Just wanted to ask if there is anyone here that has to take prednisolone during treatment? I have just seen on my clinic website that they will ask patients to post-pone their treatment because of the steroids as these will compromise the immune system, meaning that if you take them your chances of catching the virus are higher... i am really not prepared for this and wondered if any of you have had the same feedback? thanks xx
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This is the view that most clinics have taken. I dont think there are any that are prescribing immune treatment such as steroids at the moment due to covid-19 unfortunately.xx
Thank you Cinderella, much appreciated. So you have been told about this already by your clinic? i am having an virtual appointment tomorrow with them and i am dreading what they will say, i was very excited until today that i am finally starting the treatment... especially since i quit my job so i can concentrate on this... do you take the steroids because of the thyroid? xx
I havent officially been told "no" but I know thats the advice going around. I actually have them at home already so can decide nearer the time if the situation seems to be getting better. I take them as I have raised chances of an inflammatory reaction to the embryo and after many failed attempts I took them and got a positive (which we lost for other reasons)....this of course could have been a fluke but havent not had them since. I do have an underactive thryroid too though.xx
i see, really sorry to hear what you have been through... its so difficult to stay positive as well, but thats all we can do for now. Wishing you all the best.. xx
Hi Raluca, I had my appointment 2 weeks ago, and the use of steroids was my main concern to discuss about. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and have always taken prednisolone and or dexamethasone during my treatment cycles. ( haven't bees successful so far, but we have other issues as well ) My doctor said she wouldn't recommend any immunosuppressants at the moment, and suggested going for a frozen cycle instead and wait when things are better before going for a transfer. I am in my 40's so in my case I really don't want to keep postponing my treatment. Definitely this is not what I would have wanted to do and I am feeling quite uneasy. I didn't ask if the option was still there if I chose to take them anyway, perhaps they are not prescribing them at all?
I hope you get more answers from your clinic soon.
Hi Amissa, thank you for your response. Of course i completely understand you dont want to keep delaying... this is just so unfair! and did they give you any more info on when and how? from listening to the q&a's live of my clinic on fb , they have a plan but still in draft and it might take 1-2 months to get that implemented... i cant wait to see what are they going to tell me tomorrow... i will definitely want to see if we are being given an option or the decision has been already made. its so heartbreaking when this is what you want most in your life... i was just about to start my treatment for FET just before the lockdown so i have all the medication already. Wishing you all the best too and be strong xxx
It must have been really frustrating to have your FET delayed, I really hope your clinic starts treatments soon. Mine received the approval from HFEA and I understand they started receiving patients as from today, so I suppose all clinics will soon restart treatments as well. My doctor did tell me that everything will feel very different with all the new measures they will have to apply although I don't know what all those measures are yet, usually you get more information during a consultation with a nurse before starting the cycle. xx
This is interesting as I was hoping to take steroids again too. I had my transfer on 17th March which failed sadly but I was steroids then and not advised to stop - that’s when our number of new cases of covid was rising so makes me wonder what my clinic will say also. I also have my virtual consultation tomorrow. I hope you get the news you’re after xxx
I keep my fingers crossed for you for tomorrow. I have my appointment tomorrow also, I really really hope there is still a way to go ahead... 🤞🤞🤞🤞let me know how is goes for you CLD xxx
Hey CLDxxx so you are starting your treatment? That’s very good news! Yes so I am relieved because they gave us the option to either wait or either do it without the steroids... and we went for it, I’m so pleased... I’m please more because they gave me more progesterone and I really really have the feeling this time will work... so now waiting on my period which is due mid next week and it better not be late hahaha. The nurse also sent me a link for the HFEA about the adds on to the IVF treatment where the use of steroids is included and this is not something that is proven so I’m ok without it. When I was doing through the NHS they did not give me steroids; at least I tried with and without... I’m just super excited!!! Xxx
Hey Raluca. I am just waiting for my period - it’s late typically 🤦🏻♀️ and then I can book in my scan for day 7/8. Ahh ok so no steroids for you either. You sound so positive, which is great! I need some of this! I also didn’t have steroids on my first transfer, just my 2nd so back to without now.
