Good morning folks I am new to the forum and wonder if anyone can help me. I was diagnosed with RA in 2010. I am getting married in March a

[Bev486]

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Hi Bev, I can only see part of your message. Would you mind reposting please.

[Bev486]

Sorry I am new to all this, thanks for your help

Help - MTX and Pregnancy

Good morning folks

I am new to the forum and wonder if anyone can help me. I was diagnosed with RA in 2010. I am getting married in March and plan to try for a child shortly after the wedding. I have been told by the Rheumatologist that I should come of Methotrexate for 6 mths before trying for a child (I am scared to do this before the wedding because I am worried my RA with flare). NRAS website suggests a minimum of 3 months. I also got some additional advice through NRSA who contacted a medical advisor for me; he suggested that coming of methotrexate for 6 weeks was sufficient. Obviously the health of an unborn baby is paramount but the advice is so conflicting, its difficult to decide the best course of action.

I asked if there was any way to test the levels of methotrexate in your blood, this would therefore allow me to determine if it was safe to try for a child or not. The medical advisor confirmed that there was a methotrexate level test which can show the levels of this drug in your blood. I have asked my Rheumatologist if I could have this test; however he said it has never been used for that purpose before therefore I couldn’t have it, unless I could show evidence of how the test has been used in this way before. Does anyone have any experience of this? Are there any mothers out there who can give advice on how long they came of methotrexate before trying for a chilg?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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I'm so sorry Bev, but I can't help you with this question. I understand your worry about stopping Methotrexate and how bad your RA might get. Could you ask your rheumy if there is an alternative and safer treatment you could take for 3-6 months before trying to get pregnant? From what I understand, whilst pregnant, your RA might go into remission, but after the birth it could come back worse than it was before - at least for a while. Good luck xx