go of another medicated crutch is always a mental obstacle. But by adding a new medication I might just take one away too. Still have the hydroxy hopefully doing its job!

Lots of positive BFP and sticky vibes to you all xx

Oh - Digi hope you're doing ok and not too uncomfortable! Let us know when you get any signs of happenings!! Can't believe here you are, on the cusp of giving birth, after all the crap that you've been through. Hurrah for the imminent arrival of Baby Digi. BTW, do you have a plan of action as to how you are going to inform us of things...? Mr Digi up for it? Or will you be (like I probably would be) happily doing your own posting a few hours after giving birth?

morning all, just wanted to stick my head above the parapet and say that the pred didn't make me hungry! Gave me a buzz and if anything took the edge of my appetite. When you look at the list of side effects loss of appetite is a rare side effect! It also didn't affect my sleep at all. So it's not all bad for everyone.

At 6 weeks the type of "morning" sickness which is only alleviated by eating constantly kicked in - but I had it with DS so I am pretty sure this is pregnancy related and not pred. Currently sat here wearing accupressure wrist bands and sucking on coca cola haribo. I think Mr S said this to someone else as well - when I mentioned how ill I felt, particulalrly in the evening, he said that without the pred (which is a last line of treatment for hyperemisis (sp)) I would probably be in hospital on a drip. I'm now tapering the pred and can feel the nausea getting worse.

Ahh free that will be a moment going back to see you parents, nice and pregnant. I have seem some lovely finca's near Gaucin, Rhonda for rent with gorgeous pools but booked out, otherwise would have given that a try. But earmarked it for future ref! Have a lovely time, stick to short walks not 3 mile treks!! Your very pregnant now take it easy

pq interesting re ms coming back after weaning pred. So it does mask it then. Sorry you feel crap I can completley emphathise. Projectile vomiting and breathing it out on sofa till midday/everyday for 8 months wasn't fun!

Oh PQ that doesn't sound much fun. Although I love the idea of coca cola haribo! I definitely felt queasy (that was as far as it got with me and sickness) still after the Pred stopped until about 16 weeks. Going off the Cyclogest at that time was a biggy in terms of starting to feel better - have I ever mentioned it made me want to puke...? I don't think I've gone on about it enough :) Hope you start to feel better very soon. It must be tough doing long hours at work and childcare too when feeling like that.

Yes Snoopy it will be lovely going home and being pregnant. I chat on Skype to the parents all the time but my tummy seems to look small on the screen. I saw mum last week of course but Dad hasn't seen me yet so I think he will get a surprise.

I picked up a ton of medication from the chemist earlier (PQ and I share the same chemist - they must be a bit at both our prescriptions) - including some Canesten cream to see if that sorts out the itching (sod's law it has stopped today! Not sure if it is thrush anyway as no real difference in cm, sorry for the TMI!). Anyway, I got chatting with the pharmacist about all my meds so I told her what I was up to. She and her assistant almost had tears in their eyes!

Also I saw a flat earlier (don't want to buy it) and got in a very speedy, very deep conversation with the estate agent lady about how she had been TTC for four years with nothing happening and no known problems. I don't know why, I just sensed she had had issues. She was looking at my belly and the baby in the house we were visiting longingly and it all spilt out when we got outside. I reassured her that I had had problems too and recommended Mr S again :) I think she might be a candidate for both super ov and also immunotherapy.

Flat/house hunting not going well at all although just seen (on paper) one I really like the idea of. It's a two bed house (would like three but it's quite spacious) but on slightly over what we can get with this mortgage. Bloody banks! We are going to leave it a few days whilst we go to Spain and then hope there's more on the market when we get back.

I have a quick question for those of you further along/more experienced at later pregnancy than me about bump size and discomfort. In the last few days I am starting to feel really big, my skin feels like it is stretching and there is a lot of movement from the baby. Is this normal? My lower back also hurts when I walk a lot. I'm worrying that if I feel like this at 23 weeks, how on earth is my body going to manage, potentially, another 18 weeks or so!

free just jumping in here ... can I recommend, if you don't have one already, a bump band? I had exactly what you're describing with DD, and I found the support of the bump band helped a lot with the backache. I had this one www.bumpband.co.uk/ but I think there are a lot of different types around. Just my tuppence worth .. back to lurk mode :)

Oh and I swear by Bio Oil for the stretching skin, I didn't get a single stretch mark due to that and it helped with the stretchy/itchy feeling ... but I'm sure you already have your own favourite skin oil :)

I think I will get one Ari. I actually thought they were just cosmetic - ie just to help you wear your jeans etc - I didn't realise they had supportive qualities too. Good suggestion! I have been using Cocoa Butter as in a previous pregnancy I used bio-oil and the smell brought back some bad memories, but I do have a full Bio Oil here and I think I am going to move back to that.

free Bio Oil for me too and no stretch marks, although think some of that is hereditary as my two sisters and Mum haven't any either after having kids. Plus we also all have hereditary Pot Bellies so that helps .
You'll have to start good visualizations after you've rubbed the oil!

Free - Someone has given me a support belt this time around, very similar to this. I was a bit dubious to start with but I've worn it a few times recently and found it helpful. I think it's pretty normal to feel those aches. My skin's been feeling really stretched as my bump's got bigger and I feel like the muscles have separated, which has been hurting quite a lot. A very generous friend bought me a gorgeous citrussy decleor body oil which is recommended for pregnant bellies last time around and I'm still using that, along with cocoa butter. So far, no stretch marks.

PQ - Sorry to hear you're feeling grim. Those early days are so hard, much worse than the late stages, I think.

Urgh - Despite daily slathering I have a roadmap of stretchmarks across the left side of my belly . But, there's absolutely nothing I can do now other than hope that they fade over time. Tbh I haven't worn a bikini since before ds, am much more comfortable in a one-piece. Only had a discreet few with ds - but this baby has certainly made it's mark on me!

Nothing happening here atm, had lots of twinges last night - but nothing today except a very wriggly baby.

Evening ladies,
Ari interesting to hear about the effects Pred has had on your AF, I have just had a really light and short AF after my first Pred cycle so I am wondering whether I may be another one whose cycle is affected. I thought the womb lining built up in the first half of the cycle so I don't understand why my period is so light this month as I didn't start taking the Pred until 3dpo. Hmm, will just have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of months I guess.

London Hello and massive congratulations on your BFP Definitely get started on the Pred asap, I was worried about the side effects but they were bearable and if it helps have a successful pregnancy then it has to be worth it! Interesting that Mr S suggested the steroids from BFP only. I too have high levels (268) but normal activation and he has put me on them from ovulation - I would love to know why the treatment plans vary with similar NK results? What are your NK numbers?

Free I never had a bump support but my friend swore by the Mothercare one that Coconut linked to. I used Palmers Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark lotion when I was pregnant with DS and escaped without any stretch marks although I definitely think it's genetics whether you get them or not. The cocoa butter definitely helped with the itchy, stretched feeling and it smelt yummy too!