Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 16.03.2011
From: francesca

Subject: Pregnancy and Arthritis

Hi everyone
I would like to hear your experiences of pregnancy and arthritis. I would like to get pregnant and I am 38 but after a year and 2 DMARDs I am not further forward and facing having to try Methotrexate which I cannot get pregnant on. How do people manage? I was on Sulphasalazine which would have been safe in pregnancy but I had terrible side effects so I have been taken off it today. Are there any other drugs that are safe in pregnancy or do people generally come off all their meds. How do you cope without them?
Thanks
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: x kerry x

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

hi francesca, im 3 months pregnant, 25 and suffer with pa. I was diagnosed christmas just gone, and put on sulfasalazine, which i started on new years day, after a couple of weeks of too-ing and fro-ing whether i wanted to take it or not. Straight away i started getting head aches, i was dizzy, being sick, tired and had bad heartburn and stomach cramps. I was on it for 2 weeks and ended up in hospital on a drip. After that they decided to put me on methotrexate, which again, i wasnt sure about taking. By this time i had a niggly feeling that i was pregnant (my main concern about going on the mtx was that it would be hard to come off to get pregnant, and me and my fiancee were wanting a baby soon) i was due to start the mtx on the monday, so on the friday i done a pregnancy test and it was positive. Turns out i got pregnant on new years day too, so perhaps the 'bad reaction' to the sulfa was actually just the start of pregnancy. I think its a blessing, i was so worried about not being able to have babies, and dreading going on the mtx...its 9 month of not having to think about it. Im still deciding if i want to go on it after pregnancy, i know im going to have to be on some meds but i dont like the sound of mtx.
As for the arthritis going into remission whilst pregnant, ive had no such luck. My hips knees, ribs and shoulders have been agony and my other joints have just been the same as always. Im just taking it easy though, getting lots of rest and sleep. Im not taking any meds at the moment, im allergic to codine, and paracetemol does nothing. These are the only pain killers you can take when pregnant. Im seeing my rhumy next week to see if there are any other safe meds to take whilst pregnant, or if i can get injections into my joints at the moment. If theres any questions over their safety though id rather just suffer, its only 9 months after all!
If youve got any questions just ask away, im hardly an expert as this is my first baby, and im new to arthritis, but if i can help i will. Good luck xxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

Hi Francesca

Like Kerry, I have Psoriatic Arthritis too and I had my son, Oscar, 6 months ago. I was on anti-tnf but my rheumy put me on sulfazalazine when I told him I wanted to try for a baby so that it was "in my system" by the time I conceived. Unfortunately, Sulfa does not work for me at all!!!

I came off the anti-tnf as soon as I fell pregnant and the arther went crazy. I carried on working full time but spent my evenings and weekends for the first 3 months of pregnancy in bed.

I was able to have steroid injections for about the first six months of pregnancy - you can't have them too late into the pregnancy as it can over develop the baby's lungs.

It was really hard going but as the pregnancy went on the arther did ease (although was still bad enough to be really debilitating). However, if I could, I would do it all over again. At least during pregnancy you can keep telling yourself that it'll all be worth it once the baby's born and it is only temporary and you can go back on meds as soon as baby is born! It is surprising how the time soon passes.

I made sure I told my close family, friends and work as soon as I found out I was pregnant to warn them that the arther would get really bad and everyone was so helpful - even my boss, who's a totally grumpy old git who generally couldn't give a monkies about anyone else. I felt happy to let people help because it wasn't just me that needed looking after but my baby as well so I made sure I rested a lot and ate well, even though I had no appetite, because I had the baby to focus on.

It's a super tough ride you guys but the wonderful feeling of becoming a mum is about a million times better than you can imagine and is worth the pain, discomfort and exhaustion that you almost forget about once your holding your little bundle of wonderfullness.

