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

No problem, lots of luck and baby dust to you xxx

Hi all, I am just going through my 6th miscarriages and I am thinking what I could try next! lol. I am already on Heparin, Progesterone, Aspirin, Vit D and folic acid 5mg. All my babies stop growing after the 5/6 weeks mark... do you think prednisolone can help? Also do I need to do more testing to get it prescribed or do I just need to ask for it? Does the NHS recurring miscarriage clinic prescribe it? Many thanks!

@CarpeDiem75 I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It certainly worked for me. I’d tried everything and went from having 4 consecutive miscarriages to having a completely uncomplicated pregnancy which has resulted in my gorgeous daughter when taking prednisolone for the first 14 weeks.
It will only make a difference if you have an immune issue, in my case it was elevated NK cells. Unfortunately, the NHS don’t screen for this so you do have to go private to get a diagnosis. However, I was lucky that once I had my diagnosis, the NHS did prescribe the steroids for me. I do think that it depends on your GP, however. If you have any questions, please just let me know. Take care of yourself ♥️.

@JLB234 thank you so much for your answer! I think this has giving me hope again! I have contacted my clinic as I do stimulated ovulation and they confirmed that they do prescribe pred in cases like mine so I will have a chat with them and see what the next steps. Did you start before your bfp or after? What about the dosage? Thank you again!

Hi there. I'm so sorry you're going through another loss and have had such a tough journey. Its unbelievably painful and I truly believe women who go through recurrent loss are actual warriors to keep going and trying.

I've had one ectopic, 2 x MMC, 1 chemical and 1 MC at 6.5 weeks.

After my first MMC (this was also after all my other losses so my total was 4) I had my NK cells tested (via the NHS recurrent MC unit) and was prescribed Pred 25mg along with 75mg aspirin, 400mg progesterone.

I fell pregnant my first cycle of taking Pred. Sadly, it was an MMC that was discovered at 8/9 weeks. It was an an-embryonic pregnancy (blighted ovum).

I know a few people who have MC'd on Pred but I know a lot more people who have had recurrent loss and then take Pred and it helps them. For this reason, I am optimistic that when I fall pregnant again and give the Pred a 'proper go' it will help.

You can push for the NHS to test your NK cells. Mine did. I didn't pay for it. Happy to answer any questions you might have, sending love xxx

@Hopeandfaith1990 thank you! How do you call the test for NK Cells? Just NK cells? Was it your GP or the recurring miscarriage clinic? The clinic discharged me last year after thinking I had APS it turned out after seeing a private consultant that I don't have APS 😏 so I think they do basics see he just to get rid of us quickly!! I can't believe the NHS leaves women like this and don't help more!

Hi, I actually didn't have to ask for it - after my 4th loss the recurrent MC offered a range of testing and it included NK cells and I just agreed and said test for everything. That is really awful that they diagnosed you with something you didn't have. Sometimes it just feels like they want to diagnose you to get you out of their hair.

Overall, I have had a very good experience with the NHS recurrent MC unit to be honest. I think it is luck of the draw but my geographical location seems to mean I'm under a pretty 'good' one. On the fertility side however, I've not found it great. They basically just told me to keep trying and it'll happen eventually. I felt like asking 'how many MC do I have to go through to qualify for more help'?

I think my pathway now if my current cycle is negative, is to try IVF with ICSI and PGT testing (self-funded). My husband's sperm is borderline (not bad at all but not amazing) and a consultant I've seen seems to think this would be a good pathway and that our MC'ing could be caused by genetic abnormalities (which the PGT testing would help with).

@Hopeandfaith1990 which hospital are you followed by? I am in Kingston (London) . Is it your first baby you are trying for? I am trying for my second so I am not entitled to anything on the nhs!
I will ask my GP for the NK cells.. I guess I have nothing to loose!

Ah okay yes this is my first, I'm under St Helier! So very close! Maybe try and get in to see them if you can 😂

@Hopeandfaith1990 ahah yes very close indeed 😂 I did try two years ago to get a referral there they never phoned me back... after chasing multiple times! I will try my GP let's see! They did accept to check my AMH once and do a genetic testing so who knows they might agree to this too 🤣 I wish you all the luck in the world so you get that little one and it all works out 😊x

Thank you so much, you too 💖

@Hopeandfaith1990 thank you! 🥰

@Hopeandfaith1990 sorry me again! I was wondering how long it took you to get your referral to st Helier? I might ask again for one! Thanks!

Hiya, I was referred to the recurrent MC unit in May after my 4th loss, the MMC. I started all the testing etc in July so it was a very quick turn around. I was referred from a consultant in the EPU who was in my scan room when I found out it was another loss and she said she’d refer me ASAP xx

@CarpeDiem75

so sorry you are going through this 💕
are you paying for your ivf privately?

have you genetically tested your embryos to see if they are chromosomal normal? If you haven't I would suggest doing this.

my IVF doc was happy to try the prednisolone without the tests, as it's a cheap drug so he thought it was worth a go - low and behold it worked and I'm currently 17 weeks pregnant, having weaned off from12 weeks. Can you ask your clinic if they'd prescribe the pred without you having to have the tests?

Hi. Has anyone been referred to Dr Quenby in Coventry? Any recent experiences ? Had 4 miscarriages and going through a difficult time.

I havent as I live way far from Coventry but i have heard some really good things so you will be in the best hands. Good luck

Hi, so sorry to hear you've had such an awful time :(

I've not, I got a Tommy's referral for the London clinic but actually have done most of my journey through my local NHS recurrent miscarriage unit as so far they've been pretty good. I've heard lots of good stuff about Dr Quenby so if you have a chance to see her I'd take it up! Sending you so much strength and luck xxx

@Hopeandfaith1990 thank you! I will speak to my gp! 😊

@Ttcpph thanks! I am not doing ivf as it is too costy for me 😔 but I am followed by a private ivf clinic and they did say that they could prescribe prednisone so let's see! I am just hoping I don't have to pay for the tests!!! What treatment did you have before getting your baby? I am really hoping this will help... otherwise I have just to accept I am old and my eggs are not good anymore 😔

I have to say though talking here always give me hope! So thank you girls for taking time to answer your comments mean more than you think! 🥰

Hi all,

Got the results back, basically high for everything they tested, including NK cells. Got to be on 25g daily of prednisone and some other tablet to protect stomach lining and have the intrippilid infusions once in each trimester next time I conceive. That’s a pretty high steroid dose but the other option was four IVIG injections at £2,000 each so we are going with the steroid and infusion option, which will be around £2100 per pregnancy but will be worth it if it sticks.
I’m concerned about my lack of immune system with the steroids as I work in a very people based environment and have no choice in that. But doc reckons either treatment should work as well as the other and I don’t have the sort of cash required for either so it will be another loan!

I agree! Its such a tough time and it helps so much to talk through it with others. x

Hi, this sounds positive! You are basically on the same protocol as me - although I wasn't offered the IVIG. I've done a few cycles on the steroids and I'm a teacher and it hasn't affected me hugely to be honest! Everyone is different but I wouldn't worry about that personally. Super good luck to you!! xx

Thank you. I am a teacher too as it happens so really good to hear your experience has been positive. Are you on the Pred from ovulation? I have to take it from the first signs of a positive test.

Hey! Jumping on here! Did anyone take pred after finding out they were pregnant? Or did you all take after ovulation?!?