Advice?- Psoriatic Arthritis Preganacy & caring for baby

charlielou86

Hi All
I have just found this website and been reading a lot of discussions so hoping people may be able to share suggestions with me.
I am lucky enough to have found the man of my dreams, we got married in July, and since becoming engaged in 2010 have started the preparations to begin a family.
I have Psoriatic Arthritis diagnosed about 3 years ago now after wrongfully being diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis 10+ years ago. It has been very difficult to live with especially when lots of people dont understand it. Last November I came of Leflunomide as I was told I need to be off it a year, on my most recent appointment with rheum I have been advised it now states two years and therefore I am currently on a wash out treatment. I came off Methotrexate and Embrel after the wedding. I am taking minimal pain relief, but as I have been flaring for the last 6 weeks I have been relying heavily on codeine which I have been told is ok until I become preganant. Never sure what to believe as I get so much conflicting information. IE - Ibuprofen, 1 person told me to take it if needed but try not to over use it and the other person told me to take it regularly. Got to love the NHS!!!
On top of this they find I have a Vitamin D deficiency which obviously isnt helping. I have been off work for 6 weeks and concerned about this, work are very good but this is a long period of absence.

Anyway I have prepared to get pregnant and once we start trying I am praying it happens quickly as I keep being told it will relieve my arthritis symptoms, if this is true I might have to produce enough kids for a football team, LOL! My main concern and a concern my parents have raised with me is how am i going to manage to care for a baby, especially in a flare up like now when I can barely look after myself.

Sorry to rant, nice to know somewhere where I can say things and know people will understand, i'm 25 but feel 80 most of the time, try to stay positive but it does get you low! So please any advise on things I can do to help my symptoms currently, what I can do throughout the preganancy and how I can adapt my lifestyle to care for the baby once it arrives. Suggestions, advice and experiences all welcomed.

Thanks
Charlotte xxx

woodbon

Hello, Welcome to the Forum, I'm glad you've found it and hope that you find it useful. We have lots of people with all sorts of things going on.
I'm afraid I can't help you with the medical side of things as I don't have quite the same as you and so the medication is different and anyway, at 56, I think it would be a bit of a shock to everyone if I got pregnant!!!!lol
It sounds as if you are doing all the right things medically speaking, but its annoyingly typical that the NHS have not given you clear advice as to what you should and should not take and for how long, typical though. Do you have a GP or nurse that you really trust and who is easy to talk to? As medical advice is important at the moment. As for coping, some of the people on here have families and cope with severe arthritis I've never had children - nothing to do with arthritis - but lots of ladies, as I said do manage. Someone with that experience will be along soon I'm sure. Also the Helpline who's numbers is at the top of the page, is very useful and have lots of advice and information they can give you, so do use them.
I hope you will soon find the advice and information you need and Good Luck! Lots of love Sue xxxx
PS WHAT ABOUT THE MUMSNET site? They should have experience of bringing up children, more than me!!!!

stlucia

Hello,

I'm in the same position as you actually and would be happy to chat through stuff if you think that might help. Have a look on the TTC with health problems on the Babycentre website. If it helps too, this is a link to my new blog (eek all shiny and new and I have NO idea what I am doing!) http: link removed in accordance with Arthritis Care online forum guidlines MOD ECM
Lucia x

stlucia

Hello,

The link to the pregnancy and arthritis blog can now be found on my profile page. I broke the rules without realising! Very sorry to all!

xx

hileena111

Hi
Welcome to the forum and I hope you get the advice you need on here
Sorry I cant help with that side of it...I've got OA in hips, spine, andkle and neck.....
It looks as if you have found someone who feels the same as you so why dont you pm each other

Love
Hileena

charlielou86

Thank you all for your kind replies and your advice on sites which may help xx

claireb123

I can completely sympathise with you as I am experiencing almost exactly the same situation.

I got married in July, was diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis 7 years ago. I am 26. We wat to concieved, so two months ag I came off Embrol and Methotrexate. I have managed 6 weeks and have had a big flare up.I a strong does of steroids on Monday, and this has done noting to help. I have been off work for a week. This morning my husband had to push the tablets out of the packet for me, as I was unable to do this. I am completely dependent on him at present.

I have reached a crossroads becuase I don't think there is anything else I an take (I have also been having 2 x 600mg Ibruprofen n top of this).
I'v been very upset about this today, becuase it has been 4 days with no sign of relief. I don't know where this leaves me. It makes me sad that we havn't even got to conception stage and I have problems. We still have 4 months to go before we could even think of this.

I'm starting to think this is all down to luck. Any ideas anyone? This would all be ok to put up with, if I didnt have a full time Science teaching job to hold down. I am caught between my work responsibilities and the desire to have a child.

millie78

Hi there I have ra although only recently diagnosed I showed first symptoms 8 years ago after first child was born. The reason I've only recently sought help is because I've had 3 more children and you're right pregnancy totally hid my symptoms. It was so wonderful is be tempted to have more just to get 9 months of normality. But sadly I have had massive flare UPS after each birth and yes it was scary not being able to lift my crying baby or carry them when they needed it.
But I wouldn't choose not to have children because of it. I think I changed as a parent and u do just manage it until someone comes to take over and then is my moment to break down the children give me strength.
I suppose trying to fins positives for u the advantage of already diagnoses is u can get straight back on meds after birth and hopfully keep it under control.
Very happy to chat some more. Best of luck x