Miscarrying whilst taking prednisolone

[Hopeandfaith1990]

Hi all,

I'm making this post/thread because I was searching for similar and couldn't find it. Perhaps my experience will help someone in the future.

I'm 33, TTC with no living children for almost 2 years. I've had 1 x ectopic (w tube removed), 2 x MMC, 1 x chemical and 1 natural MC at 6.5 weeks. Currently under recurrent MC unit at hospital. They tested my NK cells in June after the most recent MMC in May. NK cells came back high (total count 389, activation marker 0.20). RMC started me on 25mg of Prednisolone from ovulation, along with Cyclogest, aspirin etc.

I got a BFP the first cycle of taking Pred at 12DPO. Had absolutely 0 spotting, bleeding etc for weeks as I waited for first scan. The first TV scan showed an empty sac (10mm) and I went back a week later for a follow up which confirmed the sac was still empty and had only grown 2mm. Confirmed as a missed miscarriage / an-embryonic pregnancy at 8 weeks 3 days.

In my previous MCs, I spotted and even had a bleed from SCH (even on cyclogest) so I was convinced this was the one. The Pred completely masked most pregnancy symptoms, which is normal, but it seems to have also masked any miscarriage symptoms too.

I just wanted to write this thread as I was suspicious I was miscarrying on the Prednisolone but I couldn't find anything on the internet about it. I hope to God that no one needs this thread in the future but if you do, then I'd be happy to share my experience and at least something helpful may have come out of this horrid experience!

If anyone has experienced this before, did you wean off the Pred or did you go cold turkey? I've asked my midwife but haven't heard back yet. I just want this nightmare over :(

Hopeandfaith1990 So sorry you have had these horrible experiences. I have heard about pred making symptoms.
I am surprised that a NHS MC unit tested for NK cells. I actually thought this was just a private thing. I'm thinking that they tested the NK cells in your womb and not just by blood test? I'm not sure about the NK cell thing. So many different opinions on it.
I am thinking they have done just about every other test they could for you.

Thank you - it’s been beyond crappy 😔

I was really surprised too but I think my RMC NHS unit is doing some specific research into NK cells so that could be why. I have had a lot of testing yes. I’ve got an appointment scheduled to review my current protocol after this most recent MC. I’m just at the point now where it feels like it’ll never happen :(

It is a nightmare isn't it! I am just wanting to go to bed, sleep and wake up six months pregnant. It's all exhausting.

Yes 100% agree!! Getting pregnant is just the next level of anxiety now!

Hi OP, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I just thought I'd pop in to say whatever you do, please do not stop Prednisolone cold turkey, you have to step down the dose gradually, otherwise you'll get some rather unpleasant side effects. I'm not talking from experience, but I'm on it myself at the moment and have been slowly coming off of it on the instruction of a recurrent miscarriage consultant. So far all okay. I've just had my second MMC at 7 weeks and I've been trying to get in touch with my EPU for next steps. It's rotten 😔

Hi, thank you and I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through it too 😔 my midwife got back to me and said the same so I’m reducing by 5mg every 5 days.

do you mind if I ask - were you also taking Prednisone when you had your MMC? Do you have high NK cells? I’m wondering what testing / what the recurrent MC unit will do next. They seemed very positive about my NK cells diagnosis and treating with Pred so I’m not sure what their plan will be next. Xx

Hi lovely, in my case we found out I was 5 weeks pregnant when I saw the consultant. I'd had 4 losses before then, 2 x chemicals naturally, 1 x chemical via IVF and 1 x MMC at 5 weeks via IVF. We got an appointment for a private recurrent miscarriage consultation as the waiting time was ridiculous on the NHS. Then we found out the clinic run by the NHS is only basic gynae stuff anyway!

I've never been tested for NK cells, but I probably would have been had I not been pregnant when we saw the consultant, so I have no idea if I have high amounts of them I'm afraid. And yes, I was on the Prednisolone when I miscarried. It was part of a course of medication including 150mg of aspirin a day, Cyclogest pessary 3 times a day, 5mg of folic acid a day, Pregnacare and 40mg of Heparin a day. I'm still bruised from all the Heparin injections!

Thanks for sharing - our stories and protocol seem quite similar albeit I’ve not gone down the IVF route yet. One consultant mentioned that ICSI might be our next step but I imagine we’ll have to go private for that cos of the waitlists.

I was basically on the same medical protocol without the heparin. I wonder if they’ll suggest that next, who knows.

They might suggest it as aspirin and Heparin, whilst both being blood thinners, work in different ways. The Heparin is taken very early on in the first trimester as it helps to prevent blood clots from buggering up the placenta. The placenta at that time isn't the actual placenta of course because that develops and takes over from 12 weeks, but there is still a tiny little one that is connected to the sac from implantation and it has a blood supply. It's so small and delicate that even the smallest blood clot can jeopardise it and this is where the Heparin can help.

I had ICSI last year. I still have one remaining frozen embryo which we are planning to put back in as soon as I've recovered from this loss. It's with the London Women's Clinic under a program called Kind IVF, which is cheaper than conventional IVF although still incredibly expensive. We're not going to have any further fertility treatment after that final transfer is complete. But we will continue to try naturally.

Thank you!! Super helpful. Wishing you so much luck and baby dust ❤️

Aww lovely you're so welcome xx I'm by no means an expert but if you have any more questions I'll be more than happy to try to help. And thank you, same to you, too ♥️