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!

Starshine1, Dr s told me to start steroids 2 days after positive ovulation test,stop at 10 th day.if pregnancy confirmed on later days ,then to continue taking steroids till 12 weeks.
Hope this helps

Thanks Bala

I've emailed the clinic to ask if no period is a side effect of the pred and if so, whether it's likely I just won't have a period at all, or whether it will come late. They probably won't know but thought I may as well check.

Work was a bit better earlier in the week, but bad again today - I'm still in the office! I'm so desperate to leave this job but the maternity pay is so great - 7 months full pay - so I'm hanging on. Ironically the stress of it may well be affecting my ability to conceive now.

Have you go any holidays planned Harriet? So hard when you're stuck somewhere! That is good maternity pay. I don't mind no my job, but would quite like to do something a bit different, but again, sticking for mat leave pay and also they are very flexible. Sometimes it feels like you're just constantly waiting! Hope you're feeling a little better- I think that was a good idea to email the clinic

Sorry just re-read that- hope it makes sense with all the typos! Hope u can go home soon Harriet!

JustLa, the spotting stopped yesterday but I had a bit more this morning, such a light pink it's almost yellow (like a peachy colour). Still not impressed with it but not enough to be sure I'm out. I've never had implantation bleeding before but I'm hoping it could be and that it signifies a stickier pregnancy than the ones I lost.

Hope you're all feeling ok today and Harriet, hope you get some answers from the clinic!

Bala, I get your frustration. Also got pregnant first time trying with my first two pregnancies (MCs) but this time nothing after four cycles. And all within 8 months so doubt its age related. I'm 35 with very high ovarian reserve for my age group (my silver lining).

Sounds like a frustrating situation Bala, but glad you have DH there offering some supportive words
Xx

Justla ,poppy ,starshine thanks for kind words.
I got spotting today,may be my period on the way.anyway,i got appointment with Dr S saturday.
Justla,how is ur pregnancy going on?
Poppy,i do get spotting around6_7 dpo during last pregnancy.dont worry ,it is promising.
Harrietm,have got reply from clinic? Iam 21 dpo still expecting AF.

Hi bala sorry AF hasn't arrived for you yet. I'm just the same - I've conceived every time I've ever tried (my 3mcs) and once when I didn't even try (my accidental pregnancy while on the pill at 23). This was the first cycle I've not conceived so pretty gutted!

I've had spotting since last night. It's getting heavier but still not in full flow. Not normal for me as usually day 1 is the heaviest, but I'm kind of relieved at least something is happening. The clinic just said it could be the pred and it might be a few days late; would be unlikely to just miss a period altogether.

I've asked them about a stimulated cycle in case it can help me ovulate earlier this month, but it might be too late for that as in counting this as cd1, and presumably you start meds early in your cycle.

poppy how are you feeling? Hope FW is going well for you starshine!

Firstly, sorry if my messages seem jumbled... I have bad lag on this forum, messages sent hours ago appear all at once and I look like I'm ignoring some of them 😡

Poppy, the spotting doesn't sound like period stuff to me, I've never started a period like that, have you? I have everything crossed for you, including my eyes but I think that's just the meds 😳

Harriet, I hope you're doing ok. Good idea with the stimulated cycle. I'm now working from home some days, as my emotions are off the radar. I cried like a baby when my car window jammed and I caught whiff of the WD40 before reading it was toxic lol! I can't handle anything atm 😵

Bala, fingers crossed for some movement in one direction or another with your cycles/bfp!
The pregnancy is like being in the twighlight zone at the moment, I can't lie- it's the most confused I've ever felt. I actually feel how i felt before after the clinic tell you it's a no go and you're waiting for the worst, but with double the hormones. (Gosh sorry to be such a negative nancy but it's the truth) But unlike other pregnancies I've had, I'm not even allowing my mind to think 'it could be a good one?'
The Mr S clinic replied to a mail, to confirm that my loss of symptoms (mainly breast tenderness) could easily be the Pred, as they say it can reduce 'pregnancy symptoms' and they use it on women with severe morning sickness... so I'll try not to worry if I don't get that either.

