TTC or pregnancy on prednisolone or similar part 13

[VillageMum]

This is 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!

dildoos first consult is just as free said; no internal exam. It lasts about 20 minutes. Take along all your results. Mr S will ask about your and your partner's fertility history and will also write down the details of each of your mcs (how many weeks etc). You will be sent for full blood tests for anything you haven't had tested yet, including NK cells. DO mention your progesterone concerns. In fact mention anything that concerns you - this is the moment. I've always found him very receptive and helpful and ready to answer any questions I might have straight up. BTW, part of his pregnancy protocol is to put you on a progesterone supplement right from BFP, so that aspect is covered automatically. At the follow-up he'll go over results and discuss an action plan. Best of luck!

Hi again dildoos, just saw your other post after the site refreshed itself. Really sorry to hear that your recent mc was just this week. Hope you can take it easy. Mr S recommends that you take certain things for at least eight weeks prior to ttc, so I'd take these now, in the run-up to the consult - then you'll be good to go in November! They are: Vitamin D3 50mcgs, Pregnacare pregnancy multivit with Omega 3. He also prescribes a daily aspirin at 75mg, BUT if you are going to be tested for clotting when you see him then best not to take this one in advance - you can add it in after the consult.

I was going to say exactly the same as village re keeping taking pregnancy vitamins and maybe adding in the vitamin d. Sorry your most recent miscarriage was this week. You must still be feeling emotionally and physically battered. We can all emphasise. Yes he would tell you to wait two cycles anyway so that appointment probably works well for you.

Thank you village and freelance will go and purchase those supplements and start taking immediately ! I don't want to wait longer than necessary ( guessing you all understand that!) I am strangely excited about my appointment today it feels so proactive compared to all other testing I've had and gynaecologist appointments.
If medication is required how does that work? Is it something prescribed from them that they post or do they right to your gp for medication to be prescribed? Is this also on a private basis? Sorry for all he questions x

Yes we can all relate to that! But good that you're having a natural break anyway, get your strength back up. They are private prescriptions which I think the chemist will provide at a cost but I've always had mine converted by my GP so not had to pay which is good.

What a lovely gp you have freelance nice that they support you well like that. I have to apologise for my spelling of write ( not right!) on previous post.

unfortunately she left ages ago but as they are repeat prescriptions now whoever I see is happy to dole them out.

That's a shame about your supportive gp, good that they are still following the Nhs prescription though.
Do you feel they are supportive of your treatment you receive now ? Or do you mainly discuss it with dr shehata? X

So…after making a fuss, I'm still on the list for 4th, but it's a full list so I will find out on 4th if they can do me or not. Would be lovely to have a baby this time next week.

Agh, MrsP that's better but still frustrating. I hope you find out sooner rather than later. It will all soon be behind you. Time drags though, I know!

I don't even bother with other doctors really. I did briefly have a lovely GP who I mentioned but it's all been change down there and I don't think there's anyone permanent. So other than 2 scans at FMC for nuchal and harmony I've seen no one except Mr S at 17 weeks! I did self diagnose (rightly) a urine infection and via my GP receptionist got a sample tested and then a prescription and for thyroid tests I go via reception too and analyse my own results! I always let Louise know about them too so know I'm on the right dose.

I have an appointment with Mr S soon and will speak to him re hospitals. I can't bear the thought of going to my local ones but worry about Mr S being away when I'm 39 weeks. I'm guessing he won't want to cancel his Christmas holiday just for me :) Maybe he will have someone he can recommend.

Sorry - I mean I've seen Mr S all the way through and I am now 17 weeks and not seen anyone else.

Hello ladies
I was on here a few months ago but stayed away as needed a break from obsessing over ttc/miscarriages
I've seen me shehata and have normal nk levels but they are hyperactive! To be put on pred and intralipid a
Just wanted to ask what days does he give the intralipid a at Epsom? Anyone had any issues with them?
Also I'm to stay on 25mg of pred throughout ur read of some taking 40mg-do you think there's a reason for this or he's just changed his protocol?

Thanks so much guys

Hi dildoos - I've had my appt with dr s very recently - 30/6/14 and 14/7/14. I've had 2 miscarriages and had 2 blood test from my gp showing low progesterone. At the first appt he basically asks about general health and what has happened previously. I had an internal scan too to check all was ok inside and to see if I had pcos ( I didn't) he then sent me for blood tests (you have to go round the corner to a different building. I had every blood test possible plus the scan and with the fees for the appt it was £2500 approx. just to warn you as I couldn't believe it! At the follow up appt I got my results - high nk cells- and a treatment plan and they let me ask as many questions as possible but it was so much to take in I ended up emailing back the next day with lots if questions!!

