RA & Pregnancey & Catch up. Long!

December 11, 2006

Hi there everyone!

It's been ages since I last posted and most of you might not know me, there

are so many new faces - welcome by the way! To all my old friends

((((((((((((((((Big Hugs))))))))))))))))))) I miss you all terribly but my

life is so crazy at the moment I never seem to have the time to even check

e-mail anymore never mind post, guess you could say I've become a permanent

lurker! By the way does anyone know what has happened to Judie & Tess? I

always look out for their posts but I haven't seen anything from them for

ages.

I'm still in remission and making sure that I enjoy every minute of it -

sometimes it's scary to think it might not last but at least I'm living it

up to the max while I can! Loads on the go this year, in May we had our

second child, a beautiful baby boy, his name is " Logan " ! Fabien (our 1st

for those who don't know me) is jealous as can be but loves his baby brother

to bits anyway! We are building our first house and I'm studying a

therapist course in a fantastic method to help people stop smoking - it's

lots more fun than it sounds and I'm loving my course - I will start

treating people in January and I can't wait as it really combines my dream

of working for myself and helping people at the same time.

I haven't really had time to read posts but have noticed that there have

been quiet a few related to pregnancy and RA lately and thought my little

story might give anyone trying some hope so here goes!

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 25(which is also when I joined the group)

I'm 31 now (Yikes time flies!). When I found out I had RA I had already

been trying to fall pregnant for about 2 years and as I was in major flare

for a long time the doctors told me to " Hurry up " so I could start the

DMARDS (this was easier said than done as I have endometriosis). I was put

on Prednisone while I was trying to fall pregnant as my Rheumy said that the

NSAIDs were out (I believe she said it was because they have a miscarriage

risk) and so were the DMARD's (although my Rheumy has since told me that

many Lupus sufferers stay on Plaquenil when pregnant so??). The Prednisone

worked very well and I was on it exclusively for over 2 years before I

finally fell pregnant. I continued to take the Prednisone at lower and

lower doses until I was 7 months pregnant at which time I tapered off

completely and enjoyed a full remission which was fantastic!

Just after I stopped the prednisone the baby stopped growing. We picked

this up when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant and the end was very worrying as he

just didn't gain weight. My Gynae thought this was caused by the RA

although I never did understand why and have never read anything about this

happening because of RA, I also did my own research and read that Prednisone

could cause growth retardation so who knows. I do remember there being a

discussion here about RA and small babies ages ago. Finally at 8 months, a

week before the doctor was going to induce me because of the growth problem,

my waters broke and I gave birth to a premature and small (2.3 Kgs) but

healthy baby. He had slight respitory distress at birth and we spent 10

days in hospital with him in an incubator but he was absolutely fine after

that and is now a very healthy, VERY energetic 3 1/2 year old!

Within a week after Fabien (my 1st little boy) was born old Arthur made a

comeback and I went into a flare. All the doctors were adamant that I stop

breastfeeding and start the DMARDS immediately but I just couldn't cope with

that idea (I'm a little stubborn ;-) After crying on my Rheumy's shoulder

(she was actually a breastfeeding mom herself at the time so was very

understanding) we decided to try and get the flare under control with

Voltaren (she felt it would be OK for the baby although I've since been

recommended " Nifluril " as it is apparently better for breastfeeding mothers)

and she also ordered me to get as much rest as possible. She thought I

would last a few weeks like that before I would have to start the meds - I

ended up breastfeeding him for over 2 years until I was pregnant with my

second! Fabien is now 3 1/2 years old and a very healthy, happy little boy.

I have been in remission for ages now with a few small/medium flares for the

first year after he was born which I managed to get under control with rest

and Voltaren. I think one of the best things I did was to stop working

full time so that I am far less tired and stressed than before (don't worry

I do realise how blessed I am to have been able to do that and that for many

giving up work just isn't an option!) I noticed a direct correlation between

the amount of stress I had and the flares and now if I start getting any of

the warning signs a flare is on the way (major fatigue or any stiffness) I

just push the " STOP " button and rest as much as I can (easier said than done

as now have 2 boys but i've learn't the hard way that when my body says stop

it means it!). I've joined a gym, taken up a weekly meditation class and eat

healthier which I'm sure all helps but realise that I am also just very very

lucky!

Six months ago I had another beautiful little boy " Logan " he was born at

term - 39 weeks - and was a very healthy 3.2 kgs. I had quiet a scare during

the pregnancy as I contracted " Chikungunya " which is a viral disease

transmitted by mosquitos. Besides a variety of other pretty awful symptoms

it puts you into something which is pretty much exactly like a full on RA

Flare. Thank God it didn't affect the baby but I was back to being granny

Heidi(no offense to our real grannies but you know what I mean ;-)for about

3 months - I was terrified that this would mark the end of my remission as

the joint pain can become chronic and last over 3 years even in people who

don't have RA and it is known to trigger off dormant RA in patients who have

it. Once again I was blessed and after 3 months of hobbling around I

started having premature contractions at 34weeks (no that wasn't the

blessing part - actually scary but it worked out well so can laugh now ha!)

I was given an injection of cortisone for the baby's lungs and spent a week

in clinic - I eventually went to term but the cortisone zapped the joint

pain and I am still doing great 7 months later!

I am once again breastfeeding and loving it and Arthur is still in sweet

remission. I still have the odd mini flare when I am over stressed or tired

but they are less and less and very easy to control by just taking it easy

and maybe a few days of anti-inflammatories.

For now I'm feeling very blessed and lucky for this respite from nasty old

Arthur, enjoying every second of my remission and praying that it will last

forever! It would be very interesting to know if the breastfeeding has

contributed to the remission, /a any comments there?

(((((((((Special hugs to you guys!)))))))))))

So that's my story! I wish any of you trying for a baby all the luck in the

world, this group was a god send for me when I was going through all that.

If you want to ask me any questions I'm here, although might take a little

while to get back to you as don't switch on my computer every day at the

moment! Otherwise just e-mail me directly.

Lots of love to all my old friends here and hi to all the new members!

Heidi

December 11, 2006

[ ] RA & Pregnancey & Catch up. Long!