getting pregnant?

vikki75
vikki75 Member Posts: 15
edited 15. Jun 2009, 14:05 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi guys,

I just wondering how many of you guys have managed to get pregnant while on the lots of the medications which seem to go with RA? and OA.

I know about all the possible side effects to do with alot of the meds and unborn baby's, but then ive also heard alot about decreased fertilarty and RA.

Ive mentioned this to my rheumy specialist a while ago and was all but laughted at and asked why i wanted a baby when i have 4 kids anyway.
Sorry if this is a sore supject for others, my reason maybe completely selfish, I lossed a baby 2yrs ago this weekend and my RA flaired up big time 4mnths later and was finally fully diagnosed at the same time, we wanted to try again but specialist hasnt been helpfull.

My question is do any of you guys know/have any idea as to how bad arthritis of all kinds but for me RA affects fertilty?, and how many of you have managed to give birth to babys?

Im sorry, its a bit of a bad time for me but ive no where else to turn or anyone to ask and you guys have always been suportive and helpfull.

thanks
Vikki

Comments

  • emmarose33
    emmarose33 Member Posts: 86
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    vikki75 wrote:
    Hi guys,

    I just wondering how many of you guys have managed to get pregnant while on the lots of the medications which seem to go with RA? and OA.

    I know about all the possible side effects to do with alot of the meds and unborn baby's, but then ive also heard alot about decreased fertilarty and RA.

    Ive mentioned this to my rheumy specialist a while ago and was all but laughted at and asked why i wanted a baby when i have 4 kids anyway.
    Sorry if this is a sore supject for others, my reason maybe completely selfish, I lossed a baby 2yrs ago this weekend and my RA flaired up big time 4mnths later and was finally fully diagnosed at the same time, we wanted to try again but specialist hasnt been helpfull.

    My question is do any of you guys know/have any idea as to how bad arthritis of all kinds but for me RA affects fertilty?, and how many of you have managed to give birth to babys?

    Im sorry, its a bit of a bad time for me but ive no where else to turn or anyone to ask and you guys have always been suportive and helpfull.

    thanks
    Vikki

    I BL00DY hope it doesn't affect fertility! I am sure doctors would discuss it with us upon diagnosis if it had serious implications.
    In fact I can remember one of the things that came out my mouth when I was first told what I had was that I wanted more babies, and my consultant replied that one of her patients just had twins.
    I have heard RA goes dormant for many ppl during pregnancy.
    As for medications, you may need to stop some (if not all) in preperation for pregnancy, so tell your rheumatologist you ARE going to try for a baby and they should instruct you on what to do, if still unhelpful then speak to GP?
    good luck . . happy baby dancing :wink:
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I got pregnant twice whilst in advanced deterioration stage with OA. The only thing is, I never knew I had it, I just thought my back pain came from my condition in childhood. I wasn't on any medication, so I'm not sure how that would have affected it. I'm sure I've read RA meds affect you getting pregnant and you are supposed to come off them first. As said already, OA and RA are supposed to go into a kind of remission once pregnant but it's getting pregnant that is the issue. I'd love another baby but I am now completely reliant on my pain medication and struggle with lifting my son who is 1 and caring for him so I cannot risk having another. Also although the condition ie pain wise was dormant in pregnancy, the damage to the bones and discs accelerated whilst pregnant. It was after having my son my problems became unbearable.

    Hopefully someone can give you an answer. There were some similar posts before from someone trying to conceive. Good luck.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I'm no expert as I have OA and 54!!! I think you may have to talk to the Rhemmy about medications, but I know people on here do get pregnant. As we are all different anyway, it would be a very good idea to discuss the effect of the medications with your rhemmy first, and I think I read that it can take longer for some people, but thats true with a lot of things.

    I couldn't have children, but that was nothing to do with OA, but we still tried a lot :D :oops: :oops: .

    Good luck, and have fun.

    Love Sue
  • suziev
    suziev Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hiya vikki

    i've bumped up a pregnancy thread for you, worth a look. i'll be in touch be other means :lol:

    emma rose

    yes ra can cause problems with fertility and gives you a greater risk of miscarraige. however i wanted to say that it can be done there are lots of mums like myself who have managed it.
    suzie x
  • vikki75
    vikki75 Member Posts: 15
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Suzie,

    Thanks alot for that, I was just having a really really down weekend due to aniversary dates :cry: , Half of me is crying out to forfill my wish and the other half screams at me to stop, think, and not be so selfish, oddly even the kids keep saying cant "we" try of a new baby like they have a hand in it!!!!!!!!!.


    Ive a package sat on my table for you I WILL!!!!! get it in the post by wednesday!.

    Talk soon
    Vikkix
  • jenzie06
    jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was told by my consultant that the best thing I could do was to get pregnant! I have RA and have failed most drug treatments and only a couple left to go so for the past year I've been on minimal meds in order to clear my body out ready for trying for a baby.

    Will let you know how I get on.......
  • suziev
    suziev Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    vikki75 wrote:
    Hi Suzie,

    Thanks alot for that, I was just having a really really down weekend due to aniversary dates :cry: , Half of me is crying out to forfill my wish and the other half screams at me to stop, think, and not be so selfish, oddly even the kids keep saying cant "we" try of a new baby like they have a hand in it!!!!!!!!!.


    Ive a package sat on my table for you I WILL!!!!! get it in the post by wednesday!.

    Talk soon
    Vikkix

    oh no not snail post again :lol:

    which reminds me when is your birthday have i missed it?


    xx
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, my daughter is asking for a sister. Even with all my issues I give the hubby the puppy dog eyes when she does it. The weird thing is, I never wanted any children, he pestered me for them. Only when I got pregnant with my daughter did my outlook totally change.

    When I give him the look and say "it goes into remission" he says "yes but look what's happened since". My issues are OA related and are not your average case so I'd go for it if I was you. It's because my OA is in my spine which affects my mobility and I have spinal stenosis now due to the condition I had as a child, I have such bad porblems. I fell recently which happens alot and this is why I haven't pushed the issue. If I didn't have the parathesia I'm sure I'd press him further and knowing him, he'd agree.

    I don't think it matters how many children you have, if you can cope well with how many you have now then that's great. I know I can't cope with 3. You know your body. So speak to your GP to see what they can do to help you. x

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