Immune/Natural Killer Cell treatment for those ttc or pregnant. (AKA the 19th pred thread!)

[Seekingmiracles]

The new thread for anyone ttc or pregnant with immune issues or natural killer issues. Welcome ladies!

Thanks Poppy and Harriet 😊

Harriet, mine was bfn at 9dpo so there's def a chance! I came off the pred for 5 days which is not ideal, bit worried about that. But 1 or 2 days shouldn't be a problem, I'm sure it's quite common?
The problem with staying on pred for longer is the withdrawal effects I believe. I think if you take them more than 10 days you need to taper off them, not sure though.
Would like to know what your specialist says if you ask them.

Poppy it's so hard not to look for symptoms, good luck with that.

Fingers crossed for us all 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 xxx

Thanks guys. After feeling quite optimistic this morning the gleaming white bfn has now really sunk in and I'm feeling shit! Obviously there is no way to tell and it could go either way. I haven't taken any pred today and think I will hold off testing again until Tuesday, which is 12dpo.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the sun!

Big hugs Harriet- positive vibes sent to you for this month!

I got really upset lasts month over it all, as you know- reckon we all understand exactly how you're feeling, but you're definitely not out yet for this month! I think taking the medication almost seems to add extra pressure to conceive

I am trying to stay more relaxed this month (easy to say right now! )

Hi Starshine and thanks :)

I actually got really lucky and fell pregnant first month this time.
I booked a holiday to Crete, took my first round of pred, used ovulation kit and somehow got lucky 🍀 I didn't expect it, maybe the happy holiday vibes helped?!

Every single twinge, loss of any symptom, addition of any symptom makes me think it's going wrong again, Aggghh!

I'm going to see an acupuncturist tomorrow myself for the first time, just want to give it every chance possible. And I know what you mean Star, I've googled 'pregnancy symptoms reduced by prednisolone' about 40 times in the last 40 hours :/ lol

Harriet, the early preg tests are not hugely accurate when taken days before period due date so there's still lots of hope for this month x

And Starshine I totally agree that the meds add pressure, I hope you manage to relax. Are there any hobbies, activities that make you feel happy and upbeat? Xx

Ohh that was lucky justla! This will be my forth cycle- really hope it works this time! Thanks- yes I do love running and swimming- helps me think straight, so am going to be doing lots of that this month! Plus we go on holiday on Saturday! So I can relax there for sure!

Haha- had to laugh at your googling pred affecting symptoms constantly! I have googled it literally every cycle and read the same things about it afffecting premenstral and blocking pregnancy symptoms- the info doesn't change, but I still have to read it!

Lol yes exactly! I googled it again last night and decided this isn't going well, but this morning feel there's still a chance... and so the emotional rollercoaster continues 😵
We will all be lucky if we aren't totally loco by the end of all this!
Xxx

Starshine I am just like you; big runner, swimmer and googler! The latter is relentless. I even look up old articles just to read them in a difference head space! Told DP I am nuseaous with tingly boobs and he said "please don't test for another couple of weeks, you will only decide you don't like the test you had and will want to check with another brand!" He doesn't know the half of it! Wait a "couple of weeks?" He must be joking!!! 5dpo and planning to test on 10dpo as I understand this is generally the earliest you can expect a result.

Interesting about pred masking symptoms cos I've also heard a lot of its side effects are similar to pg symptoms. Guess it depends on the person and the dosage. I'm on 5mg.

JustLa, none of us are out yet and staying sane is definitely a good goal!

Harriet, how are you?

Hi ladies,
My hearty wishes for those ttc and pregnancy.
I have been in steroids for 7 month now under dr s treatment plan.this month i had ovulation on 18 day of cycle.first time, 16 dpo,no periods,bfp not yet.
usually,my periods on time.i stopped steroids 10 dpo,no pregnancy symptom,i feel bloating ,dizzy,thirsty,slight pulling around belly.
i called Dr S and waiting for reply.given blood test gp.its all waiting game.its driving me crazy.
In my previous pregnancy i got bfp and pregnancy symptoms 8 dpo.
Can steroids delay periods?
I dont know is it ok to take steroids now 16 dpo?sick off pregnancy kits.

anybody gone through this before?
Please share any experience and idea.keep me going.
Thanks and regards,
Bala.

