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Conception

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Is anyone on STEROIDS for pregnancy after m/c's?

49 replies

oinker · 12/03/2008 20:02

I have not been prescribed this yet, but am after as much info about treatment with steroids.

I have had 7 m/c's and no viable pregnancies. I always miscarry at the same time (7to 8 weeks). Beanie always has a HB but it is always slow. I have no problema other than thick blood. I am always prescribed heparin and two 75mg aspirin.

Steroids will be my next and final attempt at being a mum.
I have been told that I would be prescribed 30mg of prednisoline... (I have to get my
BMI down by 2 first)

I have some questions about this treatment and would apprecite all answers and thoughts...

Were any test done to diagnose NKCells?
What tests were they?
How long did results take?
If private, how much did it cost?
How many mg of steroids were you prescribed?

When did you start taking them?
When did you stop?

Did you have any side effects?
Did it work?

I would really appreciate both positive and negative responses

Thanks for helping
If so, what?

How much weight if any did you put on?

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wen10 · 12/03/2008 21:57

The problem for me is that we dont really have much money so would need really to see Dr Sheheta on the NHS. It is so hard trying to decide where to go from here and which hospital/consultant to go to!!! It's like the NK cell test, we would struggle to get that money but will because i ill do anything to try to find an answer and be a mummy.
wenXXX.

minster · 13/03/2008 09:04

He sees NHS patients at St Helier's Hospital and Epsom General Hospital - you need to get your GP to refer you.

I'm not sure of all his private prices but found this on the website

Initial consultation is £225

Follow-up consultation is £150

Package - selfpaying follow-up consultatation and scan is £210

Self-paying initial scan is £180

minster · 13/03/2008 09:05

oh meant to say the Chicago tests at the ARGC were £780 (that was in 2005), follow up test were £280 & Mr T often uses IVIg which costs a fortune (>£1000/go)

oinker · 13/03/2008 10:02

minster,

What is the CHICAGO test? (am i being thick?)

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oinker · 13/03/2008 10:04

wen.

what area do you live in?

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kinki · 13/03/2008 11:43

Hi oinker. So sorry to read about your 7 m/c. I have no direct experience to share with you I'm afraid. Other than I've been on prednisolone for a year now for respiratory problems. I have no idea how long you would need steroids for your treatment, but if you are interested in effects of steroids during a pregnancy and after, read on. If not please ignore.

I started prednisolone last march when I was about 3 months pregnant. I think I started on 40mg for a short time. For much of the pregnancy I was on about 20mg (my dose varies according to how good my breathing is). For a week after the birth teh dose went back up to 40mg again (since then it has been coming down). Incidentally I have been on 20-30mg omeprazole (reduces stomach acidity) all the time I've been on steroids, to guard against stomach ulcers etc (which completely avoided pregnancy heartburn too), and after being on steroids for 6 months have been taking calcium tablets to avoid osteoporosis in later life.

Ds3 was born a few weeks early following premature rupture of membranes. I don't know the cause of this, never will. Obviously I've wondered if my meds might have contibuted, but my persistant coughing could just as well have caused it.

He is now 6 months old. I am still breastfeeding. He is a little underweight but otherwise fit and healthy. Interestingly he is very strong, more so than my other 2 were at this age, I often wonder if the steroids have anything to do with this.

My dose is currently only 5mg. I am being weaned off them as the cause of my problem was removed a few weeks ago (foreign body in my lung).

Over the last year I have put weight on, which I'm sure is due to the steroids. My face has become round too, but only in the last 3-4 months. Got a bit of facial hair too. Moods have been difficult to control. I certainly feel the slight euphoria when the dose goes up, and am on a downer when the dose is lowered. These changes are noticed within a few days of change, but after a few days I feel more settled. My doctor did wonder if I was experincing steroid psychosis at one point, but was not too concerned. Since then I can only have slight changes in dose, currently I'm dropping the dose 1mg a week.

Unusually for me my immunity is very low, I pick up every bug going. This is partly due to the steroids, but then my chest has been comprimised by the foriegn body anyway. Finally, one other thing to be aware of. Steroids can raise your blood sugar. When pregnant with ds2 I had gestational diabetes. With this pregnancy I was determined not to have it again so paid extra special attention to my diet, hardly any sugar, low gi foods only etc. At 28 weeks the GI test showed I had GD again. They explained to me that if I hadn't been on steroids I wouldn't have had it - the steroids were raising my blood sugar levels. So I had to have insulin for the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I still have to test my blood now (tis ok) and have another GI test when I'm off prednisolone for 3 months.

So in conclusion, prednisolone can be used successfully in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Thorough antenatal care is crucial (I must have seen gp/clinic once every 1-2 wks). Watch the sugar in your diet, and maybe ask to be referred to a diabetic nurse early on in the pregnancy. Be aware of mood changes around changes in your dose. Report any signs of heartburn and perhaps ask about calcium if you are on them for more than a few months. And invest in a decent pair of tweezers!

