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

pebbles I just came on to see if you'd tested :) Can I add a bit of reassurance from one who is actually going through a CP ... sue is absolutely right, if you're comparing your test today to the one you took 2 days ago, that one will have got slightly darker over time so it doesn't actually help to compare them (although of course we all do it). And again echoing sue, as long as it hasn't got lighter then it could still be perfectly ok - my test 2 days after my first was quite definitely lighter, and then the next day's test was lighter still. If your test is much the same in strength, then hopefully all should be ok.

As for the line not being as dark as the control line (and this is for sue too) ... that in itself is not an indicator of strength of hCG or viability of the pregnancy. That much I have found out over the past 2 years of doing these bl**dy things! It's only if subsequent tests start to get lighter (indicating whatever the starting level of hCG was, it's getting less) that there might be an issue.

So to both of you, for now I would say your lines sound good, and fingers crossed for a continuing strong pregnancies for you both!

duggs I was horrified to hear your doctor saying it's an act of God ... who the hell does he think he is, God himself? What a thoroughly shtty - and unprofessional! - thing to say. You need to find yourself a more medically-minded doctor! I agree with what you say about Mr S - I really wish he tested for everything the others do, I have always thought well if there are these 3 things wrong with me that he found, what else might there be (and with OH) that he hasn't tested for? Now that's not to say I would go with IVIG (couldn't afford it, for one thing) if that turned out to be the remedy for anything else that might be the matter, but at least I could stop putting myself through this again and again if I knew there were something else causing issues. I am very seriously thinking of going to see Dr Gorgy, if nothing else I am hopeful because I'm going through this again my healthcare insurance people might pay for the additional tests. I might phone them later and see if they will. I'm not at all sure OH will go along with getting himself tested, he doesn't say anything about all this (other than muttering at repeated intervals about "all the chemicals" I'm putting in my body - I keep telling him 99% of them are vitamins and so not what I consider "chemicals" but he won't listen) and he doesn't seem to want to really get involved with the investigation side of it. But I really think he should have been tested, and I would very much like to know if any of the other tests show anything up. I'd be very interested to hear when you get your test results back duggs*, if you don't mind sharing them with us?

As for me, well my body has finally got with the plan and started bleeding, 2 days late so I suppose I should be grateful it is over this quick. Louise is happy for me to get straight into the Letrozole again without waiting, as it was so early, so I guess I'll try again. Still with an eye to seeing Mr Gorgy, though.

duggs Sorry if someone asked already but if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me how much the extra tests ended up costing?

/waves to everyone, hope choccy and olives are enjoying their holidays and everyone else getting to enjoy some of this glorious sunshine!

ari thanks for the words of reassurance. I have been googling pics of frer tests but at the end of the day I know that if it is going to fail it is going to fail. I personally prefer to know by using the tests as you are then prepared for the bleeding to start.
I have to say dr gorgy would be my next plan if this one fails. I also can't afford ivigs and also don't like the idea of them but am interested in the humira drug he uses. I asked Louise at nlc if I could take heparin or double up on hydroxy this time and she said not to. I did double up on the hydroxy for a couple of days but back to the single dose now.

ari glad your at has arrived and you can start TTC again without wait

Sorry stupid iPhone was supposed to say af and then posted my message before I had finished it!
ari I know it doesn't make you feel better but at least you can keep TTC.
duggs I do wonder if mr s will eventually change the treatment seeing as so many of us have probs conceiving whilst on it. I will be interested in the plan dr g will put you on. Are you still doing SO in the meantime?

Sue fingers crossed. I can relate to keeping testing.

Ari that's shit news but I know you knew it was coming and it is a relief to get it over with I know. So that's you and me both on two losses on Pred and with hydroxy too for the second.

Duggs I simply cannot believe your GP. I'd complain to the practice manager or your local pct. How unprofessional. Act of god indeed. You poor thing that is so not what you need to hear. As to counselling I'm waiting on a referral from my (lovely) GP (there are some around you must look for a new one). Sounds like good advice from the others about Zita West. Big sunny hugs to you xx

Well I must drag myself back to lazing on my sunbed with my kindle :) waves to all

Ari, so sorry this has been another chemical. It is such a stress and then a huge disappointment.

