Anyone decided against taking prednisolone and still had successful pregnancy?

[kiwifriend]

A bit of background. I'm 41.5 yo and have 4 euploid embryos created when I was 39 and 40. Because of my age these are probably going to be my only embryos so I'm wanting to maximize my chance for each transfer. This is also why, despite having had no transfer yet, I've already gone to Dr Gorgy and had some immune testing done. My NK cell level and Th1/Th2 are both high, but I don't have autoimmune issues. Dr Gorgy has prescribed 25mg pred for my FET in January. Reading upon all the information that's available online about pred, I'm actually quite scared of taking it, both due to the side effects for me and potential birth defect for the baby. I also have subclinical hypothyroidism and have finally found a supplementation regime that works well for me after lots of experimentation. So I'm also worried that taking pred would affect my thyroid function negatively.

I keep swinging between not taking it at all for the first FET or taking a lower dose than prescribed. I really don't know what to do or how to decide.

I've only had one natural pregnancy after trying for 2 years, but it ended in a miscarriage after 6 weeks. Haven't tried naturally since starting the IVF journey 2023.

So, has anyone been in similar position and decided against taking steroids and still had a successful pregnancy?

xx

Just to add, I'm also having intralipids, taking 400mg hydroxychloroquine daily, and will start with clexane on cd7. I don't have problem taking these. I debated for a long time about hydroxychloroquine but decided to take it.

I have had ERA/EMMA/Alice and have been taking probiotics for a few months.

I am also thinking about the NK cells, did you decide to take the meds in the end do you mind me asking ? I have two euploid embryos , have had 6 miscarriages, age 42 now but started at age 36 .. only thing not tested is NK cells as all 3 clinics I have used in the past years don’t think this makes a difference .. so should I take my euploids to a clinic that supports giving me medication for NK cells incase this could be the reason for miscarriages or has anyone had high NK cells and still had a healthy pregnancy without meds for it ? Thanks

Hi hopefullsosbry, sorry for your multiple miscarriages. I did take Pred in my first transfer in January, which failed to implant. I decided against it for the second transfer, which also failed. I'm now also 42 and have two remaining euploid. I don't think I will take steroid again, but then also don't really have a plan what to do.

I didn't have visible side effects when taking pred. I also only took it for a short time because the FET failed. But I've decided to not take it again. I'll share my reasons but this is in the end a very personal decision of course.

The reason why I don't want to take pred is that I'm worried about lasting effect, mainly on bone density. The effect on bone density is also cumulative, meaning the more you take in your lifetime, the higher the risk. As a risk averse person, I deemed it not worth the risk - I simply think that I won't like it if I managed to get pregnant but will more easily break my bones and not be able to enjoy the life with my child.

Of course, many women go through it and have successful live birth. I think they are all heros. It's just not something for me.

Currently I'm trying TCM and will probably do a hysteroscopy. I want to take care of myself before trying another transfer, but beyond that I don't have a plan. The longer I wait though, the harder it is to act and go for another transfer.

Anyway, not sure this is helpful, but it's what I have thought and decided to do.

Wish you lots of luck no matter how you decide <3

Hi, thank you for sharing, yes this is also a concern for me of the side effects. I have been looking into this and I think you can have a more natural approach by using herbs that can balance the immune system and then in turn reduce the ‘high’ NK cells within the blood ? I think I will try this with a professional herbalist instead as herbs work with the body in harmony with next to no side effects , rather side effects that benefit.

I am sorry both of your transfers failed, it’s really hard emotionally, physically and financially but you are amazing for going through with everything you have done and I hope one day your dream comes true!