Immune/NK cells pred thread #33

[Jecca88]

Hey Guys, starting a new thread as we have run out of space - hope i have included everyone and sending lots of love x

@venusStarr
@Gizmo1983
@Carportforme
@Meg310532
@Newbeginnings22023
@recurrentmis
@hopefulH
@v60
@lozzmax
@fleur89
@motherofshihtzus
@sunflower360
@kea1990
@sprinkleofbabydust
@star2022
@rumandspinach
@ems123456789
@rainbowsunshine81
@mamaw05
@thornters
@elarcoiris

@Hopeandfaith1990 Thanks for the tip, I'll do some research on cyclogest and have a think. It would be good not to miss a month having waited three to get to this point.

Glad to hear you're doing okay, I was nervous enough with the Humira, having to mix medicines sounds even more stressful. Wishing you loads of luck for your IVF cycle.

Thank you. Very anxious of course x

@Fletchasketch Thank you. I dont think it's great that Dr S is so off about being questioned. Life is stressful enough when you are trying to get a successful pregnancy without that to be honest x

@Hopeandfaith1990 Thank you. I am somewhat anxious, I always have betas taken so I apwill find out tomorrow if my HCG is doubling so far or not x

Hi everyone, I’ve been quiet on here as my phone didn’t notify me the thread had been active!

My second cycle on the protocol, pred, cyclogest & hydroxy.

I’m struggling with the pregnancy testing. 10dpo feels too early. I did my test this morning FRER 11DPO and complete negative. We really gave it a good go this month too. Feeling like I’m not sure how many months I can keep the cycle of trying it’s so draining.

I’m at an age where everyone is pregnant. My 3 best friends are and everyone I know that wanted to be is, apart from me 😢

Agreed! Previously I've only ever tested when period was 3 days late and only had strong positives, I really don't want to get into the cycle of constant testing- it's all so much to get used to and just feels all consuming!

On a separate note, I've been recommended (by my accupuncturist) to take a probiotic- this one specifically. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apyforme-Probiotics-Lactobacillus-Rhamnosus-Crispatus/dp/B07PF12SJ2 Much as I am loath to add yet more tablets to my routine, I've just ordered some. Will try for a couple of months and see how I feel. Is anyone else taking probiotics?

Hey @Fletchasketch I’m a massive probiotic person I’ve taken the one you mention above for years and taken it through pregnancy I did it as I used to be super prone to getting thrush. Optibac do an in pregnancy probiotic. I also read recently if you’re using steroids you need to be very careful with probiotics however I have kept on with them with no issues that I know of xxx

@Hopeandfaith1990 totally get what you’re saying about mixing the meds, my irk was trying to get every little drop sucked up the needle and I hated switching needles once the meds were in the vials. Too much pressure lol xxx
@Objectiontime got everything crossed for good betas xxx hope you’re doing ok xxx
@SWMum9 hey sweet just want to give u a massive hug totally know that feeling and it’s rubbish. I was so fed up of the ovulation testing, timing etc etc I can honestly say when I moved to ivf I had a. Cupboard with the ovulation tests and meds etc in and when I was struggling I’d look at that’s cupboard and think at least I don’t have to do all that after over a year of trying naturally I stopped doing all the pre ovulation stuff as I wasn’t getting pregnant and going to Epsom every month for lipids etc etc it was sad but it was also a relief. Xxx

ooh that is really good to know, thank you! I will ask about it at my next appointment. Hope you're doing well and any cramping has settled down x

Just here offering a bit of sympathy. I have previously only got a very faint positive at 12 dpo. This time it was very slightly more obvious at 9 dpo. Only tested because I was extremely hot and felt a bit odd. Normally I would have considered 10 dpo too early. It is all very draining, I agree. This was my seventh cycle since my last loss and my fourth on pred. I really hope you get your BFP very soon, even maybe this cycle x

Hope everyone is okay. I got by second HCG beta and it had nearly tripled but I'm not even four weeks yet and my issues usually start between weeks four and five so we will see.

@Gizmo1983 I think you may have a scan tomorrow. If this is the case, I hope it goes really well for you hun. I will be thinking of you x

Thank you, I appreciate your uplifting words 💖. It’s hard isn’t it as 10dpo is so early. I don’t want anything to happen by not taking the pred until a positive. Finding it draining x

@Objectiontime hey sweet brill news on the betas got everything crossed it keeps going that way funny enough my only symptoms was hot sweats and I never sweat this time.
yes my scan is tomorrow 7.30pm very scared. Still off and in spotting so I guess we will see xxx

Thank you and yes, I am so, so hot! Very occasional cramps and sore boobs but nothing else so far. Bless you, I really am feeling your stress. I will be with you in spirit tomorrow xxx

Hey ladies, gentle congrats @Objectiontime i really am keeping everything crossed for you.

good luck today @Gizmo1983 just to reassure you my friend just had cramping and spotting throughout the 1st trimester constantly and everything was fine in the scans. She is 16 weeks now. I know everyone is obvs different, but don’t lose hope yet.