Hey CLDxxx how are you? Have you started yet? So exciting! My first day of period will be tomorrow too, and then start the medication the day after. xxx
Hey lovely. I’m good except still waiting 🙄 it’s playing games with me I swear 🤣 I did ovulate late so I’m not overly surprised but really thought it would be here today!
Ahh exciting! Hope yours comes on time 🤞let me know!! Xxx
Hey Hun. Good thanks. My period arrived & Jeeze did it let me know about it! Felt rough all day! I’m going to call the clinic tomorrow to book in my scan for end of next week.
That’s exciting you’re making a start!! How you feeling? 😘xx
Hey hun, how are you? Hope everything is going well? I’m so much looking forward to Monday when I have to go do the scan... I hope that all good with the lining 😊, when is your scan? Also are you taking Progynova? Xxx
Hey Hun. Good thank you. Mines tomorrow morning! 🤞all looking fine with my lining also. Been drinking my tea ☺️ No I’m having a natural transfer so will just take progesterone and possibly the trigger shot.
Are you taking progynova? Hope you’re feeling well xxx
Hey, how are you? How did the scan go? I hope all went well? Oh wow that’s nice, I wasn’t brave enough to go for the natural one... what tea are you drinking if you don’t mind me asking? I’m all well thanks, looking forward for my scan on Monday 🤞🤞 xxx
Hey Hun. Scan was fine thank you but a little early in my cycle I think as the lining was only 4.8 and follicle was at 10mm so a way to go yet. I have another one Tues or Weds (I booked Tues but confirmation email is Weds) 🙄 but main thing is all is looking ok ☺️ I had high Fertility on my ovulation test yesterday but it’s gone back to being low today so not sure what’s happened overnight lol but I’ll keep monitoring!
I drink raspberry leaf tea to help my lining as it’s a bit of a pain for me at times!
Glad you’re doing ok! Excited to hear how you get on Monday 🤞🤗xxx
Hey CLDxxx I’m good thank you and how are you? How is it going? Scan went well yesterday. The lining is looking good but it seems that the meds have stopped my ovulation so have to go back again today to see if I have ovulated or not, if not they will trigger it... so let’s see what they say... hopefully sometimes next week I can have the transfer... 🤞🤞 xxxx
I’m good thank you. Have my scan tomorrow. Oh I thought the meds were supposed to stop you ovulating anyway? And then you trigger? Ahh exciting times!! I think my transfer will be next week too 🤞xxx
Oh nice!!! Is this to check the lining? I keep my fingers crossed for you! Yes it is a bit confusing to be fair. They said that by naturally ovulating my body will produce estrogen and Progesteron also so I suppose every little helps.. I did not expect that let me tell you that I was only hoping that the lining is fine and then we can start Progesteron. In a way i do feel that they are trying to pull the time a little because if I was to start Progesteron today or tomorrow it would have to be a saturday Transfer and don’t think they do that... but that’s just my own feeling... let’s see what they say today. Also I’ve had blood taken out yesterday and they discarded of it and today I have to do another blood test... it is confusing because we do our scans and blood tests in London but for transfer we have to go Nottingham where our embryos are stored (this is because in London they don’t have the equipment to store our eggs as my husband had an illness when he was very young - hep B ) and apparently because of that they need special storage. So the doctor in London is sending all the details to the doctors in Nottingham and they are the ones making some of these decisions... It gets very confusing sometimes but can’t complain really... are you in London? Xxx
Yes and to check if the dominant follicle has grown 🤞
That makes sense as that’s what mine will do naturally although when they were unsure before they did a progesterone blood test to check. Was that the test you had?
Ohh that is confusing but sounds like you’re keeping an eye on things which is the main thing!
