Guest guest Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 Hi All... I gave birth to a darling baby girl on February 15th and am now fearful of a dreadful RA flare-up, as I have read many reports that most women flare terribly after delivery...anyone care to share there post-postpartum experiences with RA, particularly those who choose to breastfeed. I have chosen to breastfeed and supplement with formula...I already feel little joint pains all over...I am only on 5 mg. of Prednisone at this time...and I know my rheumy wants to put me on meds asap....I see him this coming Wednesday and am afraid to tell him I want to keep breastfeeding until I flare....he had told me prior to giving birth he does not recommend I breastfeed....but I chose to anyways as this is very important to me. I have never been on any meds but Prednisone, as I found out I was pregnant a week after being diagnosed with RA...so I will have x-rays and more blood work done at my next appointment. My Rheumy had initially wanted me to start Enbrel.....but then as time went on he seemed to think Methotrexate may be a better option for me, as there is a lymphoma risk with Enbrel and he fears I am too young to start posing such cancer risk to my body. I however am very fearful of taking Methotrexate as it seems too TOXIC...almost like taking poison.....any thoughts in this also welcome! I lean more towards Enbrel.....but then there is the issue of my Rheumy agreeing and my insurance company approving....I had been approved in the past as my Rheumy spoke with someone directly at my insurance company and told them I was unable to take Methotrexate because I was family planning....and therefore needed to initiate Enbrel, but we never got that far because I was already pregnant! Much support and advice needed...I am going crazy thinking about all this.... -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2010 Report Share Posted March 6, 2010 , I was pg and nursing on enbrel and pred, I did great, as did the babe. An advisor at Otis (google Otis pregnancy for link) can review the literature with you, but Dr Hale who is the authority on drugs and mother milk has written that he does not think antiTNFs like enbrel are harmful for nursing babes. The small amount transmitted in milk is broken down by the babys gut. Get another opinion if that would be helpful and do give Otis a call, they are terrific. Kate f Ps- I did have a moderate pp flare that my rheum managed with a 10 day burst of extra pred, I got better quickly Sent from my iPhone On Mar 6, 2010, at 2:34 PM, " " <burton_rr@...> wrote: Hi All... I gave birth to a darling baby girl on February 15th and am now fearful of a dreadful RA flare-up, as I have read many reports that most women flare terribly after delivery...anyone care to share there post-postpartum experiences with RA, particularly those who choose to breastfeed. I have chosen to breastfeed and supplement with formula...I already feel little joint pains all over...I am only on 5 mg. of Prednisone at this time...and I know my rheumy wants to put me on meds asap....I see him this coming Wednesday and am afraid to tell him I want to keep breastfeeding until I flare....he had told me prior to giving birth he does not recommend I breastfeed....but I chose to anyways as this is very important to me. I have never been on any meds but Prednisone, as I found out I was pregnant a week after being diagnosed with RA...so I will have x-rays and more blood work done at my next appointment. My Rheumy had initially wanted me to start Enbrel.....but then as time went on he seemed to think Methotrexate may be a better option for me, as there is a lymphoma risk with Enbrel and he fears I am too young to start posing such cancer risk to my body. I however am very fearful of taking Methotrexate as it seems too TOXIC...almost like taking poison.....any thoughts in this also welcome! I lean more towards Enbrel.....but then there is the issue of my Rheumy agreeing and my insurance company approving....I had been approved in the past as my Rheumy spoke with someone directly at my insurance company and told them I was unable to take Methotrexate because I was family planning....and therefore needed to initiate Enbrel, but we never got that far because I was already pregnant! Much support and advice needed...I am going crazy thinking about all this.... -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2010 Report Share Posted March 7, 2010 , Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl! Kate gave you great suggestions and information. OTIS is here: http://www.otispregnancy.org/ In the opinion of many rheumatologists and obstetricians, Enbrel could be used while you breastfeed your child, methotrexate could not. Enbrel would also start working much more quickly for you than methotrexate. The lymphoma issue is unresolved, but most rheumatologists lean toward the theory that lymphoma is associated with RA itself, particularly with high disease activity, more than with any given therapy. I think seeking the opinion of another rheumatologist would also be wise. Not an MD On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 2:34 PM, <burton_rr@...> wrote: > Hi All... > I gave birth to a darling baby girl on February 15th and am now fearful of a dreadful RA flare-up, as I have read many reports that most women flare terribly after delivery...anyone care to share there post-postpartum experiences with RA, particularly those who choose to breastfeed. I have chosen to breastfeed and supplement with formula...I already feel little joint pains all over...I am only on 5 mg. of Prednisone at this time...and I know my rheumy wants to put me on meds asap....I see him this coming Wednesday and am afraid to tell him I want to keep breastfeeding until I flare....he had told me prior to giving birth he does not recommend I breastfeed....but I chose to anyways as this is very important to me. I have never been on any meds but Prednisone, as I found out I was pregnant a week after being diagnosed with RA...so I will have x-rays and more blood work done at my next appointment. My Rheumy had initially wanted me to start Enbrel.....but then as time went on he seemed to think Methotrexate may be a better option for me, as there is a lymphoma risk with Enbrel and he fears I am too young to start posing such cancer risk to my body. I however am very fearful of taking Methotrexate as it seems too TOXIC...almost like taking poison.....any thoughts in this also welcome! I lean more towards Enbrel.....but then there is the issue of my Rheumy agreeing and my insurance company approving....I had been approved in the past as my Rheumy spoke with someone directly at my insurance company and told them I was unable to take Methotrexate because I was family planning....and therefore needed to initiate Enbrel, but we never got that far because I was already pregnant! Much support and advice needed...I am going crazy thinking about all this.... > > -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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