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

Morning all,

Hope everyone is well.

I have a quick question for you that I think I have brought up before. I am about to run out of aspirin and feel that at over 25 weeks (and Mr S said to stop at 20) now might be the time to cut out at least one of my daily chemistry set. I know other people have take it for longer but I have no known clotting issues. I have just been paranoid I guess and using my meds as a crutch to a certain extent. What does everyone think...?

I am still taking Pregnacare, Omega 3, vitamin D, Selenium, Hydroxychloroquine and (as I always will be) thyroxine. Oh and two daily iron tablets as from a couple of weeks ago. Will be 26 weeks on Tuesday. Gosh, that means by LMP I will be 6 months pregnant on Wednesday!

free I would cut it out. If I had continued taking aspirin the outcome of my post-partum haemorrhage could have been very different (worst case scenario I could have had my uterus removed).

Feeling much more energetic today. Have put a wash on and done the dishes! Dh is out with ds1 getting the car serviced and MOT'ed. First time I've been left alone with the baby.

finally got the lap top out and posted a little pic on my profile

Oh Digi, how beautiful
You must want to stare at him all day!
My latest irrational thought is that if I get dc2, I either won't love it or will stop loving ds - as if I couldn't feel that much for 2 children I suppose. Wish I could switch my brain off sometimes!
Free if nobody has ever recommeded the aspirin full term I would stop. It really isn't what is keeping your baby going you know. Even take it every other day for a few days to wean yourself off.

Digi He is absolutely scrumptious! All that beautiful dark hair, what a totally gorgeous little man, Iggi's right, I bet there's a lot of time spent just staring at that perfect little human you've created!

Free I would stop the aspirin now, it definitely isn't what is keeping your pregnancy going and the risks of haemorrhage are very scary. I totally get the anxiety though of making changes to your "magic" formula of meds - I'll be the same if I ever get that far!

Choccy Hope Friday went as well as it could and that you are looking after yourself.

Duggs Hope you are also having a nice relaxing weekend and looking forward to contacting the clinic on Monday for the next step!

I have a date for my lap & dye - 24th April, which is nice and soon but I am a bit nervous as I found the trapped air after my ectopic so painful so I'm not looking forward to that. Am also shit scared of general anaesthetic (nurses are the worst patients!) Of course I'm hoping that when I test next Thurs I'll see a lovely BFP then all this worry will be for nothing! Not feeling too positive about that although I have had period type pains for the last 2 days which I'd like to pretend is implantation but I know that periodically my stupid body likes to tease me with random symptoms that mean nothing!

Oh Digi - He's absolutely adorable. Well done on creating such a beautiful little creature. How are you doing?

Free- I'd definitely stop the aspirin if you've not got any clotting issues. I've only just come off it on doctor's orders in preparation for the delivery but I think it's much better to stop it sooner if you don't particularly need it. It's done its job for you by this stage.

Igggi - I worry about how I could possibly love another baby as much as I love ds. I was talking to dp's mum about this and she was saying how you don't have to share out the love you've got, you just get more. I guess we'll find out when the time comes.

Bon voyage Picolina.

Fingers crossed that you won't need to go ahead with the op Olives and that you'll get a lovely line when you test next week.

We saw a house that we like today. It's at the top of our budget and we've just been discussing how high we can afford to go. The market where we're looking is so overheated at the moment, prices have been going up while we've been looking over the last few months. Scary stuff. I'd love to have an offer accepted and know that things were moving forward before the baby comes.

Wow free you are 2/3 of the way there amazing

digi so lovely u still pop on here. Gorgeous little man.

Quick Q . . Is a million yrs away but am trying to plan some stuff but the sheet I have from dr s and the website say different dates.

When does dr s want to see people after bfp? 7,9,11 and 15 weeks as it says online or 7,10,12 and 14 -16 on the sheet they gave me?

To be honest Duggs my weeks just moved according to when the appts were available - I suppose if you're having additional meds that needs to be more specific. If it's for scans it's really whatever suits.
Coconut I'm sure your mil is right - given that I'm youngest in a large family, I never felt my dm was short of love for me because I was last! Just something else to mental about.

Digi he is gorgeous! What a beautiful shock of hair too. Can't wait to meet him - we need to have a date for a London gathering soon - preferably in the daytime so you can wander into town with DS.