I'm trying to make up my mind on something, would love to hear anyone's thoughts- I have first scan booked in for 7 weeks exactly which is 11 days from now, but I may go nuts before then. Should I get a cheeky NHS scan done at 6 weeks? My thoughts are, at 6 it can look bad when it's actually fine which could be more stressful than waiting. But I've got it in my head that I've got a blighted ovum (feels like instinct, could be all the heavy drugs) and would prefer to know asap... going to docs tomorrow so may just throw it out there

How are you doing now Star?

Hey all,

Thanks JustLa and Harriet for asking. I had a meltdown this morning and cried all over poor DP who actually was lovely and made me feel better (he's quite a gruff type normally so can be infuriatingly insensitive). Spotting stopped completely yesterday then turned to light bleeding this morn (why I got upset) and now has stopped again. I'm 9po and terrified it's a chemical pregnancy or that my luteal phase is just crapping out too early. But not it's stopped again and completely clear for a few hours. It never got to bright red or clottting and the cramps stopped on 6po when I had the initial spotting. So confusing!

Harriet, ditto first time TTC and seemingly not conceiving, what is this?!!! I guess statistically it's going to happen though as we have a 25% chance each cycle. We know we can conceive again and we will again! So upsetting though. I retract all my lecturing when you were feeling bad the other day and I was trying to cheer you up. The only thing that really cheers us up is a new O day.

JustLa, thank you. You're right this is super unusual and I'm clinging to hope it's not AF. Good to have it spelled out like that, appreciate it. My experience is early scans are bad news. If it's too early you panic unnecessarily and if you get a good one the relief lasts about two days and then the fretting sets in again ahead of the next one. But if you are going up the walls perhaps you just need to go through it all anyway and do it?! Sometimes it's important to feel like there's some small action you can take in a situation that otherwise is not under your control. Loss of symptoms is not something tangible enough to panic about on its own; these things do fluctuate and the meds do mess with you. You've got to let yourself hope and believe, Hun. Makes sense to prepare for the worst, but this could well be your rainbow.

Bala just also seen your reply. Thanks for the encouragement and sorry to see the medication is still messing you around. Sometimes I wonder if the medication is actually hindering conception but I have to put my faith in these docs as they usually do us proud.

Hi all, the rocky roller coaster ride is crazy!

Oh just! How you're feeling is completely understandable! Glad you emailed the clinic. Good old google, in previous attempts, did lead me to this thread, but a while ago where the ladies were talking about loss of symptoms in early pregnancy because of the pred. I know the clinic have said that, but sometimes it's easier if real life people have told you. I'd love to say wait for your first scan, but I am pretty sure I'd be orgnanising one at local hospital for six just to check! Go with what you need to do- absolutely no right or wrong!

Poppy- really hope this is going to be a BFP for you!!!! Symptoms at adding up!!!! Big hugs for the waiting game!

Harriet and Bala- so frustrating for you both!!! Harriet is the clinic getting back to you about the stimulated cycle?

I am starting the pred again today. Had a moment of confusion as read on the Opk leaflet that you should do it later in the day as more likely to get a peak- so then panicked as my temps didn't add up to ovulation and my testing has been all over the shot as my DS has been up a lot at night. Temp spike today though and slight one yesterday so now convinced I have ovulated and into the waiting phase I go! Feeling More positive this cycle, prob because it days 1 of the wait!!! Def going to get my scan organised to check ovulation next cycle though as that'll be cycle five and if I need something to help with ovulation would rather start asap! Good to have more info, but often feels one thing leads to another problem.

On a positive we are off on holiday today! Would you ladies have a drink? Keep changing between yes- just relax and no- what if I do fall this month!?

Sorry for the essay!

Also just - also wanted to say- I have huge worries about keeping sane at work if I do have a BFP- good you can work from home- do what's right for you x

Starshine, lovely to have an update from you! Thanks for your hugs :) This thread is super; honest, open, supportive, lovely. Hope you have a great holiday! If it was me I would have the occasional drink but not as much as normal.

Are you using the ovulation sticks with dual hormone flashing and solid? I've only used the dual one not the original one. On the dual one you can only test more than once a day after you get the peak.

