Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no. 21!

[Tee4me]

Roll call for all moony faces!! 🌝🌝🌝

Waiting for our rainbows 🌈❤️💛💚💙💜

Tee4me
Age: 34
TTC DC#2 since December 2015
x2 MCs (second was 'missed')
DS turns 5 this month 😱
Seeing Dr Shehata - diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and aggressive NK cells
Currently on cycle 2 of Pred and week 6 of Thyroxine
CD10, expecting to ovulate at the end of the week 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Drttc how are you doing???

I had my little boy at 40+12 in the end, had gel to start induction, contractions started a few hours later and he was born 3 hours after that! Had a lovely water birth with just gas and air, couldn't have hoped for more. Hope your little girl is here safely and you're settling in as a family of 4!

@Freetodowhatiwant I’d really like the link too please.

It’s really good to hear all the success stories, trying to feel more positive about it all (not always succeeding) but your stories all help x

Hello ladies I’m another old hand here from the early days - just happened to take a look for the thread while 7m ds sleeps on me - big wave to free!

I’ve now got two dc thanks to Mr S. Dd is 4 now. It was quite a roller coaster for me for several years but worth it in the end. I got very used to the drugs and the routine of taking them. All sadly very clinical and not the most romantic way of making babies is it?!

I did the same with ds as I’d done for dd which was 25mg pred plus omeprazole and 400mg hydroxy. Plus the vits. And cyclogest. And intralipids at four weekly intervals up to 16w. Luckily I am local to his Epsom clinic so it was easy for me to duck out of work to see him and I didn’t have to explain the regime to the hospital staff as they’re all familiar with it/him.

Happy to answer any queries if I can be of use! All best wishes to everyone going through the process at the moment x

Big congraluation to @harrietm and @justla.hope you are enjoying amazing moment.
Thanks poppy ,hope you are doing good .thanks very much@freedomtowhatiwant to start forum and supports many ladies.
Welcome to all newbies.we were in your situation like u couple of months before,now holding babies.i wish u all sucess with treatment and lots of babydust.
@Zara like u iam also nautropath.i was also bit reulactant to take steroids.but,its worked at end.my natural diet reduced steroids side effect make it to work efficiently.
I stopped caffiene,drink lots of green ,mint,neetle tea.stopped sugar and white flour.taken quionoa,brown bread with lots of fruits and vegetables,supplements.i was in dr s treament for 7months .some time,it takes time ,now i feel its worth waiting.

@FannyDaggers I will def keep you posted would be great to have someone to go through this with!
I have a DD who's 18months old, and then had 3 MCs since August. All before 12 weeks- the last one just ended in March. It's just awful isn't it!? Decided to take a few months off from TTC and hoping Dr S can help the one stick

All these positive wonderful happy endings is so encouraging and I will put my faith in Dr S and his techniques

@Freetodowhatiwant I would love to see your video! I am so new to this so I don't even know what any of those drugs are! Or how they're administered 🙄 except for I know intralipids are injections and that's freaks me out a bit! Are we supposed to inject ourselves?! 😱

Did anyone find the drugs affected their ability to conceive?

And what are the side effects? I am sure Dr S will tell me but I would love to know!

@ChoccyPud wow 2 DCs! Congratulations!
I haven't yet got my results from Dr S but when I do I may hit you up if that's ok? I have no real idea of what I'm getting myself in for - I just know I don't want to go though another MC and would love to have another DC (or 2!)

@Bala03 do you think it took some time because of the medication? Or ? Is this your first child? Did you take any supplements in addition to the ones Dr S recommends?

@zarala prednisolone is tablets that you swallow, cyclogest is a pessary that you can insert anally or vaginally, and intralipids are not injections- it's an IV infusion - they give it to you at the clinic and the rest you take at home.

The steroids (pred) have loads of side effects. Most people find they put on a bit of weight (you feel hungrier so eat more) and have insomnia. It can irritate your stomach so he will also prescribe Omeprazole to counteract that.

Sorry meant to say Good Luck!

@harrietm87 thank you for the info!
It actually doesn't sound that bad the way you explained it- I am so anxious waiting for my follow up appointment!

@zarala it's not bad at all, and completely worth it! You only take the pred for 10 days from ovulation so if you don't conceive you prob won't have many side effects as such a short time. If you do conceive you keep going with the pred and add the cyclogest and intralipids. Good news is that pred masks pregnancy symptoms so although I put on a fair bit of weight I had no morning sickness - a good trade off! I'd do it all again in a heartbeat to get my baby

Anyone here got Graves/hyperthyroidism and managed to conceive? Getting very disheartened.

@harrietm87 yes that's not a bad trade off at all!
How does dr S recommend monitoring ovulation? Did you use opks or temp? Or both?
I have never done this so this is a whole new world for me...

