6 weeks to go....

jenzie06
jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
edited 22. Mar 2010, 19:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
before the baby is due and after a month of feeling pretty good arthritis-wise I'm starting to have a flare. Eek!

My hands are getting worse and my feet and left ankle are killing me. I'm very achy and my left knee is agony (slightly concerned I might have hurt it properly rather than 'just' RA).
In addition, I've got a big bump and in the last few days my lower back is very painful (think the ligaments have loosened up). I can no longer put on my socks myself and have had to resort to slip on shoes. I have indigestion most of the time, have big braxton hicks frequently and can't get comfortable as I can't turn over easily therefore I'm not sleeping.

And breathe.....

This is it til the baby is born right? Any suggestions to make myself more comfortable? Should I risk getting another steroid inj this close to the delivery?

Jen

Comments

  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 21. Mar 2010, 19:46
    Hi Jen,
    I can't give any advice as I don't know, but just wanted to sympathise - late stages of pregnancy is hard physically. Arthritis is hard physically. Both together - doubly hard. Make sure everyone runs around looking after you and you take us much rest as you can.

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jen

    Sorry I cannot help with your questions but even without arthritis the last few weeks of pregnancy are often not good so it is a double whammy for you. I had high blood pressure with the weekly threat of having to be hospitalised and with another little one that was not really on the cards so my bp went even higher :lol: Luckily my friends came up trumps and took my other one so that I could rest in the day for a good few hours. I also got sciatica where the babe was pressing on a nerve. 6 weeks will seem like a long time but think you are more there than not and will soon be rewarded with such a precious little bundle of joy :D

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi. Sorry I can't give you any advice but I wanted to say Congratulations and best wishes for the safe arrival of your little one. Being pregnant is hard enough without the added struggle of arthur.
    Hope you get the rest you need.
    Caroline x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jenzie

    I can only suggest that you rest as much as you can especially if you are feeling so achy and your feet and ankles are swollen. Have you tried soaking your feet in a big bowl of warm water with either sea salt or your favourite bath products in? Lie down and elevate your legs with a cushion or pillow. Don't do too much - ask someone to do the heavy lifting, food shopping, cooking etc. I had terrible indigestion when I was pregnant with my son - avoid fatty foods; fizzy drinks etc.

    If you're worried about anything else (steroids) go and see your GP.

    I'm sure someone who has been pregnant with arthritis may come up with some more tips to help you out.

    In the meantime rest lots especially if you're not sleeping at night.

    Take care.
    Sharmaine

    jenzie06 wrote:
    before the baby is due and after a month of feeling pretty good arthritis-wise I'm starting to have a flare. Eek!

    My hands are getting worse and my feet and left ankle are killing me. I'm very achy and my left knee is agony (slightly concerned I might have hurt it properly rather than 'just' RA).
    In addition, I've got a big bump and in the last few days my lower back is very painful (think the ligaments have loosened up). I can no longer put on my socks myself and have had to resort to slip on shoes. I have indigestion most of the time, have big braxton hicks frequently and can't get comfortable as I can't turn over easily therefore I'm not sleeping.

    And breathe.....

    This is it til the baby is born right? Any suggestions to make myself more comfortable? Should I risk getting another steroid inj this close to the delivery?

    Jen
  • jenzie06
    jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm off to see my GP in a hour or so as my knee has got worse. Not sure what I've done as its not normal RA pain. But unfortunately everyone (hubbie and parents) are all working today so I'm gonna have to get myself there although Doc said if I can't to let them know and they'll sort something out. My mum has just popped in to give me some lunch (she does this usually for my 91yr old gran!!) before going back.

    I'm doing lots of resting and have got my feet up, which is fairly boring but necessary!
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jenzie

    Maybe your GP will give you some good advice/tips when you see him/her today.
    You must be really uncomfortable at the moment.

    You're doing the right thing by resting.

    Let us know how you get on.


    Sharmaine
    X
    jenzie06 wrote:
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm off to see my GP in a hour or so as my knee has got worse. Not sure what I've done as its not normal RA pain. But unfortunately everyone (hubbie and parents) are all working today so I'm gonna have to get myself there although Doc said if I can't to let them know and they'll sort something out. My mum has just popped in to give me some lunch (she does this usually for my 91yr old gran!!) before going back.

    I'm doing lots of resting and have got my feet up, which is fairly boring but necessary!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,057
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jen

    You have done well.

    You know it seemed such a long time when you first told us and you were so poorly.

    I hope the doc can help you out - maybe he will recommend a jab at least he will know if its safe eh?

    Good luck and keep us informed please :D

    Love

    Toni xx
  • jenzie06
    jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Unfortunately doc was as useful as choc teapot. Hadn't a clue so plumped for RA flare, which I knew I was having anyway. Referred me for physio who can't fit me in til April and rang rhuemy who needs a fax from Gp before considering squeezing me in as he's booked up til xmas and rheumy nurse is poorly as I was meant to see her today but they cancelled last week.

    Feeling extremely hormonal, weepy and abandoned to get on with it on my own and slightly sorry for myself.

    But got my Dad coming round to give me a hug.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,057
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jen

    Ah!!!

    Good old Dad :D

    Sorry no-one been any help :( Here's a hug form me too

    ((()))

    I do hope you get maybe the rheumy nusre soon?? Sounds like your best bet. Physio will be too late?? baby due before then??

    Dont feel abadndoned - we are still here

    Love

    Toni xx
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Sorry to hear that your doctor couldn't help. Hopefully you'll see the rheumy soon.

    In the meantime take care. Your dad sounds lovely.

    Sharmaine

    jenzie06 wrote:
    Unfortunately doc was as useful as choc teapot. Hadn't a clue so plumped for RA flare, which I knew I was having anyway. Referred me for physio who can't fit me in til April and rang rhuemy who needs a fax from Gp before considering squeezing me in as he's booked up til xmas and rheumy nurse is poorly as I was meant to see her today but they cancelled last week.

    Feeling extremely hormonal, weepy and abandoned to get on with it on my own and slightly sorry for myself.

    But got my Dad coming round to give me a hug.
  • suziev
    suziev Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jenzie06 wrote:
    before the baby is due and after a month of feeling pretty good arthritis-wise I'm starting to have a flare. Eek!

    My hands are getting worse and my feet and left ankle are killing me. I'm very achy and my left knee is agony (slightly concerned I might have hurt it properly rather than 'just' RA).
    In addition, I've got a big bump and in the last few days my lower back is very painful (think the ligaments have loosened up). I can no longer put on my socks myself and have had to resort to slip on shoes. I have indigestion most of the time, have big braxton hicks frequently and can't get comfortable as I can't turn over easily therefore I'm not sleeping.

    And breathe.....

    This is it til the baby is born right? Any suggestions to make myself more comfortable? Should I risk getting another steroid inj this close to the delivery?

    Jen

    oh bless you, you have the pre baby blues, it's never easy the last couple of months and with the arthritis as well, i hope the flare is short and like everyone says is rest, you right it is boring and in the later stages of my pregnancy i watch lots of films. your nearly there pet and this baby is worth it i promise.
    suzie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jenzie,

    I can't help but just sending you a (((( )))) and its not too much longer flower. Don't do too much and try and keep the knee moving but not with too much weight on it is about the best I can think of except the cold or heat therapy. I really hope the gp will send the fax and the rumo will be able to help you though. Cris x

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