TTC/Pregnancy on Prednisolone or similar part 8

[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 7 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1452035-TTC-Pregnancy-on-Prednisolone-or-similar-part-7

Part 6 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

Green oh great! That makes me happy! I don't have my first scan until 6 weeks, so I am still pretending that I am not pregnant to keeps stress levels down! In the meantime, i am being pretty lazy, trying not to focus on all the little things and keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well on July 3! My first pregnancy was an ectopic, so i am also anxious to hear that the blob is in the right location.

Anyone- what does 2ww mean? 2 week window? Is this after ovulation? Sorry, I don't know all the lingo.

Anyone know anything about yoga? You know, there is a lot of conflicting information out there! Some say yoga is awesome, some say it's dangerous. I do regularly practise, but every time I have fallen pregnant I stop- usually because I am spotting or bleeding and scared, but let's just say I don't get any of those symptoms this time...is the relaxation of the yoga more beneficial than the possibility that it may raise NK cell count? (or so I read). Views?

arian my OH freaked out when I told him some of the other statistics that I already face and, given that this is one of the smallest, said that I would need to make the decision and he would support it. I could have kicked him this morning though when I told him about the slight pink discharge from yesterday and extremely light brown first thing this morning.. He actually said 'maybe you didn't start taking the steroids soon enough!' brain like a monkey. Am still hopeful that all coloured discharge is from the progesterone (it was greasy?) barf, sorry TMI. I tried a new parking spot for it last night. Mentally, I can do without coloured discharge, thankyou very much!

Haven't had any side effects from the pred yet. Atleast none that stand out, so thats a good thing.

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome x

Afternoon all, and huge welcome to bertha! Glad you are getting stuck in here - the more the merrier - and fab to hear about your BFP. Yes it is such a worrying time but also the first step in the right direction. I always used standard entrance for the Progesterone, not sure why as I hated the smell and discharge (nice...) with a vengeance. But for some reason never tried any alternative parking :) I did have pink tinged stuff around 7 weeks in but I think that was from having sex. Cue a period of celibacy until around 16 weeks. All my random research pointed to the fact that the cervix is just so delicate that anything can cause a bit of irritation and subsequent spotting. So hopefully nothing to worry about.

Ok - scrolling back up - Olives that is great news that the sac is in the right place! Surely that is a tick next to Step 2. Step 3 will come with the heartbeat in a couple of weeks when it's big enough to be seen. But fab news that it's there an in the right place.

As for yoga for pregnancy I have no idea if it would affect NK levels or not although it is of course said to be good for 'normal' pregnancies. I did read a report saying exercise boosted NK cell levels (hence it is normally good for people as it helps boost immunity) but who knows if that means we should steer clear of it?! Same for you Pebbles with TTC and Zumba. As a former fitness bunny (gym up to 6 times a week!) I carried on with working out for the first two miscarriages last year. For this pregnancy I was taking it a lot easier. Am not sure if those two things are connected but I this time I was inclined to take it easy with exercise and just walk, do light weights and don't over do things. Plenty of time for serious fitness again afterwards. Like Sue says though, there is nothing that can predict what to do for the best! Everything in moderation maybe.

My protocol with the hydroxy, Kittens was to just add it to the treatment I was having already - so start taking the Hydroxy as soon as prescribed (turned out to be 2 weeks prior to ovulation), 25mg Pred from ovulation, 40mg Pred from BFP plus intralipids - which I ended up having at 4, 8, 12 and an extra one at around 15 weeks. Still on hydroxy, but now going off it at 36 weeks as per Mr S' advice today.

Battery glad the baby started moving more - believe me every week I am googling 'decrease in movement at XX weeks' as well as 'increase in movement at xx weeks. They just seem to have quieter periods follow by more active ones! But yes, out comes the ice cold water, the Dopplar...

Euro when I had 'severe dyskariosis' they told me not to worry as these were just slight changes in cells BEFORE anything remotely cancerous. Am sure Battery can tell you more though. You might find they don't need zapping at all.

Very impressed that Battery does smears! Could we pop round to you instead of having to go to the GP

Digi sooo lovely to hear from you and also to hear so much positive news about F. Great too that you have been able to do that bit of freelance work. I will be (all going well) hopefully chatting to you a lot more about these things when I 'graduate'. I also wanted to ask you about DH too - whether he did small things as well as whole projects. Turns out our new house needs a bit more tweaking than we thought.