Duggs I don't think Mr S needs an exact (ie to the exact day of the week) time to see you. On my protocol it said 6, 8, 10, 14 weeks (I guess he assumes that week 12 is a scan elsewhere). Are you having intralipids? He has obviously moved from 6 weeks to 7 as 6 week is touch and go as to whether you are going to see anything. Just book one for close to 7 weeks and go from there.

In the same position as you Coconut with the housing. It would be great to move before the baby is born. Obviously yours is due before mine... But the property market is a right bitch at the moment - very little coming on the market, and what is there is expensive with fussy vendors (like the man who only wanted cash buyers on the place we put in an offer). Saw a gorgeous flat yesterday - perfect location next to the park - but it is at the top of our budget and a new-build flat rather than that nice family house I had envisaged. So got a nice balcony but no garden. I think I might go for it though based on the amazing location and worry about moving to a house in a couple of years time.

Have a great trip pico! Hope you manage to relax and come back renewed and refreshed.

Olives every time I have got pregnant I have had had period pains a few days before. And when my period is due on I don't feel anything until the day before. Just sayin'... Yeah General Anaesthetic isn't much fun in anticipation, but when you wake up you realise it hasn't been that bad.

Thanks for all the help with the aspirin. From today I am going to be one tablet down! Hurrah! That puts me on.... ooooh... the low count of 12 a day :)

Moved the BFPs forward by 3 days, last update was on Thursday. Feel free to add/edit/correct!

Sunday 15th April

The babies are arriving!
Stogan - V high NKC - cycle#2, DC#1, Baby girl born Sunday 11/03/12 7lb13.5. Our First Pred Thread Baby!
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2, Baby boy (DS2) born at 39+0 on Easter Monday, 9/04/12, 8 lbs 12 Our Second Pred Thread Baby!

BFP 3rd Trimester
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 36+6 Due date: 07/05/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2, DC#2 ? 36+0 C-section booked: 14/5/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- 33+5 c-section booked for 21/5/12
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 33+0

2nd Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxychloroquine, Pred, Intralipids, 400 Cyclogest, Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st Pred cycle. DC#1 25+5 Next appt with Mr S, 19th May
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 25+4
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 22+3
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 21+5
FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 17+3
Mercator - V High NKC, TTC#2. 17+3
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 16+3
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 16+3

1st Trimester
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 11+6
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine) 7+4
London - High NKC, add details!
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - IVF cycle #1 4+2

TTC
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 2nd cycle SO - testing 9th April
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, pred cycle 5, Super Ov Cycle 2
Abney, V High NKC, TTC#2, super ov.
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Lemonsherbet - TTC#1 v high/high NK, Mthfr, thyroid issues, pred 1st trim & Intralipids 2nd on bfp
BellyD - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, TTC#1 cycle 2, hydroxychloroquine
eurochick - TTC#1 High NKC, pred cycle 4,
Willitbe - RMC, NKC not tested, TTC #4 cycle 2 (after m/c 12) Fertility consultant prescribed pred.
Pebbles - TTC#1 High NKC, PCOS, super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc, combining IVF with Immunotherapy
GreenOlives - High NKC, TTC#2, Pred Cycle 2
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
picolina - V High NKC MC on treatment
Brownstag - V High NKC, 3 yo DS is a Pred Baby! TTC #2
Zoeella V.high NKC, Factor V Leiden. abandoned IVF, pos PCOS
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov. (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
Holldoll - High NKC - Pred, Cyclogest & aspirin

Morning ladies. Is lovely and sunny here..
I've had a go at tidying the list up a little.

The TTC section was a bit rampant, so what I've tried to do is put the active TTC group into 3 sections.

1st - TTC with assistance - Super Ov, IUI or IVF, then
2nd - TTC as usual
3rd - section are ladies who have joined but haven't posted for a while so we are not sure of their status.

It seemed a bit daunting with the TTC list ever growing and not many seemingly moving off it, not particularly insporational.. but if we don't know the status..many may well have moved onto another stage.

Hopefully some of the 3rd group will let us know their status and we can add them back in.

Hope that makes sense and I am sure there are a couple who I have missed and have posted fairly recently so apologies, do just move yourselves.