I am really keeping everything crossed for Pebbles too and those tests getting darker and darker.

I am wondering if there is any difference - NK cells wise - between a chemical pregnancy and a miscarriage. Ie a difference between failure to properly implant and a foetus forming and then dying in the early weeks. There seem to have been so many CPs here over the months. Or is that just 'life' and it happens to so many people who aren't testing early and we just don't know about it. One to ask Mr S when I next interview him I think. I guess it is not an exact science anyway so there might not be one direct answer to that.

Duggs am also spluttering at the Act of God quote!

Forgetting that Choccy is away! Hope you are having a great time on the sunbed

Hello to everyone else, got to run as off to the chemist to stock up on more hard core drugs. God knows what he thinks of me!

Duggs today is my official test date. Am not going to phone the clinic for another couple of days yet as last time I had a positive back in October because it wasn't as strong as the control line they made me test a couple of days later.

Sue try not to worry too much if you can, as you had a nice strong line the other day I am sure it can't be a chemical. All this testing drives you mental!!

Can't believe your doctor called it an act of god, how ridiculous!!!'

ari thank you for the reassurance and hear what you are saying about the lines getting darker after a day or two. This test did seem to be the same as the others but took a while to show. Just want the next couple of days to pass quickly... Glad you can start ttc straight away, I know how frustrating it is when they make you wait

ari I'm really hoping that the post mc fertility boost applies to chem pregnancies too

duggs I think your GPs comments fall into the same category as stories I have seen on MN about midwives refusing pain relief and/or "supporting" women in labour by saying that the labour pains are God's punishment for Eve's transgressions in the Garden of Eden. I kid you not.

choccy - lap up that sun! Thinking of you.

pebbles and sue e/thing crossed.

free must give you your summer clothes back. Are you in the new house yet?

Lurking on the train (not obsessed at all...) and having a bit of a horrified chuckle at the thought of 'punishment for Eve's transgressions'!

Oh crossed posts PQ, no to new house. Think it's still early days in terms of paperwork. Am loitering around the area though so let me know when you're free xx

OMG PQ really? labour pains being God's punishment for Eve's transgressions? Where on earth do these people get off!!! I'm not even vaguely religious, but even if I were, I would resent hugely these people trying to foist their own (in my not so humble opinion ridiculous) opinions on others, especially at such a vulnerable moment. Actually brings to mind something my ex-DH had with a GP years ago. He has a chronic back condition and when he was seeing his GP for a referral, his GP asked him in all seriousness if he could 'lay his hands' on my ex's back to pray for his back to heal. And this man was actually the most senior doctor at the practice.

PQ Actually I have to say the same thought crossed my mind but you know, I really doubt it (about the extra fertility after a miscarriage), since I don't actually believe it's true anyway!

Just thought I would do this so there were only two days to add since last update. Counting more than two taxes my tiny mind right now...Haven't heard from Frozen or Dunnit in quite a while, hope all is well.

Weds 23rd May

The babies are arriving!

Stogan - V high NKC - cycle#2, DC#1, Baby girl Ellyson (DC1) born Sunday (CS) 11/03/12 7lb13.5.
Digitalgirl - High NKC - BFP cycle#2, Baby boy Franco (DS2) born at 39+0 on Easter Monday, 9/04/12, 8 lbs 12
Coconutfeet - V High NKC, Factor II gene mutation, underactive thyroid - BFP pre-pred, started at 6 weeks, Baby boy Arthur born at 40+6 13/05/12 3.66kg
Comedy - V High NKC - BFP cycle#2, baby girl Matilda born DC#2 ? 39 weeks (CS) 14/5/12 7 lbs.
Iggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- Baby boy born at 38+6 16/5/12