Who else? I've said hello to all newbies I think - but if I've missed anyone let me know. PQ hope the re-scan went well. Waves to all others too.

As for me, am back from scan and then consultation with Mr S at Epsom General and all is ok so far. Baby is measuring rather large still - abdominal circumference off the scale - but he says it just means it is a big baby rather than anything wrong. Already estimated to be just over 7lbs at 35.3 weeks! No wonder I have started to waddle and feel rather more tired than I have been.
I guess the biggest news is I am booked in for a ELCS at 39 weeks - 17th July. Gulp. Ah well, it has to come out one way or another!

OK, I think I have everyones updates on here. Have created a new category for the newly pregnant but awaiting 6/7 week scans. So you're not yet having to freak out about being in the first trimester! I have also moved Frozen (haven't heard from her in a while - hope all is well?) and merc up to the third trimester. Have added Delta, Bertha and also Mollie who is still awaiting diagnosis and have moved Brownstag up to the TTC SO list. All BFPs have had their weeks/days brought up to date - hopefully accurately.

Anyone else need anything changing go ahead!

Friday 22nd June

The babies are arriving!

Stogan - V high NKC - cycle#2, DC#1, Baby girl Ellyson (DC1) born Sunday (EMCS) 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 (ELCS) 14/5/12 7 lbs.
Igggi - High NKC & Hypothyroidism - BFP cycle#2, DC#2- Baby boy Thomas born (ELCS) at 38+6 16/5/12
BrownieGecko - High NKC, Hypothyroidism, & Glucose Intolerant. BFP Clomid cycle#3, DC#1 40+0 - baby girl Amelia born 7/06/12 (ELCS) 7lbs

BFP 3rd Trimester

Freelance - TTC#1 V High NKC Thyroid/hashimotos - 4mcs (4th on 1st Pred cycle) heart stopped around 7-8 weeks, Hydroxy, Pred, Intralipids, Cyclogest, . DC#1 35+3 wks ELCS 17/07/12
Cheerfulcharlie - TTC#1 V High NKC, MTHFR, DC#2/ (metformin, intralipids, no pred). 35+3 wks EDD 24/07/12
batteryhen - High NKC, factor v leiden. DC#1 BFP cycle 3. 32+2
coleyoz - V High NKC. DC#2, BFP cycle2, 31+3
FrozenNorthPole - RMC, NKC status unknown, Cyclogest, aspirin, 27+2
Mercator - V High NKC, DC#2 27+0 (Pred, Intralipids, Cyclogest) 4mcs (1 pre dd, 3 post - all at 6-8 wks)

2nd Trimester

Hopefulfor2nd - High NKC - TTC#2. - 26+2
dunnit - V High NKC - , IVIG, Cyclogest and Clexane. 26+2
PQ77 - TTC #2, 2 mcs, then DS, followed by 4 mcs - 6-8 weeks. V High NKC (BFP cycle one but mc) 21+5

1st Trimester

HelterSkelter (IVF and immune therapy) 11+3
Suemays - TTC#2. DD, followed by 6mcs all 6-8 weeks. V High NKC. Superov but this BFP a natural one. (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine) 8+5

BFPs awaiting 6 week scans

GreenOlives - TTC#2 DS followed by 2mcs, 1 ec, 1 chem. High NKC, Pred from BFP. Est 4.6
Bertha337 - High NKC, 3 mcs, est 4.5.
Delta10 - High VNKC, 5 mcs followed by DS Pred baby, 1 further mc

TTC ? ASSISTANCE - SO/IUI/IVF

EchoJuliet, awaiting diagnosis, Preg 1 -MC 10 weeks (heartbeat stopped at 6w), mc 20w, mc at 8 weeks (heartbeat stopped at 6.5w).
Pinkdragon - High NKC. Pred Daughter (after 4 mcs) TTC #2, super ov.
duggs1976 - TTC#1 4 mcs all 7-12 weeks. High/V High NKC - TTC #1 - IVF cycle #1 ?pred, intrallipids, metformin, clexane, cylogest
Havingkittens - TTC#1 4mcs between 6-8 weeks, 2 Downs. Upgraded from High to V High NKC -10 pred ? 3rd cycle SO
Abney (44), TTC#2, 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 No BFP in 20+ cycles of trying
Pebbles - TTC#1 High NKC, PCOS, super ov cycle 1 (post IVF - 1 chemical, 1 mc, 2nd chemical on treatment/IVF
Arianrhod - TTC#2 DD then 5 mcs 5-9 wks (2 on treatment), V High NKC, MTHFR homo, hypothyroid, TTC#2 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine)
Brownstag - V High NKC, 3 yo DS is a Pred Baby! TTC #2 on Hydroxy, SO

