Another pregnancy and coming off meds!

dutchess

Sorry for another post on pregnancy but really felt I needed to post a message. Basically I've been on methotrexate for last four years (RA/sjogrens, raynauds & cutaneous vasculitis) and celebrex for pain relief. Me and hubby finally have decided to take the plunge as I have finally realised and admitted to myself this is the best things are gonna get so might as well get on with it. Anyway had meeting with consultant had agreement spoke with GP and have been off Methetroxate for 5 weeks. Have now found out that my sis is pregnant, know I should be happy but feels puts even more pressure on us and obviously am jealous. Know I've got to manage coming off meds for three months before even starting to try to conceive so all very stressful. Any kind words or advice would be gratefully received. At mo is just between me, hubby, consultant and gp so feel have no one to talk to who understands. Rant over!
Take care
Luv Kelly

elnafinn

Aw Kelly, I do feel for you. I can well understand how you feel, with your sis expecting as you obvously wish it was you - only natural. Please do not feel there is any pressure on you both. No one knows, as you say. In actual fact with the family talking about your sis, you can sort of blend into the background perhaps and I am sure very soon, you will be able to announce the same news. The three months will go quickly, you are a few weeks towards that time already, but I know it is easy for me to say that. How are you feeling having been off the metho for 5 weeks?

You call in as often as you wish, we are here for you.

Chin up, your turn will arrive to be able to broadcast your wonderful news and I hope you let us know too!

Luv
Elna x

lindalegs

Hi Kelly,

All I can say is DAMN she got in first :roll:

Your time will come I'm sure. My SIL and I were the same but I was lucky I was the one who got pregnant first :shock: - her problem was that she'd broadcast to the world and his wife that they were 'trying' whereas we just kept quiet and 'got on with things' Unfortunately, for us, it looked as though we'd got pregnant just to spite them - not the case we were just lucky - or better at practising :oops:

Three months will seem to pass slowly but it won't when it's here - if you see what I mean.

Keep happy, eat a healthy balanced diet, do as much exercise as your arthritis will allow and then you'll be as fit as possible for when your time comes.

Hope all goes well and keep us posted.

Luv Legs

dutchess

Hi Elna and Leggs
Thanks for your lovely replies. So far I've been quite well off the methetrexate (apart from a cold that went to my chest and wiped me out for a week: /) My gp thinks it will be two months before I really start to notice being off my meds, it is just such a stressful scary time. I keep worrying about how i'll manage (i'm such a worrier). I've got myself a good book on conception, pregnancy and birth so trying to get clued up on diet etc and GP prescribed some folic acid. Guess having three months prior to trying gives me and hubby a good chance of getting really prepared. Am just worried when I get to three months stage how long it will take and if we're lucky enough to conceive as then the real challenge will be managing off the meds. Think I should just take one day at a time, I don't want to beaten by arthur! Am quite enjoying not taking the methotreaxate and not having blood tests as can pretend to be 'normal' for a while. Is just frastrating not having anyone to talk to which is what is so great about these forums as telling people I know like my parents would only put on more pressure.
Take care
Luv Kelly

elnafinn

Hi Kelly

I think you are both being wise keeping stumm at the mo. I don't suffer with RA but I understand that once pregnant it can all go into remission, so why not think positive like that?

The last thing you should be doing when you are TTC is to be worrying about the situation. Just have a great time and then it will happen. Things happen when you least expect them to. As you say, take one day at a time and enjoy reading up all about it all.

I sincerely wish you well with this. An exciting time

Luv
Elna x

carol71

I just wanted to wish you well off your meds and hope you concieve quickly hun.
It's hard when someone else gets pregnant and steals the thunder you so wish belonged to you.

My sil got pregnant 2 wks after me when I was pregnant with ds. Sadly she lost her little boy at 33 wks and although she's really close to my own boy her family don't have anything to do with us, which is sad cos it's they who miss out on their grandkids iykwim.

Your time will come, and hopefully that won't be long off.

Carol xxx

jeannie2

Hi Kelly,
I just HAD to send you a message. Hope your time off meds. will be OK for you. Understand only too well how you feel about your sister's 'condition' - ignore it, chucks! Three months isn't forever. Have a 'courtship' sort of thing putting the 'I'll tell me dad' :oops: slant on things until you can ...... ye know - and you'll be a mum in no time at all! I wish you all the luck in the world ... with your meds/RA and the rest of your dreams.
I'll be batting for you.
Luv
Jeannie S

PS Was that actually a rant? Heavans you should hear me when I start! That was a 'please hold my hand' .... so I am.

dutchess

Thanks for all you kind messages was just what I needed. Feel so much better having got things out of my system It really does help to have people out there who understand and to put things in to perspective. It must have been such a difficult time with your sis losing her child but then you had to battle on with managing your preganancy and managing your health after the birth. How did you manage with arthur with child? Is good that I should go into remission once I conceive, think I'll feel like a new woman! Will just have to put plans in place for four weeks after birth as that when people with ra usually come crashing down. Have had a roundabout chat with my mum and even with my sis preganancy has said if we have children can support me as want to ensure I have support networks in place. I will keep you posted. Am counting down the weeks, with each week off the methotrexate being a milestone and another step closer to ttc!
take care
Luv Kelly

