Rheumatoid Arthritis And Pregnancy

Question: Rheumatoid Arthritis and pregnancy? I have R.A. And my doctor told me that when you are pregnant, the R.A goes into remission. I still have hip pain, and back pain. Could I have another form of arthritis? or is my R.A still flaring up? Any experiences? I cant take no pain meds and I will not take any other meds.

Answer: i know what u mean, i have Reactive Arthritis though...but i see a rheumatoid doctor....he said my arthritis was in remission also but i still have really bad hip pain that will not go away....you may want to check to see if it may be reactive arthritis....but i dont think its flaring up....are you taking any medications for it? because right now im not...and i think thats probably why im in so much pain.

Question: For women who have developed Rheumatoid Arthritis after pregnancy,how many of you had Epidurals and C-sections Of those of you who developed RA after a pregnancy, how many of you : * are Rh-negative and received a shot for that * were preeclamptic/eclamptic and were given magnesium * were induced and given pitocin * had an epidural these are a few of the things that run through my mind when I think about how I developed a disease that is not in my family's history. I know it can be random, but sometimes I wonder if something the doctors gave me reacted the wrong way with my body. Any help would be awesome!! Thanks!

Answer: I have the link to a site that may help you find even more information. It's at: http://forums.obgyn.net/pregnancy-birth

Question: Arthritis and Pregnancy/Childbirth/Children? I am 27 and have lived with Rheumatoid Arthritis for 12 years I have had a wrist fusion,developed osteoarthritis in both elbows etc' Me and my partner would love to be a parents sometime in the future,he is very supportive. but as you may understand, I do worry alot about how my condition would affect this . Are there women in my situation who have arthritis and went on to have children?, what difficulties did you face?, how did your condition affect you being a parent, any tips or advice? How was pregnancy/childbirth? I often wonder about childbirth .. I tend to be in a lot of pain which I try my best to manage and wonder how I would cope with the pain of childbirth also. Is natural childbirth more difficult for someone who lives with chronic pain? Were doctors/midwives understanding and sensitive to this issue during childbirth? I appreciate your help :o)

Answer: Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks Fertility is normal in women with rheumatoid arthritis. The disease may go into remission in as many as 75 percent of women while they are pregnant. During the postpartum period the majority of women experience a flare in the disease. Otherwise, women with rheumatoid arthritis have normal pregnancies. One concern is that many of the medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are not recommended for routine use during pregnancy. The risks and benefits of each medication should be discussed with your rheumatologist and OB/Gyn care providers. There are no anticipated restrictions or limitations since the pregnancy is usually normal. Pain may not even be a problem if the disease goes into remission. If pain is a problem, contact your care provider and try non-medicinal therapies to relieve pain such as warm baths, massage, ice, as well as any other measures you have found helpful. Whirlpool hot tubs can also be used as long as the temperature is not excessive. If you start sweating it is time to get out and cool down. The labor and delivery process should proceed normally. Be sure to remind your care provider and nurses of any joint limitations you have. Comfortable positions and those that prevent potential trauma or joint inflammation should be used. It is during the postpartum period that rheumatoid arthritis flares. Contact your rheumatologist if this occurs. Your medications may need to be changed.

Question: Rheumatoid Arthritis? I am 23 years old and have recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. What are good natural herbs to take? Does anyone have any advice? I believe I gotten this after I had my first child and still very much want to have more but don't know if thats apart of my future. I have read many stories are pregnancy while have RA. Everyday is a struggle... Today however I feel great!!!

Answer: I have RA and just turned 49 and am still mobile, no joint replacements. First signs of Arthritis, when I was 21, so guess I am doing well. Tired, but well. I saw a Rheumatologist who put me on Evening Primrose Oil and I now have this prescribed by my Physician and get it free. I really have not looked back since starting this snake oil, all those red hot swollen joints gone and I am active. I am not up on natural herbs, but I do know their is some link between cholesterol and inflammation, therefore keep to a low fat diet if you can.