TTC

London - High NKC, April - mc on treatment.
ChoccyPud - V High NKC - TTC#1 (Pred & Hydroxychloroquine). April - mc on treatment.
Willitbe - TTC#4 DS, DD, 1 mc, DS2, followed by 11mcs, gen 6-8 weeks. NKC not tested, TTC #4 cycle 2 (after m/c 12) Fertility consultant
prescribed pred.
picolina - TTC#1 4 mcs, all around 6 weeks. V High NKC MC on treatment
Holldoll - TTC #2 High NKC - Pred, Cyclogest & aspirin. DS followed by 4 mcs, heart stopped around 5-6wk. Mc in 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
Gransol - Seven mcs - all losses between 6 & 7 weeks

Current status?

Cherrycheeks - V high NKC, TTC#2
Breezyweezy - V High NKC - TTC#1
AandRmum - High NKC
Cornflakes30 - V High NKC, underactive thyroid
Zoeella V.high NKC, Factor V Leiden. abandoned IVF, pos PCOS

Mollieboo - awaiting diagnosis

Hi everyone
Thanks free for adding me to the list.

I saw Dr S earlier in the week, he was very nice and it was such a relief to be told that he thinks he can help me, that's even before he sees the test results. Also the midwife there said that no matter what the results are, I will be given a plan. That sounds encouraging considering no-one else seems to know what to do with me, I guess you've all been through that stage on here. Roll on next Sat to find out results, although I'm really nervous!
digital huge congrats re your baby, its lovely to hear from you success story ladies.
I agree its really hard to know what to do re exercise when you're pregnant and higher risk like us. I feel guilty if I go for a gentle walk when I'm pregnant but if you are used to exercising its really difficult to do nothing. bertha I have been going to yoga for years, and just for info when I was pregnant my yoga teacher asked me not to attend in my first trimester just in case, and also because of insurance issues. As she is a trained pregnancy yoga teacher, I went back to the class in my middle trimester but couldn't do a lot of the usual stretches, she gave me alternative ones. I have seen pregnancy yoga classes though which you can attend at any time, which is what I'll do next time I get pregnant. Prob best to have a word with your yoga teacher.
Hi to everyone else.

Sorry also congrats to sue and olives on your scans, and welcome to bertha and congrats on your bfp!

Great news on black blob olives

Squeeee! Only 3 and a half weeks till your cs free - really not long to go at all! Try not to worry re: abdominal circumference measuring off the scale. F did but wasn't freakishly big at 39 weeks. Bigger babies apparently are better sleepers . F did 9-6 last night - a new record!

I did pregnancy yoga from 20-ish weeks - its mainly breathing and some gentle stretches, nothing to raise your bp. Would recommend it.

free congrats on your due date, how exciting! I had a c section last year, I did have a general anaesthetic but was up and about a few hours later going to see the baby in the neonatal unit, so its nothing to worry about recovery wise, just keep on top of the painkillers!
Sorry everyone for all the posts, I keep forgetting to put everything into the one post.
Have a good evening all.

free have you moved?! V exciting to have a "meet my baby" date!

To all the yoga bunnies, I'd never heard before that it could raise the NK cell count. I was doing it regularly (gave up gym membership a couple of months ago to focus on running over the summer).

I had my gynae appointment. The good news is that there were no visible lesions, but my downregging drugs have made my cervix take on a menopausal appearance , so the zone where problems usually start wasn't visible. Anyway, he has taken another smear (fascinating to see that being done - they twiddle the thing [technical term] round five times apparently) and that will be tested for the two strains of HPV most likely to cause problems to develop. I have to wait about 10 days for those results. When he took my history he seemed interested in the fact that I had just been on Prednisolone for 6 months, but didn't really say much (probably because he couldn't get a word in edgeways as I prattled on nervously....). So fingers crossed for the HPV results.

