Prednisolone after 4 miscarriages

[JLB234]

Hi all,

We’ve had a couple of years from hell with 4 miscarriages in 20 months. We’d all but lost hope but then we had a consultation with Dr Thum at The Lister yesterday. He’s identified a borderline issue with my husband’s sperm DNA fragmentation and then he’s said that my NK cells are fine normally but become hyper reactive when I get pregnant.

We’ve already been referred for NHS IVF due to low progesterone levels but he’s advised that we go on 25mg of prednisolone from day 10 of egg stimulation until 12 weeks. I am obviously very excited that this might be a way forward for us but also quite apprehensive about side effects and if it will even work after all of the disappointment that we’ve had. Does anybody have any positive stories of using prednisolone after recurrent miscarriage? Also, what were the side effects like for you?

Thanks,

Jenny

Yes. I used it to enable a successful pregnancy after multiple miscarriages. Side effects weren’t too bad. My face became rounder but I was pregnant by then so didn’t care!

25mg is quite a high dose, and you won't be able to just stop at 12 weeks--you will have to taper off slowly. It is enough to compromise your immune system. It is enough to make you ravenously hungry at all times of the day and night, if you are one of the "lucky" ones who gets strong side effects. It is highly likely to ruin your sleep. It can also cause severe psychological side effects. As you may be able to tell, I had a very hard time with it (for another condition), and I would not now accept it as treatment for anything (though my views on it are very strong). I do think it is used too freely. If you decide to go on it, there is an excellent book called 'Coping With Prednisone' (your local library probably has a copy) that can help minimize side effects.

Yes, a successful pregnancy after 4 miscarriages. Took Prednisone until 12 weeks pregnant. Only downside for me was disturbed sleep. I also didn't really get any pregnancy symptoms while taking it. No nausea, fatigue, sore boobs etc.. so suspect Prednisone suppresses the usual pregnancy symptoms.

Thanks for your responses. At this point, I feel like any side effects if it means I get my baby! Did any of you do anything to counteract the effects? I’ve been reading up on the benefits of juicing but wondered if there’s anything else you would advise?

Thanks again and congratulations on your rainbow babies 🌈 x

*I’ll take

I’ve used it in my two successful pregnancies after 5 mcs. Only side effect was slight manic hyperness, made me feel very productive and efficient!

Wishing you every bit of luck 💐

I did nothing to counteract the side effects. I was on cloud 9 just being pregnant and staying pregnant so my thoughts were very pre-occupied with the little baby growing inside me

Hi @JLB234. I'm in the same boat and was prescribed Prednisolone for high NK cell activity a couple of weeks ago. I've had 5 miscarriages in total (3 in the past year) and was lucky to have my miracle daughter in the middle of those in 2019. I'm nervous about the side effects too. Today is day one of taking them, so maybe we can share our journeys together and see how we cope with the side effects! I read that it can affect hormones and cycles, so I'm a little worried it might make getting pregnant harder. Good luck on your journey!

Yes, I took prednisolone on my third round of IVF, which was finally successful :) This was a few years ago and I took prednisolone until 12 weeks. It is strong stuff though, you have to wean off it slowly and does have risks taking it that long. For second pregnancy I took prednisolone again for an IVF (frozen emrbyo transfer) cycle in 2020; however this time they said that there is new evidence a very short course (I think it was about 2 weeks) was as effective, so that’s what we did and it worked again! I have had missed miscarriages in the past too. Fingers crossed for you

Sorry latest cycle was last year, not 2020

I’ve too just had a consultation with Dr Thum after 2 failed IVF attempts at another clinic which resulted in an ectopic and miscarriage.
At my existing clinic, they noticed I had anti nuclear anti bodies before my last round so they put me on 25mg prednisolone incase of an immune issue. They did give me insomnia - having said that I was also on maximum dose of progesterone plus all the other drugs from the egg collection so it’s hard to say what was doing what in terms of symptoms. Just make sure to take them early morning rather than later in the day. Like you say it’s worth it if you get pregnant. Unfortunately I miscarried at 7 weeks and I asked my clinic to look at Nk cells which came back elevated. But they have recommended more steroids and intralipids. The reason I went to Dr Thum is for a second opinion and he recommended I redo the Nk cell test in London so he can see which drug I respond best to: intralipids, steroids or IVIG because he said my clinic have just given quite a general protocol. I have one embryo left at my clinic (and am financially tied into doing the transfer there as paid for multi round) so I have no written to them to ask if they’d be happy to do the transfer but Dr Thum do the immune stuff. It’s all so complex! Do keep me posted on your story. Always keen to understand others experiences.