Question: My husband wants to try for another baby, but I don't? On December 25th of 08 I gave birth to mono-mono twin girls (preemies of course), Adeline and Audrey. Because they were preemies and were so small and had some breathing problems, they ended up staying in the hospital until early February. It was really hard on me and my husband. I ended up with postpartum depression, which I am still really struggling with. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and the pregnancy was really hard on my body, and delivery sent me into one of the worst flares of my life, and I am in constant pain. We are struggling still to help my 12 year old sister , Emily who has been living with me for 2 years, as she has schizophrenia. Our twins weren't planned - they weren't born at the ideal time, and if I ever have another baby, I want them to be born at the best time possible. I spend all day taking care of TWO infants, just for my husband to come home from work (he is an electrician) and Emily to come home from school, and then I proceed to be relieved of Adeline and Audrey long enough to make dinner, and then I spend the rest of my evening caring for the babies, helping emily with school and getting her to take meds and caring for her, and tidying the house, just to hear him nag me about how he wants a son! He wants another baby that will be close in age to Adeline and Audrey, he wants a son. I can't seem to make him understand that I just don't have the time for another baby. I need some time for me. I'm not ready emotionally. I'm not ready physically. And he thinks I am being insensitive. He says there is no right time to have a baby, just a best time, and it is now. He doesn't have a single idea what it is like to spend all day cooking, cleaning and caring for other people, all while ignoring all of the physical pain your in, having to find clever new ways of doing things because every joint in your body is swollen it doesn't function properly. I feel like all I do is give and give, and he still wants more! He tells me I am selfish for not giving him another child! I just don't know what to do. I love being a mum, but two babies is enough! How can I help him understand? sorry for the rant thakns for listening

Answer: Your husband is the insensitive one here! He is ignorant and being very selfish. If he had to live with a disease that caused chronic pain, then his attitude would change right quick! Having a baby wreaks havoc on a womans body as it is, without even having a disease added into the picture. I understand his desire to have a son, but he's not thinking about his wife. You should come before his wants and desires when we are talking about something that could greatly reduce your quality of life. Do you ever explain to him how much pain you're in and how much pain it caused you to have the twins? Tell him your body right now is taxed out! You just cannot carry a baby at the moment. Your body needs healing time as well as your mind. If he doesn't understand, that's too bad. It's your life and you aren't here to please him. Try telling him you are overloaded with stress and if he wants to help clean, cook, care for your babies and sister, then you might be willing to discuss having a son. I bet that will shut him up.

Question: Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune disorder patients...? If I may ask without seeming nosey- What were the symptoms leading to your diagnosis? How long did your diagnosis take? How have you been treated (what meds/therapies) and what has worked best? I am being tested for a number of things but my own experience and background leads me to suspect RA will be the ultimate diagnosis. The doctors I have seen also seem to be leaning that way. Chronic, almost unbearable fatigue, weakness, intense joint pain in almost every joint, it's worst in my extremities especially feet and ankles-several times recently I have had an ankle just 'give' while walking - three times now that has been while carrying a baby down my stairs and once while in a store, again while carrying my little one, which is frightening not to mention a bit embarrassing. I went for a walk the other day and suddenly felt as if my foot were broken, like if I took one more step weight-bearing on that foot the bone would just snap. I limped home and put heat on it, and rested it for the evening and overnight, and by morning it was back to it's regular state of 'just' sore. I'm pretty young and in pretty good shape- actually *very* good shape when having two children within two years is factored in; I have been fairly athletic in the past, and all of this is a bit out of the blue- it seemed to start gradually during my last pregnancy and I thought it was from carrynig extra weight of baby and fluid, but it's been almost three months since the new little guy was born and it is only getting worse even though the weight and fluid are long gone. I went to the Dr. hoping to be told it was normal considering I have two very young children in addition to school-age kids but also knowing it was not the normal fatigue of mommy-life. I have to get up at least an hour before anyone else and take medication before my kids are up in order to just be mobile enough to make them breakfast and get the day going. The pain tends to get better as the day goes on but as the day goes on the fatigue gets worse, so it's a bit of a nasty cycle going here. Sound anything like what you've experienced? What has helped? Wow I don't want that to sound like I'm whining; I'm not neccesarily complaining, just curious. Okay guys, I'm starting to think this is a 'Jewish thing', LOL!

Answer: (((Mz Rahi))) I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through all of this. I know how hard it is, although mine came on early enough that I've not gotten to have a family. I show all the signs of RA, except for the bloodwork, and have since I was 20. I also have extreme fatigue, weakness, joint pain (the *only* joints that have never bothered me are in my spine). I also have a lot of problems with inflammation of the just about everything, including my brain, which can be quite debilitating and frightening. And I know about the knees/ankles just giving way. To me, it feels like someone rammed a knitting needle directly into my joint. It's usually so sharp that I cry out and I have to wait until it lessens before I can hobble home. It pretty much only happens outside, and seems to be connected with ozone from outdoor pollutants AND indoor computer/ printer/ machinery emissions. One of the root causes is that my body has problems breaking down synthetic chemicals and pollutants, so they build up in my system and cause all sorts of problems. What's helped me most is reducing as much of those sorts of things as I can, including switching to 'safer' shampoo, soap, laundry detergent and cleaning products. Eating organic as much as I can makes a huge difference. Nutritional supplements sometimes help, as long as they're good quality, EFAs are the most important ones re the arthritis. I hope that all makes sense, I'm really worn out from the week and it's hard for me to concentrate. E-mail me if you have any questions at all or just want some support from someone who understands.

