Pregnancy and medication

chris101

Hi all

There have been a few topics on this theme recently and I just want some advice as I am a little confused. Those of you out there trying to conceive all mention having to come off your medication. I have a 2 year old boy and was diagnosed with RA when he was one. Having always planned to have 2 children I was then thrown into an agonising decision of whether it would be right to try for another knowing I now have RA. Would I be able cope? If I didn't try would I be letting RA rule my life? If I did and I found it hard to cope then what? Anyway, have decided I do want to give it a try, but my Doctors are advising me to stay on my drugs (hydroxychloroquine and Diclofenac). Of course, everything you read says they should not be taken during pregnany. I do not want to make myself worse, but I don't want to risk causing harm to the baby if I do get pregnant. Just wondered if anyone out there has had a successful pregnany on these, or other drugs? Chris

vonski

Hi Chris

Can't give any advise but I will look for some threads and bump them up for you to read. Hope it all goes well.

Love
Vonski x

jenzie06

Hiya
I'm 11wks pregnant and was on various meds before OH and I decided to start a family inc leflunomide and anti-tnf. I came off these drugs (leflunomide for over a year) before we tried to conceive.
I was told that I could take the hydro (the same as you - just can't spell it) and steroids but I've been told that if you take the hydro you can't breast feed but its safe in pregnancy. The steroids are safe too, been used for years and they help with morning sickness.

To be honest, I have had conflicting advice re: meds but I've just tried to not take anything much. Now I'm just on steroids and paracetamol. They do say you can go into remission and I am actually feeling better but its not always certain.

I also worried about not being able to cope. This is my first baby and I'm still pretty worried about coping but I also refuse to let this stupid bloody disease dictate my life!!


Hope this helps. Good luck.
Jen

eckstardeluxe

Hi there

My OA and Stenosis was unknown to me during pregnancy. However, I was born with severe kidney reflux which was surgically corrected but sadly left with mass kidney damage. All my life I've suffered horrendous UTI's, obviously this was rampant during my pregnancy. I think in my first pregnancy I had maybe 4 weeks in total I was not on antibiotics. My baby was fine. I also ate liver pate - no problems.

My second pregnancy I rid the Tower of Terror 4 times and was on every bungee rocket and rollercoaster in Florida. My son was perfectly fine - except he is a real danger baby, loves excitement which I blame on the coasters!

I have a 1 and 3 year old. My OA etc all became apparent after my second. It is hard work, I will not lie and I have to live with the fact my Consultant has told me had it not been for the stress of my pregnancies I'd maybe have went another 5-10 years without realising. But they are the best thing about me, the best thing I did. I only struggle with tiredness and the inevitable trips out where I have to watch others run around with my kids and unable to join in. But seriously if I hadn't been told not to have more by the Drs etc I'd have another 5 easily. They are the reason I get up and fight on and keep smiling through the pain.

page35

Hi Chris
i have RA and started off on Hydroxy because i wanted to have more children (i have 2) the rhuemy said Hydroxy is ok to take while pregant. but the Hydroxy didnt work for me my RA was getting worse so am now on MXT (which you must not take while pregant) i have decided not to have anymore children , but feel im very lucky to have the 2 that i have
i have an 11year gap between my two kids and always felt my son needed a sibling, he wasnt botherd, he wanted a dog but got a sister
anyway am waffling now :roll:
best of luck
page

glitterbug

Hi Chris,

Congratulations on making the desicion to TTC, it's a very exciting time but can get stressful at times. I had done lots of research on Diclofenac and have found there to be a few links with trouble conceiving. We had been trying for 5 years and were ready to give up when I decided to stop diclofenac altogether and hey presto 2 months after conceived naturally. I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and was hoping for a "drug free" pregnancy but infortunately it has not turned out that way.

I did go back on diclofenac for about 5 weeks but they don't like you to be on it really unless you absolutely HAVE to. I am now diclofenac free and just about coping on 20mg of pred but it is a massive struggle. I seem to be the unlucky mnority that has flared during pregnancy rather than gone into remission.

I would def reccomend doing some research on diclofenac and the possible effect on fertility just in case you have some issues as it's very interesting reading.

Good luck,

Glitterbug x