Immune/NK Issues - aka Pred Thread no 25!

[Eeviee]

An introduction to this thread. It has been running for many years and has proved a saviour for so many of us who have suffered recurrent miscarriages as we go through this incredibly tough journey.

Discussions cover immune issues, NK (natural killer) cells, thyroid issues, PGS and many many more.

Welcome to the group no-one wants to be in 

Tagging people from the previous thread but please tag anyone else I've missed.

@KittyKatSmile @FrannyAnny82 @HoldingOn2Hope @Crystal2020 @Countrygirl220 @HarrietM87 @williteverhappen @Wishing5tar @hrtbrk2 @KtAgs @Gooe @peperethecat @zoe16 @williteverhappen @mezgaski @VenusStarr
@Ultra26 @ceebee21*@Luckyducky2 @weddinghelp1* @Hippo20

@hrtbrk2 I would start the pred and cyclogest as instructed by Dr S. xx

@hrtbrk2, depending on the individual, I believe ovulation can happen 24 to 72 hours after the trigger shot. From what I read 36 hours is the average. For myself I leave about 48 hours from the trigger shot to starting Cyclogest. If you triggered Monday night, doing Cyclogest tonight before going to bed seems ok. I've always understood that when triggering, OPKs are not correct and not supposed to be used. I've chosen to follow guidelines by dr S and have conceived twice out of my 3 superiovulation cycles.

@Sophfr17 I hope you're doing okay. Life does continue you're right and I've been the same a little lost and just waiting. Waiting for AF to show up and for the genetic test results to come back from my mc. You will do whatever is the right decision for you, for now be extra kind to yourself, you're a warrior xx

Hi @hrtbrk2 - I’d be careful using the ovulation strips after you’ve triggered. The strips pick up HCG as well as LH (that’s how I discovered I was pregnant the first time) so the trigger shot will affect the results. If you have had your LH surge today, that would suggest ovulation in the next 24-36 hours which could be as late as Thursday evening which seems a long time after a trigger on Monday 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m not sure how they know it’s 36 hours after the trigger but I presume there is some science behind it just like they know ovulation is usually 24-36 hours after the LH surge. For my two SO cycles so far, ovulation has been spot on with when Dr S said ☺️ Maybe if you’re unsure start the meds tomorrow instead, or the steroids today but progesterone tomorrow?

Sorry it’s all a bit confusing! I avoid the ovulation test strips and just try to stick to what Dr S had said xx

Ladies once again you are all super stars - thank you. Don't get me wrong I have totally followed the advice from dr S's office, I don't dare not!! 🤣 it was just curiosity more than anything. I think you're right - if I don't fall this month I'll stop with the opk's - all the added hormones are obviously playing havoc with them. Needless to say I'm glad I'm not the only one who has done this haha! Note to self - 'just do as your 'f**cking told and don't over think it' 🙉

It was more confusing that I triggered when I did - I went in for scan on Friday and had a 13 and 2x 10 follicles so dr jan said come back on Wednesday to check as lining was only at 4 .... a few hours later I was getting a call saying dr S said trigger on Monday and calling round the pharmacies to get hold of the Ovitrelle - needless to say I was relieved not to have to go all the way back down there though!

@HoldingOn2Hope oh my goodness I can't believe you're still waiting, so unfair. How do you feel now?

@Sophfr17 I hope you're doing ok

Xx

@HoldingOn2Hope, yes life goes on... but it is harder every time, I'm sure you know what i mean.
I hope you will get some answers soon. Are you having a break from trying?
I am trying to be kind to myself, but the urgency of things pushes me hard to keep trying, in order to have no regret... i am all tension inside.
I am having a visio consultation with my Dr tomorrow afternoon (he is on holidays right now, quite nice of him right?). We will discuss realistic plans.
Take care xxx
S.

@hrtbrk2 what day were you scanned by Dr Jan? I’m seeing him on Friday for my follicle scan. I’ll only be on CD8 but the last two times I’ve triggered in day 10 (Sunday) so I didn’t want to wait until Monday it case it was too late 🙈 hoping Dr Jan doesn’t ask me to come back too! How strange that Dr S thought differently once he’d seen your result.

