TTC: Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 7

[ChoccyPud]

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!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1419032-TTC-Pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-6

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

snoopy my activation level is 2.51. Good luck for your appointment today (think I've got that right) will be thinking of you.

duggs a friend of mine who has one child then struggled to have another and has now adopted a little boy said to me that children would be a part of our lives, whichever way they come to us. I find that really comforting to think of, I hope you do too, even when there seems another big journey ahead. X

Just off to have my repeat FSH test done. Dreading it. If the result is as high as last month it would mean it's almost game over for us as far as a natural baby Belly goes.

Thanks Belly

You too! Let us know how it goes.

Anyone watching Lorraine? Woman on multiple miscarriages and now has baby. It on now it's all about natural killer cells, so so common now !!

Sooooo pleased gmtv have started to publicise nk cells. Now maybe the NHS will cotton on that it is a condition, is treatable and should be available for all of us to be tested for free !! Doubt dr s would agree tho, his holiday fund would take a big hit
Hope everyone is well xxx

Stogan I just watched it on the internet - I agree the NHS should start taking notice now but I guess down to budgets they will delay as long as possible.

Sorry I have been MIA for a while so havent had time to read everyones posts. Hello to any newbies on here!

Just as I suspected, I had my FSH result today and it has gone dramatically back down to 6.2 from 11.1. About 18 months ago it was 4.2 but then as soon as I started taking the preds in Sep 2011 my FSH level went up to 11.1. I guessed there was a problem as I stopped ovulating around that time which has never happened before taking the preds. I think this proves that the steroids do mess with cycles as I am at the end of my 8 week enforced break with no steroids in my system and it has almost halved. I am really loathed to start taking them again as I am sure they will make my FSH shoot back up!
Belly this might explain why yours has gone up so dont despair?

Duggs I think you are doing the right thing by looking at adoption too. If you are interested, my friend adopted a baby from Russia and it happened much faster plus she managed to get a baby rather than an older child. It was done through a reputable agency that is licensed and run in the UK so nothing underhand or illegal. I can get the details if you want?

I am not doing SO this month as DH is away during OV time so we will have to wait until next month. I have to say I have enjoyed not TTC and all the stress it entails. I feel back to my old self too not being on the steroids - my nails have grown, hair is softer and not falling out and the facial hair has gone! Plus I am sleeping really well at night. Someone remind me why we are all doing this!???

Snoopy good luck with your appointment.

Waves to everyone else!

sue That's great news about your FSH level, and really interesting for me personally - that could well explain why mine is as high as it is as well. I think I'll wait another month (so that's 2 months without steroids) and then go and get it retested. I would guess I'll have to pay to have this tested, since I only had it done via my GP 29th March. But fabulous news, as this brings your FSH back into 'normal' levels, yes?

snoopy good luck, and frozen how did your consultant scan go yesterday?

Ari yes I am really pleased as I thought it was too much of a coincidence that it had shot up so quickly. I was really worried as after Mr S told me that fertility can decline almost overnight I was wondering if the high level was the start of the menopause. So ladies, it looks like our suspicions could be right about the steroids (damn things!) Its a pain that they are still the most successful ways of treating NKC. I dont think you would have to pay at the GP to have them redone. Mr S told me they should be repeated over a few cycles to get a proper reading anyway as they can fluctuate. Think I will stick with mine though now its low again!

Sue - That's amazing. Just goes to show that lots of your suspicions about the impact of pred are absolutely right. That new level is now good, isn't it??

Freelance and Charlie - Thanks for your replies yesterday. I called Louise to ask her whether there was an increased risk having had recurrent mcs and NKC and she said a firm NO. As long as your pregnancy is progressing will you are considered normal once you are discharged from Mr S's care at 16 weeks. Obviously I've got the risk factor of my age to factor in when the doc discusses induction with me tomorrow, but at least I can be reassured that the mcs don't mean that there's an additional risk.

I had acupuncture yesterday to help move things along. It certainly did something, as I had loads of braxton hicks last night and wondered if it was all starting but I'm still here. Off to spend some time on all fours, as the baby is back to back and I need to try and turn him round before it all kicks off...

That should say "As long as your pregnancy is progressing without problems..."

sue Hmm Mr S didn't tell me they should be repeated over a few cycles, he just read mine and decided that was it! I wonder why ... maybe because it was never tested before, so no-one knows whether my FSH has gone up, drastically up, or is much the same. I am certainly Mr S is convinced I am peri-menopausal, and that's that. I don't think he's told anyone else that he suggests only IVF now, has he, just me? But I will definitely get my levels tested again, although I suppose it doesn't make any real difference what the number is, what matters I guess is whether or not one can get (and stay) successfully pregnant! :)

Great news coconut, not long now ... :)

Very interesting about FSH levels I wonder if that has been affecting kittens? sue thank you yes I'd be v interested in the Russian agency contact thank you.

