CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Hi ladies,

I got my 2nd BFP yesterday (albiet OTD isn't till tomorrow) and am hoping that this one doesn't end in another biochem. I am on clexane, prednisilone, thyroxine and femibion compared to my 1st attempt. Can you please confirm how likely I would be to stay on each of these drugs usually, just so I know what to expect if this pregnancy lasts the duration...

Thanks

Mel

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Hi Mel,

First of all, a huge CONGRATULATION to you ... I am thrilled to hear your wonderful news!

You are likely to have to stay on Femibion and Thyroxin throughout pregnancy. Prednisolone, Progesterone pessaries and Clexane for 12 weeks. You will be weaned off Prednisolone gradually at around 12 weeks. Clexane may not stop (and you may have to continue throughout pregnancy) depending on what your diagnosed Level 1 or Level 2 issues were.

Hope you have a healthy and uneventful rest of your pregnancy.
Maple
xxx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Thanks Maple, presume Care will write to GP in due course to advise them what they suggest drug wise?

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Hi Mel,

Sometimes Care will write to the GP ... but you have to ask them to do it ... ask them when your pregnancy is confirmed by your 1st scan scan.

Quite a few girls fund their own drugs up to 12 weeks pregnancy (that's mainly because no expensive drugs such as Clexane are involved). But if you ask your GP, he/she will be able to prescribe the drugs on the NHS, as the drugs will be considered essential to maintain the pregnancy (rather than drugs for IVF and initiating a pregnancy) after your first scan.

Best of luck!
Maple
xxx

Dianne1004 · 25 Oct 2011

CONGRATULATIONS MELSKI!!!!!

I took Clexane injections til I was 36 weeks. I got them on repeat prescription from my GP. (If you pay for your first prescription keep the receipt and you can claim it back once you get your pregnancy prescription exemption card)

When you see your midwife at your GP you might be refered to see a consultant when you have your scans. (It means extra scans, always a bonus!!) Because of all the drugs I was on (same as you) and IVF I was classed as medium risk so got consultant care throughout my pregnancy, it gives that little bit extra peace of mind. I think I would of paid for a private scan at 28 weeks had I not been under the consultant.

I hope the next 8 months go nice and smoothly for you

Dianne

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Thanks for the info Dianne. Presume your baby has arrived and if so, many congratulations! Thanks also for the info re consultant which is interesting to know.

Does anyone know whether you should get your thyroid retested during pregnancy when you're on thyroxine?

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Mel,

Yes, you should get your Thyroid retested by the GP during your pregnancy.

Maple
xxx

silverbirch · 01 Nov 2010

Melski - congratulations. I remember you posting about immune testing and have been hoping to see a bfp for you!!!!!!!!

I asked my consultant to write to the Gp, so I had to fund all my drugs for the first 8 weeks as it took time for that to happen and the Gp would only fund the drugs for conditions that were considered normal NHS ones. So as I had previously had clotting issues they funded the Clexane and aspirin but I had to fund the levothyroxine, prednisilone, intralipids and all the lovely pressaries.

If your thyroid is above the NHS level of being an issue (think it is 4.5/5) they should restest it for you so the levothyroxine/relevant medication can be altered if need me. Mine was absolutely fine throughout pregnancy, though it dipped low on one test it happened to be when I saw the obstetrician (was only under one due to placenta problems) who said it was normal to do that at that stage of pregnancy.

Huge congratulations xx

silverbirch · 01 Nov 2010

Oh sorry - meant to say I was on prednisilone until 12 weeks (it is tapered off), thyroxine is a drug I am now on all the time and clexane depends on what the NHS people say depending on why you have been put on it by Care.

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Great thanks silver birch! I appreciate your constant support throughout and hope all is really well with you x

silverbirch · 01 Nov 2010

Thanks Melski - have a beautiful 5mth old little boy Smile

Briony · 06 Apr 2001

Congratulations Mel, great news! I was able to get my drugs prescribed by my GP previously, though in this time of cutbacks I'm not sure what they'll say this time round. But where did you manage to get Femibion from? I've drawn a blank and have had to switch to high strength folic acid, whilst waiting for metafolin to arrive (from the US) and would rather be back on the Femibion tbh. Any help really appreciated.