suziev

hi

firstly i totally understand about how you feel about your sister, i had been trying for years (without ra) when my sister got pregnant it broke my heart, however it also made me go back to doctors and get something done about it.
whilst you are waiting i can't stress enough that you should have some fertility tests done, its one blood test and must be done at least twice which will determine if your ovulating or not. also know your cycle, that may sound daft but when your in a rush to get pregnant it's soo important get yourself an ovulation kit. however bad news is that even if you do get pregnant you may get worse before you get better be prepared for a flare up at around 4 to 6 weeks, however by 4 - 5 months you will feel like a different person, i've never felt so good when i was in the later stages of pregnancy and the months afterwards whilst i breast fed.
it's not easy but sounds like you have family around you and thats great news. it's worth it and good luck.
suzie x

jenzie06

Hey Kelly,
I'm in exactly same situation. Athough I was on Leflunomide instead of MXT. It meant that I had to be drug free for 6-12months with a washout (which was yuk!) before trying for a family. Now we've started trying and I have to admit its pretty tough without the drugs but I keep the end result as a focus.
I hope it all goes well for you. Its totally understandable to be jealous of your sister. My sister has two boys who are the cutest but very very loud!
Take care,
Jen

tkachev

Just wanted to wish you well.
You have to get the methotrexate out of your system it is lethal stuff.Think how you are doing this to give baby the best start in life.

I was suffering from R.A when I was pregnant with my now 5 year old. Everything went really well during the pregnancy. Your body seems to improve in order to protect the baby it is mother natures way.

Like Carol, my sis also lost her son,he lived for 2 minutes, and I was 7 months pregnant at the time. Got to say it was pretty traumatic and I felt I couldnt enjoy my baby. It was 23 years ago now and still makes me cry.All the best, Tkachev.

dutchess

Thanks Jen, Suzie and Tkachev for your responses. Saw my Gp yesterday mentioned blood test r.e. fertility but said would have to wait for year of trying : / For now am going to focus on getting through the next two months med free. GP did say the sooner I get pregnant off the meds the better in terms of how I'll be feeling plus that most people feel better off methotrexate, makes me wonder why they give us such poison. I know how crap I used to feel before I started on Methotrexate but now know recently how crap I'd felt on it. Suzie I totally admire you having to come off your meds for 6 months to a year, how have you been managing? It really helps to hear people's experiences sometimes you can feel so alone with arthur.
Take care
Luv Kelly

suziev

dutchess wrote:

Thanks Jen, Suzie and Tkachev for your responses. Saw my Gp yesterday mentioned blood test r.e. fertility but said would have to wait for year of trying : / For now am going to focus on getting through the next two months med free. GP did say the sooner I get pregnant off the meds the better in terms of how I'll be feeling plus that most people feel better off methotrexate, makes me wonder why they give us such poison. I know how crap I used to feel before I started on Methotrexate but now know recently how crap I'd felt on it. Suzie I totally admire you having to come off your meds for 6 months to a year, how have you been managing? It really helps to hear people's experiences sometimes you can feel so alone with arthur.
Take care
Luv Kelly

hiya
firsty go see a different gp! wait a year!!! for those without any problems yes but those who are suffering without meds with ra, whats a couple of blood tests! i have read of ladies been sent for pre fertitily checks so it is normal to do so!
also in a way i was luckily i wasn't on drugs before we tried for baby 2 we still thought it was reative it wasn't untill i had the flare up at 6 weeks that i got seen by a rhemy and then i was told it was ra. there are ladies on here who like you are very brave and come of drugs, i wish you luck and your not alone on here
suzie x

kickyloo

Hi Dutchess,

I really feel for you. I have RA and am about to start on DMARDs, although not sure which ones but Methotrexate has been mentioned. We had been planning to start a family later this year so obviously this is being put on hold for now, which is heart breaking. Also my sister has just announced she is expecting her 5th child!

We think the best thing is to try and get the RA under control with these drugs for a while before we then attempt to come off them and start a family. I just hope to god it will happen for us. I really want to be a Mummy. In the meantime, my husband bought me 2 kittens (Lenny and Skye). They are gorgeous and give me a reason to get up in the morning on the bad days. They are also great company when I'm on my own all day.

I'd be really interested in how you get on, hopefully your progress will be inspirational for me!! Best of luck to you.

xx

tkachev

Dear Kickyloo
Just want to say I did have R A when got pregnant with my daughter.I was on sulphasalazine and ibuprofen at the time.It really worried me. Nobody told me to cut down on the meds but I stopped the ibuprofen and paracetemol to be safe as poss.( I had lost a baby at 6 weeks, which was attributed to the paracetemol, 3 months earlier, alledgedly)Sorry I dont want to sound like a doommonger always talking about myself.....
No one seemed bothered I had R A and didnt receive any special treatment.I am so glad I had her as my R A is worse now and I dont think I would have coped pregnant now.
Regards Tkachev.

buffycat

hi Kelly.....

well done for making the big step! hubby and i had talked about it, but it wasn't until i was told to come off my mtx for liver problems (turned out to be nothing) that we properly discussed it.. I was told we had to be off for 6months before started to try though.

pain kicked in after about 4 months for me....but i started to take various other things and had some steroid jabs to keep me going.....

fingers crossed that you won't have to wait long though.....and, yes, you're allowed to be jealous of others......we unfortunately have to plan these things a little more than other people do!

hugs....

dutchess

Thanks for everyone's responses is good to know there's people out there who understand. Update had major set back over weekend following chest infection have been having alot of joint pain/difficulty with mobility. Saw dr whose given me stronger pain killers, having blood test tomorrow to check for inflammation incase steroids would be beneficial. Earlier in the week felt completely lost and questioned what I was doing at moment am still in a lot of pain and having difficulty mobilising but have kinda got used to it : / realise how good methotrexate was and what a bubble i was in even with the side effects and general aches/pains. Am taking each day at a time feel a bit more able to carryon with this regime at present.
Take care
Luv Kelly