BFP 3rd Trimester

Freelance - V High NKC TTC#1 Hydroxychloroquine, Pred, Intralipids, 400 Cyclogest, Thyroid/hashimotos. MC 1st Pred cycle. DC#1 31+1 Next appt/scan, 25th May EDD 24/07/12 by LMP, 22/07 by Nuchal
Cheerfulcharlie - V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 31+1 EDD 24/07/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 27+5
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 27+2

2nd Trimester

FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 23+0
Mercator - V High NKC, TTC#2. 22+6
Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 21+6
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 21+6
PQ77 - V High NKC TTC #2 (BFP cycle one but mc) 17+3

1st Trimester
HelterSkelter (IVF and immune therapy) 7+2

To be added to shortly...

TTC ? ASSISTANCE - SO/IUI/IVF
Pinkdragon - High NKC. Pred Daughter (after 4 mcs) TTC #2, super ov.
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
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 6, had 3 cycles of Super Ov, now on 2nd cycle of 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. MC March 2012 on treatment. Pred started at BFP.
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)
Carebear1 - V high NKC

Current status?

BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 37+3 MIA for a while! Must be due around 1st June

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

Thinking of Snoopy and hoping for a full recovery to health soon.

Have been lurking plenty.

ari sorry for the cp , must feel like groundhog day.

sue and pebbles wishing you ladies lots of strength to deal with the next few days and weeks.

duggs v interesting re your appts with Dr G. Looking forward to hearing his diagnosis & treatment plan for you.

free less than 6 weeks till you're officially term. Eek!

Thought I would share a bot of info I just read about there being more miscarriages in the winter:
www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/womens-health/fertility-regular-menses/

If you remember, I had a theory that the lack of Vit D during the winter might explain the big gap in the first trimester that we have. Seems like it is natures way of having babies born in the summer.
Thought it might bring everyone TTC a bit of hope of getting a BFP with all the sun we are having, it's a good excuse to sit on a sunbed!

I am not sure if CPs do make you more fertile but then I have had 2 this year before my recent BFP so something has helped! I did read that having a hysteroscopy can help which is what I had a couple of weeks ago. Plus my BFP was straight after my Bermuda holiday where I had lots of sun so who knows?

Duggs cant believe your doctor talking to you like that! It's not like you don't feel bad enough already.

Funnily enough Sue I know I was actually deficient in Vitamin D before going on supplements after seeing Mr S. It's quite common with people with thyroid issues apparently. I was tested about 5 years ago and stupidly, in retrospect, never remembered to take any supplements. Even though I took plenty of supplements for fitness purposes when I turned into a gym freak. Obviously not sure of my levels for the two miscarriages of 2011 but it does seem possible that it might be significant.

Hope you're doing ok today and trying not to mental too much!

Hi Digi are you very busy? How is it all going?! Yes both charlie and I will be at term in another 6 weeks time. Aggh!

After the time-dragging of the first trimester things definitely sped up. It really does feel like I have been pregnant for such a long time though. Today I dropped in to my old gym to see a couple of friends/trainers I used to work with and it felt really weird to be in this sort of limbo world still - between my old life and new. I feel like I have been in that limbo for a long time now. I know most of you can relate to a limbo of some kind and I realise I am lucky to now be in a third trimester limbo.

If am not worrying about lack of movements at the moment I am worrying about STYLE of movements. It suddenly occurred to me - how do I know what is a normal movement...? I guess I just need to chill the feck out and look towards this scan on Friday.

On a separate note, what a lovely day it was today! Hope everyone had good days, or as good as possible in each circumstance.

Free I must congratulate your dedication to this thread. You r a trooper to all of us still trying to get off the starting block x

I agree with duggs as there are some days when I don't think I would have coped without this thread do thanks free from me too!
Interesting Free about your vit d deficiency. I am taking double the dose at the moment plus trying to get outside as much as poss. I feel like every second is dragging at the moment even though I know once/if I get to 9 weeks I will be a lot happier. That's only 4 weeks and 5 days left to go! It doesn't sound so bad when you say that.
I wonder now if 3 of my other losses in 2010 were chemicals as I only got to around 6 weeks. I guess it had died in week 5 but took a while to bleed. I read on google that they estimate around 70% of pregnancies end in a chemical but most women don't know. That figure seems to be similar to all the cps we have had on here lately.

free I don't blame you for worrying over every twinge and movement but at least you know the baby is viable now so if you had to have an early delivery the baby would be well developed. I am sure you will be ok but i find it's hard to believe in happy endings when there have been so many awful times. I think until the baby is in your arms you won't truly believe this is your time.