@CarpeDiem75 i have actually told a lot of my friends about the losses, but it does get boring after 6 and people run out of things to say. It’s no longer - ‘it will happen’ but more silence now. I have definitely distanced myself from people and has really made me evaluate relationships.

@Fletchasketch im totally get what you mean about Dr S - he must just be so desensitised to it now, but its not fair. I watched this like YouTube series of this lady who went to his clinic back in 2016 and documented everything and he seemed much lighter back then. He actually seemed like he liked her.

currently 4DPO and not enjoying being back on pred - I feel it instantly makes me feel anxious and the progesterone - so bloating. However yesterday I got the approval for the NHS funding for two rounds of IVF, which was the first bit of good news we have had in 4 years. I honestly just feel like we are destined for bad luck - so was really surprised. So if this cycle doesn’t work - will start on IVF- which is a whole new minefield. @Hopeandfaith1990 hope you’re getting on alright. When is egg collection due? Glad you can go ahead of this cycle.

@Meg310532 just checking in to see how you are doing? Have you been discharged for the clinic now? When are you due? Sending love

@Jecca88 oh my god you got the approval !!!!!! This is absolutely amazing news and so you bloody should as well! There is only so much money and pain one person can endure without someone doing something to help you, im so pleased about this: have they said what the wait time is ??

yes I have been signed off from the clinic now 💕 I’m 24 weeks today, due on the 23rd September. Still have to pinch myself. Currently going through a big home renovation so living with parents so a bit all over the place atm ! Xxx

thanks @Fletchasketch for recommending these probiotics. I am interested but now that @Gizmo1983 mentioned interactions with prednislone. Done a bit of research and it says 'Prednisolone can affect the immune system, and some probiotics might interfere with this effect or alter gut bacteria in ways that could be problematic for individuals on steroids' I might message the nurses at CRP and see what they say.

@Meg310532 so nice to hear from you. Amazing about 24 weeks today, have you been feeling her kicking?

So we just need to have some blood tests, nurse consultation and a baseline scan and then we can start pretty much when we are ready. Just feel relieved as its another option for us.

Good idea! Do let me know what they come back with. I'm not on pred yet, so will probably start them when they arrive but would be good to know if I need to avoid them later on.

I'm really interested in the youtube channel you mentioned, couldn't find it though, would you mind sharing a link please?

I've also recently discovered the Carmen Mair channel on IG- I know- just when I thought I was maxed out on fertility content! It's really good though, and she does go into a lot of detail about immune issues in pregnancy. Would reccomend.

@Jecca88 also, forgot to say- congrats on getting the IVF funding. From what I hear it's not easy to get at all, so that's a big win. Keeping everything crossed for you, you deserve this!

Hey @Fletchasketch - i can't find it anymore - but its by Lisa Nand - called First Heartbeat: sorry it was actually 2015. I will check out the Carmen Mair channel :) thanks.

Oh yes, I've seen bits of Lisa Nand's story- thanks for sharing :)

I've looked all over to try and watch this! Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere.

I don't think the whole thing is available anymore- but there are clips on youtube, on the channel @Jecca88 shared. Would love to watch the whole thing too!

Hi @Jecca88 this is just such bloody awesome news. I am honestly just so so happy for you there’s going to be quite a few of us now been down the ivf route now so at least we can have a good chin wag about it all the rough and the smooth xxx thanks for mentioning about the lady you know it always helps to know others had it and was ok I spotted through the last 2 as well and no one can ever find where it comes from I do have loads of scar tissue through my cervix from my stitch I had so I hope it’s to do with that.
@Meg310532 hey sweet so lovely to hear how far along you are that’s just amazing September will soon be here. Good luck with the renovations xxx
@Fletchasketch i looked into the probiotic/steroid thing at the time I believe it may have been as steroids suppress the immune system so probiotics are bacteria and a normal immune system will keep that bacteria from overgrowing where as if u suppress with steroids then the technically good bacteria could overgrow and cause issues. Kind of like when you ate on antibiotics and you get thrush as it kills of your good flora. Please let us know what the nurses say I will be really interested xxx
@Objectiontime hope youre feeling ok and thanks so much sweet I’ll be a nervous wreck
@Hopeandfaith1990 hows it going you still ok with the injections, are they scanning you any time soon?
we have such a lovely group here I’m so grateful to have met you even though it’s for a crappy reason take care ladies xxx