pregnancy and RA

[Guest guest]

What have your RA pain experiences been with trying to get pregnant,

pregnancy itself, and nursing?

I don't come to this group too often because I mostly try to ignore

the fact that I have RA, but I'm in need of the group support now.

In reading your posts, I'm heartbroken by how many of you are in

such severe straights. I've been feeling sorry for myself, but it

seems I'm nearly so bad off. Still, I could use some information.

Methotrexate, plaquenil, and celebrex were controlling my symptoms

just fine, but my husband and I want to have kids. So I've been off

the methotrexate for 15 months and am now trying to stay off all

pain medications so we don't jeopardize getting pregnant and the

baby if we can make one. During this window of no meds and no pain

I'm aching all over constantly and have pretty severe recurring pain

in my shoulder and knees. I'm still trying to bicycle and go to the

gym so I don't completely lose my fitness and I'm supposed to keep

muscle strength and joint mobility. The pain is killing my libido

and it's hard to not get depressed about it which I'm afraid will

affect my ability to conceive. I'm worried that even if we do have a

child I'll be in too much pain to even pick up the baby. Do any of

you have tricks up your sleeves for this no meds situation? like

acupuncture or massage? Were your pain and stiffness symptoms

relieved during pregnancy?

Thanks for your thoughts. My best wishes for relief to all of you.

Dana