New to site and have some questions

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is Cherie, and my 37 year old husband was diagnosed with RA

about 6 weeks ago. He has had most of the symptoms for about 5

years, but didn't develop the inflammatory markers in his blood

until recently. His Dr. has prescribed MTX and Plaquenil with

Darvocet as needed.

I joined this group yesterday in hopes of learning as much as I can

to help him feel better.

We have one very big concern, and I'm hoping to get some opinions,

advice, etc. We would like to have a child (we have none) and at

36, I know I need to get a move on. The MTX carries warnings that a

woman taking it should not get pregnant and a man should not father

a child while taking it, due to the risk of birth defects. I had my

husband discuss this with his Dr., and the Dr. did not seem

concerned. He said that all the research has been done on women,

not men, and that he would not be concerned at all about starting a

family. But I am concerned. At my increased age, I already have a

greater risk of delivering a baby with birth defects. My husband

and I have discussed it at length, and he said if necessary, he will

delay treatment for 1 year. But I don't want him to have to

continue to suffer if it is not necessary. I was hoping his Dr.

might volunteer to switch him to a different medication, but no dice.

Does anyone have any experience with this problem, or does anyone

know of any good websites I could look at with any research that has

been done in this area?

Thanks in advance for your help. I am already learning a lot, and

know I will continue to learn from you all.

Cherie