Steroids and Intralipid Transfusion during COVID

[Westielover16]

Hi everyone,

We were due to restart our 5th fresh cycle of ICSI last week but had it cancelled for a second time due to the COVID lockdown. We got the call from our clinic to say that we couldn’t go ahead with the planned steroid or intralipid treatment for NK cells so they suggested we delay our treatment until this recommendation changes.

Have followed their advice and pushed back our start for a month. I’m feeling absolutely heartbroken to have been delayed for a second time and so confused about what to do.

I’m turning 40 in November and just feel like time is running out for us. Not sure what to do if the guidance is still the same next month. I have the steroids at home and could still take them but worried about not having the intralipid too and how I’d get more steroids if the round is successful.

Are any of you in a similar situation? I’d be keen to know how others are planning on approaching this difficult with steroids not being allowed currently.

[WeeJacs]

Hi Westie sorry to hear this, it’s so hard to accept but it is for the best at this moment. It’s more frustrating when you don’t have a timescale. Maybe your clinic could give u an idea?

I am looking into NK, can u ask how u got your diagnosis? We’ve had 3 fresh, 2 MC’s and 2 BFN’s. I have been researching a lot and it seems to be linked to endometriosis too which I have so I’m keen to investigate this before we move forward again xx

[Westielover16 in reply to WeeJacs]

Hi WeeJacs

Thanks for your message and I’m sorry to hear about your losses.

We have had several chemical pregnancies and 1 miscarriage from a FET. With the miscarriage I also had an quickly advancing infection and was in hospital when it passed so they tested the tissue and there were no chromosomal issues so our consultant suggested the NK and blood clotting tests. Came back positive for NK but negative for the clotting.

No endometriosis for me but with 4 failed transfers and the miscarriage our consultant thought best to test. I had asked about it before the miscarriage but they said there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest this was needed. Then after the miscarriage and chromosomal tests came back okay, I think they were out of ideas. We are at a private clinic so was just a matter of paying for it.

[WeeJacs in reply to Westielover16]

Great thanks I will definitely be looking into this further before moving forward. We will need to look out with Scotland as it’s very limited up here. Wishing you all the best xxx

[Westielover16 in reply to WeeJacs]

Wishing you all best too.

[WeeJacs in reply to Westielover16]

You too thank u xxx

[Lilly12255]

Hi, absolution would be to do an all freeze cycle and transfer once immunosuppressant are allowed again. That way, your embryo will be as young as possible re eggs. Xx

[Westielover16 in reply to Lilly12255]

Thanks Lilly for your message and ideas. Really nice to have the support on here!

We are considering a freeze all cycle but out of 4 past fresh cycles we’ve only had one that was okay for freezing so a little scared of this option too.

Best wishes xx

[Lilly12255 in reply to Westielover16]

I will keep my finger crossed for you. Why would they not freeze the other cycles? Xx

[Westielover16 in reply to Lilly12255]

Thanks! The grading of the embryos wasn’t good enough for freezing.

[JuicyLu]

We are in the same situation (and I’m also 39) and are planning to do a freeze all and then FET once steroids/intripalids possible again. This also allows us to do PGS which after losing 6 blastocysts (failure to thaw plus 4 failed implantation) seems like a good idea.

[Westielover16 in reply to JuicyLu]

Hi Lu,

Thanks for your message and so sorry to hear about your losses.

Yes does seem a good idea.

We haven’t done PGS before and have been considering it this time.

Just struggling to tolerate the uncertainty of when this might be possible. I think my husband and I are nearing the end of our ability to keep on going with the IVF route. We’ve been ttc for over 6 years and this is definitely our last go. We’ve also started looking at adoption options.

We are trying to keep positive but is just so hard when there are so many setbacks.

Fingers crossed for your cycle 🤞🤞

[JuicyLu in reply to Westielover16]

Thanks 😊 The uncertainty is horrible I agree. Maybe have a chat with your doctor about PGS if you’re considering it. We might not do it if we only get one or two embryos. We just want to avoid several FETs if there is little chance of them working. Best of luck with whatever you decide - there is no ‘right’ answer I don’t think, you have to do what feels right for you 🤞 xx

[Westielover16 in reply to JuicyLu]

Thanks for your message and hope. Fingers crossed this one sticks and wishing you all the best too!

[sazzle2680]

Hi Westielover16

I’m 38 and due to have a FET out in Spain at the end of Aug.

Initially they planned for me to introduce steroids at the half way point, following my lining thickness scan. The reason they gave for waiting until this point was down to the struggles I’d had my previous FET with thickening my womb lining (apparently steroids can stop lining from developing, and it did with me). I was on a really high dose that round so they also planned to reduce dose to half what it was.

I then got a follow up email last week saying they were taking steroids out of my plan completely. They are however still planning for me to have intralipids.

I pushed back on the steroids and was told we could discuss it again following my mid point scan.

I have a nasty autoimmune issue, like you steroids are really important for me.

I can understand the risks of immunosuppression during a pandemic, but saying that, the doses they give us is less than they’d give someone who had a flare up of asthma. I’m hoping that guidance on steroids changes by Aug.

Good luck xx

[Westielover16 in reply to sazzle2680]

Thanks for your message and really sorry to hear you are in a similar situation. Fingers crossed the guidance changes soon. Wishing you all the best for your cycle.

[Hidden]

Hi Westielover, its such an uncertain time isn't it and the cancellations just cause additional stress. I have booked in my transfer in Czech Republic for end Sept, it will be our 6th attempt, I also have high dose steroids and intralipids as part of my treatment plan due to immune issues and previous losses, my clinic have included them for this transfer with no conversation. I'm 43 in Aug so throwing everything into this transfer and it's our last embryo from this cycle.

Wishing you all the very best xx

[Westielover16 in reply to Hidden]

Definitely get the idea of throwing everything at it. This is our last fresh round as not think emotionally we can muster ourselves again if this doesn’t work.

Wishing you all the best for your cycle!!