Pregnancy and RA.

[Janeye]

Hi. I'm a 33 year old RA sufferer and have decided, with my husband to take the plunge and try for a baby. I've been off my enbrel for 6 weeks and have been suffering for it. I'm on a course of steroids but some joints are still bad.

Is there anyone out there who is going through the same thing or been through the same thing who can tell me that this agony is worth it? I'm hating taking so many steroids and am scared that this flare won't settle. I can't even start trying to conceive for another 6 weeks and then I'm scared of how long conceiving may take. I'm starting to feel so down about the whole thing and just get back on the anti TNF.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[juju74]

Hi there, I can advise you about the meds that you are on, but I can tell you I have 4 wonderful children, all conceived while suffering with ra. My symptoms practically all left through every pregnancy. The best pain relief ever, that's probably why I had four of them. I really hope things get better for you and that you conceive quickly. Gentle hugs and keep us informed of goes things are. Thinking about you. Xx

[Janeye in reply to juju74]

Thank you I have been told that the majority of women go into a form of remission whilst pregnant. Did you take any meds during your pregnancy?

[juju74 in reply to Janeye]

I didn't take any medication at all while pregnant, but I would also say that, after birth, get onto your meds quickly, cos approx 4 months after every birth my symptoms came back harder than before and usually with an extra joint effected. Xx

[Janeye in reply to juju74]

I hope stay off meds if I do manage to conceive. Do you mind me asking if you breastfed? I'm planning to for a few weeks all bring well and then get straight back on the meds. There's the worry there of coping with a new baby if I do flare. Did you cope ok? My RA is pretty agressive

[juju74 in reply to Janeye]

Hi there, I'm going to be very honest with you. I breastfed all 4 babies, but probably for a bit longer than I should of, pain wise. With all of them it was around the four month mark when the flare hit. After the first and second I was still able to cope with my beautiful babies alright cos it was my knees that were bad, then after my 3rd baby, my daughter Robyn, my hands, wrists and elbows were in very bad pain!! I couldn't lift her out of her bed, carry her or change nappies, but my mum stepped in and did everything for her. I should of started meds quicker than I did, I basically sat all day on 3 cushions on the couch and barely moved. That was my worst and lowest point. Then my eldest daughter got diagnosed with leukaemia, that's when I realised that I had to do something about my meds so I could concentrate on helping her. I started methotrexate and some other things then. My 4th, Lennon was born and I didn't feed him myself for nearly as long as the rest cos I was scared of being like I was after Robyn. So I put him into a bottle and got into my meds very quickly. I also had a mini coil fitted, deciding that I really couldn't have anymore, but I reacted very badly to it, going right to my worst days again. I very quickly got that removed, the doctors didn't think it had anything to do with it, but within hours of it being removed made me feel much better. You really have to listen to your own body and do what you think is right. But remember everyone is different!! I wouldn't change anything (except maybe acting quicker for the meds) I'd do exactly the same again if it meant havin my babies. They are the best things I ever did. They ALL help me so much in my bad day!! Xx

[Hidden]

Hello,

I don't have any personal experience but can tell you that my niece who has lupus worked closely with her consultants for the optimum period of disease management and like Juju, she experienced fewer symptoms whilst pregnant.

It must be very difficult for you but don't despair, keep talking to your rheumy team and good luck.

Judy xx

[Janeye in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep updating

[Hidden]

Hi, I don't have personal experience either, just wanted to say hang in there and enjoy your future baby. I agree keep us up to date with what's going on.

[Hidden]

Hiya,

My RA started just before I fell pregnant, although I didn't know what what it was at the time, it went into remission until I was around 8 months and I started to flare, the morning I went into labour it went again, when I stopped breast feeding when she was 6 weeks old, I was hit by a massive flare within 24hours, I had to wait a couple of months before being diagnosed but wish I had a steroid injection until then as it was very hard to cope.

When you do fall pregnant, and when you tell us, you'll get tons of tips from us all

Although it should have been a very difficult time, having a baby made everything better, the joy a baby brings outways any pain and I pretty certain without her I would have become depressed.

I think its inspiring to hear Juju reply and how she had 4 children!

My baby is now 21 months old and about to start climbing all over me, so I'm off!! take care, hang on in there x

[bub124]

Hi

Just thought I'd add my story. I have three amazing kids, two of whom are about to go off to University. I have had ra since I was 11 and so was already suffering considerably by the time I decided to try for a baby in my mid 20s. As others have said, I went into remission really quickly and felt amazing all the way through. I was on steroids and paracetamol and managed to manage my symptoms quite successfully. The only major problem I had was that my already fragile hips (I had my first replacement at 20) failed and after each of the first two I needed another hip replacement. The problems only started in the last 4 weeks when their head engaged and put pressure on my pelvis. My last son was born prematurely and I didn't have the same problems and also they said that because I had taken steroids throughout my pregnancy, this helped his lungs as they had matured (it's common to give steroid injections in early labour to mature a baby's lungs).

Afterwards like others have said, I hit the deck but by increasing the steroids quite considerably for a short while after the birth, I was soon back on track. Yes, it was hard to cope with them when they were little and you will need to call on all the support you can get but the rewards far outweigh everything else.

Oh, and I had mine by Caesarian - more to try and protect my hips from further damage than anything else.

Good luck and hope you conceive quickly.

[Hidden]

Hi

Just wondered if you have read the article on the NRAS website about pregnancy and also the account of one of our members about her pregnancy - you can read these on these links

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Give the helpline a call if you would like to talk through things 0800 298 7650

Best wishes

Lorraine