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

@Belarita So sorry to hear that, sending a hug xxx

@Belarita, I'm so sorry to hear your news. Take care xxx

So sorry to hear your news @Belarita, I wish there was something I could say to make it better. Be kind to yourself, big hug xx

Ladies can anyone help me work out how many days post ovulation I am if I got a solid smiley on clear blue ovulation tests on the 8th December? Please

@Belarita I'm so sorry :(

@Belarita I am so sorry, may you find peace and strength to get through this. Take care of yourself lovely xx

@Belarita I'm so sorry :( I know what you're going through as I had the same in May. We are all here to support you. Xx

Another day, another issue :(
OH's dna fragmentation results came back high at 36%. Advised by Dr S's nurse to stop ttc until he's had further tests and treatment.
Today feels like it's the end of the road for us. Not sure if I can continue with it anymore.

@Belarita I am so sorry to hear that 😥 what a tough situation to face. I know there is nothing we can say to make it better, but we can listen, we are here for you if you need to vent. Thinking of you 💐

@HoldingOn2Hope was it the overall damage that was 36%? My OH was about the same, I chose to take it that meant 64% was good. He started impryl (you can order it direct from impryl website) and we carried on TTC, and had this bfp just a couple of weeks later.

@Chickjen yes overall was 36%.
I'm glad I've had the appt's with Dr S but also now feel that all these extra tests that have given us negative results are just causing me more anxiety and stress. Being ignorant to this may have probably been better for my mental health.
We started miscarrying with our 2nd pregnancy last Xmas and this Xmas and NY seems to be no better.
How long did your husband take the impryl for before you started ttc again?
My OH doesn't smoke and drinks very occasionally, is generally healthy. Feel like all the odds are against us right now.

@HoldingOn2Hope we didn't stop ttc. He literally only took it for about 2 or 3 weeks before we got a bfp so i really doubt it had time to do much, we must have just got lucky with one of the undamaged ones. Actually, it did throw up one thing, he had been having hot baths (we had no shower at the time) so he had to have cool baths instead. Maybe there is some small detail your OH can tweak.
It's a personal choice, but I decided I would rather risk another MC than to stop trying.

@Chickjen I know what you mean, it's just weighing up a risk of mc or not ttc at all.
Are with Dr S too and did you see the male fertility consultant that he recommends?
I just feel absolutely rubbish today, been crying non-stop for the last few days and finding it all very difficult. Sorry to offload. Xx

Hi @HoldingOn2Hope My husbands results from the test were high at 56% (I've still no idea what this means really) but they didn't tell us to stop trying, just for him to consider some lifestyle changes and to take Impryl X

@Belarita Sorry to hear your news X

@HoldingOn2Hope yes we are with Mr S too. We didn't see the consultant they recommended, we thought we would try with the impryl first, and my husband wanted the chance to lose some weight, and then we would see the consultant and perhaps retest. We just got the bfp first.
It is overwhelming all the tests and treatments and appointments they recommend. You don't need to jump straight in, just take some time to think what you are comfortable with, and we are here for support too ❤️

@EmsIMO thank you for your msg.
Which consultant are you seeing?
Dr Shehata's nurse advised me today to stop ttc. After a meltdown and a good cry I managed to shower and get myself together. Have ordered the Impryl. What stage are you at now if you don't mind me asking? Xx

@Chickjen thank you for your support today. It's made me feel better. I've ordered the impryl. My OH just said to me that although it's a good clinic and they want the best results they are also a business. We missed out on this cycle, I was too down in the dumps and OH was also working late.

@Belarita I am so sorry...😢 I know there is absolutely nothing I can say to make you feel better. Shit things happen to good people... sending you all my love ❤️❤️

Thank you so much for the kind messages everyone. I really appreciate it so much. We both took a day off today to let this latest set back sink in. We're really gutted. Trying to find any silver linings, I'm looking forward to being off the dreaded pred in a month and trying on hydroxy only. The mental and physical side effects of the pred withdrawal added a lot of extra stress for me and it will be good not to be on that roller coaster any more. I'm having all the usual doubts and self-blame about TTC after 40 but Mr S was actually quite positive about that. I have to say, having not been the greatest fan of his bedside manner in the past, yesterday Mr S was really sensitive and compassionate in a very difficult and emotional situation. He and the nurses really couldn't have been kinder.