Poppy, I totally agree there's no way you can wait 2 weeks! Only a few days until your 10dpo, fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Welcome in Bala! Sorry I've not had the same experience as you to comment. 16dpo plus the 18th day ovu sounds very promising. Have you had any response from Mr S or blood tests yet?
The steroids interfere with lots of things so it's possible I guess... it's so hard to tell what's what.

I'm on such a medley of meds at the moment I barely know my arse from my elbow 😂😵 (sorry, couldn't think of better phrase, blame the meds)

Had pains last night, so spent entire evening googling that for the umpteenth time. I'm not sure if it's my instinct or my past experience telling me it's all doomed... I really can't tell but know you'll all understand.
Poppy, I don't know if I'm winning at staying sane, my poor DH 😂

Xx

Hi all sorry I've been quiet. 12dpo today and bfn. My symptoms have gone and I'm sure AF is on its way. It is weird though as I've never had longer than an 11 day LP so was really expecting it today. Not sure what is going on and just want it to hurry up and come so I can move on!

Good luck testing poppy! How are you doing starshine?

Welcome Bala. Yes steroids can "disrupt menstrual cycles" so yes this suggests they can delay them. They can also accelerate them, in my experience! All kinds of disruptions as you settle into using them.

Harriet, sorry Hun, not looking great for this month but you're a day late so not out yet! Did you use an early detection test? Could still be a shy one. I'm 7dpo and still have all sorts of symptoms but getting more of the af type cramps now. Always impossible to tell whether it really is though as I'm also getting O type cramps both sides. In my first pregnancy I had af cramps for a week before my BFP.

Oh Harriet- still not out, have everything crossed for you! Hope you're doing ok?

Poppy, some signs are definitely better than no signs! 3 days till testing - do you have a busy few days to take your mind off it?

How are you doing justla?

so glad you said about OPK testing later in the day poppy- did that yesterday and got a peak, temp still down today, so expecting hopefully to ovulate today (day 10). DTD day 8,9 and will do tonight- so should cover it! The steroids have def messed around with my cycles! Am concerned about such short cycles still!

Have a good day all- hope you're doing ok pickled

Quick question ladies- are you taking the steroids day of ovulation or the day after?

Sounds good starshine!

So 13dpo today, still bfn. Wondering if I'm having the same as bala and the steroids have just made my period not come or something. This is all I need! Because my ovulation was delayed after my uti and work week from hell im having an extra long cycle anyway. They're usually 32 days but today is day 38!

Feeling pretty bad tbh.

Harriet that's so strange- it must be the effects of the meds and all the stress you have been under? There is a chance you could still get that BFP! Sending big hugs to you. Can't say anything to make you feel better, but am thinking of you. Ttc following mcs and being on these meds is so tough!

Harriet, sorry to hear that. It's so disappointing isn't it. Well you get to do it all again in four weeks ;) hang in there...xx

Starshine, glad to hear you got your peak and will have a BD opportunity today! In answer to your question, I'm on the pred to prevent MCs as I have an endocrine condition that gives me a slightly higher MC risk without meds. My endo said start taking them asap and until 12 weeks, as he didn't think there would be enough time for them to kick in if I waited for BFP. But docs say different things and I guess the dosage makes a difference.

Oh and a tip for anyone who is using CB advanced digital OPKs and struggling to get a peak but is getting too many flashing smileys for one cycle. Next time change the holder if you are still using the one from before taking the Pred, I think it resets your baseline oestrogen, which can be affected by the Pred. I had 20 flashing smileys, changed the holder and got back to negatives followed by flashing and finally peak. Remember these holders remember your baseline hormone!

So I'm 7dpo now and had spottting today. I'd rather not having but I'm aware it could be implantation bleeding or even a fingernail cut cos I nicked myself while checking cm...cringe...which was normal creamy at that point...didn't hurt but I felt it snag slightly and that's not long before the spotting began.

Hi girls :)
Just want to state the obvious and say how good it is to be around people that understand how big and complex this struggle is, emotionally and physically.

