Immune/NK cells pred thread #31

[VenusStarr]

Hi all, we've fill up the last thread, so starting a new one. Will start tagging but feel free to add anyone I miss!

@MotherOfShihTzus thank you so much that’s reassuring. So hard to navigate differing opinions. Will see what they say. Hope you’re doing well!

Hi @Sprinkleofbabydust ive just had my first ivf consult to discuss starting ivf combining mr s’s immune plan. The ivf clinic were pretty easy going with the whole plan and happy to accommodate all but everything except the intralipids which the dr took the horror at saying there was a lot of bad press about people having awful reactions and also they would not use the fragmin. Not sure what to think or do tbh xxx

Hi ladies argh on
it sure what to do. Went for my nhs hysteroscopy today all was good thank goodness but they did t flush my tubes. I have the hyfosy booked with me shehatas clinic in Friday they have said they can still do it even after the hysteroscopy today but I’m not sure whether to still go ahead or just do it another time. I’d appreciate any advice xxx it’s mainly getting my tubes checked I’m bothered about

@Gizmo1983 If you can afford it I'd get it checked because then you know. And some women have more luck falling pregnant after a tube flush. I'm contemplating having another one - out of desperation!

@VenusStarr How are you doing? I've been thinking about you a lot. Hope you're doing okay. X

@VenusStarr I've also started on antidepressants. They seem to be helping me a bit three weeks in. How are you finding them? I'm on Sertraline. Hoping they are okay to ttc on but to be honest I was in such a low place I need to prioritise my mental health.

Hi @HopefulH good to hear from you, thank you for thinking of me. I'm glad you're finding the medication is helping. I'm 2 weeks in now. I have to say, my GP surgery is being very good. I'm being supported by the mental health nurse too, he called yesterday and I really felt like he was holding a space for me. He's calling me again on Friday as I'm due back at work next week so he wants to check in, but he also thinks I'd benefit from a bit longer off.

I've just spoken to one of the nurses at the ivf clinic, it was supposed to be a treatment planning session but I just can't do it. She was really lovely too, so it's all paused now. I feel at a real crossroads, I'm feeling the pull of stopping treatment and just living childfree now.

I'm starting psychotherapy today, it's private. I met her a couple of weeks ago for an initial chat, so we'll see.

I hope you're OK @HopefulH I just keep having this jolting thought that I'm not well and it's upsetting. Well done for seeking help. I hope you're being supported ❤️❤️ I did post on one of the Facebook groups about antidepressants and ttc and had lots of positive comments that it's OK for pregnancy. I've found my mood is a bit better but I'm a lot more anxious and fidgety abd my head is a bit noisy. Motivation is poor, I have lots of thoughts about things I could do and end up doing none of it 🫠 lots of love xx

@Gizmo1983 I had a hyfosy with Dr Edge, she was really lovely and it was reassuring It's not the most pleasant of experiences, but it was more tolerable than a hsg which I had with the nhs. I'm glad the hysteroscopy was all clear too. I was fine to drive after, I just went for some food and a drink to chill before setting off, but no discomfort or pain after x

@HopefulH thanks for replying 😊 I’ve decided I’m going for it as you say may as well get it done and that’s another thing to rule In or out so Friday here we come. Am soooooo nervous but hey ho. I’m not expecting any miracles from it and starting ivf in June but figure may as well give it one last go and see.
@VenusStarr thanks so much for the reply yes my hyfosy is with Dr Edge as well so thank you I feel much better now speaking to you and hopeful.
@VenusStarr and @HopefulH I’m starting back at counselling myself I actually already do private counselling but this is through the nhs it’s unfortunately at the hospital same area as where we found out our heartbeat had stopped so worried it may do me more harm than good . I’ve tried to get antidepressants from my go 3 times now since my last loss and got knocked back but think I’ll go back and insist. My only worry adding another med to the hydroxy and steroids have u guys been ok with this if you are in the same meds as me.
im doing intralipids for the 1st time on Friday as well this is the one thing that I really wish h didn’t have to have just don’t see how they reduce nk cells but hey ho best do what I’m told. Gentle love and hugs to all xxx

All the best today @Gizmo1983 thinking of you. I'm glad it helped with me sharing how it was for me and hope it's the same for you.

