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 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Maddox hahaha! Gosh your poor OH! That's a lot of pressure to perform isn't it?!
Can't be easy- I wonder what Dr S will advise regarding that! There must be some kind of solution? Maybe popping it in a cooler? Haha
But yeh I know exactly what you mean about ovulation and sexy time! I have never used Opks but I do tend to know when it's fw, and it is so sad and strange to not be taking advantage of it. But whatever shave your legs and enjoy your OH's body for what it is! And not just a sperm donor lollll- I have been using this downtime to rekindle with my OH as I know once we get on the TTC game he really is gonna have to perform his duties!
I'm sure it's not your last good egg- Although I totally know that feeling!
I have never heard of Greek hidden tests? What is it?

With regards to failures under dr s there are a few- I am sure there's some on this post- and maybe on other forums where women under his care have had MCs, however the only ones I have ever read about found out that it was due to chromosomal issues of the foetus so nothing anyone could have done to prevent that! It is crazy how many fans and positive stories he has, which really makes me so impatient to see him and get my results

My 3rd AF arrived today , cd 25 which is really early for me, so I'm off to the blood lab tomorrow so they can finish my blood tests (hormone checking AND most importantly said he'll check my ovarian reserve! I can't wait to find that out!

You will see July will come so quickly! It is literally just 1 cycle away! (Right?!) you'll get there!

I'll keep you posted on my results and stuff!

@zarala yeah you could be right on rekindling some romance. He has been working out again and his abs are looking mighty fine he doesn't need any sympathy he just needs to get the job done.
The hidden tests are a bit controversial. Send some menstrual blood (yeah i know ) apparently they detect hidden infections in the endometrium. But as i saod very controversial some have reported positive results...i have been googling and found a company in greece (who process that hidden infections test) and they do a lot of blood tests for the IVF place i was thinking of using. But a whole lot cheaper than at mr S's clinic. They arrange special collection of the blood just need to find someone willing to drain me of my blood which shouldnt be too hard! Just thought if i could save some money all the better!!!
Yes keep me updated. I am dreading getting my ovarian reserves tested. Will do with next period - get the scan and blood tests. No doubt will plunge me into the depths of depression....!! Good luck!!!

@zarala just wondered did Dr S say anything about diet? Anything banned? Caffeine eg? Sugar? I love sugar and caffeine.....! But gave them both up for each and every pregnancy which ended in miscarriage. When i had my son i drank caffeine throughout and ate my weight in chocolate and kicked off evety day with a bowl of coco pops and that was a perfect pregnancy!!!

@Maddox no he didn't say anything about diet! But I am seeing him next Monday so I will be asking him then!
If you think of any other questions let me know and I can report back! My mind went blank in my last appointment and I didnt ask him anything!

Great group lots of useful information. I have a question I might be pregnant going to Mr S for my results, has anyone else had similar experiences? Not sure what he will say?

@Lucykitt I have not yet had my initial assessment with him yet. The wait is killing me...!! So i cannot offer any information. Did he start you on meds when you saw him? If you are pregnant perhaps contact his secretary as he may want to start something. Good luck

@Lucykitt I found out I was pregnant before my first appointment with dr s and they told me it wouldn't really be helpful to see him- unfortunately that pregnancy didn't work out.
I'm assuming if you've seen him already he's already carried out all your tests
I think @Maddox is right just call and see what they say- he might want to put you on something ASAP

Thanks for your help ladies, but I’m not pregnant the test it’s negative or maybe I’ve tested too early. It’s so hard because I want to be pregnant but in the same time I want to wait for my results.

Know exactly what you mean Lucy I’ve got to wait until at least August for my appointment and then another couple of weeks for the follow up and I just feel like time/chances are slipping away. Hope you’re feeling ok
Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Thanks FannyDaggers, don’t worry the time will go quickly. I know how difficult it can be, I had every emotion under the sun with my last miscarriage but I have to stay strong to try again. Meditation like headspace helps to keep things calm. Take it easy 😊

I’m going to see Mr S on the 13th June, I have started taking Pregnacare max, plus omega 3 a month ago. Do I need to take anything else like aspiring 75mg? I know it’s the same for everyone

@Megan234 hi there
Yes he will tell you pregnacare max
Vitamin D 2000iu
And 75mg aspirin

Good luck!