It is useful to have the treatment programmes on the list too if people don't mind. It is quite varied when you look at it collectively with some ladies not taking pred at all.

Anyway, hope you have a lovely Sunday. I did add people on 3 days from frees last post hope that is ok.

Thanks free for feedback. Does anyone know re clexane.. I am on it but I can't remember if Dr S perscribed it for me or my IVF clinic.. dunnit I see you are on it too?

Sunday 15th April

The babies are arriving!
Stogan - V high NKC - cycle#2, DC#1, Baby girl born Sunday 11/03/12 7lb13.5. Our First Pred Thread Baby!
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2, Baby boy (DS2) born at 39+0 on Easter Monday, 9/04/12, 8 lbs 12 Our Second Pred Thread Baby!

BFP 3rd Trimester
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks 36+6 Due date: 07/05/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2, DC#2 ? 36 C-section booked: 14/5/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- 33+5 c-section booked for 21/5/12
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 33

2nd Trimester
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxychloroquine, Pred, Intralipids, 400 Cyclogest, Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st Pred cycle. DC#1 25+5 Next appt with Mr S, 19th May
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 25+4
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 22+2
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 21+5
FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 17+3
Mercator - V High NKC, TTC#2. 17+3
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 16+3
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 16+3

1st Trimester
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 11+6
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 from March (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine) 7+4
London - High NKC, add details!??
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - IVF cycle #1 ?pred, intrallipids, metformin, clexane, cylogest ? 4+2

TTC ? ASSISTANCE - SO/IUI/IVF
Havingkittens - Upgraded from High to V High NKC TTC #1 -10 pred ? 3rd cycle SO
Snoopygirl - V High NKC TTC, pred cycle 5, Super Ov Cycle 3
Abney, V High NKC, TTC#2, super ov cycle 1 ?
eurochick - TTC#1 High NKC, pred cycle 4, Super Ov & IUI
Pebbles - TTC#1 High NKC, PCOS, super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc, combining IVF with Immunotherapy
Arianrhod - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
Suemays - V High NKC, TTC #2. Superov. (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)

TTC
Willitbe - RMC, NKC not tested, TTC #4 cycle 2 (after m/c 12) Fertility consultant
prescribed pred.
GreenOlives - High NKC, TTC#2, Pred Cycle 2
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
picolina - V High NKC MC on treatment
Holldoll - High NKC - Pred, Cyclogest & aspirin

Current status ?
BellyD - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, TTC#1 cycle 2, hydroxychloroquine
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
Lemonsherbet - TTC#1 v high/high NK, Mthfr, thyroid issues, pred 1st trim & Intralipids 2nd on bfp
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
Brownstag - V High NKC, 3 yo DS is a Pred Baby! TTC #2
Zoeella V.high NKC, Factor V Leiden. abandoned IVF, pos PCOS

opps crossed with you free

Good plan duggs. As we've had 2 updates today I won't post the list again, but tomorrow could someone change me to pred cycle 5 please?

Digi your baby is beautiful - so much hair!

Choccy I hope you are doing as well as can be expected at this difficult time.

Carebear I've never heard of a neutorphil count - sorry I can't help!

Morning all

Firstly thank you all so much for all your lovely messages the last few days. I really appreciate you thinking of me.

The funeral went as well as we could ever have hoped. It was humbling too as so many people came, they were standing all around the aisles in the chapel and out the door. And it was standing room only at the wake too. We expected a large number but so many more turned up we couldn't believe it. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders when it was over though - it's such a difficult phase between death and funeral, loads to do and organise but you're also on "pause".

On to the next stage and just(!) Tuesday to face now.

I'm still spotting, which I could obviously do without. However it has made me do practically nothing for the last week and keep my feet up quite a lot rather than be rushing around knackering myself out. Dh and step mum have been running around after me and I've managed to give them something else to think about too. Hardly ideal though! There's still been no "substance" to it though, no liver bits or lining. Varies between a bit of a (gravity induced?) red-reddish brown splurge first thing when I get up, to barely anything on wiping, to a bit more if there's been any pushing when I go to the loo, generally another splurge in the late pm/evening when bloating and indigestion has kicked in... total headfuck but tbh I seem not to be getting panicky about it. I'd far rather it stopped but on the other hand, as long as there's no more cramping or substance to it, what's the point in wasting energy before the scan?? I'm still getting tired early afternoon, and am dead on my feet come 9pm. The boobs aren't sore but certainly look pregnant. Nails have grown really quickly lately too.

