Advice needed from anyone with children!

poppy30

Hi there,

I've not posted on this site for some time as I've been having a baby!
The short story is that I have PA and in Sept 2008 stopped my meds (Mtx and Humira) in order to try for a family. We were fortunate to fall pregnant straight away and I stopped posting on here as I didn't want to "jinx" anything.... ridiculous I know :oops: but I felt so lucky to be pregnant and kept things pretty quiet "just in case".
Well, throughout pregnancy my PA got worse but was managable but since my son was born (November 2009) my joints are getting worse. I'm not back on my meds yet as if I'm honest I was kinda hoping that I wouldn't need them... naive I know !!! I'm seeing my rheumy on 25th Jan so will be able to discuss meds then but was looking for some practical tips from any other mums and dads on here.
I'm struggling with lower back pain, elbows and wrists in particular so picking my son up can be agony ... it's great that he's gaining weight at a good rate but this means that it's becoming more and more difficult to pick him up and simply holding him when I feed him his bottle is getting hard. :x As for the housework... well that's gone out of the window as it takes all of my energy and pain thresholds just to care for my son!
Any top tips for coping/managing would be great!

Thanks for listening!

Poppy x

page35

Hi Poppy and congrats on having a little boy
do you have a triangle pillow to put around you under your arm when you are feeding baby then you dont have to hold your arm up just rest it on pillow.
also dont know if you have a cot yet for baby but if you can get one where the side goes right down then you dont have to bend into cot to get baby out.
hope you get back on the meds on 25 and start to feel better
all the best

tkachev

Hi Poppy
Congratulations on the birth of your son.
I had R.A. and was reasonable up until her birth but got hit with the torture stick within weeks.Because I could hardly move I had her in my bed, not good so avoid it if you can,but there was no way I could get up,pick her up and feed her and then return her to her cot(brand new cot too!).She is still in my bed 6 years later!I used to lay her on a towel to wash her, as bathing her was too dangerous and painful, at least until she could roll over.You do things you normally wouldnt consider to get through it all.
Breast feeding was easier than keep making up bottles for me but had to stop when went on new medication.As i was living in a new area I did not go to see consultant for 3 months during which time lost 2 stone in weight and every joint went crazy.!I dont think the delay was any good and the consultants were cross with me for not contacting them sooner but I didnt realise I could.
As soon as given medication things really improved.My only regret was I didnt have this forum then to keep me sane!

I am sure things will get better once back on medication
Best wishes
Elizabeth

emmarose33

Hi, congrats on the baby!
I was diagnosd with RA when my son was 6 months old. It was very tough at first, but I should reassure you that this stage where they rely entirely on you to get around doesn't last long, it'll be over before you know it. My son started walking very early and was able to climb onto the sofa or bed from a young age - I am pretty sure this was a direct result of my inability to lift and carry him properly, he got on with it himself. When we lived in a house with stairs from around 8 months I could just support him under the armpits and he would climb the stairs himself. So they do adapt - once they have the physical ability.
I saw a hand therapist, and she advised me to use larger joints when lifting my son. I learned how to hold him in one arm and use the other to launch me off the sofa - I still use this tactic - although it dfoes hurt, at least it makes it possible.
I know how awful it can be and how helpless you feel as a parent when you have trouble carin for your lo. There were times when my boy was on the floor, soaked in wee, and I had to call my dad to come over and change his nappy because I couldn't lift him or get down to his level!! At this point I went on steroids (prednisolone) which have nasty side effects, but allowed me to be a proper mum again for a while. The doctors are very relluctant to give it to people under a certain age though, and I actully only started it because to clear up an allergic rash I had to other meds.
My boy still sleeps in our bed which makes nighttime much much easier!
Good luck xxx

poppy30 wrote:

Hi there,

I've not posted on this site for some time as I've been having a baby!
The short story is that I have PA and in Sept 2008 stopped my meds (Mtx and Humira) in order to try for a family. We were fortunate to fall pregnant straight away and I stopped posting on here as I didn't want to "jinx" anything.... ridiculous I know :oops: but I felt so lucky to be pregnant and kept things pretty quiet "just in case".
Well, throughout pregnancy my PA got worse but was managable but since my son was born (November 2009) my joints are getting worse. I'm not back on my meds yet as if I'm honest I was kinda hoping that I wouldn't need them... naive I know !!! I'm seeing my rheumy on 25th Jan so will be able to discuss meds then but was looking for some practical tips from any other mums and dads on here.
I'm struggling with lower back pain, elbows and wrists in particular so picking my son up can be agony ... it's great that he's gaining weight at a good rate but this means that it's becoming more and more difficult to pick him up and simply holding him when I feed him his bottle is getting hard. :x As for the housework... well that's gone out of the window as it takes all of my energy and pain thresholds just to care for my son!
Any top tips for coping/managing would be great!

Thanks for listening!

Poppy x

tkachev

Hi emma
It is easier to put them in your bed definately but mine wont leave and she is now 6!
Ask for an appointment with O.T and theywill give you advice on picking up Poppy and how to hold things safely and with less stress on joints.
Elizabeth

poppy30

Just wanted to say thanks for your words of advice, support and general encouragement!

Will definitely be asking for my meds back on Monday... just hoping that I get the Humira back without having to have a "funding fight" (had to fight for it first time around due to the cost)!!!

The cushion idea was a great one... so simple yet so effective... has made feeds much more comfortable for me and my little one!

Thanks again guys!

Poppy x

tkachev

Let us know how you get on.I hope your humira will be reinstated as you presumabely only stopped due to the pregnancy and pre-pregnancy.
Best of luck
Elizabeth X

pussycat

oopps! posted twice

pussycat

poppy30
well done on the birth of your baby and I wish you both lots of love, luck and happiness

I was not diagnosed with RA until my daughter was older. Though I suspect I was in the very early stages when she was born and found picking her up difficult at times. Like other's on the thread have stated about their kids I found she also began walking early.

Speak to your arthritis nurse and if you have an OT ask for advice. If you do not have an OT get one via your GP or specialist fast.

They will give you lots of advice and may even give/ or loan equipment to help with yours and the needs of the baby.

top tips 4 now
Tell your husband/ partner they are now in charge of housework for a while DELEGATE

Accept help with the baby friends , grannies and grandad's love babysitting . SHARE THE BABY

Have chairs positioned where you will need the most next to them cot , etc

Consider using a papoose at feeding times if your lower back can cope

I think your meds will be re instated and the current problems will improve