Keeping everything crossed for you that this is the one 🤞🏽 Xx

@wishing5star you are in exactly the same boat as I was - I was day 9 and asked to go in then because last month i went on day 12 and he said my follicle was already too big and to write that month off. So this time I called and asked for day 9 (as 10&11 were the weekend). Dr jan wasn't aware of my previous 'goose egg' at 28mm so prob just thought at 13 & 10 they wouldn't grow that quick in a few days but apparently when dr s was told, to avoid going over in size again they said he was confident it would grow enough and to trigger.

Cd 8 should be ok - if your lining is thin they'll just give you progynova - how far do you have to travel as that was a factor in me not having to go back I think? If you've previously triggered on day 10 day 8 sounds like the perfect time to go! Have you changed your letrozole dose this month? x

@hrtbrk2 it always falls on the blinking weekend doesn’t it 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I’m already on progynova as my lining wasn’t great last cycle so he started me on it there and then and said from CD4 this time. My letrozole dose had doubled this month to 5mg too so hoping for a good response 🤞🏽 I travel from Hartlepool so it’s about 5 hours in the car each way so not somewhere I can really pop back ton🙈 xx

@hrtbrk2 yes still waiting 😬 I'm ok tbh I'm less anxious when I'm not pregnant then when I am if you know what I mean. It's been tough and I've had some really crap days but I'll have be having a couple of cycles out as will have to wait for results from the pregnancy anyway. Also I'm probably most likely going ahead with ARGC as my GP and Prof Quenby who I had a follow up with as I saw her in December too think ivf/Icsi is the next stage. But it all depends on these results. I'd be happy to see Dr S if I had my nhs funded ivf but that could take months yet. I'm always in limbo land 🙄 Although if the results come back with no abnormalities then I could give SO another go but with more aggressive meds.

@Sophfr17 I'm being forced to take a break as the Fetus/sac was sent for genetic testing and the results could take some weeks. It kind of makes it easier to get in with day to day life as there's nothing I can do right now. Also If it is ivf/Icsi for me then I'll have to have lots of bloods and tests done before I can start any treatment and they can't be done until I've had at least 2 periods - still waiting for first one post mc. It's really good of your Dr to give you an appt while on holiday, I hope he can give you done answers or guidance as to what's next.

BFN for me this morning. I'd convinced myself it was our month but partly because a colleague at work announced her pregnancy (as I'd done like 18 months ago) so felt i was due some good news you know? Not to be. I'm going to go to a restaurant tonight and drink some bloody WINE.

I hear that @HoldingOn2Hope - not being pregnant is deffo less anxiety provoking.

I've started spotting already as well. Took progesterone last night too. Very weird. Oh well. Back on the merry-go-round. Living cycle to cycle really sucks huh? Take care ladies. X

@KtAgs sorry it’s a BFN ☹️ You deserve all the WINE! I’m keeping everything crossed that your good news is coming soon 🤞🏽 X

Thanks lovely @Wishing5tar. I hope your scan on Friday goes well and it's your month too! xx

Sorry to hear that @ktAgs it's just such a deflating feeling - enjoy the wine in copious amounts! Are you day 10, are you positive the spotting couldn't be implantation? Sorry - totally not wanting to add confusion, just a thought as say 10 is so bloody early!

@Holdingon2hope I totally get it with the less anxiety - but sounds like you've had some good follow up convos for a possible plan once you know your test results.

@wishing5star yes what is it about the weekends! It just makes it even more stressful never knowing which day is best to go. 5 hours though wow - that's even worse than my 3 - I'm sure he won't make you go back after that! X

Mmm alcohol related dilemma - do any of you ladies battle with the social side of things when seeing friends who don't know your situation?

We are supposed to be having a socially distanced curry with our friends on the weekend (we've put it off whilst fertility dieting for a few weeks and now can't get out of it) but if I don't drink the assumption will be that I'm pregnant - and I'm just not ready to tell these particular friends our story just yet. Do you think it'll be ok if I just nursed a glass of wine or couple of glasses of Prosecco? I'm in the 10 days now so not waiting to ovulate but I am also strictly dieting on nothing inflammatory due to the endometriosis dr jan found so as not to aggravate it - my acupuncturist once told me never to worry about having a drink in the two week wait because it can't do any damage and the person who gave me the diet said it's all about balance and to stick to it 80/20 so as not to stress yourself it's important to relax but I know others don't touch a drop at all - so I'd be keen to know what you ladies all think? And how you manage the difficulty of living a double life!!! Xx

hrtbrk2 I’m sure that would be fine. I know what you mean though I’m finding it hard too (I never drank much alcohol but now suddenly having none and trying to be caffeine-free and gluten free too). I don’t want to tell others we are trying again at this point as I don’t want to deal with other people opinions and anxiety, and restrictive diets make it hard to hide! I think your acupuncturist is right, and I’m trying to work on ‘limiting wherever possible’ rather than completely cutting it out at all costs as I was finding it too stressful and there is enough stress and anxiety involved for us all as there is! Xx