Question: Breastfeeding and Rheumatoid Arthritis? I will be seeing a rheumatologist for the first time in about two weeks, and I need to know what treatments are safe for breastfeeding moms. I have heard that small doses of prednisone are okay, as well as hydroxychloroquine. Are these treatments effective ?? What are the side effects?? Anyone know of other treatments safe for bf? I had symptoms pre pregnancy and they disappeared during the fourth month, Now that my son is four months old I am having trouble with my fingers, elbows, neck, back, etc sometimes I cannot even pick up my son. Any helpful advice would be appreciated. I really do not want to stop breastfeeding. Thanks.

Answer: You and your doctor should work with motherisk, who can tell you which drugs are safer and at what doses. They are more than happy to talk to doctors directly. (416) 813-6780 Mon-Fri 9-5 EST call from anywhere in the world. Other sources of information include: Book: Medications and Mother's Milk by Dr Hale which most pharmacists should have, as well as many libraries LactMed: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/ht… SafeFetus: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/ht…

Question: What to do about severe joint pain after pregnancy? I feel like I have rheumatoid arthritis, but I had a blood test and it was ruled out. I can predict rain with these joints now! In especial pain are the tops of my knees and my thumbs (can't open jars). Also painful are my ankles, toes and fingers. My OB referred me to my general practitioner. He told me to take ibuprofen, which is helping, but long term I don't think it's a good idea to take a constant regimen of it. Other thoughts? I feel like someone who has lived a good, long life and I've got a way to go yet!

Answer: I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, diagnosed 3 years ago after I turned 30. At first the Rh factor showed up negative, but I was still treated for RA, later on the Rh showed up in blood work. For some reason the Rh factor does not always show up, even though the patient does in fact have the disease. After pregnancy you are tired- lots of work during labor and stress of having a newborn and lack of sleep makes you feel worn out. Fatigue is a symptom of RA, if after a few months, you still feel like you're dragging, RA could be the culprit. A low grade fever often accompanies RA. Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes. There are other factors that can contribute like family history or weight. I can relate to how the weather affects your joints- humidity and temperature play a role in how my joints feel. You may want to ask your GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist who will have a great deal more experience and will be able to give you a better assessment. Taking pain killers will deal with temporary relief, but getting to the source and having it under control is very important, then pain killers won't be needed as often. I personally have found that diet (keeping track of what I eat, so I have an idea what foods may trigger pain), exercise and using natural remedies have helped immensely. I hope you find some answers and relief very soon.

Question: anyone pregnant and have arthritis, too? I am 13 weeks pregnant and was also just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I'm pretty shocked, other than the fact that it explains my awful joint pain. Has anyone been through this during pregnancy and have any ideas or advice on how to deal?? is anyone in this stage of life right now?

Answer: I'm 25 and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 3 months before I concieved! I'm now 30 weeks along in my pregnancy and have not been on any meds for my arthritis. It is hard some days, because the joint pain is just really painful, but I think i'm doing the right thing by not being on any meds for it during my pregnancy! You can take plain tylenol, and on days I have flare ups that's what i use. It's really hard to get out of bed at night and in the mornings b/c i'm so stiff! Even sitting down for long periods during the day is hard to get back up. I just try to move more when i feel like i'm getting sore.

Question: Any suggestions on trying to get pregnant quick? Im 28and I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diagnosed in 2002 and have been on heavy medication since. I've been off of my meds in January since my husband & I decided we want to have a baby. I am on predisone and my weight has gradually increased especially on the face. I also face possibilities of glaucoma and bone thinning due to prednisone. We've been trying to get pregnant for 4 months with no luck. I've charted my ovulation, used ovulation kits. Doctors wont even see me unless we've been trying to get preg for at least a year. My rheumatologist said the sooner I get preg, I can be off of prednisone since RA symptoms generally go away during pregnancy.I dont want to seem to be impatient, but I really need to get preg soon. The poofy face really bothers me along with other bad side effects of prednisone. Any suggestions are welcome.

Answer: Have you tried In Vitro??? that might do it...