freelance girl - I'd definitely recommend not worrying about the scan measurements. My DS had head and abdominal circumferences that were nearly on the 100th centile and leg measurement that was on the 25th. I tied myself up in knots about it, and then I also discovered on the internet to my horror that there was a ratio between these measurements that would indicate Downs, or at least a soft marker for it, and however many times I number crunched (different academic papers had slightly diffierent ratios) it always came back that he might have Downs. I hadn't had the nuchal scan, you see, so it was extra worrying. But when he was born of course he didn't have Downs. Was he a fat, short-limbed alien-like creature with an enormous cranium? No, perfectly normal. Gorgeous, in fact. Personally I would disconnect the internet during pregnancy or at least ban yourself from any pregnancy-related searches.
P.S. On the list, I have only high, not very high, natural killer cells.

Hello, I don't know if you've seen it already but there is info about new guidelines on managing mc for NICE that we have been invited to give comments about - it's on the mumsnet campaigns page. I'll put the link in if you're interested. Must say I think some of it is a step back, not forward
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/1500976-Consultation-on-NICE-draft-guideline-to-improve-care-of-women-at-risk-of-miscarriage-or-ectopic-pregnancy

I'm driving myself mad mentalling today I'm convinced it's all going to go wrong! I just wish I felt more pregnant. I was worrying myself sick about having crampy period type pains last week and now I'm worrying about not having them - arrrghh!! I know it's really too early for symptoms anyway, I don't think my MS kicked in until nearly 7 weeks with DS but I definitely had the crampy pains for longer with him. Do you think the Pred could be masking some symptoms? What are your experiences of symptoms/lack of them on Pred ladies? I'm hoping that the tiredness of being on nights is just exacerbating my fears and that the mentalling will return to a more manageable level next week!

green I am sure I read somewhere that pred masks morning sickness. But I don't know about anything else. I am totally with you though on the symptom checker. I keep groping my beasts to see if they are still tender and sensitive. We can be neurotics together on the symptom front!
X

And thanks everyone for thoughts on yoga! For the time being I think I will just deep breath while laying on my back and give it a miss until I feel a bit more'established.' x

Greenolives I was sick as a dog with ds1 (no pred) and hardly anything with ds2, not even sore boobs. Interestingly, once I was weaned off the steroids I started feeling sick then, and this continued to about 30 weeks! So please try not to worry re sickness.

olives Another one here with barely any sickness in the first trimester. In fact the steroids boosted my productivity so I was running around at work, hectic at weekends and basically keeping myself busy so I could remain in denial until about 8 weeks when I had my first scan.

greenolives, the pred definitely masks the symptoms of pregnancy; I got it from the horse's mouth, Mr S. Mine completely vanished when I started the pred at 5 weeks, and then the morning sickness returned for a week or two once I was off them and then disappeared. And all was fine.

free another story to not worry about abdominal measurements. I was told DS was off the charts, probably had GD. He was 9lb 7oz when born, but he is now around the 50th centile for weight whilst in the 98th centile for length. Your body is doing a good job getting him ready to leave the womb. He will lose weight in the first week, so he needs to be pudgy! Thinking of you and will be so happy to hear of your new arrival!

digi am jealous of F sleeping through. Still hasn't happened for me yet!

olives I didn't start feeling the nausea until around 7 weeks and it has not been as bad as with dd1. I was also told that preds mask sickness infant Louise told me that it is used for women with severe morning sickness. She told me I would likely have been admitted to hospital if I wasnt on the steroids as most peo

just a quick up date on my alternative treatment for nk cells - arian my chinese doc told me to take
half spoon huang qi- with half glass boiling water, drink when cooled
half spoon qin jiao - as above
1 capsule of cordyceps - 3 times a dayy
all taken after food.
also she said this web site had the best cordycepts
www.jcm.co.uk- they are also cheaper
ive started acupuncture and my muscles have shown improvement after 2 sessions , she seems to think the pain in muscles and joints are caused my fluid retention caused by steriods, all still hanging around .better go woke up with a pounding headach , time for a lazy sun!

Hey LAF! Great to see you dropping by! How is everything going?! Wow, what a long way we have all come in the last year. I am guessing that your GD test was also negative? So was mine and I don't seem to have any other real negative signs - although I HAVE been wanting fruit sugars throughout this whole pregnancy. It's not chocolate and sweets I realise but it is still sugar. 9lbs 7? Wow! But yes, good advice as I know they do lose it a bit afterwards. Hope you're enjoying motherhood!!

