When to stop prednisolone? Consultant says at ET?

[rainbowbaby8320]

Hello

I'm a bit nervous as i've just had a fresh embryo transfer. I've been on prednisolone for suspected auto immune conditions, for the last few weeks/since start of cycle. However, the consultant told me to stop taking it today, now that I have had the transfer. I'm a bit confused as i've read in lots of places online that women typically take it for up to when they are three months pregnant?

I also read that it only takes about 21 hours for it to come out of your body? So i'm worrying my body's natural killer cells will start kicking back in and destroy my embryo if I stop now?

Do you think it's done its job already or should I be taking it for longer? For those of you who were on prednisolone, when did you stop taking it after embryo transfer?

Thanks for your help everyone!!

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

That does seem a bit odd to me. I was on them until 15 weeks pregnant (from a week prior to ET).

I would double check with them for sure.

Good luck! xx

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks - i've asked them again through the portal... I will see what they say!

[minnesota_girl]

Hi there, I was on steroids until nearly 12 weeks pregnant...they started reducing the amount at 11 weeks...I'd definitely get a second opinion/clarify if you can. Sorry you're in this position, it's hard to not have clarity you trust right after a transfer. I hope you get someone t respond quickly for you.

[OurMiracleBabies in reply to minnesota_girl]

Hi Dear how many mg you were on for that duration?

[minnesota_girl in reply to OurMiracleBabies]

I was on 10mg x

[OurMiracleBabies in reply to minnesota_girl]

OK..

[Pipidugacarapa]

I was on prednisone only 5 days, started 4 days before ET (was FET) and on day of ET was last dose. They never tested my NK cells so this was “just in case”. I was also on baby aspirin and they told me to stop that on my OTD (was 14 days after ET). So now I’m taking just folic acid. So far so good, I’m currently 5+5. Definitely doble check because every protocol is different but here (USA) is quite common to have 5 days course of prednisone only (especially in FET cycle). Good luck 🙏🏻

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to Pipidugacarapa]

ah ok thank you! that makes me feel slightly less worried but I am certain I have an auto immune condition as they have transferred really good embryos one by one and now i'm always getting 'not pregnant' result... one was PGTA tested... so I just don't want the same thing to go wrong again...

[Pipidugacarapa in reply to rainbowbaby8320]

maybe you can ask for more tests (NK cells for example) because in that case there’s therapy for that. Or maybe it was bad luck 😬 IVF has so many uncertainties although we all think when we start this journey that is something “certain “. I hope this cycle works out for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to Pipidugacarapa]

thanks... the clinic i'm with doesn't do NK cells testing... they said there are hundreds of auto immune conditions so you can never be sure of the outcome of the tests/they are not conclusive about auto immune disease.... so they just are prepared to give the meds anyway! Just wish they gave them to me previously and I might have had a baby by now! Maybe some of it is luck too as you say though! Think i've had my share now of the bad luck so a rainbow would be nice!

[MrsWright87]

Hey,That seems like such a short time. I'm on 20mg a day for 12 weeks then reduce them over a period of 2 weeks.

Hopefully your clinic can provide you with some clarification x

[rainbowbaby8320]

Thanks for replying! I have still got some left so i'm still taking them 👀 - they told me to stop! - but I was only on 10mg per day aswell... I just don't want to get another negative test result and be wondering whether it was my immune system again... I've only got so many left though... I think enough to last till test result...

My little embryo made it to blastocyst on day 5 but was not fully expanded so I'm not sure this one is ok anyway... but I don't want to end up confused between that and the effect of my immune system!

[rainbowbaby8320]

Hello everyone - just had an update from the consultant... she is ok with me taking it up to pregnancy test - which I'm ok with - as she said we can do intralipids at that point so I will have that helping too... phew!

This cycle may not work anyway but I definitely don't want my body to kill it before it has a chance!

Thanks everyone for replying!

[RACMumm]

I did intralipids (1 week.prior to transfer), after positive test and again around 4 or 5 weeks later. I was also on prednisone (12 mg) to start hut then I dropped to 10mg at about 6 weeks. I carried on with prednisone until 12 weeks & then dropped to 5mg for a week and then one 5mg dose every other day for a week and then stopped fully. My NK cells were tested by uterine biopsy & they were high. I would definitely think continuing until at least a positive test at minimum is essential. If you need more I have spare. Best of luck 👍

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to RACMumm]

Aww thank you very much! That is so kind of you!!

They said they can’t do intralipids close to transfer as there is a risk of cleft lip or something?!

Test date is this Thursday - two days away and I’ve not got any symptoms or anything so I really don’t think this one worked…(both times I was pregnant I had some symptoms)… it’s interesting as I got the ‘rash’ again all over my bodice area and neck! It happens every time they put an embryo in! I’m taking that as a sign that the prednisolone was not enough and my body is still treating it like a foreign invader or something!!

[RACMumm in reply to rainbowbaby8320]

I never had any symptoms at all with my positives and one was with twins. Don't worry about symptoms, it's way too early and if you had them, the chances are they were being caused by the medication anyway. Stay positive. I never believed any of my successful transfers had worked and was always convinced they had failed 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to RACMumm]

really! Thanks! Just feels like I will never have another one… the cycle was not great so egg quality seemed bad and I’m not hopeful because of that too! They collected 6 eggs and only one fertilised?’ It got to blastocyst but wasn’t expanding on day 5 so it may have stopped growing! I will be very surprised if it has worked 🙈

[RACMumm in reply to rainbowbaby8320]

My second transfer (first successful) I had 2 average day 2 embryos transferred and my 13 year old boy is proof that average looking embryos are perfect too. I think its self preservation that we convince ourselves it will be negative because we prepare ourselves but it's not over until its over. I was 100% convinced with my 3 successful transfers that they had failed x

[rainbowbaby8320 in reply to RACMumm]

ok thanks! Maybe it will be fine… I’m going to be testing for the first time in the morning! I got a test from the shop today 🙈

[RACMumm in reply to rainbowbaby8320]

I will have everything crossed for two little lines 🙏🤞🏻🙏🤞🏻

[rainbowbaby8320]

it’s a negative 🙁

I’m considering giving up now? I’ve spent thousands - two fresh cycles, five transfers, one hysteroscopy… it’s never ending and it looks like my eggs are not good now too 😢

[OurMiracleBabies in reply to rainbowbaby8320]

Sending you hugs .

[Evexx]

Hi there!

I understand your concerns, and I’ve been in a similar situation myself. I was also prescribed prednisolone for suspected autoimmune conditions during my fertility cycle. I have always bought it from this reliable pharmacy – topsup24.com/?search=predni... – as they offer excellent quality. I was told to stop taking it around the time of my embryo transfer (ET), just like your consultant advised. It’s completely normal to feel nervous, but in my case, stopping at ET worked out well. Prednisolone does its job in managing inflammation and immune responses, and for many women, the recommendation is to stop at ET to avoid any potential risks in early pregnancy, as it’s often considered safe for a few weeks before.

However, everyone’s situation is different, and if you're unsure, it's worth seeking a second opinion or discussing your worries with your consultant. Based on my experience, my body managed fine without it after stopping, and I had no issues with my embryo. Stay positive, and trust your medical team—they have the best understanding of your specific needs.

Good luck with everything!