Dr S did highlight that antidepressants/ mental health is a concern with prednisolone, so they'd have recommended I do 20mg and would need to monitor my symptoms. But it's not an interaction as such. It's really hard to know what to do for the best. It's still a but early for me to say they're helping me but I know I couldn't carry on how I was. So have kind of surrendered to the process.
Lots of love x

@VenusStarr thank you so much it really did I’m sat in the waiting room at CRP now waiting to go in 😬😬😬. Im on 20mg pred as well, im an anxious person anyway so probably wouldn’t notice any difference lol. I’m with you though when depression hits (been there a few times) you need to give that priority as there’s nothing worse. How are you feeling now? Xxx
saw a psychic yesterday she has a very good reputation and was right on so many things i stupidly asked if she could see if id have another baby and she said she couldn’t see one in my future I was going to focus on my spirituality. Firstly im angry with myself for even asking secondly its put me on a total downer

❤️ @Gizmo1983 they were really gentle and kind with me. Hope it goes OK.

Thanks for asking, my mood is a bit better, my head is very noisy though and I can't make any decisions, it's very tiring. The mental health nurse from my surgery has suggested I take another 2 weeks off work, Monday feels too soon. Speaking to my boss later.

Try not to feel bad about the psychic ❤️ a lot of it is down to interpretation and if you saw someone different, the answer might be different. It's not set in stone. I get how it's unsettling, but try not to get fixed on it, its hard not to.

Let me know how you get on xx

@VenusStarr thank you so much just having my intralipids now. So they think my left tube is blocked it may have just contracted with the fluid but have to assume it’s blocked which lowers my chances every cycle by 20% on top of me being almost 41 😬😬😬.
good news I somehow have 3 brill follicles on the scan so they giving me an injection to release the follicles to give them the best chance so here’s hoping.
im taking the good from this and of all the things to be not working a tube is probs the best bit to not work. More than anything I’m just really happy my womb is ok from the d and c so at least ivf still an option. Xxx never straight forward is it xxx

Hi everyone - I am looking for some advice or positive encouragement from those that have been treated by Dr Shehata at CRP please :-)

My husband (44) & I (33) have been under the care of the CRP clinic since November 2023 and have just got another negative test following cycle 5 on the complex treatment plan (intralipids, pred & cyclogest from ovulation) for elevated NK cells.

We've had three early miscarriages - the first in November 2020, the second in May 2022 and the most recent in September 2023. Our second miscarriage was a pregnancy of unknown location (possible ectopic but not diagnosed). My body dealt with the first two miscarriages naturally but the most recent one, which was a missed miscarriage, I ended up having a MVA procedure.

We fell pregnant straight away on the first two pregnancies but it took us over a year with the most recent pregnancy in 2023. Having now tried for 5 cycles, timing ovulation, and having had all of the tests done (except a HyFosy which Dr Edge said we could consider in future) I am starting to worry why we are not falling pregnant and whether the timing of the medication could be causing any issues?

If anyone can share any positive stories or give any reassurance please it would be much appreciated - thank you so much! xx

That's great news about the follicles @Gizmo1983 did you do letrozole, or is that natural? Either way, fingers crossed for this cycle. Hope you're feeling OK.

Hi @kea1990 I had very similar with not conceiving once I'd started immune treatment. Its really difficult and I'm sorry you're going through that. There's definitely been a few ladies on this group who'vehad similar and then conceived and had a positive outcome ❤️

@VenusStarr Thank you for replying - I am sorry that you have also had a similar experience in struggling to conceive - it's so disheartening and makes you question everything. I also have found that I am fearful that the negative test on 10DPO could be "wrong" due to testing early (even though this hasn't turned out to be the case yet!) and I then worry I am stopping the medication too early- I wonder if anyone else has found this too? - I think that this whole experience is enough to send you crazy! xx

@VenusStarr thank you so much now I’m out and on way home feeling a bit gutted about my left tube now its sinking in I just have to tell myself it really could be worse I think it’s just that initial having to take it in isn’t it?
got my ovitrelle in a bag of frozen peas hoping it gets home cold lol
thank you for keeping me company today I needed it ♥️

I meant to say I'm sorry about your tube @Gizmo1983 ❤️ I do think the process can sometimes flush things out a bit too. I also read that our tubes float around, so there's nothing to say the unblocked one couldn't pick up the egg from the other side, sounds mad but I've definitely heard that.
Are you triggering tonight? Have you injected before? That one is OK and not stingy. I like to I've the area before injections.
You're welcome 😊

I think 10dpo is early to test, so there's no harm in taking meds for an extra day or so to be sure @kea1990 xx

@VenusStarr theyve given me the injection but just realised they haven’t told me how to do it any tips I’m sure there’ll be a YouTube video somewhere 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️argh.
dr edge didn’t seem too bothered about the tube at all she said the other tube swings round and gets the egg. Apparently it lowers my chance by about 20% per cycle so I guess it could be worse. ( could be better as well).
felt a bit spacey after the intralipids and have quite a metallic taste in my mouth hopefully that’s the only side effects I get, I was quite scared of the intralipids the ivf dr put the fear of God into me about them xxx my husband was txting me every 10 mins to check I was still alive 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Oh bless him @Gizmo1983 take it easy. I had one or two intralipids where I felt a bit off afterwards but it does pass quickly. Are you driving home? Take breaks and have fluids too.

