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

My protocol from my recurrent miscarriage unit is to take it from ovulation - I confirm with BBT so take it from about 3/4dpo xxx

My protocol from my recurrent miscarriage unit is to take it from ovulation - I confirm with BBT so take it from about 3/4dpo xxx

@Carportforme I’m also a teacher and when I was on pred, I caught a lot of colds where my immune system is usually amazing. They were more intense than my colds usually are but they were completely manageable. I just found it useful to be really honest with my school and where I would usually power through, I would take time off when the colds were particularly bad. Nothing is more important than you and baby being ok, especially after everything we’ve had to go through to get there. Wishing you lots of luck and sending good thoughts ♥️

Thank you, I am going to mention to my school when the time comes for me to take it. I will have to take time off for the infusions too so best to be honest I think x

@Carportforme it’s strange you say this because I think my NK cells are so high they are always on the attack and I’m never ill. Not even when I was pregnant and taking pred for 5 months. We lost that baby. It makes me worry that my immune system must be so high that nothing is going to work for me. I work doing nails and in retails so there’s always things to catch going around and I never do. Since catching Covid in 2021 that’s when all my immune issues started I’ve never been poorly since. I’m hoping I don’t need IVIG because it’s not something I can afford.

Has anyone had or heard of IVIG being offered on the NHS? Or is it always private? xx

I would be very surprised if you can get IVIG on the NHS. At around Stg2000 per injection (and you need 3 or 4 per pregnancy) I dont think it is something they would budget for.

Hey! Sorry just wanted to check, was your immune system to blame for the pregnancy loss at 5 months? I've only just been diagnosed with the over active immune system.. and thought that after 12 weeks of taking the steroids and drips id be in the safe zone (not pregnant again yet)..

Hi there, I think it was @Loz2467 who mentioned the loss at 5 months. I think the quoting just got a bit confusing so I expect Loz2467 will tell us. I would be interested to know the same x

@Hopeandfaith1990 I got my referral to St Helier today! Ended up seeing my gp and asked for it again! So let's hope the Dr will be able to help with my case!☺️

@Hopeandfaith1990 just spoke to the team at St Helier for my referral and they told me it takes 8 to 9 months to be seen.. I am just absolutely gutted and I feel like my last hope is gone as I am close to 42 and waiting for 8-9months is too long.. so annoying.
Did they tell you 8/9months too when you first got your referral? I am absolutely crushed 😔

Hi, is this a referral for recurrent miscarriage? That is SO long - I can't believe they said that to you! Sorry to be blunt but I assume by asking for a referral you've had recurrent losses? I'm so shocked they told you that. I was referred the day after my 4th loss scan and seen by them for the first appointment about 4 weeks after? Then sent for bloods ASAP and seen again a further 2-3 weeks later. I'm so sorry they said that to you.xx

@Hopeandfaith1990 yep I had 5 losses in a row! Which sucks... I wish I was a bit luckier for all of this 😔

Wow 😠 and you’ve been under St H for all of them? You could contact the EPU and ask if they could refer you. I’m so sorry, it’s not what you need at all. X

@Hopeandfaith1990 hi I have an appointment in February now at St Helier antenatal clinic. I am not being seen by Dr Shehata who is the doctor who does the NK testing but by someone else. Were you seen by Dr Shehata or just by an other consultants too? Who ordered the blood test for NK cells for you? I really hope they will test me for it as this is really my last hope! Thanks!!

Hi all, have just stumbled on this group after searching about steroids. I started my 5mg prednisolone on the 6th of this month and I am to increase tomorrow to 10mg , and stay on that. Do you think this is a low dose? This is because I have some immune issues but no testing so on low dose. Also on tinzaparin (blood thinner) and starting aspirin 75mg on Monday which is worrying me but told not to worry which doesn't rellay help me worrying! This is my 3rd transfer. Previous two failed to implant.

Hi, that's great! I have never met Dr Shehata but he is the head of the recurrent MC team at St Helier - so all doctors/consultants you meet in the recurrent MC team will be working under him. Dr Viswanatha tested my NK cells. Hopefully she will do the same for you xx

Hi, super good luck with your transfer, sending you all the baby dust and luck ❤

5/10mg is quite a low dose (most people I know take 25mg) BUT if you don't have confirmed elevated NK cells then that might be fine for you. Have you had NK cell testing? Don't worry about the aspirin, its so common to take and its such a low dose it isn't harmful. Good luck xxx

My dose was based of implantation failure and other immune issues, so no nk testing has been done. I mean I freaked out at the increase to 10mg today but I also keep thinking should I ask for an increase or just leave it at the 10mg mark. Thank you so much 🙌💓

I would say if you’ve not had any evidence to suggest you have high NK cells or have had testing done, 10mg might be a safe dose that could also help. The doctor will have chosen that for a reason 💖 good luck x

@Hopeandfaith1990 thank you!! It makes me feel better! I was panicking for a bit 😊

Hi all, just wanted to share an update to hopefully give people some hope - after my clexane/pred ivf cycle I am now 26 weeks with little boy ! I truly believe it's the prednisolone that made the difference. My IVF dr never tested for immuno issues as it can be expensive, so we just tried it, and it's worked! Immuno issues seem to run in the family so I'm sure that was the problem!

That’s amazing!! Congratulations. It’s so nice to hear positive stories, it keeps me hopeful! Sending you super good vibes for the rest of your pregnancy 💖

Congratulations. Can I ask what dose you were on? I'm currently in my tww window and well I keep feeling like my period is coming :-(

@Hopeandfaith1990 thsnk you! Wishing you luck in your journey.

@Sherr33 i was on 20mg of pred and one a day clexane injections from transfer date, as well as estrogen tablets and patches, and progesterone injections and pessaries. I felt pretty awful too, to be honest. I'd convinced myself it hadn't worked and was genuinely looking into adoption during my tww. I think implantation symptoms can be very similar to pre period symptoms, never mind all the meds you're probably on. There really is no way of knowing until test day. Look after yourself and eat some yummy comfort food 💐