Olives, as Brownstag says the Pred definitely helps to mask pregnancy symptoms. I was a bit queasy (which, as you say, kicked in around 6-7 weeks) but I think that was down to my aversion to the progesterone. Certainly no actual sickness and quite a few days when I posted on here - as some of you will remember - saying 'Help - I feel well!!'. And I do remember Digi being full of energy.

Having a little chuckle at Bertha prodding your boobs. I kept doing that too. I never had any serious soreness or discomfort but the odd light bruised feeling was reassuring. I agree about the exercise. I felt I really wanted to continue with it as much as possible but in the end I couldn't really be arsed, I just wanted to concentrate on the pregnancy and I will worry about getting back in shape afterwards. My muscles have stayed relatively strong I think and I am certainly not the blob I always anticipated I would be when I got to later stage pregnancy. I did do a few weeks of pregnancy pilates but to be honest after being someone who loved lifting weights before i found it didn't really hold my interest. Keep meaning to go back but hasn't happened!

Iggi thanks for that link - am going to have a good look through. Hope you're doing well with the baby!

Thanks for reassuring words about CS' Mollie. Why were you under GS, was it an emergency? Any other good stories about it gratefully accepted!

Well, I've been trying to be calm ever since my news about the CS date. Telling myself that a lot of people do this sort of thing all the time - including people on this thread and Mr S himself for whom this is pretty routine. Did you know he actually does the op himself?! Quite impressive. He said a lot of people are quite surprised when they find that out as they are used to see him sitting in a suit behind a desk :)

Haven't moved yet Euro but we are probably looking to exchange and complete by the end of the week! We will have the flat for a few weeks cross over though, as I haven't yet got agents round to talk about rental, and we have to arrange for our stuff to come out of storage from the other flat too. Fancy coming round for a cuppa when we move though? And everyone else of course. Good news re no visible lesions and remaining hopeful for the second smear results. Wonder what his thoughts would have been about the Pred?

Talking of medication - Mr S told me to go off the Hyroxychloroquine at 36 weeks, which happens to be on Tuesday. Agggh! That is my last immunotherapy medicinal crutch. I am sure it won't make a blind bit of difference at this stage but after that I am only on vits and thyroxine (which I am always on anyway). I guess it is good to stop taking any immuno suppressant meds a few weeks before an operation. Makes sense!

Most people don't feel any symptoms on the steroids.

Sorry - crossed posts with Sue and Pico. Sue how are you feeling? Time dragging or are you coping ok? Time dragged so much for me at that stage. Some days it feels like I have been pregnant forever and then suddenly there's an organised date of 3 weeks two days left!

Pico glad they have a theory about the muscle aches. Did you get your exact numbers back from the docs for thyroid tests yet? I really want to look at your TSH numbers and T4 numbers.

olives Another one who had no symptoms at all. In fact I felt great. No tiredness either - it is definitely the pred :)
free is your baby still breech? I only ask as all my movement is right down in my pelvis and on the right side? I have to stop aspirin in 2 weeks. Gulp. I am not looking forward to that!!!

All ok here, trying to get the nursery sorted etc, but head is still very much in the sand regarding birth :) I am seeing my consultant on Wednesday, he wasnts to bring me in at 39 weeks so I wonder if he will give me a date soon too ? Gulp again.

Have we got anyone on the 2ww? I like toknow these things so I can do a bit of mentalling too :)

Free I am feeling like time is dragging by although I cant believe I am nearly at 9 weeks already. If I went by my scan date I would be around 9 weeks today but I dont want to tempt fate. I still am sceptical about it all to be honest and keep having frantic knicker checking moments. I was feeling really exhausted up until a few days ago so keep worrying that it's a bad sign. The nausea has subsided too. I don't have another scan until I will be 10.5 weeks so I don't know how I will last that long!!! I might have to pretend I am having pain and go to the EPU for a scan next week just to check all is OK.

It's funny that you are burying your head in the sand battery - the things we do for self preservation after all the miscarriages. I am sure we are all like that until the baby is born.

I forgot to ask - did anyone go to the Foetal medical centre in london for their 12 week scan? I tried to book in with a midwife this week at my doctors for my 12 week scan but she only works on a Tues and is on holiday for 2 weeks! By the time she gets back I will be over 10 weeks and I have a feeling I wont get booked in in time for my 12 week NHS scan.