Poppy, thanks for your thoughts 🌈🌈 and so true with the control thing.
I feel for you and understand, it's all so confusing! It's difficult to tell whether symptoms are med related, stress induced or actual pregnancy symptoms. It's so hard to know how to feel. Sounds like it still has every chance of being a sticky, but I think the key is to try and emotionally flat line, not think too positively or negatively, if only it were that easy!!! I'm trying desperately to balance lol.
maybe a stint in a meditation retreat would work wonders for us all 😫
DH's can be surprisingly supportive! Mine is the best he's ever been right now, I think maybe they see how hard we are willing to work at this and can respect it, so cry your heart out when you need to. It makes you feel so much better in my experience xx

I went to the doctors this morning and have a scan at the EPAU booked for Monday. Now I'm considered high risk, it's amazing how fast they are taking action! #Impressed
I talked to EPAU and asked if I could cancel that morning if I decide I can hold out until 7 week scan, she was so lovely and said no problem and she totally understands my position.
While at the docs, i mentioned that I would rather know asap if it's not a go-er so I don't continue with strong meds for longer than necessary. (2 of my 3 MC's were long missed/silent) And this may interest Harriet and actually everyone, the doctor asked if my job was stressful and without blinking signed me off for 2 months!!
I graciously accepted the letter offer and am comforted knowing I can just use it for support in working at home more and having medical days off etc. It's nice to have professional back up on these things, and lovely for me to have confirmation that I'm not being a pansey! He even said he would put stress as the reason if work don't know yet. Bravo NHS 🙌🏼

Star, so happy to hear you're feeling positive! And you're right, I got the scan sorted pronto. As I said, comforting to know it's there if I need it and will probably help me to avoid having it while remaining sane! Lol.
It's so great that you go away today and get to try on your hols, hopefully all those happy , relaxing, content vibes will make this month THE month 😊
With regards to drinking, I think it effects how the Pred will work so I hate to say this but drinking may not be a good idea while on it.....
I had my false BFN, stopped pred for 5 days, had 2 glasses and am now paying for it through my constant worrying. So may not be worth it for that reason too?
Auntie google may have answers on that! Lol

Xx

Wow- epic novel ^ sorry!

Thanks ladies- hadn't even thought of it in relation to being on steroids and their effect! Am not going to drink- better for the waist! But will be sad if BFN at the end. Going to be awol for the week now

Fingers crossed for your BFP poppy! Hope your AFs arrive asap Bala and Harriet. Look after yourself just- that's great news about being signed! You really need to focus on you. Really hope the scan is good next week if you decide to go for the early one

starshine have a lovely lovely holiday! You deserve a break. Hope it's great. I probably would have said go for it and have a drink, but hadn't thought of the pred - no idea whether you're not meant to drink on it so definitely worth checking.

justla I completely understand how you feel. Rationally I'd say don't do the scan as you risk worrying for nothing if it's just too early to see anything, but I would absolutely have it if I were in your position because I'd be worrying anyway! It's free so I'd do it.

The clinic rang me back and have offered me letrozole for this cycle, but can't guarantee it will bring my ovulation forward. I'd need it to come forward by like 6 days (from cd 20/21 to 14/15) to really be in with a shot this month. Does anyone have any experience of this?

@Snoopysimaginaryfriend I feel like you might have tried superovulation?

The scan is £375 so not sure whether it's a total waste of money.

JustLa, sounds like a great result! Scan booked to break up the waiting and doc sounds very supportive and understanding. That should really help you. Fingers crossed for your scan and do update us.

All, I may have missed this from earlier but are there suggestions that Pred causes false BFN's, or am I misunderstanding? I am now on the day I would expect AF and still have had nothing but mild spotting once or twice a day since Wednesday. My nipples are bigger and I am weeing constantly, not to mention breast pain, leg pain, abdomen twinges. But I tested this morning and got a BFN. That's almost 11dpo (I think I ovulated later in the day on O day cos got my peak at 5pm the day before). I normally have a BFP by now, but I'm going to test again in a couple of days anyway.

Harriet, I've never heard of superovulation! I hope that can be a solution for you! Turns it my DP is also going to be away on my next O day, so annoying if this BFN is real. With the Zika angle it would be great if you could manage to bring yours forward. Let us know how you get on!

