Has anyone had a successful pregnancy with RA and Fibromyalgia?

[WiseSarah]

Hi, I am 37 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. I had had 2 miscarriages and then when on my drug regime I wasn't able to get pregnant: usual 20mg methotrexate, 600ml actemra infusion monthly, steroids, etc. I have come off methotrexate and actemra and been put on sulfasalazine instead with a maintenance dose of steroids to keep the worst at bay. My symptoms have got worse but I am coping. Unfortunately we only have 6 months to conceive as the rheumatologist isn't happy to have me off drugs for any longer. Has anyone been through anything like this and successfully conceived? I feel very alone with all of this. Thanks, Sarah x

[Mel_]

..Sarah, I will write at length tomorrow (feeling really poorly at the moment) you are not alone, even though you may feel it. I had came off all my medications to have my second son and he was a bouncing and healthy 10lb at birth. It is not without it's complications, and the conceiving and preganancy may seem, at times, as though it has more to do with the consultants than it does you and your husband/partner (!) but it is possible and well worth it. x

[WiseSarah in reply to Mel_]

Oh Mel thank you so much. Your answer sounds really positive. I DO feel like I'm shuttling between the obstetrician, gynaecologist and rheumatologist! You're right! I hope you're feeling better soon. Sarah x

[Mel_]

Sarah,

I have been meaning to write again, but have just been so tired and this weekend has been busy. What I should have said in my first reply was:

I know how terrible the fear of miscarriage is, so I'm really sorry you have had to go through this upsetting time twice.

The problem with being told you only have six months to try is that it will be putting a lot of pressure on you and your husband. I was really lucky that once off my medication I was pregnant within a month, but I think that had a lot to do with the fact that I was told it would be really hard/if not impossible to have another baby; so as a result I was very relaxed about the whole thing.

How long have you been off methotrexate for? Have you given your body a couple of months to get the MTx out of your system before trying?

My biggest bit of advice would be that once you are pregnant (fingers crossed) you relax and do not run around like a crazy thing trying to get everything ready, you more than anyone else (ie none RA pregnant people) need to listen to your body -if your tired then sleep, if you hurt then rest etc.

There is a real temptation to start doing lots as once pregnant your RA comes under control, but I had a massive bleed; I will never know if this was due to not slowing done and thinking that as I was not in pain I could do loads, but better to be safe than sorry - I was lucky and my little bump was fine.

You can always ask for advice on here once you are pregnant. I think that what I was most worried about the whole way through the pregnancy was how I would cope after the birth. Sometimes RA can have a massive flare up after birth and sometimes it will stay at bay for months. I decided not to breast feed (my consultant wanted me to go straight back on to medication) but at the end of the day it was my decision not theirs.

Once pregnant you will be given lots of normal pregnancy advice and at the back of your 'notes' you have the option of listing a birthing plan - make sure you put here that you have RA and note any weak points in your body. I noted I had a very weak hip and I'm glad I did (I won't go into details!)

I did a blog on here, sometime ago, title - 'Not tonight dear!' as a lot of RA medications can have an adverse effect on ones libido! and lets face it if your going to try for a baby you may as well enjoy it!!!! (sorry hopes that's not offended you!)

I hope I've not bored you!

Regards Mel

[WiseSarah]

Hi Mel,

Thank you so much for brilliant advice. It's quite difficult to get personal advice but lots of the things you've said are things I was thinking about! I am the sort of person who does too much as soon as I feel better so I note your comments on that! You are so right about the pressure. I do feel as though it is all so calculated, it is the least romantic way possible to do this. I shouldn't complain coz I know lots of people have problems conceiving and fingers crossed because I've conceived before that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Well i'llvlet you know what happens............xxxx