Hello!
I am Tracey - ripe old age of 40. I have one son, who is 2 conceived as a complete surprise. Discovered I actually like children and so from August last year we have been trying...fell pregnant quickly but had a missed miscarriage discovered at about 9 weeks. Had medical management but infected retained products it seemed like a never ending nightmare. Anyway had another miscarriage January and have just finished yet another miscarriage. I have PCOS and my cycles are a bit longer I usually ovulate day 21ish. Sooooo I have decided to get investigated and have an appointed with Mr S in Epsom July 11th.
My day 2 bloods were LH 2.4 FSH 5.8 and oestradiol 65 - I have read an FSH:LH ratio of 2 or more is bad. Has anyone else had low LH?? FINALLY sorry for long post...does Mr S treat other things like hormone imbalances as it seems EVERYBODY is on steroids...many thanks ladies.

Hi @Maddox and I'm so sorry to hear of what you've been through- we're in quite similar position as I am also TTC #2 and have had 3 MCs since August!
I don't know about dr S's protocol with regards to hormones- he just told me he gives everyone progesterone but not sure what he does about imbalances- I haven't yet got my results from him...
I just thought I'd let you know that I am also seeing a traditional Chinese doctor who gives me acupuncture and herbs to deal with imbalance hormones. She has been really great actually and I am feeling a lot better since seeing her (started going mid March after my last Mmc)
After about 6 weeks of seeing her and taking herbs daily she says my hormones are now in balance! So just thought I would throw that out there

Best of luck with everything!

@Presh12345 I'm so sorry to hear you're disheartened - I have no idea about these things but didn't want to just read and run
Hope you're feeling a bit more positive

Hello Zarala I am trying to figure out how to reply to people - I am not good with computers!!! Wow so we are in a similar stage....I am trying so hard not to become really obsessive but failing miserably....
I did actually look for someone locally who does Chinese herbs but could not find anyone - i have read that people get really good results so fingers crossed it works for you. I guess you have had your initial consult, parted with a load of money and now waiting for your follow up? When is your follow up? I hate waiting it seems to take FOREVER!!!

@Maddox yes the waiting SUX!!!

I parted with so much money it hurt a little- but I am convinced he's the right guy just because of his extensive fan club! No one else seems to have garnered such a passionate following!

So yes they took an obscene amount of blood from me at that first appointment and I have to go back in the first 3 days of my cycle so they can test hormones and ovarian reserve and stuff.

I see him on June 4th ! Normally it's a 2 week wait but bank holiday messed it up for me and I have to wait 3! But it's ok it's gives me time to get my second round of bloods taken and hopefully have a full suite of results when I next see him

He also wants to do a hysteroscopy (camera in womb) but it's quite pricey- I also have my NHS RMC appointment coming up on 12th so I am going to see if he will be happy just using their results? Or if it's something he'd rather do himself (it's not as black and white as blood test results is it?) so I may just go for it. He does give the option of having a regular ultrasound or the full hysteroscopy but he strongly recommends the latter as he gets a full picture. He says there's always risk of scar tissue after an ERPC Procedure and as I've had 2 quite close to each other he thinks I should def get it all checked out.

To be honest the whole interaction with him felt quite business like and not really like a doctor / patient relationship

He has pre-printed cards with his supplement regime on that I assume he just gives to everyone

So it doesn't feel like you're getting individual care- felt very systematic if you know what I mean?

However let's see how the next appointment goes once get my results but it felt very much like a production line where you essentially have to throw money at him every step of the way 😣

But anyway I'm trying to stay hopeful!
I'd love to have at least one more little one! So I'm gonna do whatever it takes to help my body do that!

Sorry for big ramble! Hope it's useful and stay in touch would be great to have someone to go through this with!

@Maddox

Ps- if you just put the @ sign in front of the name it will reply to them 😎

@zarala thanks for that!!! Yeah I thought it sounded like a conveyor belt with frequent stops to hand cash over. Might just see if work will just pay my wages directly into his bank account cut out the middle man this process is really hard and i have been thinking how far i want to go with this. Have you thought about IVF? I was looking at some places in greece - OH is Greek so could combine with a family visit.
Two ERCPs? Thats a bit crappy. My first one had some infected retained products after medical management but the night before i was due my surgical evac they passed naturally. My last two have both been at 5 weeks and happened quickly. I was thinking about a 3d aquascan to exclude adhesions but it is all so expensive i think i might hang fire until he suggests it. But i am not seeing him until 9th july which is ages away so maybe i will in the meantime so i have some results.....but the i dont know. Its all driving me crazy
Are you taking supplements or lifestyle changes??
I am with you on this most awful journey!!!! Are you actively TTC now??

@Maddox
When I first had my last MC I thought the appointment was sooo far away but over time I have realised that actually I am happy I had this break and give my body time to heal and give my cycles a chance to regulate
We are not TTC at the mo want to see the results first and tbh after the 3rd MC, which happened immediately after the 2nd- I've decided my body and mind just need to chill for a few months.

