Hi
I was on diclophenac and methatrixate but have recently been changed to susfasalazine and nepraxim because trying to get pregnant, but just read online you shouldn't take nepraxam if trying to get pregnant? Has anyone taken any of these during pregnancy?
Hi Bev
My advice- don't look online!
You shouldn't take any meds while pregnant but we have RA so your rheumatologist is the one who knows what is safe. When I was pregnant my rheumy and obstetrician argued over drugs but some obs only consider the baby.
I took hydroxy and presnisolone all the way through my pregnancy and anti inflams for 1st trimester only.
Have you tried ovulation test kids? They help pinpoint roughly when you ovulate and potentionally get you pregnant quicker.
Good luck
I was told to stop taking Sulfasalazine too. 1 tab reduction every 7 to 10 days and not to try until a month after all tablets had stopped. Diclofenac I only take as required so I just wont take if i become pregnant.
see
Hi, Bev, I was interested in your post because I had this problem more than thirty years ago, and doctors didn't seem to be able to tell you much about the dangers of drugs in pregnancy then, so I did lots of research. A foetus does most of it's crucial development during the three months directly after conception, and that is when it is most vulnerable from drugs. So I didn't take anything at all for the first trimester of pregnancy. After that I took a small dose of Ibuprofen, which was considered the safest anti-inflammatory at that time. I had an amnio-centesis and was expecting a perfect male child, but the "narrow minded" hospital in those days didn't really approve of people with medical complaints having babies, and I was forced through a normal delivery, with just a dopey nurse , in attendance. (I had an epidural for the pain, as most of my arthritis is in my spine.) The intravenous drip with the drug to cause the contractions "tissued-up" and the silly nurse didn't have the skill to change it, so a child with mild cerebral palsy resulted from the delay in delivery, whilst a doctor who could change a drip was found. To say I was furious would be putting it mildly, because I'd tried so hard to get my son into the world safely. My son wasn't badly affected and overcame his difficulties, eventually. However careful anyone is, there is a one in two hundred risk in live birth of anyone having a baby with something wrong, and that is a fact. I wish you every success and happiness in your quest to have a family.
Hi Bev486,
Our helpline team get calls about pregnancy quite regularly so if you can, give us a call on 0800 298 7650 Mon-Fri 9.30-4.30 and we'll try and be of help. We also have telephone support volunteers who have experienced this and you can be put in touch with them to discuss.
Best of luck with it all,
Ruth
NRAS Community Admin
Hi Bev486, this is exciting. I am in the same position as you almost. I am normally on methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalasine along with folic acid. Now my husband and I are trying to get pregnant, I came off methotrexate 3 months ago meaning we can now start trying. We have had a long appointment with my rheumy and been informed that sulphasalasine is safe during the first trimester and hydroxychloroquine can be taken throughout with prednisalone. I hope this helps. Maybe we could stay in touch? X
I read an article last Sunday in the times about a recent study at the university of Copenhagen that says the accumulation of chemicals men are exposed to in aftershave, deodorant, shampoo, household cleaning product etc are lowing sperm counts.
Hey
Yeah that would be great, I have been told that I've got to stay
oF Methatrixate for 6 mths before I can try for baby so another few mth of waiting for me l. It's weird how different areas have different guidelines isn't it? Where abouts are you? I an in fife scotland x
I'm in Cheltenham. When I was first diagnosed I was told a year off methotrexate then more research was done and I was told 6 months. I the had a rheumy appointment 4 months ago and was the informed that it was now only 3 months as more research had been done. Thank God as my hands and feet are so much worse and I don't think I could keep teaching if i had to keep going for longer. I live in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. X
What to try next? Big flare after having baby and having problems finding a new medication. 
I'm pregnant!!
Pregnant :)
Starting medication 😬