Yes mine is in London which is handy when working as it’s nearby but as I’m working from home it means me being away from work for quite as I have to travel in 🙈xxx
It’s so scary but so exciting in the same time isn’t it? It would be so cool if we would have the transfer in the same day next week the nurse said it’s to check the progesterone and estrogen. Yes same here, it was two stops away from work but now I have quit work so can concentrate on this and I have to travel to London from Kent to get to the clinic so it’s about 2 hours there and 2 hours back...I hope after today they decide to go ahead with the transfer... I don’t mind travelling to London but 2 days in a row is a lot hahahah Xxx
Yeah I do feel quite nervous to be honest. I know ☺️ I don’t think we will be far off each other though? Ah ok so you’ll know from that. Oh that’s a bit long! Especially for a blood test. And it’s not like there’s anything to do in London at the moment so you’re soon back on the train 🤦🏻♀️ will you be having a trigger shot? Xxx
Such great news!!! I’m really pleased for you!! Unfortunately with me things are not so great, they’ve cancelled my transfer and have to start again next month... 😞😞 my transfer would have been on a Sunday but the clinic is not doing that, I think they are closed Sundays... heartbreaking but I will get through this... I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!! Xxx
Oh no 😔I’m so sorry Hun. I don’t get why they couldn’t have triggered you to time it better? I can imagine how disappointed you are. I’ve had one canceled before too but wasn’t as close as you so must be so upsetting 😢ahh here if you need a chat. Thanks so much 💕xxx
Hey CLD, thank you! and i am sorry to hear you had one cancelled also, its awful... well i think that is the most upsetting bit, why they did not trigger it earlier... in any case, i have been enjoying the wine hahahah i just want to wish you good luck for tomorrow! let me know how it went... xxx
Hey Raluca. Well something to mention next time for sure! Haha glad you’re enjoying the wine! Mine was canceled just before Xmas so I made the most of being able to enjoy Xmas drinks 😉
Thank you so much! Bit nervous tonight 🙈Yes I will let you know of course 😘xxx
Hey lovely. I haven’t felt too great, had a migraine after transfer for a few days and so many side effects from the meds but it all went fine thank you! Just trying to be positive 🙏🏼thank you for thinking of me. How are you doing? Any news on when you can have your transfer? Hope you’re ok? Xxx
Ha ha ha yes, its always a bloody long time to wait isnt it?! Im ok thanks, we're planning for a transfer in July/Aug if the flights are up and running by then. Cant say Im looking forward to it but need to get on and either finish up or get our miracle.....living in limbo land is starting to get to me and need an end one way or another!!xx
It is! I had trigger this time and the side effects are driving me slightly insane already 🙈 ah fingers crossed flights are! Just heard they should definitely be ok August 🤞 I know what you mean. The longer you’re waiting the more you’re thinking and over thinking so just need to move on with it all. Keep me updated. Have everything crossed for you xxx
Oh no, you'll have every side effect going then.....its torture!! It does sound like Athens are moving to accept us from July 1st but nothing set in stone and of course if infection rates go up too much they may cancel them again! Will keep you posted....hoping for good news from you first!xx
I hope you feel better soon hun, just stay positive as much as possible (I know easier said than done) and just try and relax! Well I have to start again so just waiting on my period to come, around the end of this week... transfer will probably be towards the 3 week of July... 🤞🤞 im so pleased for you though!! Xxx
Thanks Raluca. Yes definitely trying to relax and taking it easy, grateful to working from home and not having to do a commute. Ahh not long now!! 🤞 for you! Xxx
Hey CLD!!!! Omg CONGRATULATIONS!!! I was thinking about you and really wanted to ask but I thought I shall wait for a few days! I’m sooooo soooo happy for you!! Such good news!!!
I’m ok thanks, started with oestrogen again... 🤞🤞
So what’s next then? Are you going in for a scan in a few weeks time?