Love Briony

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Silverbirch, I can't believe your little boy is 5 months already! I hope he's absolutely gorgeous and you are loving every minute of motherhood.

Briony, I got my Femibion online a few months back from a website I can't remember (sorry!). However, when I called Care to advise of my BFP, the nurse did say that Seven Seas have now discontinued Femibion and if I ran out I should take Solgar Folate 800 instead. Is this what you're on now? I still have a box or so left, so haven't had to look into it yet.

Oh and now I'm having a wobble, as I made the fatal mistake of doing a CBD yesterday and it hasn't moved on from 2-3 weeks, when I had been expecting to see 3+ a week after last test, so now panicking I'm another biochem waiting to happen!

Briony · 06 Apr 2001

Hi Mel,

Thanks for the info, my GP has now prescribed me the 5mg folic acid as a stop gap. How annoying that the Femibion is no longer available. If you need to get Solgar Folate I think its sent from the US (mine has been, through Amazon) and it takes a while to arrive, so you might want to stock up in advance.

A wise friend of mine told me that the CBD tests are notoriously unreliable, so try not to panic. Maybe leave it a couple of days before trying again?? But I really do know how hard it is after previous biochems, been there and got the tee shirt unfortunately. Big hugs, know its so hard.

Love Briony

Briony · 06 Apr 2001

Oh how ironic, the Solgar arrived today!

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Thanks for the heads up, will order in plenty of time. Tomorrow is 9 days since 2-3 weeks, so praying it has gone up. Thanks for your kind words of encouragement x

Briony · 06 Apr 2001

Hi Melski, how's it going?

Love Briony

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Hi Briony,

1 lovely heartbeat seen today and fetal pole measuring 6+3 (I'm 6+4), so just right. EDD 19/4/13 and all drugs due to stop 12/10 (weaning off steroids). Does anyone know why some women stay on Clexane and others come off at 12 weeks?

Such an enormous relief, gonna try and enjoy every minute now and stop fretting! x

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Mel - I have just posted on the General Forum with belated congratulations!

Some ladies stay on Clexane for longer because they have diagnosed thrombophilia/blood clotting issues (identified in the Level 1 tests).

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.
Maple
xxx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Thanks Maple, will nip there next! I need to dig out my Level 1 test results, but I thought I had thrombophilia/blood clotting issues. Do you know what issues specifically ladies end up staying on the Clexane for and I'll dig out my results after I've finished my pessary half hour (currently horizontal!)

Thanks for the congrats! xxx

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Mel - it might be easier if you post which thrombophilia/blood clotting issue(s) you've been diagnosed with. Some Level 1 issues may not need Clexane beyond 12 weeks, some will need Clexane well into pregnancy, and some will need Clexane a few weeks past delivery ... this is really subject to the opinion of your consultant.

Maple
xxx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Ok so I had pai1 mutation, mthfr mutation, abnormal protein c levels (0.67) and antithrombin III activity (0.66). No mention of consultant at all today, discharged by trainee nurse who also did scan. Just want to check! Thanks maple x

missmonty · 14 Jan 2011

Massive congratulations Melski Smile

)) so very happy for you, I was just thinking about you and wondered how you are getting on so I was soooo pleased to read you've got your bfp and had great first scan.

I was on clexane until 6 weeks after the birth of my girls, I also have the paI1 gene which was the reason I was prescribed it, my pregnancy was high risk so I was under consultant care at KGH when I showed him the immune results from care he decided to continue me on the clexane which I had on repeat prescription. I think you should meantion your immune results when you have your first midwife appointment (usually at 8 weeks pregnant).

Wishing you all the very best for a happy and healthy pregnancy xxx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Thanks mm, will book appointment today hopefully. How did you find kgh and hope all is well with your girls? X

Maple · 15 Nov 2008

Mel - not being an expert, I'm not sure how long you should continue Clexane for, you are best to ring your IVF clinic and ask your consultant for his advice and maybe ask him to write you a letter with his recomendations, and then take it to your GP and get him/her to prescribe you the Clexane if you need to continue it beyond 12 weeks.

Alternatively, take your test results to your GP and explain the situation and ask him/her to refer you to a consultant/specialist (if the GP is not experienced enough to deal with this).

I wouldn't recommend that you ask the midwife ... I don't think she will be experienced enough to advise.

Good luck!
Maple
xxx