Starshine, hope the holiday is going well and you've made the most of O day!

Hi all 😊

Star, have a lovely hol! I've looked back over some of my clinic mails and they let me know that drinking does affect the way the pred works, so def not worth it I think x

And thanks Harriet and Poppy, I think I'm going to go for the early scan tomorrow... I mustn't expect too much as it is around tomorrow that the heart beat kicks in. You're both absolutely right! I already feel like it's all going wrong approximately every other night and get into a bit of a tiz, so not sure I can get much more worried lol. Have a little bit of an empty tummy feeling, no pressure like I've had before, so just want to know if there's something there. I feel slightly nauseus this morning, who gets excited about that?! (Me and probably all of us 😂)

Harriet, the scan is pricey but so is anything to do with fertility I think 🙈 I see stories where people have spent figures like £70k on ivf and fertility treatment, that's how I justify the bills 😫😫
If it doesn't break your bank and stress you out, then it's worth it in my opinion. I think if it were me and I didn't go for it, the wondering about 'what if I had have tried it' would bug me way too much.

Poppy, which tests are you using? Early detection style? Pred is such a strange beast. I've not heard that it can cause BFN's but it I'm sure it could be possible. I think it's delayed AF for a couple of members in here and is responsible for lots of cruel little tricks so I wouldn't put anything past Pred. Hoping you get that BFP on your next test!

xxx

HI ladies,
I think mumset is slow and not update for me yesterday.
I had my periods finally,been to Dr s,he told me stop pred and try for month,changed hydroxychloroine drug,can take 2 tablet everyday .
he told me abt super ovulation as well.
suprising,my TSH level increased,hypothyroid,i never had high tsh level, first time in life.i had a test in Nov 2016 its normal.my gp told side effect of steroids but Dr S said no, steroids not cause hypothyroidism.
I personally feel it could be 6 months of taking steroids.now,i fear how this affects pregnancy.
I just request anyone taking pred ,please check thyroid test with gp.
JUSTLA,how was ur scan?
HARRITEM,how its going?nurse told me generally,super ovulation success rate good at3 to4 times,assisted conception after miscarraige thread in mumset has lot if details about .i read yesterday,may be helpful for you
Poppy,dont worry,are u in 9 dpo ,still time for bfp.same like you,sometime when i see DH,i feel very guilty.he is one who keep me going.
Starshine have a happy and relaxed holiday.

Hi all,

Thanks JustLa and Bala for your encouragement. However, the spotting did turn into a full period and I also took a First Response test at 12 dpo and it was negative. So I'm out for at least a month and DP is going to be away for a while for work. Got very upset and frustrated by ok now.

Bala, sorry to hear about the hyperthyroid concern and thanks for the advice. I was tested for this a while ago and I didn't have it, but I haven't had it checked since starting the Pred. Hope you get some clarity on the likely effects of taking steroids in pregnancy.

JustLa, how did the scan go?

Starshine, hope the holiday is going well!

Harriet, hope all's well and you've had some updates on super ovulation.

Hope to catch up with you all soon x

Hi 👋🏻

Both Bala & Poppy, I'm sorry to hear you are both out for this month. Hopefully next month will be the one, it has to be soon for you all, I'm sure!

Poppy, I'm sorry to hear about DP's absence and your frustration. Will you get the chance to try again soon?

Bala, I hope the new meds work well for you! It sucks that you couldn't get along brilliantly with pred but good news that Mr S has another plan for you to try.

I decided not to get the 6wk scan.
After reading much about it I asked myself, what is the best case scenario here? I see a bean with a heartbeat and then panic during my notorious week 6 period that things will start to go wrong?!
Also, the heart beat only really kicks in around now, there's a good chance I would see something with no HB, or nothing at all... these could still develop into a viable preg (read up and don't think it's uncommon) so I'm waiting til 7 weeks to hopefully get something more solid with Mr S. then have NHS scan booked for week 8.

The waiting is unbearable but think it was the right thing to do 😊

To echo what Poppy said, I hope Star is having a fab time and that Harriet is doing well xx