Prednisone? Experiences for medicated FET?

[Noodleone]

Hi all,

We saw our FS this morning after a first round that went way better than we expected. We have 3 PGS normal embryos frozen after being told we would be lucky to get one (I am 41). I got hit with a OHSS after collection and think this will now be my one and only round.

I have tested positive for slightly elevated ANA and as a result my FS is recommending prednisone. I’ve read the research and know it’s controversial- he agrees but said that he’d probably go with it if he was me to give us the best chance. He’s been frank about possible impacts on the baby should we get pregnant( in fact he’s just about to publish a review paper looking at the stats which shows increased risks albeit at very low rates).

Time is not on our side and my gut tells me we should throw everything at our first transfer. However the thought of taking steroids scares the hell out of me. Does anyone else have experience with prednisone? What would you do?

[Hidden]

I took prednisone from a BFP till I was 12 weeks pregnant. I had slightly raised nk cells. I took them after breakfast & had no side effects. My daughter arrived in June with no issues & is very alert & ahead! I hope that can offer you some reassurance. If the specialist thought it was that risky wouldn’t recommend it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do xxx

[Noodleone in reply to Hidden]

Thank you - that’s super reassuring!

[Cinderella5]

I have taken prednisolone on my last two transfers at my own request after reading so many success stories here. My consultant wasnt fussed either way and said I could try but there wasnt much evidence to support it helping. Any way I managed to have 2xBFP albeit they didnt last however getting pregnant was a biggie for us as this was our 5th & 6th transfer (2xOE transfers, 2xDE previous....all BFN). I cant honestly say for sure that it was what made the difference as I have an issue with my progesterone and we tweaked that a little however I will definitely be using it again. As you say I wanted to throw everything at it!! Good luck with your decision.xx

[Noodleone in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks for your reply! It’s so tricky weighing up all the pros and cons with this - did you have any side effects?

[Cinderella5 in reply to Noodleone]

I can honestly say not really. I would say they can cause insomnia if not taken in the morning and I had an incredible thirst which is meant to be caused by this but that didnt kick in until I got my BFP so unsure as to whether it was the pregnancy or the tablets there. I had a little bit of water retention but again I get that with progynova anyway. I also got told to limit my salt and sugar intake! In my mind the dose is small and its only for a short time, you do have to ween yourself off though....not recommended to just stop.xx

[Noodleone]

Thanks for this - I already have insomnia 😬 so hopefully it doesn’t get worse. I appreciate your response and hope you’re doing ok with everything now x

[me08]

Prednisolone was prescribed to me (by my abroad FS) as soon as we had the transfer and I took it all the way to 13weeks (recommend was 12weeks but I forgot to space it out to avoid withdrawal issues so I had to go an extra week). I am now 18weeks pregnant and all looks well in the scans, I'll go for it if I were you, all the best xxx

[Noodleone in reply to me08]

Thank you!