@hrtbrk2 if you can get away with pouring your own drinks there’s a nosecco that looks and tastes just like prosecco so they wouldn’t know ☺️ But if not, I like the mantra drink until you see pink and like you say everything in moderation can’t hurt! Just try and enjoy your night and don’t stress about it xx

@hrtbrk2 you can also get a really low % gin ( if you like gin), I think 5 is the equivalent of one normal measure,
I’ve also got a bottle of non alcoholic gin that I was brought so can let you know brand but it looks and taste like gin so no one would know,
If not I’m sure a few glasses won’t hurt ☺️

Thanks all, you've put my mind at rest - it's just the guilt isn't it?! That you put all that effort in and don't want a night out to ruin it all just because you don't want to justify yourself to the whole world. When they came to ours last time I had seedlip non alcoholic spirit but as in my own kitchen I was making the drinks and she was none the wiser that I wasn't drinking gin... but this time we are going to theirs so not very easy to do that this time! I think I'm going to take bottle of Prosecco as it's such low % and just labour it!

God the things we have to worry about - I guess I just wanted to know I'm not the only one who deviates from time to time where life circumstances dictate it and then beats myself up about it ... so thank you again xxx

So many things to worry about for us ladies! I like to remind myself that lots of people drink throughout their TTC period and I wonder about how much stress and worrying about it may be counter to our efforts. It's a hard balance to strike though and sounds like you've all given it some good thought. Good luck @hrtbrk2!

I know exactly when I ovulated (according to my Clear blue fertility monitor) so I'm pretty sure I'd get something on a FRER yesterday. The spotting thing is weird because there was some bright red blood yesterday. My cycles are very confusing now - I really don't like it. Despite all the meds, blood tests and controlled instructions, I think I feel less intune with my body than I did before. Does that make sense? xx

Hey ladies! Follicle scan was a bust ☹️ Had no reaction to the meds (even though it doubled to 5mg this month 🤷🏻‍♀️). There was some eggs on both sides but not a single one was close to even 10mm so I’ve been told to abandon the cycle and double again to 10mg next month. Has anyone been on this dose of letrozole before?

One positive was that my lining was much better with taking the progynova. On the off chance that I might ovulate naturally Dr Jan said I could keep taking it and if I do ovulate I can take the steroids but it’s not looking likely. Maybe fourth time is the charm?! 🤞🏽

@hrtbrk2 Gosh all these things we have to worry about. At your own house it's easier as like you said you can pour the drinks, I remember pouring myself soda water at Xmas and pretending it was g&t 🤣. Tbh I don't think a couple of Prosecco's will harm. The other way I've got out of it is both me and DH said we were on a alcohol detox and it meant he didn't drink either - weird how no questions were asked then. Have a good time and don't stress. Xx

@Wishing5tar I had the same issue with Letrezole, I wasn't responding to it even when dose was double but see how you get on with 10mg. He may put you on gonal-f. I know it's a bummer as it's all trial and error with these meds, I hope you do get a good response to 10mg 🤞🏽

@HoldingOn2Hope thanks! It’s good to know I’m not alone 🙈 I guess I’m just confused that the first two cycles on 2.5mg I had a good and okay-ish response 🤷🏻‍♀️ And here was me worrying that I may have had too many on 5mg - hahaha oh how wrong I was! The gonal-f injections are a big jump up in price from a £20 box of letrozole 🥴

@Wishing5tar tell me about it! Add on an extra zero to the 20 and that's a small dose! I paid about £450-700 for mine each cycle it went up. Hopefully the letrezole will work for you is it did the first time. I just had zero response. I'd get 'ovaries are quiet' from Dr S or Dr Jan after each scan.