Are you on hydroxy too sue?

Evening ladies.

Just watched Lorraine on ITV Player, would be interested to know what treatment plan she was on! Beautiful little baby wasn't she?

Very interesting about the effect of Pred on your FSH Sue (but great that it's back to a normal level) and a bit worrying too. We really don't know what the Pred is doing to our bodies do we? I've only taken it for 2 cycles and I've already noticed I have lighter periods! I'm so worried that the very thing that I thought might be the answer to my TTC woes may actually just add to them! I feel so confused and quite down about everything at the mo I'm already thinking maybe I should take the Pred from BFP but then I know if I miscarried again I would blame myself for not taking it from ovulation - arrgh! One of my friends came round earlier and we were talking about my lap & dye and the Pred treatment when she suddenly says "so do you think you'll ever give up trying?" I said I would continue to try whilst I still have periods but I felt so sad to think that it has got to the point where other people are assuming I won't have another baby IYSWIM? I'm rambling now so I'll shut up! Just wish we could all get our snuggly babies RIGHT NOW! Also you sounded really down in your post earlier Duggs and so I'm sending a very unMN (((hug)))

Hi green yes I was very fighting spirited. I think perhaps if I had one child I would be more prepared to keep trying as my body would have proved I could carry to term at some point. In reality we have 6 mths before any official adoption process can start so who knows but at least the pressure is off. Perhaps as pred has a cumulative effect the quick bfp folk slip by but carry on taking it and it dampens your ability to conceive. Anyway am off to watch itv I player too now

Opps meant NOT very fighting spirited!

Hi all,

Back from a hectic long weekend in Brighton, sorting out the flat ready to move next weekend. Also had to get up early for the train to Epsom General for a check up yesterday which really seemed to exhaust me and then came straight to London to view another house.

Glucose test all went well at Epsom yesterday (well, won't know results until next week) and 28 week midwife check up all good - measuring spot on for dates again and good heartbeat. The trouble is, I personally feel like shit. On the walk to the train station yesterday morning (had to get up at 6am) I had to stop on the way to the station! Very unlike me. Just felt so exhausted. And then in the two hour wait between blood tests at the hospital I felt weird and dizzy again too. It's becoming a real effort for me to contemplate going anywhere - especially uphill. Is this normal?!

I DO have a sore throat so maybe there is something else going on. But I guess three pregnancies in a row, being on immune attacking medication since May last year and being low in iron don't really help. As well as the tablets I am making a conscious effort now to eat more iron - green leafy veg, dried apricots, fish, eggs and a glass of OJ with every meal to help it be absorbed.

Sue that is really interesting info about the FSH level. Wonder if it is directly related to the Pred? Does Dr Google reveal anything...? Hope your test goes ok too BellyD. Do let us know.

Ari it must be disheartening to think that Mr S thinks you're peri-menopausal. Do you think there are other signs of it or is it just that you said (was it you?) that family members have been through an early menopause?

Sorry you are feeling so low about everything Olives. It truly is understandable though. It's all such a battle sometimes. I want to watch the Lorraine thing too so will check it out online. Thanks for the tip off too to Stogan.

Coconut - agghh! to the Braxton Hicks and impending birth/induction. How are you feeling?! Does having been there before make it less scary - or even more scary. It is good to know we are essentially 'normal' after treatment but also hard to get our heads around I think. Loving the excess of pregnancy tests and am sure they will find a good home!

Snoopy thanks a MILLION for HypnoBirthing the book!! I got it when I got back to London yesterday and have been reading it avidly so far. I am really hoping it will help me feel a bit more positive about child birth - rather than eyeing up the idea of a C section which I seem to have been doing so far. On the subject of activation levels - mine was 3.79 and I am on one tablet of Hydoxy a day.

Hello back to Lemon! We have already exchanged and are completing on Tuesday!

Very scary as we only have Friday and Monday in Brighton now to pack (in London all week and Oxford on Sat & Sun). Saw a house we might want to buy yesterday but still thinking about it.

May already, would you believe... Just wish the weather would get a bit better! The early part of this month should see the arrival of three more Pred Babies! That will give us all something else to look forward too and to inspire hope in all. Hope we get some more newbies on here soon and also we are definitely going to get some more first trimesters very shortly. I can feel it.