I’m really happy for you!!! congratulations again darling!! 😘😘🤗🤗💐💐
Yes I have a scan on 16th July so just under 3 weeks time - going to feel ages I’m sure 🙈 Just going to take it so easy now.
Thank you ☺️ so excited for you starting again! Keep me updated won’t you as I’ll want to know what happening and am here supporting you all the way 😘😘xxx
it will flyby you will see, just take it easy and enjoy every second of it!
Thank you! I will keep you updated and thank you for your support 🤗 I’m scheduled to go in for a scan to check the lining on the 7th, hopefully it will be fine, they have also increased my Progynova dose to 8mg instead of 6 just as a safety net...
How are you feeling? And how were you feeling before testing, did you have any symptoms apart of the side effects you mentioned? 🤗🤗😘😘💐
Ah great! So they should plan it better now so transfer doesn’t fall on the weekend. Drink lots of raspberry leaf tea as well to help that lining along 😉
I had cramps until day 5 and wondered if they were implantation cramps but then I wasn’t sure at all & really struggled the last few days. Then, on Friday morning I went for my beta blood test & on my way home I had a metallic taste in my mouth which is a sign 😍the nurse called me that afternoon to confirm it was positive! I feel very tired but embracing it all as I feel so fortunate 🤗
That’s how I felt this time too. The most nervous I’ve been but because of covid, it forced me have a break so maybe that was a good thing and will be the same for you too 💞xxx
I’m going to be in steroids too. I’m due to start stims a week today. They haven’t said anything about not taking them, yet just to call them when I get my day 1 so I can start stims. I will fight for it if they don’t tell me before I start my stims!
Hi Raluca, I just completed my first ICSI cycle and am taking prednisolon since the beginning of May. I checked both with the doctor and the pharmacist if it would compromise my immune system so that I would be at risk of catching the virus and they told me that in order for that to happen, I should be taking a much higher dosage (I am currently taking 5 mg/day). Hope this helps. Cheers,
I’m due to start any day and was just now told not to take the steroids. I’ve never taken them before and the whole purpose of this cycle was to bring my immune system down. I’m tempted to just take them anyway as I already have all my meds. The consultant said that there is a new report to say not to worry about killer cells. To which I exploded and said I’ve just paid 2k fir blood tests for you to put me on an immune suppression plan and now I don’t need them!? I’m like I don’t have money to throw away!! I can’t bring myself to tell my partner just yet!
I’m on a freeze all cycle as I now have what looks like a polyp that needs removing. Hoping steroids will be back in action by time I get that sorted x
Ah Sarah, sorry to hear that. I had mine canceled previously due to fluid on my endometrium and was so disappointed. In the end it cleared on its own but I had a polyp removed instead.
I know the wait is rubbish but when you do a frozen cycle your body will be in a much better way as it’s been through a lot with meds etc & yes hopefully you’ll be able to have steroids too.
I have my scan tomorrow to check lining etc, hoping to have transfer soon. 3rd time lucky I hope! 🙏🏼xxx
Thank you for your message. I know I do feel really frustrated. But I’ve read really positive things about implantation after a polyp is removed as well as hearing about the success of frozen transfers so I’m praying all this goes in my favour! Just hope I get some good Frosties!
Have you had a transfer since having your polyp removed or is this the one? Yes 3rd time lucky! Sending you lots of luck!! 🤞🏼🧡
Yup. My round was cancelled in week three just before stimulation due to covid. I was also take PREDNISOLONE too. Three weeks of drugs for nothing to say I was devastated is an understatement. I am not working - so I have been home anticipating starting again but no word from the clinic yet.
So they want us to start this week. They are dropping the steroids though in my round. I am so nervous about that because then I feel as though it’s a guarantee that our last NHS round won’t work 😫😫
Try and stay positive hun. Would you do a freeze all? Ive done that as I have a suspected polyp but it also means there is a chance I can have steroids when we’re a bit more normal.
Wishing you lots of luck and healthy embryos to give you the best chance possible xx
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