Immune/NK issues - aka Pred Thread no. 23!

[Chickjen]

A quick introduction to this thread.. it has been running for many years and is a group of women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage and are now exploring immune issues as a cause. We have members at all stages, from waiting for first appointments, mid treatment, to take home babies. Please join us if you are experiencing this too, loads of friendly advice here and somewhere to share your hopes and fears.
@KittyKatSmile @DaniMERL @Megan234 @Wishing5tar @ginandtonicformeplease @Pop1234 @Belarita @Naticle @EmsIMO @MrsMargot @kdd1980 @MairMum18 @Wewin @zoe16 @fnej01 @Hopeful07 @Cream123 @Anatrina @summertimehere @Lau2019 @PoppyJ1 @WeeGi @RedPandaFluff @Chilliandlime @Thumbellini @AcornHill @Maranello4 @Sunshineblonde1 @Nixwix @HappyApple05 @Widdendream77 @Zest11 @mezgaski

@zoe16 In so far as I understand it, antibiotics would help if the damage was caused by an infection. But if the damage was caused by variceole then surgery may be required. Or if no infection or variceole then nutrition and lifestyle, high level anti- oxidants etc... Has your OH seen a urologist?

@Eeviee no he has not, he hasn’t even done the dna frag test as dr didn’t think it was necessary but I’m now regretting not pushing it further. He’s already on loads of antioxidants so I was just thinking to throw in the antibiotics too but like you said it would only work if it’s an infection.

@zoe16 whereabouts are you based? If your doctor won’t and you want to then you can just organise the dna frag test yourself. that’s what I did. This is the lab and they have partnered fertility centres across the U.K. that should carry the test out for you examenlab.com/about-us/partner-clinics/

Ladies I have been getting a heavy dragging discomfort in lower abdomen after having sex, does anyone else get this?

This has just been since my last MMC in July, I can understand maybe it’s normal after what my body has been through but wasn’t sure? Thanks

@Eeviee I’m based in London but we’re away for work and won’t return to the UK until early next year so can’t have the test until then but don’t want to put off trying. I think I’ll just let him continue with the supplements for now and hope for the best.

After my mmc early this year I had discomfort during and after sex but it went away after a few weeks. However no discomfort after mc last month so not sure what’s different this time around (could have been psychological as I was in a really bad place after that mc compared to my most recent). Your body may just need some more time to heal.

@Eeviee sorry it posted before I finished. I’m sorry to hear this. My first thoughts are you’d maybe benefit from a course of deoxycycline to clear up a low level infection or out of balance bacteria. Then add a course of initimate probiotics repopulate with friendly bacteria. That might help a lot.

@wewin should the probiotics be taken during or after the course of the doxy?

I’m out! AF arrived today 15dpo. It’s so hard to get pg these days! It’s gotta to be these steroids. But I remain hopeful for this cycle. Been taking all my supplements ubiquinol coming up to 3 months this months so hoping the golden egg is about ready to pop! Do you reckon it takes about 3 times as long to get pg on the pred?

@zoe16 I took them during and after but it’s probably a waste taking them during. I just wanted to get a bit of a head start as was wanting to get pg same cycle. I didn’t get pg this cycle. I’m continuing to take the probiotics now I’m finished the antibiotics.

Hey ladies.. I am back with a question.. does being on prednisolone and progesterone for 10 days mess up your cycle? It’s my first time and my cycle is like clock work usually. AF due today but hasn’t arrived yet! Would love to know your experiences.

Oh @Wewin I’m sorry this cycle failed. Did you get pg quicker w/o pred? I haven’t taken pred yet, but my concern is it might delay a bfp too. I’ve read that some form of inflammation is needed to support implantation and anti-inflammatory meds could actually hinder implantation in some cases. We can’t win can we?! If we take too much anti-inflammatory meds we can’t get preg, and if we don’t take enough we get pg but lose it. So frustrating!

@zoe16 @Wewin it took me a lot longer to get pregnant on the pred. I had previously been pregnant 3 times in 5 months and then took me 8 months to get pregnant again and even then I'd stopped the pred for a while. Caution: I lost that one too, probably because I only took the pred from BFP and not ovulation. I am pregnant now, but this one is IVF. I'm not sure it's a happy ending to your question but just wanted to share my experience honestly.

@zoe16 oh I see, well the supplements definitely can’t hurt so worth keeping your OH on them.
@Wewin thanks, I was wondering about that, may look into it. I’m sorry that this cycle didn’t work out for you, hope you’re doing ok. X

Ladies sorry to ask yet another question but I’m confused and need help!
So I’ve been waiting for my period to return to start dr S protocol. It arrived 2 weeks ago so I’ve been tracking ovulation since day 11 of this cycle. In the past I was regular 28 days but know things can be messed up by miscarriage.
Ive been using Ovaview sticks twice a day, Friday I felt like I might be about to ovulate (increase sex drive, some ewcm) sorry TMI 😕 and the line got darker, so I took a clear blue to make sure but it showed negative. And since then the line has been getting paler. So I have no idea if I’ve ovulated or not?? And therefore I don’t know if I should start the pred / prog or wait unless ovulation is delayed and hasn’t happened yet? Any advice?