PLease all feel free to edit/add/change the list. If you do update it (Digi was always a great list updater but now is rather too busy me thinks) just add the number of days since it was last updated for the BFPs. Ie if it was last updated on Monday and it is now Wednesday, all BFPs get 2 days added. Here we go:

Wednesday 2nd May

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 39+2 Due date: 07/05/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2, DC#2 ? 37+2 C-section booked: 14/5/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- 36+1 c-section booked for 16/5/12
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 35+3
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxychloroquine, Pred, Intralipids, 400 Cyclogest, Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st Pred cycle. DC#1 28+1 Next appt with Mr S, 25th May EDD 24/07/12 (GTT 1st May at EGH)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 28+1 EDD 24/07/12

2nd Trimester
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 24+5
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 24+1
FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 12+0
Mercator - V High NKC, TTC#2. 19+6
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 18+6
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 18+6
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 14+2

1st Trimester
To be filling up very shortly!

TTC ? ASSISTANCE - SO/IUI/IVF
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - IVF cycle #1 ?pred, intrallipids, metformin, clexane, cylogest
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 (44), SO 2, 6 MC No pred (2 chromosone, 4 unexplained), 1 DS Pred Cycle 1 & fragmin, 4 MC on Pred (1 fragmin),
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
London - High NKC, April - mc on treatment.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine). April - mc on treatment.
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
picolina - V High NKC MC on treatment (taking a break on holiday)
Holldoll - High NKC - Pred, Cyclogest & aspirin
Lemonsherbet - TTC#1 v high/high NK, Mthfr, thyroid issues, pred 1st trim & Intralipids 2nd on bfp
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
BellyD - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, TTC#1 cycle 2, hydroxychloroquine
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)

Current status?
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
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

sue, that's very interesting about your FSH levels. I wonder what my results will be next month. And also, how realistic they will be having not taken the pred this month. The possibility that the pred could be the reason I've had light periods and struggled to get pregnant is really starting to worry me. I wish Mr S would be a little more open to our concerns, or notice a pattern. It does mostly seem to be those of us over 40 that are having this problem though, so maybe that's why he is just writing it off to dwindling fertility.

According to my OPKs it seems I am having a sudden surge now. Just woke up (well, a couple of hours ago) to see a very bold double line on the one I used last night. Very useful. That would leave me with a potential 48hr luteal phase. Don't think that will work. Mind you, myself and OH have both been ill the last week or so, so if I'm going to miss ovulation this month was probably the most prudent time for it to happen.

Morning ladies -

free Do remember that your body may well start feeling much more tired now you're third trimester. I remember my energy levels taking a real battering in the third trimester, I even ended up resorting to using the lift at work to go up one flight of stairs!! in the end, I was so energy-depleted. Watch your iron intake, I think you are already?, and also remember your thyroid could be taking strain (but I'm sure you're monitoring that) too.

Well Mr S didn't actually say in so many words that he thought I was peri-menopausal but that was certainly the cut of his jib, IYSWIM. And no, I've had no symptoms of this at all, just lighter periods (and I firmly believe that's the pred, although Mr S states that's not the case) and neither did anyone in my family, that I know of, go through an early menopause. My mum was in her mid-50s when she hit that happy time, I believe.

Re hypnobirthing - I don't know the book you mention, but I would just say I'm actually a trained hypnotherapist myself (although non-practicing) and I know several of the people I trained with very successfully use hypnotherapy in assisting ladies with childbirth. Should I ever succeed in this mad quest for a second wee one, I shall definitely be talking to a couple of people about doing this.

duggs sorry to hear your fighting spirit has taken a bashing. It's a shtty journey we're all on; I feel for you and admire your resiliance and determination. Explore all avenues, as you're doing, and then you'll know there was nothing more you could have done in your quest. That's my rational behind my hefty supplement regime ... I hate taking all these tablets, but I understand what they all do, I am very careful about interactions, and I figure I owe it to my body to try as hard as I can before having to accept that it's just not going to work. Big hugs to you duggs, and to you too olives, I hear your frustration and downheartedness. And indeed hugs* to everyone else who is struggling right now.

free that might have been me you were mistaking for ari. My mum and grandma both started menopause around 43.

Found you all! For some reason I have hidden this thread and couldn't find you ...

Anyway - am just book marking and will post properly tomorrow when I have a min. Just wanted to say quickly hugs to those who are finding things a bit difficult just now :( xx

Duggs you are bound to feel low at the moment. I for one thought you had it in the bag so it was a real shock when you lost both. It's made me double think the IVF route so confused what to do at the moment. Not sure if the other clinics can offer much more than I am doing. I have sent you a PM about the agency as waiting for my friend to come back with details.

KIttens and ari I think the preds effects us all differently so maybe some of us have messed up cycles and some are perimenopausal? I think I would go with your gut feeling regarding fertility though as I still find it hard to believe that it can change overnight. There are other ladies on Babycentre who have had the same thing and I dont think they are all over 40. I have only just turned 40 so hopefully I still have a few years left yet.