Not insanely busy but the days do seem to be whizzing by. Ds1's pre-school routine makes the day go very quickly. I'm picking him up now which means getting out the house by 11.45 at the latest - but often I'll arrange to meet a friend in the morning or run an errand on my way to the nursery so I'm out the door around 10.

As a result of his new love for sleeping on his front F has developed a disliking for lying on his back in his buggy - so is often crying whenever I push him anywhere. So I'm bringing the sling out with me whenever possible to get him to sleep then put him in the buggy afterwards. He went nearly 7 hours yesterday night - last night it was 6. So dh and I do have the opportunity to spend a couple of adult only hours together in the evening but mainly I prioritise sleep and he prioritises work. Means he can help out more during the day. But we know we'll get our evenings back eventually and I'm in no rush to wish this time away. The new baby stage is hard to adjust to first time round but it is over so quickly. The haze of sleepless nights is lifting and I'm starting to plan family daytrips to amuse ds1, as the poor bugger has had to watch a lot of tv lately (although we're in the park a lot more now the suns out). Will also be making our first trip down to Brighton to see the inlaws this weekend.

pebbles have you done another test today? Hope all is ok.

digi glad to hear you are getting into a routine now and that F is sleeping well. The sleep deprivation is the worst bit in the early stages!
I am sure ds1 doesn't mind having to watch tv!

Sue that is interesting about vitamin D. St Mary's are testing me for vitamin D deficiency, even though I mentioned I had been on the supplements. When I go back I will ask more about it. That said, I had been sunning myself in Spain before the most recent mc.

Anyway, hope everyone is out enjoying the sun and topping up the levels!

Very interesting article Sue. I have held off testing today but tbh think I will be champing at the bit by tomorrow. I desperately want some reassurance is going in the right direction. Seem to be having to pee an awful lot but I do drink a lot of water! Have you tested today? Have you booked in for a 7wk scan yet? I holding off booking mine with ivf clinic until I see if line has got stronger.

Thanks for all the support girls, this thread us a life saviour so thanks Free. Also thank you for educating me on nk cells and immune problems. (smile)

Interesting stuff about vit D. The 10 week gap in positive pregnancy tests on this thread during our dreary spring might support the Vit D theory!

I'm heading towards the end of my IUI#2 2ww now and I am pretty sure nothing is happening. I'm looking forward to having a break from the pred next month (must use that time to try to shift the pred pounds!) and then we're moving on to IVF I think.

Aww thanks everyone - re comments about the thread. It really is great to have people who can relate to all the crap we are going through, so even though I am out of the TTC stage and hopefully doing ok I still benefit from the support too. I am obsessed with communication and writing anyway so this just helps feed my obsession.

I am starting to feel like I need to see my RL friends more - Brighton on weekends was so lovely as we had lots of friends nearby and always had spontaneous meet ups. I just can't get my head around my London social life at the moment as all my friends live so far apart (even though in the same city) and you have to make arrangements to see people way in advance. I guess once I have a baby I will be making new friends in the area anyway.

Digi you make it all sound quite, if not easy, well challenging but nice and DOABLE. I can't wait to hopefully have a successful birth behind me and to be a few months down the line with a baby so I can hopefully be reasonably confident in my baby skills! Pebbles and I were reminiscing earlier about how when we were around 10/11 years old in Spain we used to take these baby twins out for hours in their buggy. Their mum was perfectly happy assigning responsibility to us! We laughed at this nostalgically until I realised that this was the last time I have had any involvement in proper childcare