Has anyone experienced reactive glands due to RA in general or during pregnancy?

[charlie9]

Hi I am being treated for early RA and am on hydroxychloroquine which helps me stay stable. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia many years ago but now there's the question whether it was the RA or I have both. I am 11 weeks pregnant and have had swollen glands in my neck since before I found out I was pregnant so that's atleast 7 weeks. I had a lot of pain around the time of implantation but I do not remember if my glands were up before then or it coincided with the pregnancy implanting. It was mild and has worsened over time. Now it's about the same discomfort every day and worse in evenings. GP not interested at all. Told me to try some antacids??! I did video call with ENT Dr privately as I wasn't happy with having swollen glands without any obvious reason or illness for so many weeks. He thinks it may well be an over reaction to the pregnancy and if it remains into the second trimester to get back to him as he'd feel more comfortable then doing further examinations and tests. I'll be honest I was worried about lymphoma but I have heard RA can cause swollen glands and I wonder has anyone had experience of this either in pregnancy or not. Apparently my bloods from my midwifery appointment were normal (full blood count normal anyway GP said so no obvious infection as the cause). Any experience or info that might be relevant would be much appreciated as I sit here feeling uncomfortable with these swollen glands! (I'll add this is hopefully nothing as serious and scary as the world out there with covid19 I do appreciate that but I do worry it could be something more sinister sometimes that we keep ignoring. Hoping perhaps it's the RA) X

[JFlay]

Hi, have you contacted your rheum helpline about it?

[charlie9 in reply to JFlay]

No I haven't I was wondering about trying to get in touch with my rheumatologist but this has been a new thought hence posting on here. Thank you hadn't thought helpline.

[JFlay in reply to charlie9]

Give them a call especially as your pregnant 👍

[Lyndy]

I don’t know whether it is because of RA but my glands do go up and down. I had a nasty chest infection that started with a gland in my neck the size of a brick! Hope it sorts itself out so that you can enjoy your pregnancy xx

[charlie9 in reply to Lyndy]

I too really notice my glands if anything is up I'm like oh hello glands I've obviously caught something. Then when I ask my husband when he feels poorly are his glands up he's like huh? So obviously isn't aware of them like I am of mine. I did have shingles couple of years ago I wonder a bit if I get run down busy with two little boys and now pregnant? But nights Ive had more sleep or feel more rested it makes no difference. Thank you it's good to hear it may be an RA thing to have quite reactive glands. No symptom of any illness and white count fine so there's no obvious reason for it. No other symptoms of lymphoma though either so perhaps it's a fibro / RA thing. Never had it like this in pregnancy it then only got diagnosed 4 months post having my second as had massive flare. Maybe it was actually the start then. I definitely had a flare up 7-8 days after ovulating of RA symptoms gave me quite a shock after I found out I was pregnant I was like ahh probably implantation around those days and my RA reacted.. fascinating really (if it wasn't also painful and a pain in the bottom) really hope they settle down soon. Xx thanks for your reply

[Sockknitter]

I get swollen glands in my neck. For me, is a sign that my RA disease is active.

[charlie9 in reply to Sockknitter]

Thank you that's really interesting and reassuring it may be the same for me. I notice my glands a lot and I definitely had a flare of RA when the pregnancy implanted so perhaps it has just triggered the RA to be active. I was also not taking my hydroxychloroquine at the time although am now (ran out and although I had some in the drawer upstairs it was out of habit and I kept forgetting to take them. Then got worried about any immune suppression with covid19 so hesitated taking them. I am taking them now perhaps if I had been taking them it may not have been so triggered.) Thanks for sharing your experience x

[Sockknitter]

I have heard that our immune system is somewhat repressed when we are pregnant but don't know the full story. For some RA women, their RA improves during pregnancy. Maybe something to ask your Gynie doctor.

[oldtimer]

Your medical team are obviously not concerned and this may be because your blood tests are OK. But having your glands enlarged and tender does mean that your immune system is a bit over-active. If you haven't been taking your medication that may be the cause, but it would be reassuring if you were in contact with your rheumatology team especially now you are pregnant.

[charlie9 in reply to oldtimer]

I didn't stop for a long time just go out of the habit because of location and busy in the mornings. Also not taking nsaids as was trying for a baby. So may have done it. Did hope when I was taking he hydroxychloroquine every day again it would settle but no. To be honest when I spoke to gp I was appalled you shouldn't have enlarged glands for more than 2-3 weeks. She went down the pregnancy route and didn't think it was glands but like heartburn. (Phone consultation) Even though this started before hcg was even detectable. Recommended antacids. Massive eye roll from me. I'm also a midwife so just thought really?! What has happened to medicine when they have already made their mind up before actually thinking about it. Hence spoke to private gp who said should be looked at straight away. ENT Dr was lovely and was more thoughtful about it. Im well over due a rheum review but all appointments cancelled. My Dr works privately too so I wonder if I can simply ask her the question maybe a small private phone consultation. I'll leave it a bit longer and it just may be one of those things this pregnancy. I of all people know pregnancy is always different and can throw alsorts out. But it is quite uncomfortable and would like to be reassured it's not lymphoma if this continues a lot longer