Free I remember feeling rubbish in the 3rd trimester so its quite normal. I think in the 2nd trimester you almost forget you are pregnant (apart from the worries) as you feel normal so it hits you in the last trimester. Try to rest as much as you can and dont overdo it! I think the dizziness is down to having less oxygen in your blood as its thicker when pregnant.

Snoopy and BellyD how did your appointments go?

Wednesday 2nd May
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 39+2 Due date: 07/05/12
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2, DC#2 ? 37+2 C-section booked: 14/5/12
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- 36+1 c-section booked for 16/5/12
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 35+3
Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxychloroquine, Pred, Intralipids, 400 Cyclogest, Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st Pred cycle. DC#1 28+1 Next appt with Mr S, 25th May EDD 24/07/12 (GTT 1st May at EGH)
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 28+1 EDD 24/07/12

2nd Trimester
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 24+5
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 24+1
FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 12+0
Mercator - V High NKC, TTC#2. 19+6
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 18+6
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 18+6
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 14+2

1st Trimester
To be filling up very shortly!

TTC ? ASSISTANCE - SO/IUI/IVF
duggs1976 - High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - IVF cycle #1 ?pred, intrallipids, metformin, clexane, cylogest
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 (44), SO 2, 6 MC No pred (2 chromosone, 4 unexplained), 1 DS Pred Cycle 1 & fragmin, 4 MC on Pred (1 fragmin),
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
London - High NKC, April - mc on treatment.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine). April - mc on treatment.
Willitbe - RMC, NKC not tested, TTC #4 cycle 2 (after m/c 12) Fertility consultant
prescribed pred.
GreenOlives - High NKC, TTC#2, have decided to only take Pred from BFP
picolina - V High NKC MC on treatment (taking a break on holiday)
Holldoll - High NKC - Pred, Cyclogest & aspirin
Lemonsherbet - TTC#1 v high/high NK, Mthfr, thyroid issues, pred 1st trim & Intralipids 2nd on bfp
buster76 -V High NKC, Factor V Leiden.
BellyD - V High NKC, MTHFR homo, TTC#1 cycle 2, hydroxychloroquine
ScooterChaser - V High NKC - TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)

Current status?
Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
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

Hi ladies,
I had a good chat with DH last night and we have decided that I will only take the Pred from BFP after weighing up all the pros and cons. I hope it's the right decision, time will tell I suppose! I feel a bit better already just having made a definite decision!

Duggs I'm not surprised that your fighting spirit is in short supply at the moment but I get the feeling that it will reignite - you strike me as a very determined and resilient woman and I hope with all my heart that you realise your dream of having a family

Free The third trimester does take it out of you, particularly with the anaemia too so just listen to your body and take it as easy as you can! (which I appreciate may not be easy with moving etc )

On the subject of hypnotherapy I used a hypnotherapy CD during the last trimester when I pregnant with DS and I found it invaluable in labour, I really believe it helped fantastically. In fact I've recently downloaded a couple of hypnotherapy sessions for conception and fertility. I've only listened to one of them so far, it only lasts 10 mins and seems to just be about general relaxation. I've listened to it every night before going to sleep and I've found it great at clearing my mind and relaxing me so I'm going to keep it up.

Waves to everyone. x

I don't know how to start. Appointment couldn't have been worse.

I had thin needle biopsy, mammogram, Ultrasound. Back to consultant hour or so later. I have got Breast Cancer in left breast where pain was. In three different places. I am reeeling, devastated, terrified and just feel surreal. It's taking all my might to post this. Then another tissue biopsy. I have another biopsy friday as they couldn't get to another bit. My breast is so truamatised with brusing we had to leave it there for the day. Main sample already sent off for testing so don't know what grade it is yet or how aggresive.
Waiting for nurse to call me with appointment with Oncologist. I also need to have MRI to see if spread anywhere else. I am so scared. All I can think of is my Son/DH. I must keep normal as possible for DS.
My family are in shock too. I didn't think I would come out of there Tues with this diagnosis. I am glad it was quick but and wouldn't have wanted to wait a week to see if any cancerous cells but the speed of this diagnosis has floored me. Better this way I know.
The consultant said it's either mastectomy/chemo or drugs (trial)to shrink the cancer. I won't know if I have this choice until i see oncologist which hopefully will within week. All I can hope is that it's not spread anywhere else.

There have been massive leaps forward in the treatment even in last 2 yrs so just have to see what's what first. Just hope it's localised and I've got a chance.

Guess DS is going to be a only child but I just want to be healthy for him. That's all I want.

I'm gonna miss you lot so much. Thanks for everything and I wish massive luck to you all. Don't give up, If I can't you mustn't.
x