The steroid junkies' perfectly unscientific medical trial

[hopeful23456]

I used to spot mid cycle but it was from my uterine septum, after it was removed I didn't spot anymore.

 

[leylak]

Thank you ladies, it was very important to hear your experience!
Pip, I am in Turkey. The pills I used are "Progestane". I took them on clomid cycles, now I am only on thyroid meds and steroids.
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that my infertility and this menses pattern are related. I got pg at my 5th cycle, and I did not spot only on 4th and 5th cycles. This was more than one year ago. clomid, progesterone didn't help with spotting. I believe that if I fix this, I will fall pg.
I realised that taking vit b6 until ovulation doesn't help with spotting but taking throughout the cycle does. Last cycle I took them every day and my spots were v v light. I am very hopeful for this cycle as I am continuing to take it. I don't know the mechanism but if I fall PG again, I will be sure it is b6.

 

[petitpas]

Leylak, I love your scientific approach adding one thing after another and figuring out what works best.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[leylak]

Haha Pip! my desire for a baby made me

 

[petitpas]

Haha, me too, Leylak!

 

[Amber3]

I was wondering if you are all on calcium supplement with the steroids?
Also how long can I be on steroids. My doctor said that I should only do it for a few months because of the side effects but since I only have one functioning tube I figure that everything might take longer with me so to just try steroids for 3 months seem a bit short. Do you think I should stick to 3 months or is 4 months okay? Or do you think that if I do not get pregnant within 3 cycles it wont happen anyways? I hope you guys can give me some good advise.
Best wishes,
Amber (on second cycle with steroids)

PS About pre-menstrual spotting it is often times a problem with low progesterone. I am also taking progesterone 400 mg/day and it stops the spotting.

 

[Amber3]

infertility and menses-patterns/mucus patterns etc are totally related to infertility. If you are interested in this stuff you should look at this:

https://www.fertilitycare.net/Miscarriage.htm

I heard a really impressive and interesting talk online by Dr. Philip Boyle about some tough cases, but now I can´t find it but these cases here are also interesting.
Best wishes,
Amber

 

[petitpas]

Amber, I believe that my doctor lets you ttc with steroids for 6 cycles. That is because you only take the steroids for about ten days each cycle.

I asked my GP about calcium supplements but the ones they normally prescribe with steroids are not recommended in pregnancy. So try and get in lots of dairy products if you can...

 

[hopeful23456]

amber - i only did steroids once with bfp (didn't do when ttc). i wasn't on extra calcium.

 

[Bumpblues82]

Hi I really need some advice especially from those of you in the uk... I have a son who is almost 4 but we have been trying for almost 3 years and in that time I have had 6 losses all at different times up to 14 weeks (with that one they weren't exactly sure on dates) I have had every test my local health care offers and no luck I have been doing reading on the nk cell testing and I really want to try and see if this is the answer I'm looking for I study biological science at uni so I know about the teory behind it but I'm desp to find some where in the uk that will test me on the nhs as we really can't afford the private clinics plz help I'm desperate xx

 

[hopeful23456]

Could you find a place that would give you a prescription for the meds regardless of test results? I was on lovenox (heparin) prednisone and progesterone and my clinic has just had good luck with those meds and recurrent early mcs, may be more strict in the UK though...

 

[lexi374]

Hi I really need some advice especially from those of you in the uk... I have a son who is almost 4 but we have been trying for almost 3 years and in that time I have had 6 losses all at different times up to 14 weeks (with that one they weren't exactly sure on dates) I have had every test my local health care offers and no luck I have been doing reading on the nk cell testing and I really want to try and see if this is the answer I'm looking for I study biological science at uni so I know about the teory behind it but I'm desp to find some where in the uk that will test me on the nhs as we really can't afford the private clinics plz help I'm desperate xx

Hi and sorry for your losses. I really dont think anyone will test for that on the nhs.... i saw professor Quenby at coventry university hospital for the test and she charges £260 which is quite a bit cheaper than some private clinics.

 

[petitpas]

Bumpblues, Mr Hassan Shehata in Epsom does NHS and I think Professor Siobhan Quenby (Coventry?), too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Edit: just seen the above on Quenby. I wasn't aware she charges. But I do have a friend who went to see Mr S on the NHS for free.

 

[leylak]

infertility and menses-patterns/mucus patterns etc are totally related to infertility. If you are interested in this stuff you should look at this:

https://www.fertilitycare.net/Miscarriage.htm

I heard a really impressive and interesting talk online by Dr. Philip Boyle about some tough cases, but now I can´t find it but these cases here are also interesting.
Best wishes,
Amber

thank you amber, I had seen that page before but I couldn't quite understand it. It looks like it is promoting a treatment I can't get here.

What do you think about having a 14 day luteal phase with 2 days of spotting and having a 10 day luteal phase without spotting? which one is low progesterone? I conceived following the latter but couldn't conceive with the first one (on clomid and prog). Spotting is not a simple case, I think.

 

[petitpas]

Too right it isn't an easy case!

I tend to gave a short luteal phase but I have a good temp rise after ovulation and no spotting. I was on progesterone as a safety measure but I don't think I needed it.
To have a better idea of what is going I think it makes sense to try and temp and to get a blood test at 7dpo.
There are other causes for spotting than progesterone, too. Endometriosis, possibly also adenomyosis (?)... I believe fibroids can mess with your cycle, too...

 

[Bumpblues82]

Thanks I'll let u know x

 

[Amber3]

Where do you live?
With fertilitycare (The link I send you) they specialize in looking at more than your spotting. All your symptoms such as your mucus, when, how it looks etc, plus blood tests and spotting and cycle length etc. All these things they look at and often times they can detect an underlying hormonal deficiency when you look at all these things. Personally I am not a specialist but I would certainly recommend fertilitycare. They have a high rate of success with people with infertility and/or recurrent miscarriages, higher than IUI or IVF too plus a whole different view of how to work with the body to optimize its health etc.
Best wishes,
Amber

 

[tansey]

Hi Ladies :wave:

I am 10DPO and hoping that this natural cycle worked but if not I have IVF #5 appointment on Wednesday when I am 14DPO - so hope to start straight away. I will be taking steroids from embryo transfer as per Prof Q instructions.

 

[leylak]

Good luck tansey!
Amber,
Sorry for the late reply. I live in Turkey. Thank you very much.

 

[lexi374]

Ladies im back on the steroids and this pals rollercoaster, after nose diving the last few days temp went up just a tiny bit this morning, nothing major. I ummed and ahhed over doing a test, anyway long story short i got my bfp. 11dpo.

Anyway you think id be happy but i was sucking up the tears on the way to work, im just so stressed about this whole thing! Plus i have no symptoms except cramping! No sore boobs at all! And im sure im destined for another c/p, mc!

Ive started steroids, went to doc to get more progesterone and now shes told me shes referring me to professor quenby in coventry to be under her care as my local hospitals wont take me on under her protocol! So ill have to drive 70 miles for a scan when i have a hospital on my doorstep! Tbh i think she just wants rid of me!

I asked if i could have bloods done after the last chemical and she said no! Needs to be asked for by consultants not gps, what a load of bullshit! I need to know things are going the right way or i have to stop meds. So looks like ill be doing a few tests over the next couple of weeks and hoping the lines get darker!

Hope everyone else is ok??