There's definitely videos for ovitrelle - the clinic use a different one as it's already preloaded in a syringe, whereas videos I've seen are with the pen (my ivf clinic use a pen too). Get it out of the fridge 15-30 minutes before you need it, don't go too close to your belly button (about 2 inches away), ice it for about 10 seconds so it's cold but not totally numb and then pinch the area to inject. I cried the first time I injected myself but the thought is definitely worse than actually doing it. You'll be good 😊

@VenusStarr oh bless you ❤️. Thank you so much I’ll definitely manage it with that advice. Yeah I feel ok just a bit strange enjoying the sunshine in the car and taking it easy it’s a 6hour drive 🤦‍♀️.
i know it’s not for everyone but I got myself a little chihuahua just before Xmas i didn’t think he would make much difference to my life tbh but my due date was then and I just needed something to love and take care of if I’m honest. He’s honestly changed my life I have other dogs but I think it’s coz he just wants me so much and is so small and just comes pretty much with me wherever I go he really has made my life and my head much better. We did get kicked out of puppy classes as he started on a Rhodesian ridgeback but that’s a different story 🤦‍♀️. I know its not for everyone but it’s the one and only thing that has made my life a little bit happier and fuller xxx

That's lovely @Gizmo1983 we're hoping to get a dog but we have 2 elderly cats and I think it would upset them too much so late in life. We like border terriers or Bedlington whippets, so not really cat friendly.

I'm debating getting my nose pierced and getting a tattoo...hello mid-life crisis! 😅

Hope the drive home goes well and you gry some chihuahua cuddles when you get back 🥰

@VenusStarr border terriers are amazing dogs are wonderful I had one as my first ever dog and he was my best friend. Haha yes if you get a pup then I can imagine 2 pensioner cats would just pack their bags and leave 😂😂😂. I had a friend who had an old cat and got a puppy they did end up being kind of friends/tolerate each other eventually lol.
totally with you on the tattoo I’ve been designing mine for a while I’ve decided it needs to be symbolic of what we’ve been through but without anyone knowing just us and that’s as far as I’ve got.
we are 2 hours from home and the peas are still frozen, I think we’ll make it 😂😂😂🤦‍♀️

@Gizmo1983 sending you lots of love sounds like you’ve had a long day but nice the sun has been shining! I’m with you on getting a dog we got a cockapoo two years ago and he has brought so much love and comfort for us amongst all the heartache. Get some well deserved rest xx

How did you get on @Gizmo1983 Hope all went well.

I want a symbolic tattoo too, something that represents me, dh and our little ones, just can't decide.

Hi @VenusStarr argh my phone decided to die yesterday on top of everything else but I’m sorted now 🤦‍♀️.
yeah I keep changing my mind I’m determined it has to be some thing that no one else will know the meaning to just me at the same time I’m also scared if I have the memories tattooed on my body that I will be reminded all the time of the sadness which makes me really scared so I think that’s why I haven’t pressed ahead with it.
my friend lost a baby and then lost twins quite far on and she has a tattoo to resemble her living children and the ones that don’t make it. She also wears earrings with 3 stars to represent the 3 she lost. She talks about them a lot which is amazing for her but I’m just not a sharer/talker in real life I like to pretend none of this ever happened maybe I will change as time moves on who the heck knows.
@Sprinkleofbabydust thank you so much for your kind words I was sooooooo tired when I got home. Cockapoos are gorgeous. I can’t believe how much love he has brought into our lives it definitely has made things just a little bit easier.❤️
Afm my injection stayed cold in its frozen pea bed until we made it home and I do my injection tonight 😬😬😬. Is it normal to have absolutely no hope that this will work whatsoever and why am I bothering. Crikey I was sooooooo sore yesterday after the hyfosy I was a bit scared but it seems to be passing now. We were supposed to dtd last night but was way too sore so we reverted to a cup and a calpol syringe 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ omg we have never done anything g like that in our lives we just laughed about the whole thing but tell you what when you can’t be bothered it’s way easier and quicker 😂😂😂🤦‍♀️

@VenusStarr @Sprinkleofbabydust oh no ladies just had to tell someone Who understands my stomach has been a bit off since I was in Epsom I’ve just been blaming it on the intralipids or the hycosy but then I realised today when I went away I mixed my normal probiotic up with my vaginal probiotics and I’ve been swallowing my vaginal probiotic for the last 4 days 😂😂😂😂😂oops