Any advice re Prednisolone?

[Trying00]

Hi all, after many early miscarriages and the latest round of ICSI/IMSI, I had a barrage of bloods done and all fine except the TH1/TH2 which are slightly higher than the normal range. My consultant has advised taking 25mg per day of Prednisolone to try and help in our next round of FET which we’ll start soon.

The side effects look terrifying and it sounds like a high dose! Has anyone taken this with success or have any thoughts or advice?

I want to do everything to make it work, but beyond the normal horrible side effects like insomnia, blurred vision and swelling the things like increased risk of of depression, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and worse impacts of covid if you contracted it when you are suppressing your immune system has me super worried!

Thanks and love to you all xxx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

I’m such an advocate for steroid treatment as I had 5 FETs that failed and was on 20mg prednisolone for number 6 and it worked.

The only side affect I had was an increased appetite (I was ravenous but also pregnant so who knows which it was)….

I think side affects can be for long term use too, and I started tapering off at 11 weeks so I really didn’t notice any difference.

Xx

[Trying00 in reply to Millbanks]

Ahh thank you for your response Millbanks, it has massively helped put my mind at ease and so many congrats on your baby news! Did you shield when you were on it re the increased risk of infection? Or were we in lockdown anyway? Thanks so much and big hugs to you xx

[Millbanks in reply to Trying00]

I didn’t shield, I felt that although the prednisolone was lowering my immunity, it was only to a “normal” level, rather than under what it should be. I was a bit more careful than maybe I would have been but that was because I was so paranoid about everything!! Xxx

[IVFat40]

Hi lovely, I had an extremely positive experience with prednisolone. I transferred 7 blastocyst embryos (all either didn't implant or were early chemical) before getting my uterine NK cells tested - after this I was put on prednisolone and the first transfer was successful (currently just had 20 week scan). I won't lie the side effects aren't fun (I was on 20mg) but they're manageable, and for me it was massively worth it. Good luck hun.

[Trying00 in reply to IVFat40]

Ahh thank you for your response IVFat40, it has massively helped put my mind at ease and amazing news on your baby 🎉 this will be our 5th transfer and yes all chemicals or early miscarriage for us too. Also did you shield when you were on it re the increased risk of infection? Or were we in lockdown anyway? Thanks so much and big hugs to you xx

[IVFat40 in reply to Trying00]

Thank you 😊 No I didn't shield, I didn't go crazy with seeing people but stayed with family over Xmas, met friends for meals out, went to work etc, and luckily didn't get covid.

[IVFat40 in reply to IVFat40]

I should add I'd had two doses of the vaccine at that point which must have helped

[Eternalwarrior]

Hello lovely,I had 5 miscarriages, including a late loss in the second trimester. For my last and successful FET, I was prescribed 30 mg of prednisone. I was originally only going to take the steroids for the first 12 weeks or so, but I developed 2 different new autoimmune conditions during my pregnancy and I ended up taking steroids until end of the second trimester/beginning of the third. I will be 36 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I think I wouldn't have got here without the steroids. So, I am very happy. There are some side effects (for me, the worst one was the insomnia), but for me it was totally worth it!

Good luck! xxx

[Trying00 in reply to Eternalwarrior]

Thanks Eternalwarrior, sorry to hear about everything you've been through but congrats on the baby, it's nearly time!! All the best for a smooth and easy last few weeks. Your thoughts make me feel more confident about it, thank you so much xxx

[Eternalwarrior in reply to Trying00]

Thank you so much for your nice words and, if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know and feel free to PM message me. I totally understand how you must be feeling. This journey is so hard, but there is HOPE! Sending lots of strength your way! xxx

[Boo718]

Hello how are you? I have been on prednisolone every time. I was on it at 40 and 60mg and honestly the only side effect I had was that I was absolutely starving. I was literally looking at my hubby thinking I could bloody well eat you 😂😂😂 I had nothing else xxx

[Trying00 in reply to Boo718]

Thanks Boo! Oh I hope it has helped somewhere along the line, I'm getting to the end of my tether!! And glad you just felt starving on a higher dose. I thought 25mg was high. Makes me feel a lot less worried about taking it, thank you so much. I hope you have loads of luck on your journey, and thanks for taking the time to reply xxx

[Snoopydraws23]

I have been on 20mg Prednisolone for all of my transfers due to raised NK cells. I’ve honestly had very few side effects if any from taking it! ☺️ Good luck with your next cycle, I hope it is successful! x

[Trying00 in reply to Snoopydraws23]

Thanks for your message Snoopy! You’re so kind to write and delighted to hear you haven’t had any side effects. Crossing fingers I won’t! Good luck on your journey too, I wish you all the success in the world xxx

[hoping_for_our_time]

Can people tell me where they prescribed prednisolene on the NHS? I'm awaiting my appointment with an NHS consultant for recurrent miscarriage, this follows 3 implantation failures then 2 miscarriages. I suspect that prednisolene will help me but my IVF clinic won't prescribe it currently due to covid.

[Trying00 in reply to hoping_for_our_time]

Hi hoping, from talking to NHS consultant after my first 2 miscarriages, they wouldn’t do the blood tests needed to understand the markers, nor prescribe a steroid, as the immunology side of fertility treatment is red on the HFEA list, meaning there isn’t enough clinical evidence to support it.

It might be worth you looking at other recurrent miscarriage/immunology specialists and getting a private appointment with them, if you’re able to?

I can private message you the clinic I’m at if that’s helpful?

[hoping_for_our_time in reply to Trying00]

Hi, ah I did think that might be the case. Yes please if you could send me the details of your clinicn and what the tests are I need to have x