For Kate or others who just had the babies

[Guest guest]

Hi all, hope I don't forget I posted like I did last time (few months ago).

(yes, i do get that

dumb sometimes ;-)

I am scheduled for induction with my 3rd on Wednesday. This is the first after

diagnosis,

so this is all new to me.

AFter 6 months of prednisone and having trouble breathing/eating/moving anyway,

the

rheumy finally allowed me remicade. Yeah! I have had 2 infusions during pg.

Anyway, couple of questions for those who have been thru this before:

1. Is anyone using remicade while nursing? I know that some use humira (which

did not

work for me). Any other biologics compatible with nursing?

2. Has anyone had the steroid push while in hospital? The rheum has ordered

hydrocortisone by IV for 3 days, starting morning of labor. It is pushed every 8

hours. I

dont know if this means I get a 3 day vacation from my other kids or what. ;-)

She then

has me on 10 mg of pred for a few weeks before we taper again. (FWIW, the

therapeutic

dose for me of prednisone has been 40-60 mg a day, but I have been on and off

this

pregnancy, at many different dosages.

3. Has anyone had the post-partum flare? Should I be lining up my MIL to stay

for 2 full

weeks, or should I parole her early (I actually really love my MIL, she is

awesome- but I feel

bad for my FIL, who will be Home Alone). If it is going to happen, what is the

usual

timeframe?

Thanks,

Di (who hopes the two brain cells she has left remembers to read any replies!)

[Guest guest]

Hi Di! Early congrats and best of luck with the induction. Tommy was induced

too. I think he would still be in there if the docs hadn't forced him out!

Dr. Tom Hale says he feels Remicade (and other biologics) is/are safe while

nursing. He's considered the authority on medications and mother's milk.

Here's his forum:

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/48/295.html?1193072780

I did nurse on Enbrel, but sadly, I've decided to stop breastfeeding. I am an

extremely low supply person and it's just too heartbreaking for me to continue.

I've been sort of weepy this wknd about it. If I were normal supply, I would

continue to breastfeed with confidence given Dr. Hale's studies. I have 2

endocrine disorders (PCOS + hashi's) which are probably conspiring to give me

problems.

Don't forget with your Remicade exposures during pregnancy, you can sign up for

the OTIS studies, you'd be doing womankind a favor!

My OB ordered a steroid push, but my rheum talked her down. I was only on about

5mg/day through pg, so on induction day (actually it took 2 days) I just doubled

my normal steriod dose and did fine.

I've talked to my rheum and the VA rheum that I see regarding pp flares. It

sounds like it can come anywhere from 4-6 weeks post partum or up to 6 mos after

delivery. I went right back on my regular med schedule, and other than a few

aches in my hands and feet, I'm feeling pretty good. I'd be surprised if I have

a major flare. I'm even risking trying to taper my pred a bit.

Again, many congrats and best wishes for an easy and joyous delivery!

Kate

[ ] For Kate or others who just had the babies

Hi all, hope I don't forget I posted like I did last time (few months ago).

(yes, i do get that

dumb sometimes ;-)

I am scheduled for induction with my 3rd on Wednesday. This is the first after

diagnosis,

so this is all new to me.

AFter 6 months of prednisone and having trouble breathing/eating/ moving anyway,

the

rheumy finally allowed me remicade. Yeah! I have had 2 infusions during pg.

Anyway, couple of questions for those who have been thru this before:

1. Is anyone using remicade while nursing? I know that some use humira (which

did not

work for me). Any other biologics compatible with nursing?

2. Has anyone had the steroid push while in hospital? The rheum has ordered

hydrocortisone by IV for 3 days, starting morning of labor. It is pushed every 8

hours. I

dont know if this means I get a 3 day vacation from my other kids or what. ;-)

She then

has me on 10 mg of pred for a few weeks before we taper again. (FWIW, the

therapeutic

dose for me of prednisone has been 40-60 mg a day, but I have been on and off

this

pregnancy, at many different dosages.

3. Has anyone had the post-partum flare? Should I be lining up my MIL to stay

for 2 full

weeks, or should I parole her early (I actually really love my MIL, she is

awesome- but I feel

bad for my FIL, who will be Home Alone). If it is going to happen, what is the

usual

timeframe?

Thanks,

Di (who hopes the two brain cells she has left remembers to read any replies!)

[Guest guest]

i don't think the post partum flares can be predicted. good luck!!!

>

> Hi all, hope I don't forget I posted like I did last time (few months ago).

(yes, i do get

that

> dumb sometimes ;-)

>

> I am scheduled for induction with my 3rd on Wednesday. This is the first after

diagnosis,

> so this is all new to me.

>

> AFter 6 months of prednisone and having trouble breathing/eating/moving

anyway, the

> rheumy finally allowed me remicade. Yeah! I have had 2 infusions during pg.

>

> Anyway, couple of questions for those who have been thru this before:

>

> 1. Is anyone using remicade while nursing? I know that some use humira (which

did not

> work for me). Any other biologics compatible with nursing?

>

> 2. Has anyone had the steroid push while in hospital? The rheum has ordered

> hydrocortisone by IV for 3 days, starting morning of labor. It is pushed every

8 hours. I

> dont know if this means I get a 3 day vacation from my other kids or what. ;-)

She then

> has me on 10 mg of pred for a few weeks before we taper again. (FWIW, the

therapeutic

> dose for me of prednisone has been 40-60 mg a day, but I have been on and off

this

> pregnancy, at many different dosages.

>

> 3. Has anyone had the post-partum flare? Should I be lining up my MIL to stay

for 2 full

> weeks, or should I parole her early (I actually really love my MIL, she is

awesome- but I

feel

> bad for my FIL, who will be Home Alone). If it is going to happen, what is

the usual

> timeframe?

>

>

> Thanks,

> Di (who hopes the two brain cells she has left remembers to read any replies!)

>