I’ve attached a photo of my tracking ( a few days old so faded a bit). The other pic was of my ovulation test midday Friday).

@Eeviee from your images I would say that your LH peaked on Friday so you can expect to ovulate anywhere from 12-36 hrs after that. I'm not sure what to make of the clear blue being negative though, Sorry. Such a stressful time, all the best x

@Chickjen thank you for your reply.
I have an appt with Dr S mid November, that's the earliest I was offered. A bit gutted as I thought I'd get seen a lot quicker privately.
I've had a lot of tests done already and I'm awaiting results for the chromosomes/karotype blood tests. Also have a uterine scan this week and a hysteroscopy coming up but not sure I'll need that if scan is okay.

Thanks @zoe16 and @KittyKatSmile for the info. Yes I was getting pg nearly every cycle yet what good really if it didn’t last. I suppose I prefer getting the bfn to the cp’s so I guess I just have to be patient. Funding the right dosage seems key Zoe.

I’m ok everyone, thank you for asking. I’m becoming more laid back about it all, small steps. I was pretty obsessive a few months back after the mmc D&C.

TMI 🚨 ALERT: My AF is really heavy with very large clots and endometrium lining coming away like I’ve never seen. My DH thinks it’s a good thing, getting cleared out after the antibiotics perhaps. I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s not painful at all. I’ve been doing tummy massage too so maybe that’s getting things loosened.

@Eeviee I agree. I think you had your peak OPK on the Friday lunch time but it’s hard to tell 100% from the pics. So long as the test line was darker than the control I’d say Friday was your peak. So you probably ovulated over the weekend.

@PGJV the progesterone can delay your period if you’re still taking it but I’m sure you have stopped. So if your AF is late and you are not pg then there’s a chance you ovulated later than expected maybe?

@HoldingOn2Hope hope you get good results back coming up. If you need a hysteroscopy then that is definitely a good thing as can remedy some problems.

@Wewin I’m thinking of taking 10 or 15mg pred as I don’t want it interfering with ov or implantation.

Hey @wewin thanks for your reply. Yes AF arrived yesterday at day 29 - I think it was me stressing out unnecessarily. Hope you are feeling ok though and eating and resting well!

@HoldingOn2Hope may be you could try calling the clinic to check if they have any cancellations and can bring your appointment any forward as long as your test results are back. I've done that a couple of times with Dr. S. Good luck!

@PGJV I called and emailed yday but so far no cancellations. I know it's only a month or so away but it's a month wasted - that's how I feel as have been told to put a stop to ttc.
It's been 15 months since my first mc and I've had another 2 since so just feel as if I'm taking 100 steps back from where I was this time last year. I'll keep checking for cancellations and hoping to have a few days away somewhere to take my mind of things xx

@Holdingon2Hope I can totally feel you! When you go private and pay so much money you do expect things to move faster but I've learnt that's not how it is but then it is definitely faster than going via NHS. Time away is a good idea. Have some me time :)

Thanks for your replies @Ultra26 @Wewin
It was dark but not darker than the control line, and seemed to have faded by evening so that’s why I wasn’t sure. Maybe a very short peak I don’t know... either way I started the pred and progesterone. So far so good no massive side effects although hasn’t been long. c

@HoldingOn2Hope I know how you feel, I waited 6 weeks to see him and it felt like an eternity... but it’ll be worth it.

@zoe16 I was thinking the same and wondering about taking a lower dose of pred to begin with as it seems to prevent people from falling pregnant and messes up cycles, but I’ve just gone with the Drs protocol as I’m going to assume he knows best. Will just have to see...

Hi ladies,

I was wondering if anyone can help.

I have high NK activity and therefore I am on DR S high plan:

25mg pred (5 tablets)
25mg omprezole ( think that's how you spell it)
75mg aspirin
Pregnacare plus
2 additional vitamin d tablets and a
Progesterone 400mg pessary

My question is, I had a positive ovulation test on the 07.10.2019 .. Dr S advised I started medication the day after a positive ovulation test.

I started my medication on the 08.10.2019.

I am meant to be testing on Friday however have done a few tests before hand as I've had the following symptoms:
Very tired
Sicky on and off
This morning I've woken up to a funny taste in my mouth and very dry white tongue.

Could this be the medication doing this to me or is it to early to see a positive?

I've tested this morning and test was negative x

Hey @sistaaa I am on the same plan as you with Dr S. You need to take your medication for 10 days from ovulation and then do a test on the 11th day so basically you would be testing 10 days post ovulation. The midwives and nurses at Dr S’s cloning are quite helpful too so if you are ever confused or have a question you could call/email and ask. I do it all the time. Good luck!