Good luck you two
Lou xxx
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: francesca

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

Aww thanks kerry and Louloubelle for your advice. This is all really helpful and encouraging. I had a similar response as you Kerry to Sulphsalazine and came off it yesterday. I wasn't too bad on the low dose but felt awful on the therapeutic dose. I feel better today 36 hours after my last dose already but I'm scared the pain will get worse. I'm thinking hard about whether to try for a baby or give up the thought of having a family. I'm 38 and they are likely to want to try me on Mtx next. its a hard decision. You're right Loulou that it is only temporary though and then you can start on meds again and as you say there are other ways to cope like resting more and having family help. Do you feel that you have the energy and strength to be good Mums? Thats my worse fear that I will feel bad about myself if I can't cope and will end up regretting it. As things are I can pretty much just look after myself and that is hard enough.
Thanks again girls for your advice and support.
best wishes
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: x kerry x

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

i do worry that i wont be able to look after my baby the way 'normal' mums do, but someone said to me the other day 'you've never been a mum before, but your baby has also never had a mum before, it wont know if youre doing things differently' which i just keep repeating to myself in my head when i feel scared. Ive got a good support network of friends and family around me, which is comforting.
Id say if you want a baby, go for it, put the mtx off and worry about that in 9 months time. The pain is uncomfortable, but im sure it will be worth it when i have my baby in my (stiff and sore) arms. If you want a baby but dont go for it, you could spend the rest of your life regretting not doing it, when its too late....i dont think you would ever regret having the baby as much as youd regret not having one, regardless of the challenges you may face, because every time you hear it giggle or see it smile, you'd remember it was well worth the pain and worry! Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and remember everything will work out for the best xx
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: Francesca

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

Thanks Kerry these are very wise words. I am sure you will be a brilliant Mum and you are right that the baby will be happy and not know any different. I hope your arthritis improves during and after pregnancy as it can sometimes. Let us all know how you are getting on xx
reply | back to forum

Date: 17.03.2011
From: x kerry x

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

thanks!! Ill be sure to keep you all updated!
I think having a baby with arthritis is like doing anything with arthritis...with careful planning and forward thinking, everything will work out. We just need to put more thought into everything we do, be it having a baby or cooking a meal, but once we find a way that works for us it just comes naturally to do it that way instead xx
reply | back to forum

Date: 18.03.2011
From: poppy

Subject: Francesca pregnancy & arthritis

I was diagmosed with RA about a year after having my baby,& she is now 5 and just started school! Because the arthritis is low grade I decided to look at complementary therapies,& nutrition with the support of my consultant.I have accupuncture, lots of vit & min supplements and my diet is radically different. So far the RA has not progressed.I mostly get it in my hands,& obviously compared with many people I am luckier(so to speak). From what I can see everyone is effected so differently & one treatment may work for one person & not another. The important thing is to do what is right for you, which can be difficult to decide when there is conflicting advice & you are worried & in pain. I think if things had been much worse when it started I would have had no choice but to start with drugs & as my doc says if it does change I will have to. We did want to have another baby but because of my age I was 42 when it started, & worries about the effect of pregnancy on my health we decided not to. It was very hard, because you change your mind all the time, especially on the good days! But we are so blessed to have one beautiful one! Don't give up on having a baby, maybe try looking at different treatments, you can do some & take the drugs as well. ( I did try plaquinel,it made me feel awful too ) You are 38 so there is some time, my doc told me he has a woman of 47 with RA having a baby!If you want any info on anything I do let me know. Your baby will love you for who you are regardless of arthritis & with love & support you will look after them as well as any mother.
reply | back to forum

Date: 18.03.2011
From: Francesca

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

hi Poppy
Thanks so much for your advice. This really does feel like a difficult decision. It's lovely to hear that your daughter has started school and becoming more independent. I wonder if it gets easier and harder as time goes on. My PsA affects so many of my joints (hands, wrists, elbows, jaw, shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, ankles and feet!). I'm exhausted as I work full time and have a stressful job. The stress exacerbates the pain and vice versa. I understand you feeling that 42 was a good time to stop extending your family. 47 would be very old for me. There is something about 40 that feels like a bit of a cut off but it is only a number. I wish I had done it earlier, before I had a major flare up 1 year ago and got diagnosed.
Do you know whether anything other than Sulfasalazine is safe in pregnancy? I am waiting to see what my rheumatologist wants to prescribe next.
It is great to know that I can come to the forum and ask for help on things from people who are living with arthritis. You have all been so helpful and its really good to hear about your experiences as it helps me to imagine what it would be like.
Thanks again
reply | back to forum

Date: 19.03.2011
From: x kerry x

Subject: Re: Pregnancy and Arthritis

francesca your pa sounds like mine, my ribs and jaw are affected badly too...aswell as all the other joints! The rib pain is getting to me at the moment with my ever growing bump and moving torso...and the jaw pain is awful, i have to think about every meal...if ill be able to chew it\fit it in my mouth! I havnt heard of many people complain about arthritis in their jaw xx
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

1+8=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board