Harriet, that BFN could still be false. I feel so much for you with the UTI, it must have felt like everything was against you. I've had an operation for recurrent uti's, lots of water helps but also (it's gonna get graphic sorry...) lots of lube - a sensitive type and uhm.. doggy style helps as doesn't rub against urethra! (Sorry but it's important in here! Lol) xx And I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, low points can turn around so quickly so I hope you're feeling more positive soon ❤️

That was a good tip Poppy, I would never have known that! How is the spotting? Progressed or subsided? Could totally be implantation or a nick 🤞🏻

I hope you get a solid ovu result today Star so you can get on it! I took mine from day of ovulation as tested every morning. And I'm doing ok thanks, one minute I feel total impending doom and another I feel 'normalish' but I don't really feel pregnant, I don't think I dare yet. My mind sometimes wants to go to the 'this could be it' place but then I shut that down #Rollercoaster How are you holding up?

Xxx

Would love to know how you're getting on too Bala if you are still here? Did any test results come back? X

Thanks all for your nice messages. I'm feeling totally normal now so sure I'm not pregnant. Just wish AF would
come so I don't have to worry about also having a messed up cycle!

justla thanks so much for the uti tips - didn't actually think of that with doggy style!! I had awful recurrent ones as a teenager to the point where I was on antibiotics for a year, though I never had an operation thank goodness.

poppy the worst thing is I can't try again in 4 weeks. DH is away for 2 weeks in July and 2 weeks in august which coincide with my fws (unless this cycle is completely crazy, which could be a silver lining). AND his august trip is to a zika place. Official advice is to stop ttc for six months but we're going to pay for a test that means we only have to wait a month. Still that means we can't try now until October so I'm totally gutted. My first mc this year was due in oct and I thought I would be pregnant by then. I have to just remind myself that other people have it way worse. And there's a chance I could ovulate at a random time again when DH is actuallu around so we will keep trying.

I'm glad you didn't have the op, as it didn't work 😵
I hope you get that silver lining with the messed up cycles if this month isn't your bfp month.
There's a chance hubby may not get bitten, he could use every precaution- citronella spray is good, deet is better but quite heavy on chemicals so idk if that would be recommended for him right now. I took a pop up mosquito tent when I travelled around South east Asia. Will he be in a city?
The Zika carrying mossies are most active during day so that's something else to consider. Maybe you could still have your oct bfp 🌈 X

Harriet, so sorry to hear about your awkward logistics there, that must be maddening. Totally understand, I would be giving birth any day if my first pregnancy had stuck and it does make it harder. All we can do is try to keep it in perspective; a month or two feels like yonks but it will make little difference in biological terms. It's just our heads we need to deal with! Also, we've been through MCs we can handle BFNs!

Hugs to you x

Hi ladies,
Thanks for reply.
Justla,I got results from gp,it says normal,no pregnancy.till no bfn.

Dr S replied if positive continue medication.
Harriet i think steroids mess with monthly cycle.after going through steroids side effect.to be honest,i never thought this kind of things do come.i just want period to come for best.
Poppy,for couple of months before i got only flashing smiley for 6 days.this latest two cycle,i got proper ovulation.in my previous pregnancy,i got bfp in first two try ,7 months still trying.
This is first time 18 dpo,no bfp.

DH always says if it meant to be happen this month,it will .till then,we need to keep going and do what we can to make things happen.
Thanks ladies for support

Harriet that does put extra stress on the whole situation! Has work calmed down a bit his week for you? reckon you need to spoil yourself a little this weekend! Sending hugs!

Due date memories are always horrible- and I don't think we will ever forget them. I should have another little one turning one this year - and here I am, still trying- can't believe it's been almost two years now- almost two years of having part of our lives on hold!

I love that poppy- we can get through MCs, we can cope with BFPs, you're so right!

Bala- that's positive about the ovulation, but frustrating for you on the cycles- hope AF arrives soon for you!

Glad you're doing ok justla and thanks for the advice on the pred- I think I have gone through it so many times in my mind- I wasn't sure whether to do it on day of ovulation or day after!