Zarala thank you very much, good luck to you too

@zarala hope your appointment went well. Sorry thought it was the 9th then realised thats the weekend. Hope you got some good news xx

@Maddox hey! Thanks for checking in
It went better than I expected.
I was so nervous all weekend wondering how my results would come out
He said that on a positive side all my hormones and egg reserves are fine (thank the lord!) but I have very aggressive nk cells thy are triggered in a pregnancy setting
He gave me predisonal (steroid) to take every day starting from ovulation until 10dpo- then I have to take a pregnancy test. If BFP then I continue the pred and start taking progesterone suppositories and that I need to see him every 2 weeks for a scan and intralipids....if bfn stop the steroids and then start again the following month at ovulation...
So we've decided to try this month! Fw is just about to start so I've got my opks ready and I'm going to try this out
I am quite nervous and excited but mostly anxious -a BFP now just means fear and heartbreak so I'm trying to stay positive...
Epsom is a bit of a mission to get to tho...but if he gets me my little rainbow baby it will be so worth it!

My AMH levels for egg reserve was about 13.5- he said that was fine but I've seen online that that is quite low so don't want to waste any time!

How are you doing?

@zarala that is amazing that something treatable (potentially) was found. From what i have read that is a great AMH but theres differing views as to its value. But good on you!!! I am going to Epsom but will worry about how to find it at a later date. Eeeek so this month could be your lucky one. Fingers crossed for you!!! I am ok frustrated by the long wait. Seems never ending as my egg reserve diminishes every hour.....

Brilliant news @zarala fingers crossed for you that this all works out for you! Thanks also for the info on vitamins in response to @Megan234 (hello!) did he say to get on that straight away whilst waiting for test results - just wondering if it’s worth me starting that now although I won’t see him for a few weeks yet for my 1st appointment?
@Maddox when is your appointment? Sorry I can’t remember and on phone so can’t scroll back!

@FannyDaggers my appointment is not until july 11th i so wish it was sooner. Have to resist the urge not TTC another cycle with my eggs wasting away....!!

@Maddox, I’m with you there, August for me but as I’m still getting positive pregnancy tests and still bleeding from the miscarriage it seems a bit pointless for me to stress about it at the moment (although I am). Sorry you’re feeling sad though
Currently sat waiting for my follow up appointment at the RMC with the NHS, hoping to get results of tests they did on the foetus to see if there were any problems. Managed to get here an hour early though and it’s never on time 🤦‍♀️ Also hoping to get a list of previous tests and results hat they’ve done so I can send to Mr S in advance of appointment (might save me a bit of money on tests already done).

@FannyDaggers yes you can start those vitamins and stuff from now!
Good luck for your test results!
My RMC appointment is on Tuesday and I'm wondering whether it's even worth me going anymore? All the stuff they test for came back clear and they don't believe in shehata's nk cell stuff...had I not gone to see dr s I think the RMC would have just told me all is fine and to try again... anyway We will see

You will def save a ton of money! But the most expensive blood tests dr s does are the nk cells more because it's quite sophisticated (so he says)

Keep us posted

@FannyDaggers good luck! Hope you get some answers. It is the not knowing which is rubbish.
@zarala you do sound a tad cynical about the money at Dr S!!! I am. I wondered whether i am crazy for going. At my age isnt it more likely crap egg quality? Has anyone been there and not started on pred and immune suppression therapy? Did he do that really expensive £500 test for NK cells in pregnancy state? Part of me thinks whats the point im having the tests just give me my pred and i will take the aspirin and crack on. Sorry ladies just wondering if i am doing the right thing as it is a HECK of a lot of money....

But i REALLY want a baby so i guess i will just have to suck it up @zarala @fannydaggers

My worry is if it’s egg quality (chromosome issues) with all mine then his treatment won’t help me will it? Egg selection would be the answer but that’s a whole load more money with no guarantees 🤷‍♀️

@Maddox yup!

@FannyDaggers exactly!! I am now taking ubiquinol see if that peps them up a little. Talked with OH about IVF and egg selection but pdg is not guaranteed so think it is a numbers game....which makes me think i should just keep trying until i see Dr S because what if this egg this month is THE ONE