@Ems123456789 Dr Thum is fab! With me, IVIG was the most effective but it was just sooo expensive (plus travel down every 4 weeks as we’re from the North East) that I had to consider how realistic it was for us to do it and I don’t think it’s doable. Steroids were only 2% less effective and then intralipids were significantly less effective. It’s fascinating what he knows though. I completely trust him too-he’s not pushy in terms of getting treated at the Lister which I find a massive green flag. When we told him we’d been accepted for NHS IVF, he was genuinely over the moon for us and said he would write to our consultant with his recommendations which I found really positive. He’s definitely interested in getting you your baby not taking your money. Yes, please keep me up to date too. Got everything crossed for us both!

@JLB234 that’s really good to hear. Thanks for sharing your results and experience. I’m worried re cost re IVIG as we are already private due to not getting in on the nhs. Agreed re he is not pushy, he said he was very happy to work with our clinic. Fingers crossed they will agree! Fingers crossed for you.

Hi I’m currently debating taking prednisolone and was curious if you had more details about this study that taking it for 2 weeks was just as effective? Thank you

@SuburbanMummy123 Hi I’m currently debating taking prednisolone and was curious if you had more details about this study that taking it for 2 weeks was just as effective? Thank you

Sorry Butterflybluey, I didn’t see any studies just took the doctor’s word for it. This was at a Create Fertility clinic.

Hi @JLB234,

just wondered how you were getting on? I started Prednisolone yesterday (10mg) which will be doubled nearer transfer. Had the worst nights sleep and really hoping it’s not a side effect already!

I too have had multiple miscarriages and feel this is almost the last thing we’ve not tried. Also, this is our last frozen embryo of this cycle so there’s a lot riding on this. (isn’t there always?!) 😊

@Ticktock40 I’ve not started my IVF cycle yet. I’m due to start and the beginning of May so feeling quite nervous about everything! Initial consultation tomorrow 😬😬.

I hope everything goes well for you. Sending you lots of positive thoughts. Please keep me updated!

Just checking in to see how everyone is getting on.
I got a second opinion on my immune issues from Dr Thum at the Lister and had my results today which shows I have a very overactive immune system with NK cells causing havoc.
the test showed that prednisolone would reduce my cells to 16%, Intralipids 17% and IVIG 8% .
I’m going to go ahead with a frozen transfer at my existing clinic, where my round is already prepaid as I’m on access fertility finance plan. My clinic won’t use IVIG so I will go ahead with the prednisolone and intralipids which they are willing to do. I had prednisolone last time but miscarried. Though the embryo was average on quality.
my frozen one is top quality, so it will be interesting to see if with a good embryo and the intralipids this will help. If I get a positive test I’m going to go to Dr Thum for first trimester care as again my clinic do not really do this.
this is my fourth ivf attempt so fingers crossed!

Hi, just wanted to update you all re the Prednisolone. I started on 10mg om
day 5 and upped it to 20mg when I started progesterone support. I was so nervous about taking it (particularly after reading the side effects on the advice leaflet). Anyway, other than strange sleep patterns (wake daily at 4am and struggle to get back to sleep) I’ve actually felt great on it. I usually really struggle with low mood/ anxiety whilst taking FET meds but this has been my best cycle yet. Not sure if it’s just coincidence but whatever it is, I’ll take it! It’s OTD tomorrow and I’ve had positive tests since Saturday. Got a 2-3 weeks on a digital today too! After so many losses, I know I’m not out of the woods but I’m celebrating every small win for now! 😃

Great news, I really hope it sticks

@Ticktock40 thats amazing news! Will keep everything crossed for you. I’m currently on Buserelin and having horrendous side effects so your positive news is giving me hope!

@Ticktock40 fingers crossed for you 🤞🏽

Great news @Ticktock40 keeping fingers crossed to you.
@JLB234 sorry to hear re the buserlin.
all these drugs are horrid sometimes.

Hi everyone,
Just jumping on here, hope thats ok.
I am currently pregnant for the 4th time - no children.
Following my most recent miscarriage in April - so shocked to get pregnant so soon after again.
I am on 20mg Prednisolone, Innohep injection, 150mg Asprin, 5mg Folic acid, 1000iu Vit D and 400mg Progesterone pessarie.
Although I am only 4+2 today, which I know is super early, I would usually have sore boobs by now. Just wondering if being on the steroids interfere with pregnancy symptoms? I have read how they can be prescribed for sickness.
As you can imagine, I am so so nervous, over thinking everything. Did another test yesterday and it is a dark line, going to have to stop myself from testing now going forward or I will become obsessive.