RA & Pregnancy

[Guest guest]

Hey , My name is Sue and I have MCTD, Fibro and Reynaulds. I

have two girls ages 8 & 10. I was on plaquenil when I ended up

preggers. My first was not planned and I was taken off all my meds

except prednisone. I went on 20 mg a day for the entire pregnancy.

I was sick with mono, strp, sinucitis, larengytis, barr epstein and

was in the hospital with severe dehydration for a week. Then I had

to deal with being bed ridden for two months due to the mono. I

also had a problem with pre-term labor starting a six months and

continuing until I delivered at 38 wks. She had no problems due to

the meds I was on the first 7 weeks I was pregnant and is health

now. But it was a worry. My second was planned and again I was

taken off everything except prednisone but I did have to deal with

gestational diabetes and she was delivered at 8 months. After that

she had a problem with projectial vomiting if she was fed anything

more then 4 ounces of formula at one feeding. That continued until

she was six months old. The drs. denied it but I am convienced that

her problems with keeping formula down was due to her early

delivery. You also will not be able to breast feed if your Rheumy

decides that you need to go back on all your meds at the time of

your delivery. And he/she may need to to keep you from going into a

major flare. You might want to concider adopting due to your health

problems. You also need to be aware that the meds you are on can

cause temporary sterility, so you may not be able to get pregnant

while your husband is home on leave. Think long and hard on it. I

don't regret my girls, but either one of my pregnancies could have

killed me or my girls. That's my advice to you anyway. I hope this

helps.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi - wanted to let you know I have Dermatomyositis and its onset was

following the birth of my second child, I used AP and did achieve remission

(minocycline), I had a relapse in 2001 after the birth of my 3rd child and

then used erythromycin because it was safe to use while breastfeeding (and

also safe during pregnancy). You might check out taking erythromycin for

your RA. I was on 250mg 2x daily.

Also - if you post on www.rheumaticsupport.net there is a gal who has RA and

pregnant with her 11th child! Her name is Ibby... I'm sure she can provide

you with more info.

Liesl

Message: 6

Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 14:41:18 -0000

From: " daisy1972 " <daisy1972@...>

Subject: Pregnany and RA

Can anyone share info on pregnancy and SEVERE RA. Weaning off of

traditional meds such as meth. and Embrel? Is it possible without the

dibilitating pain and disabilility of not being able to do anything?

I know breastfeeding may not be an option due to the need of most likely

getting back on meds after delivery. Please shar eany information...Thank

you in advance!