Date: 24.05.2011
From: Rachel
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Subject: RA, methotrexate, babies..
Hi all, I would be grateful for your thoughts/opinion on this. I was diagnosed with RA last August, I started methotrexate in December and currently on 15mg per week. At the moment I'm not responding to it and my levels are higher than they were before treatment! On the plus side so far there is no joint damage. My dilemma is I would like a family and at 39 haven't much time. I just wondered how those of you that have been through pregnancy have managed whilst off treatment? I know there's a chance of remission during pregnancy but how have you coped with pain, work etc during that drug free period? Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks, Rachel
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Date: 24.05.2011
From: Tinkpink1
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
HI Rachel. I too am on Metho. I was warned about it before I started it- as in no baby making if on it due to its toxicity. What my Rheumy said at the time was if I changed my mind and wanted another child I would have to be off metho for at least 4 months before trying for a child. That means a risk of 4 months of pain. I have heard that once preg you may go into remission. They know that there is a connection between prg and RA but as yet they havent let me know what! I think it would be a matter of talking to you Rheumy about it and getting the necessary pain relief. It would prob mean more steroids. Good Luck. Tink xxx
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Date: 25.05.2011
From: Rachel
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
Hi thanks, yes I spoke to the nurse on my last appointment, she said they couldn't give me anything, but could do a steroid injection as long as I wasn't pregnant at the time. They also told me six months off of metho before trying. I'm not even sure if the metho is taking the edge off it or not, I take painkillers every day but worried about how it will be without it. Thanks, Rachel
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Date: 25.05.2011
From: louloubelle
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
Hey Rachel I have PsA and on anti tnf when I decided I wanted to try for a baby. You are supposed to stop mtx before conceiving, as with anti tnf. My rheumy was able to put me on sulfasalazine which is safe to use in pregnancy. He put me on it alongside the anti tnf when I stopped the contraception so that it would be in my system before I fell pregnant. I was then able to take it into the 6th month of pregnancy. I was also able to have steroid injections up to the 6th month (any later into pregnancy and it can cause the baby's lungs to over develop). Unfortunately, for me, sulfa does not help me one little bit so pregnancy was hell. Having said that, it was soooooooo worth it and I would do it all over again!!! as the pregnancy went on it did get a little easier. I now have a beautiful 8 month old son called Oscar and he is wonderful. Unfortunately I haven't been ablet o go back onto any decent meds because of other medical issues but I have been able to adapt how I look after Oscar - such as sitting at the dining table to change his nappy. If there's anything you'd like to ask me then please don't hesitate. Lou x
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Date: 25.05.2011
From: rachel
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
Thanks louloubelle, unfortunately sulphasalazine made me really ill so not an option for me. I'm inclined to just grin and bear it as like you said will be worth it in the end! Thanks for the advice and I may pick your brain from time to time! Take care, Rachel
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: Claire Hill
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
Hi people,
I am 22 years old and have had RA since the age of two, I have been ill when I was younger but in the past 5 years have had very minimal pain. I took methotrexate injections for about 6 years when I was in my teens and about 18 months ago took it in tablet form for about 3 months with no effect. I am currently taking 12mg of prednisolone daily and would love to start a family, we have been trying for a few months with no success. My doctors don't seem to be taking me seriously about starting a family and I am starting to get concerned that I may be unable to conceive.
If anyone has any advice I would be really grateful, I need some reassurance I think! Claire x
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: x kerry x
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Subject: Re: RA, methotrexate, babies..
hi girls, im currently 5 and a half month pregnant, and i have to say im struggling with my pa. I have days where it isnt too bad, but my larger joints are just constant pain at the moment. That said, i know no matter how much pain im in, it will all be worth it. The hardest bit is not being able to reach for the pain killers when im sore. Im lucky that i dont have to work, because i would struggle to do any job at the moment, even the tiredness alone would make it almost impossible. Ive been for physio and other than giving me a belt that goes round my hips and holds my pelvis in place, theres nothing they can do really :( im just having to take it easy and do as little as possible but even just getting round the house is a chore. I sound like a right whinge, being pregnant is lovely, and i cant wait to have my baby here, id hate to put anyone off....but it is proving to be hard work for me!
As for the link between pregnancy and ra/pa, my rhumy informed me that the reason arthritis can go into remission when pregnant, is because ra/pa is a blood disorder, when pregnant the ammount of blood in your body almost doubles, but because the baby is half your partners too, alot of the blood in your body comes from him. So if his immune system is stronger than yours, his blood and good white blood cells that are in your body takes over and fixes your immune system for the time that its in there, which is obviously up until the baby is born. Dont think ive explained that as well as my rhumy did but i hope it makes sense to ya's x
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