I don't feel that all is lost but I'll be terrified on Tuesday morning. I've never seen a heartbeat, our best scan result was a 6wk inconclusive.

Btw, I seem to have fast forwarded a day... I'm actually 7+3 today. Could someone not move me forward tomorrow? I'm all for staying optimistic, PUPO and all that, but equally don't want to get ahead of myself!

Sorry for lack of personals, I haven't read through properly to catch up yet.

choccy glad all went well on Friday, it's always a difficult time but heartening so many people cam to show their respects. So sorry to hear your still spotting and FCC for Tuesday.

digi what a lovely little chap you must be so chuffed.
free well done in stopping the aspirin tough I can imagine but as Iggi and Digi both say probably very wise!

olives FCC for a positive line.

iggi I'm with you a little on can I love another as much although at the moment more concerned about how my dd is going to cope with less attention and how I will cope with dh away so much eek.

Interestingly I popped on to bc and saw Lisa who I am aureus the same one from here was offered prednisone from BFP by Mr S so for those who have been querying it with periods going crazy may be worth speaking to him about.

Hi to everyone I've missed! Hope your enjoying this wild weather.

Choccy - Glad to hear that the funeral went well. It must be lovely to know that so many people cared enough to come and show their respects to your Dad. Sorry about the spotting though. Will be thinking about you on Tuesday.

Duggs - I was on Clexane. What was it that you wanted to know about it? I was prescribed it by Mr S.

Free - A place by the park sounds lovely. We live right opposite a lovely park now and I'm really going to miss it when (if?) we ever move. I always liked it even before I had ds but when he was tiny it was great to be able to pop over there for a little stroll to get him to sleep, and now of course we can just grab the scooter and go over to the play area for a good run around. The only issue about moving again so soon is the cost isn't it. I nearly fainted when we worked out how much money we'd be spending on top of the actual house.

Right - I've got to get some school work done. Can't believe I'm teaching again tomorrow when all I want to do is sleep. I've actually got someone coming in to observe me teaching in the morning for my performance management. That'll be interesting as my classroom is so small and I'm so huge I can't move around to work with different groups of children very easily. Roll on Wednesday, my last day!!

Hello again and thank you for your help so far - its really appreciated.

The roll call is impressive with so many BFPs - very heartening. I will definitely pop back when i get myself straight as i will no doubt need some expert help deciphering my results...

Thanks coconut was just wondering if it was my ivf protocol as mr s would only prescribe as a treatment for blood clotting issues which I don't recall having an issue with? I'll check with clinic.

Ladies I hope u don't mind but now list is clearer I've made some calculations that are intended to give everyone some encouragement.

There are 39 names on our roll call list.
9 we are unsure of current status so if you are on unknown and lurking do come on and let us know so we can "activate" you again.

That leaves 30. 18 are currently pregnant or just given birth. 60% of us.

That leaves 40% ttc, with most of you on the SO or IUI path which means you shouldnt be there too long. We are also hoping our first 6 mth SO success ladies arrive as mr s and L say that 85% of people are successful with a bfp by cycles 5/6.

Current hot topic seems to be question on steroids before a bfp or after for the ladies who didn't struggle to get PG prior to pred. . . Any research welcome.

(am v v aware I'm delicately balanced and am v interested in SO gang- ESP as this is my first i expect I'll be back here for second one - all learnings helpful)

Oh and we'll done choccy honey. You've made it to Monday. You should be v proud.

Morning ladies - well duggs I shall be asking Mr S about steroids from BFP when I see him this afternoon, I just hope he's not dismissive of the idea. I know steroids from ovulation is most likely better, but if doing so stops you from getting pregnant in the first place, then it's rather pointless I think? Mind you, if "all" the steroids are doing are destroying the uterine lining, and he says taking oestrogen supplements will sort that out, then what? Maybe that's the answer? I just don't know.