@HoldingOn2Hope My husband's test originally came back at 37%. After four months on Impryl (and not drinking and not poaching his balls in the bath) he re-tested at 21% which is in donor range. We did take a break from trying for those four months but as @Chickjen says, perhaps that isn't necessary. Obviously my husband's new super-swimmers haven't helped us avoid our current situation and there are multiple factors at play in any pregnancy. I guess it's just a matter of balancing doing what you can to improve your chances while also doing what feels right for you mentally and emotionally. I'm not sure there are any right or wrong decisions. He also had the specialist appointments. Do let me know if you want to know anything more about that. x

Hello all, I posted a bit earlier in this thread but took a break after a mc. Back story is 3 mcs in 2017, then saw Mr S and pred worked second cycle, first cycle on SO, and I had my son in 2018. Accidental pregnancy in august so I didn’t start the pred til after bfp and that ended in a mmc in September.

We’ve held off trying for a few months and rating to go this cycle. Going straight for SO again as though I ovulate by myself, it’s late in my cycle (day 21 of 32 day cycle) and SO worked for my son so I feel like worth doing again. Going for a scan on Monday which will be day 10.

Sorry to hear of some sad news. Fingers crossed for everyone trying this month x

*raring to go!

@HoldingOn2Hope sorry to hear about your husbands test results. Please don’t lose hope, male factors are hugely important but the good things is that sperm is actually renewed every 100 days so there’s lots you can do to improve quality. As others have mentioned no hot baths, but also no cycling if possible; no mobile phone in pocket. You could look at supplements such as CoQ10, Arginine, selenium, vitamin C and Zinc are all important nutrients. Diet wise similar to recommendation for women, Mediterranean style diet, lots of colourful vegetables esp yellow/ orange for beta carotènes and green leafy veg. lycopene is very good found in tomates (esp purée).

When my partner did the dna frag test( I did it through a local clinic not dr s) I actually called and spoke to the professor in charge of the lab who run the tests, she does a huge amount of research into dna fragmentation and says she sees a lot of damage in results but she also sees these results improve, so don’t lose hope.
Hope that helps you feel a little more in control of the problem. X

Hi @Eeviee thank you do much for your msg.
I think I was more disheartened as he's been taking c0q10 and wellman vits for 12 months or so, eats generally well and uses the gym. He was using the sauna at the gym but stopped a couple of months ago. Reduced his caffeine intake too. I've ordered impryl so will start those as soon as they arrive.
We didn't ttc this month but I've decided I'm going to next cycle as feel the months are wasting away.
Maybe the NY will bring better luck. It's been a terrible 2019 - all 3 pregnancies I've lost would have been due this year.
I also have high nk cells when pregnant plus I didn't respond well to the letrezole this cycle so it's been doubled for next cycle.
I do feel it's added pressure knowing all that is wrong but I guess it's better to know why I've had miscarriages.
I'm not going to rush into seeing a urologist at this stage will use that money to have a break away instead.
Thank you for your support it means the world on days like this xxx

Hi @HoldingOn2Hope My husband had the test done through the clinic back in July and then followed up seeing Mr Gordon in September. Whilst we found him good & straight talking, he actually didn't give us much to go on/work with, bar telling us ultimately we will probably need to have IVF/ICSI. My husband has been taking Impryl since the summer and hasn't drunk much at all, our diet is pretty good and he is fit & active. Before we do more IVF early next year we have decided to go and see Mr Jonathan Ramsay, a renowned London Urologist. We felt we needed more direction re my Husband than we have been given, before we spend a load more money on more Super Ovulation or IVF etc. Mr Shehata has asked my husband to repeat the Comet Test, and under Mr Ramsay this is done along with more investigative work etc so we decided this is a better course of action for us right now. Good luck X