Hi freelance and anyone else who remembers me from earlier threads. I couldn't see a list so not sure where everyone is up to.

Brief history, DS born 2008 and 8 miscarriages since. I have moved from Mr Shehata at Epsom (as had no success on the immunology treatments) and now with St Mary's who have been scratching their heads as every test has come back normal. They said the last thing we could try was to get DH tested for sperm fragmentation. This is not available on the NHS and just to administer the test costs £500. The results are in and they are 49% fragmented which is high (normal range 0-24%). We got the figures (after chasing) but the letter explained nothing except that it is linked to miscarriages, we haven't had a consultation and not likely to get one for a while. Does anyone have any experience of this or know what it could mean?? We don't know if this is the answer or not, apparently we shouldn't even be getting pregnant at that level so it's all a bit of a mystery. And I would love to know why it has it taken three consultants and nearly six years to check this!!!??
Any thoughts??

Scooter, I'm sorry I had never heard of this but glad you may have found the issue for you guys. Do you know if something like Icsi treatment could help as they can pick a good sperm and inject into egg? X

Hi Scooter, I remember you of course and really hope your latest tests can lead to something positive for you. Sorry I don't have any suggestions (other than lots of googling of course!) Do let us know what you find out.

Hi scooter... Duggs here I remember you and have thought of you often. Ok I also left dr s as 3 mc before seeing him, followed by 3 more after seeing him. Saw dr gorgy and DH had 33% DNA fragnentation. Apparently 1 percent chance of live birth with anything over 30 per cent. That was 2 summers ago 2012. Good news is there is usually a cause - a hidden infection most likely at those levels. Serum clinic in Athens do test and are better value than the UK clinics. V v strong anti b both of us for a month then a re test. 90 days later as sperm completely replaced by then. His level reduced to 23 per cent then 15 percent. Got pg jan 2013 but chemical then July 2013 trisomy 16 then again jan 2014 now 28 wks all ok so far. So for me now 37 yrs old I have managed to have a pg at 7th attempt in 4.5 yrs but yes full testing was necessary indeed which dr S doesn't or didn't do. PM me if u want more details. Best of luck x

Oh and I believe dr Nuwuke at zita west does similar to dr Gorgy. More comprehensive, def bigger picture with those guys so always my first recommendations !

Hi scooter so sorry to hear your history. I too moved from mr s as I just felt it wasn't enough for me as dr g does more testing. Just looked at our DNA frAg from nov and was 39.1 with hds 15.5 fair to poor. Interestingly mr g just recommended oh takes proxeed no mention of infection though we did those tests in the spring so took antibiotics. Speaking to Peny in serum she would like us to take antibiotics a month before ivf or on a natural BFp.

Makes me wonder if that's contributing to not conceiving and whether I should be on them now! Waves to all x

Hey Scooter, good to see (virtually!) you again. I had to push Mr S really hard to get OH's DNA fragmentation tested - for us, that wasn't the issue, but I think you'll find there aren't many clinics here that routinely test this. It seems to me that RMCs are almost always 'blamed' on the female and few places here look at a couple as a whole. I'd echo duggs comments about Serum's testing, and also the effect a 'hidden' infection can have on sperm. From the FF boards I've regularly seen ladies reporting their OH's sperm fragmentation improved quite a lot after infection was detected and treated.

FWIW I also moved from Mr S, and am now 22 weeks pregnant (with twins!) from DD at Serum. Our issue fell into an area that Mr S doesn't test for (although I did push him for the testing, and found the issue that way) and doesn't believe in treating!

Lots of luck and hope things work out for you.

Just a thought scooter - you and your DH have had the DQa testing yourselves, right? That was our issue in the end; my OH and I are genetically so alike (spooky!) that my body sees any embryo fertilised by him as too similar to me genetically, assumes it's a bit of me gone wrong and kills it off, regardless of strength of medication thrown at it. The more pregnancies (miscarriages) you have if this is the case, the more aggressively the immune system reacts to a subsequent pregnancy - and my immune system was overactive to start with.

Hello Scooter, lovely to hear from you! Sorry you are still having a nightmare. The sperm fragmentation thing is beyond my knowledge but I know Ari and Duggs are pretty hot on that sort of thing as they have shown above.

Hello everyone, the end is in sight. We are just packing the car to go to our non-army home and I'm having a pre-op appt at 7.45am tomorrow and hopefully the CS on Monday. Am very excited and very worried all in one hit. Waves to all xx

Woohoo! Baby ahoy. Can't wait to hear all about it!