/waves to everyone

Choccy well done for getting at least the funeral part of it behind you. You are right, it is an awful limbo between death and funeral. Sounds like your dad was a really popular man! Lovely that there were so many people there. Now we are all rooting for you and the scan tomorrow. What time is it?

Duggs that is brilliant work with the list and stats. Yes it is great to see people moving up and your stats do shoe that the treatment seems overall to be working. It will definitely be good to see some good super ov news start to come through.

Merc, I too noticed Lisa on the BC board. She seems to be a lot calmer now! And has gone to see me s privately. I am thinking she might just have taken out some of her Pred rage and frustration on us and is now more even tempered.

I have to say I am now feeling distinctly unmonitired in this pregnancy and I was lying here this morning thinking I might see if I can book in for a scan at the FMC. Movements have definitely got less and/or changed position in the last couple of days and I have no real appointments in sight until the 19th may with me s at Epsom, and last time my appointment with him was cancelled anyway! FMC say to come back at 32 weeks for a scan but does anyone know anything about people going sooner? Am guessing that as they are private they are up for anything..?

Also I happened to flip open my copy of Emma's diary the other day and (much as it annoys me and I think it is rather badly written! I hate the way she uses 'dead' to emphasise things!) she has a similar worry at 25 weeks with movements but is told by the mw it is as the baby as changed position. Any light shone on that...? I feel the movements are lighter and more shwooshing (like it is from a flatter body part) rather than thumping, and also more around the middle of my stomach than the sides or bottom.

Sorry for lack of other personals, am on the iPhone in bed still :)

free If there is movement I'm sure all is fine. It changes all the time with the way things feel in there. if you are concerned or movement drops off completly then definitley get it checked out. Baby probably just now in completley different postiion. You wait till you are having a bath at around 34 plus and it's like a scene from Alien!!

I saw Lisa's post too and it's interesting that he's put her on from BFP. So it proves theres no one definitive treatment for all.

duggs I love your stats. It gives you something to hold onto knowing the percentages etc. So are we not having the waiting to test section then?
Are we just letting ladies tell us or not whether their testing time is imminent?
I can understand why some want to keep it to themselves for a bit.

ari good luck today hope DD is a good girl for you. What's all this about pred wearing down uteine lining?

choccy glad things went as well as they could last week. Sounded like a popular well loved man. Wishing you tons of luck for tomorrow. x

snoopy Just my theory, that's all. Being on the pred, over time, my AF is getting less and less. Less bleeding must mean a thinner uterine lining, since there's then less blood to be shed each month, right? Therefore my theory is whether directly or indirectly the pred is making my lining thinner - maybe it has an effect on oestrogen levels, which is what makes the AF to ovulation part of the lining. I don't know, I'm no expert of course, I just read a lot and see what is happening to my body shrug All I know is, since I was on the higher dose of pred in Nov/Dec my AFs have been so light as to be barely there.

Choccy good luck for tomorrow, it's about time you had some good luck, saying that I think we all feel like we could have some good news!

Free I remember with DD that I felt completely left alone in the 2nd trimester. Once you get into the 3rd, you are seen more often by the midwife. Dont forget you are treated as a 'normal' pregnancy now that the killer cells are under control and the baby is strong.

Duggs I am not so much worried about getting preg on the SO programme but keeping it once I get another BFP. I wonder what the stats would show for results of women who have miscarried/had CPs on the SO programme. There are a few of us who have had that problem on the SO now especially with Jaffas news today.

I had a few PMs from Lisa on the other board and she seemed to be much more chilled. I still think that messages etc can be taken the wrong way compared to face-to-face. She actually had some good advice about taking extra omega 3 supplements which is what they advise in the US.

I am now waiting for my AF to arrive in the next week or so before we can TTC again. Dreading it in one way as its been nice not to have the pressure. I have got a hospital appointment this afternoon to put me on the waiting list for a hysteroscopy. God knows how long the actual appointment will take to come through with the NHS waiting lists!

Ari Mr S told me I could take the steroids from BFP but as I was in the V high killer cells category he wanted me to build up the hydroxy for 6 weeks first before I did that. He told me he thought I would miscarry if I did take steroids just from BFP without the hydroxy but then everyone is different. The steroids did mess up my cycles but I still managed to get preg with the help of the SO programme. Its hard to know what to do.