Dr Shehata tells everyone to take pregancare max (with omega 3), vitamin D 2000, and 75mg aspirin (at night)
A naturopath I saw told me to also take floradix and vitamin C- which I have been doing for a couple of months and actually started feeling a lot better when I started the floradix- I was so drained and depressed after the 3rd MC. I bled for a whole month before they told me I need a ERPC as I ask had retained products and they said there's risk of infection-

What I did do tho before seeing dr s was get my OH to do a sperm comet test- and actually dr s recommends everyone to do that. Thankfully that came back normal for him

I have not thought about ivf at all - mainly because we haven't (yet) had any issues conceiving. I've managed to catch quickly on all 4 of my pregnancies so I'm hoping we won't face too much trouble conceiving when we finally do TTC. I've just turned 36, I am also feeling the pressure as both my mum and maternal grandmother had early menopause and were unable to conceive after age 37. So I am really hoping 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽 that I can get pregnant before the end of this year with Dr S and keep it!

That sounded dodgy! I don't want dr s's baby haha

@Maddox I think doing ivf in Greece is a great idea! I am sure it's cheaper than over here!

Also did you get referred to a RMC under the nhs? I got referred to st Mary's and my appointment has finally come up - june 12th. I've decided to do this as well because once I do get pregnant they will scan every 2 weeks- which I know dr s does but at least it will be free under the nhs! Just trying to save some money somewhere!
Also as your appointment is quite a way away have you asked your gp for blood tests? Mine agreed to check hormones and thyroid but I didn't manage to do it in time and I ended up having to pay dr s to check it. It would have saved me a few hundred had I got myself in time !

@zarala eeeeekkkk that miscarriage sounds so traumatic. It is sensible to take a break i am taking a short sabbatical but with my ageing eggs i do not want to take a long one...!!! Early menopause? Blimey in their 30s is early early. Just what we need extra pressure isnt it?!!
I wondered if the miscarriages are due to chromosomal problems (age) if Ivf and genetic screening pre transfer would be the best option.
So big question how do we get sperm tested? OH obviously thinks he produces super swimmers... but it has to be at a lab within a certain amount of time doesnt it? Does he need ti go to a clinic for the errrrrr procedure/production
No i havent been referred i find it so mind boggling and thought if i get too many opinions its just gonna blow my head. But maybe i should i have gotten some basic bloods and will get OH to part with some of his precious swimmers. Anything to reduce the costs...!!!

Hello @Maddox sorry you find yourself here too but nice to meet you all the same. I’m also TTC no 2 and have 7 recurrent miscarriages on the last 3 years and 1 prior to my DC being born. I’ve just had my appointment confirmed but it’s not until August as my holidays and Dr S’s are clashing ☹️ I’ve asked his office to let me know if they have any cancellations but looks like we have a wait of 3 months now which im struggling with due to my already advanced (!) age and the increased wait before trying again ...
Hope all ok with you @zarala your appointments not far now!

@FannyDaggers your name always makes me chuckle!
7 MCs! Wow I am so sorry you have had to experience that! You are a very brave and strong woman!

Yes The appointments have come up much faster than I imagined! I am a bit anxious about the results but also can't wait to find out!

@Maddox - the sperm comet website describes everything really clearly- the reason I specifically recommend these guys as I believe that they are the only company who actually test the DNA of the semen and
Not just a regular sperm count
OH had to collect the stuff and make sure he delivered it to the lab within an hour- luckily we live half an hour away from the London lab. There is an option to make the deposit there too but OH preferred the comfort of home lol

@zarala the problem (actually one of the problems) i have with the OH is his lack of desire to perform outside of the house. This coupled with the fact we live in an area where there are no real fertility places within an hour. Even our NHS hospital which does sperm anaylsis is an hour away on a good run so im not sure how i can get round this... but i am nothing if not persistent and if he needs to sit in the car in the car park avec tissues and a bottle (whilst trying to not get arrested for indecent exposure) thats what will happen!! How are you getting on? I have been monitoring with OPKS to see what my cycle post miscarriage will be ans i am starting to get a line. I am SO torn as i am used to seeing this dark coloured line getting the legs shaved and crackinh on but now i guess i need to hang fire and wait which feels really wrong. I worry this egg might be my last one.

@FannyDaggers that name is amazing!! 7 miscarriages? Oh my gosh that is awful. My 3 seems too much to cope with. And waiting till august is some sort of emtional torture. I see the Big Man july 11th or 13th or sometime round then and driving myself crazy during thr wait. But fingers crossed good things come to those who wait....

Have either of you heard about the greek hidden tests? The clinic i contacted about IVF offer them and seems to have positive reviews but i am not sure. Also i tried googling dr shehata failures. As there must be people who he has failed to get pregnant (indirectly...) but where are they? Where are the bad reviews??? Hope you are both doing ok....so no TTC until seeing The Man....i will try my hardest!!!!