Hope this information hasn't been too irrelevent. All the very best to you. I wish you every success. I hope this treatment unlocks those dreams for you.

oinker · 13/03/2008 12:07

Kinki,

Thanks very much for your input. I do appreciate this. This is exactly what I was after.
OMG facial hair.......I already have a bloody issue with it I can't begin to imagine more of the blasted stuff.
The drugsd would only be taken from ovulation thru to 3mths. If there was a negative pregnancy test then the drugs would stop on AF arrival.
I already look like a weeble I can't imagine what I would look like after 3mths of steroids....

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kinki · 13/03/2008 12:35

You'd probably look like me...

Facial hair thing is not that bad, just have to use the tweezers every other day or so. Been told that all side effects reverse when you come off them. Besides, most effects didn't really show until I'd been on them for several months really, so hopefully you won't get them.

wen10 · 13/03/2008 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

oinker · 13/03/2008 13:23

wen

What steroids are you on? and What for?

Apologies if you have said already, but I just don't remember....

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oinker · 13/03/2008 13:29

Wen, my suggestion to you is.....

If you have had 3 or more m/c's and have had blood tests to show hughes syndrome and heparin/aspirin did not work then try and get an NHS referal to Doctor Shehata in Epsom. Ask if the NKcell test is done on NHS though? LWH does the test but you have to pay unless you are enrolled in their trials (if it's still running). Mind you, think they only consider you for trials after 6 or more m/c's.
Prof Reagan does not do the NK cell test, they just prescribe you with the steroid as a precaution.

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kinki · 13/03/2008 13:33

wen, yes I started 40mg omeprazole when I started prednisolone at 3mths into my pregnancy. I'm still on it (ds 6 mths), but at 20mg now.

wen10 · 13/03/2008 16:43

Oinker - Thanks for the inf. I am on predisolone for rheumatoid arthritis which i was dx with last May(07). It started after i had a mmc at 9 weeks!

I have now had 8m/c over the past 22months, had all relevant tests etcc all of which came baack back negative and thought an expert like Prof Regan could help but perhaps i will look into the other dr at epsom as my gp will only give me one referral so i must get it right!

Kinka - i was on omeprazole but tole i could not take it in pregnancy so was swapped on to ranitidine which does not work aswell. Now i know others are on omeprazole i will ask to swap back again. Congratulations on having a ds.

wenXXX.

oinker · 13/03/2008 16:44

I phoned LWH earlier..

They will do the test for uNK cells there. They are sending me an information pack to explain what tests are done.

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oinker · 13/03/2008 16:55

Wen,

Not being pushy or anything but like I said prof Reagan will only go over what you have already been thru. They have nothing else to offer.
They do aspirin and heparin, steroids (no testing though) and they are now starting on progesterone from day 14 of cycle thru to either a positive test or A/F.

I was shocked the other day when they mentioned the progesterone trial to me.
What BOLOX...I put them straight. Just briefly...2 years ago I was at the RMC at Queen Charlottes in Hammersmith. They put me on the progesterone. 4 mths into it and no pregnancy. I went to the Royal Col of Obstertricians where Prof Regan was holding a free open forum. I spoke to her in private and told her about my problem and what I was doing with the progesterone....Her response to me was... " My dear, stop the progesterone. This trial is worthless and unproven. Progesterone will act as a contraceptive". I stopped. Within weeks I was pregnant but m/c'd again. I then got a referal to St Marys. I can't beleive she is now doing it.

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oinker · 13/03/2008 16:56

Another quick question...
Do they do the uNK cell test by going thru the obvious route for cell collection or do they make an incission?

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wen10 · 13/03/2008 17:04

Bloodyhell Oinker what system we have here, im beginning to wonder whether anyone will really beable to help or find out why the implantaion doesn't work! It actually says in a patient booklet about the rc mc clinic at St Marys by Prof Regan how she believes that progesterone does not work so why is she prescribing it now!!!

wenXXX.

justjules · 13/03/2008 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oinker · 13/03/2008 21:11

Thanks JJ

Just ordered the book from Amazon....

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oinker · 13/03/2008 21:15

Another thing...

If you google NK cells and Prof regans name together............You guessed it she pooh poohs the idea of steroids........

You have to laugh..........

How effin confusing...........

SORRY.....I wish I knew how to link things in like you JJ

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oinker · 13/03/2008 21:18

I am on a mission...........

I will find out WHY

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justjules · 13/03/2008 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wen10 · 14/03/2008 07:45

minster, what does argc stand for and does he do the ivig on the nhs? Am i right in thinking this treatment is for people who have NK cells?

jj, thanks for info on Dr Beers book.

Oinker, Dr Shahata sounds like he may be worth looking into if St Marys are only going to do what other consultants have already done!

Thanks
wenXXX.

oinker · 14/03/2008 18:10

JJ

I have my own small library too!!!!!

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