Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no. 22!

[HappyApple05]

Helllooooo dearies

Opening this new thread looking for a light in the tunnel during my journey towards conception. Would be nice to walk along with people in the same journey. To cut my story short, 3 miscarriages and referred to Mr.S, diagnosed with high NK cells and lupus positive, already on levothyroxine. After 2 weeks of staring at the med pack, I have now finally started on Aspirin, Vit D and Pregnacare plus. Awaiting Ovulation to start on Pred protocol.

Miscarriage history:

1. July 2017 - In my 12 week scan, found foetus with no hb (6 weeks foetus size), devastated! Had severe morning sickness, didn't predict anything negative. Took my son (6 years then) to the scan planning to break the surprise where he could see his sibling in scan.. We all broke down, opted d&c

1. March 2018 - started bleeding in 6 weeks and miscarried naturally.

1. July 2018 - spotted in 6 weeks, scan at EPU no pole, returned when 9 weeks along, still nothing, opted d&c

Bought the ovu predictor kit for the first time, counting days to use it. Any of you in the same position? Would be great to hear your stories and cheer each other up towards the destination. Previous threads were beautiful, so supportive but sadly the latest post was in Sep 2017. So most of them would have crossed the bridge. Decided to start on a fresh thread.. So here we are....

Looking forward to catching up... Take care you guys.... Plenty of baby dust to everyone

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind if I join?

I'm 33, TTC with donor sperm as I'm in a same sex relationship. I've had 3 IUIs and 1 IVF which resulted in a BFN then a missed miscarriage passed with medical management at 10 weeks followed by a chemical pregnancy at 4 weeks and another chemical pregnancy at 5 weeks.

I've got raised TPO and TG antibodies as well as being positive for rheumatoid factor despite not having rheumatoid arthritis. I've also got family history of autoimmune disease. I've taken opinions from several consultants and the consensus seems to be that my pregnancy losses likely have an immune cause.

I'm currently gearing up for a FET with our only frozen embryo, this time I'll be taking prednisolone and clexane (and progesterone, although I was on that during the last loss). I'm a bit worried about the side effects of the pred, has anyone got any tips? I also hear clexane can be quite sore to inject.

Hi @RedPandaFluff, I'm very glad to hear your pregnancy is progressing well!

Hi @Tinypaws (cute name btw 💓🐾) and welcome!! So sorry to hear of your losses, all the best for your next try 🤞🤞 Pred wise, the earlier you can take it in the morning the better and make sure you take it on a full tummy. Limit caffeine and salty food, eat bananas 🍌 and drink lots of water, reduce carbs, this should all help with the side effects. I had sleep disturbance for a few days and then was fine, ravenous hunger, energy of superwoman and enhanced hair growth shall we say 😅 But everyone reacts differently Ofcourse but I really had no real issues with the Pred.

Re: the injections there’s a knack to it which comes with practice. Get the needle in fast, but press the clexane in slowly, this should minimise bruising. And I found softening the skin by having a warm shower before the injection helped any soreness from the needle going in though so people use Ice cubes no numb the area instead.

Keep us posted on your journey x

@anatrina exciting news about your wedding, when are you getting married!? 😃

Hi @Cream123 - Thanks and good luck to you too for the lining scan..i find taking pomogranate juice and avocados help in improve the lining. Hav u tried?

Hi @Tinypaws - welcome, so sorry to hear about ur losses. i ve just started having heparin injections, having an ice cube jus before injecting helps a lot and less bruises too. For prednisolone, i think Sunshineblonde1 has covered all aspects. I ve jus started taking 25 mg from today so going to have fun with all the side effects.. Good luck with ur treatment..

Hi @TinyPaws I'm on clexane at the moment and I've actually got a thread on how to minimise any discomfort. There are some really good tips in there. Good luck to you. Fingers crossed.

@DaniMERL I think I am ok, thanks for asking ❤️ I think I knew in my heart right from the beginning this one wasn't to be. My temp chart wasn't right this month, some spikes at the beginning and no noticeable leap for O. AF seems to have been and gone in less than a day so something new to worry about! 😠 But I have some CBT lessons starting soon to hopefully deal with the worrying and seeing my GP this week just to talk the last 2 chemicals through and get it off my chest but I doubt she has anything left to offer. And sperm comet next week probably right in the middle of O! 😕 Work is super busy too so no time to dwell 😀
I hope all is good with you and the anxiety has gone ❤️

Welcome @TinyPaws I have just come off pred after around 2 weeks on it as I had a chemical, and I didn't notice any side effects. Good luck! 🍀

@Sunshineblonde1 @Hopeful07 @KittyKatSmile Thank you for the welcome and the tips!

@Chickjen Sorry about your chemical. :(

I haven't checked in for a while and so nice to see so many BFPs!

Quick question - has anyone taken levythyroxine for a low thyroid? I was expecting AF ten days ago now but no sign, and on the side effect list it includes menstrual changes so I'm wondering if this could include late AF.

I'm back to the IVF clinic on Monday to see the dr about doing the next FET, so this is buggering up my carefully decided timetable!

Hi @ginandtonicformeplease good to hear from you 😀 I am taking levothyroxine for under active thyroid ( outside the normal range not only the TTC range) Before I started taking it i noticed my cycles were gradually dropping each month from 28/30 days right down to 23. Since taking it they stabled at 26 (until the last 2 cycles when they have dropped to 24 😟) 10 days does seem a big jump, sorry if this is a ridiculous question but have you already ruled out pregnancy?

Hi @ginandtonicformeplease I am taking it as well but can't really help with your question as I did it just before down regging so I don't think I've even had a real period since taking it.

Hope all is well and good luck with the FET x

Hi @ginandtonicformeplease I’m the same as Chickjen. Am on Levo and my cycles went from 31-35 days to 27 days in 3 months in the lead up to TTC x

Thanks everyone - of course AF arrived last night after I'd posted! It's just strange that I got the usual signs that it was on its way the day it was due, then no signs at all when it actually arrives. I'll see what the doc says when I see him on Monday. It's only my second cycle since my last MMC, so my body might still just be getting back to normal I guess.

Defo @ginandtonicformeplease although maybe not your ‘norm’ cycle but it sounds totally normal to me x

Hello Pred Thread Heroes of 2019!
This is EXACTLY the thread I needed to find and I hope you don't mind me joining you all. I have found it such a relief and comfort to read all these messages of sharing, support and information. A little background: Last year I had 2 MCs, one at six and a half weeks and one MMC at ten and a half weeks (discovered at nine weeks). For various life reasons DH and I had to wait until very late to TTC and I am now 41. We didn't feel we had time on our side so we are with Mr S since early this year. DH had the comet test straight away and came back with a not-great score. He's been on Condesyl and off the booze for four months. I tested for high NKs and will be on the "complex" protocol. We're at the point where we're about to start trying again and I'm about to start the pred on my next cycle.

It has been so helpful to read about all your experiences, the ups and downs . The prospect of starting this TTC journey again is daunting and I like the idea of somewhere we can all come to vent, celebrate, cry, compare acne, discuss the front/backdoor Cylogest dilemma etc. I'm nervous of what the coming months hold but see so much understanding and many emotions I recognise here. Wishing everyone much love and luck x

@Belarita welcome. I know how you feel. This thread literally saved me at the lowest point in my journey. Couldn't have got through things without these ladies.

Sounds like you're in a pretty good place right now. Good luck with everything and ask whatever you need to know; someone will always know the answer!

Welcome @Belarita you are right, this thread is a total lifeline, you have come to the right place 😀

Welcome @Belarita
Mr S will sort you out x

Welcome @Belarita! And big hugs! There’s light at the end of the tunnel here 🌈 Mr S and this thread will be here to support you on that path 💓 keep us posted 😀 x

@chickjen Sorry about your CP, I had 3 CPs in the past, make sure to start the pred as early as possible, it made a massive difference to me with this pregnancy. Mr S said that NK cells make the most damage between ovulation and implantation x
@Hopeful07 Have you had your transfer today? x
@Sunshineblonde1 Good to know that you pregnancy is progressing well, how may weeks are you now? x

I had my scan with the professor on Wendsday and everything is fine.
I'm 14 weeks now and weaning off the steroid and we are having a little girl. It"s still a long way to go, but I'm hoping that everything will be ok.
Welcome to all the new ladies Xx

Awww thanks lovely news @Megan234 I’m so happy for you. And a baby girl 💓 how wonderful 💓 I am officially in the third trimester today. Everything’s getting bigger quicker and a little slower now. I found the second trimi just flew by and was really easy compared to the first. I hope yours is too 😘 x

@Megan234 congratulations on your scan, that is a massive hurdle to pass and a little girl! How exciting! 😍
That's interesting about the NK cells. Because I was treated first for some other cells that can cause chemicals I had completely assumed the NK ones didn't strike till later. When we got the green light that the first step had worked it was already a few days past O (but we had already secretly started trying in case it had) and I thought a few days wouldn't matter.
That does make me feel more hopeful for next time 😀

@Megan234 that's really interesting and in line with what Mr S said to me (although delivered in a much better way, rather than ' this was your fault') as I only started at BFP.

Got my 7 week scan in a few weeks and I'm terrified after finding out at this point last time that there was no heartbeat. I've been on these beastly steroids for ages and had 2 lots of intralipids even before having the embryo transfer this time so all bases should be covered but I can't help feeling sick to my stomach about the thought of the scan. I hate that recurrent miscarriage takes some of the joy away. I hope I can enjoy it once I get past this one safely.

@Megan234 - thats amazing news, so happy for u..Aww a little girl, how wonderful. u can finally start relaxing and enjoy the pregnancy xx
And thanks for checking on me, had the transfer today..just praying all should go well and the hcq & gcsf do some miracle for me this time.

@KittyKatSmile - will keep my fingers crossed for ur scan..looks like u hav covered all aspects this time..

@Cream123 - how r u getting on? Hav u started with G-csf? I hav had 2 so far and was able to tolerate ok..Jus felt feverish and had body pain when i had the first shot then was ok for the second one..will keep u posted!!

Hi hopeful. Had my scan amazingly it’s behaved for the first time in the 5 fet/frozen cycles I’ve had in past so transfer is Thursday. How r u? Yes gcsf was fine I take a small amount every day rather one in a big hit so not had any side effects!

Hopeful what progesterone support r u using?