pregnancy and methotrexate - help!

mcford
mcford Member Posts: 11
edited 15. Feb 2013, 08:59 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello everyone!

I am 31 and have had RA since I was 17 and have been on mtx since then too. My OH and I have decided we would like to try for a baby so after seeing my consultant I came off it at the end of dec 2012.

The advice I was given my my consultant was to be off the mtx for 6 months before we try to conceive but 6 weeks or so in and I am really not doing great. I am on steroids and seeing if these can be increased but while searching the web I saw that lots of people were told that they can try after 3 months. The thought of being in this pain for 6 months fills me with dread but if I could try after 3 then maybe I could manage.

I am so confused as don't want to due anything that could harm a baby but at the same time I feel that if I wait 6 months, I will feel so unwell and my RA will be so active that maybe my body will think that its not healthy enough to carry a baby and so I will find it hard to conceive.

Sorry for the long post, just looking for people's expreiences when they came off the mtx and how long they waited as thinking of going back to speak to my consultant about the time frames.

Thanks

Clare

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Clare

    I have heard this worry before even though it didn't directly affect me and the advice you see is very often contradictory :? .

    In your shoes I would have to ask for an urgent apt with your rheumy or at least rheumy nurse because they may have some other ideas to help you. You can confirm time-frames then and discuss all options meds-wise too

    I really want to wish you the very best of luck nd hope you conceive quickly when you are ready. I also hope for remission during pregnancy for you :)

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • lizzieuk1
    lizzieuk1 Member Posts: 302
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi clare,
    I am currently on preg no.2 ! My first I was in remission before stopping the mtx so came off 5 months before conceiving, the rheumy suggested 3 months was fine then.I had a few aches and pains but was fine overall and had big bouncy baby boy! At 6 weeks post birth I had as steroid depo as started flaring and went back on the mtx so stopped breast feeding then was best for all of us since I could barely pick him up then.

    This time is a whole other story I have been flaring since having ds 2 years ago and so decided to come off mtx and have a go anyway. This time the rheumy said 3 months is unnecessary and they are happy with 1 month so long as you have a normal cycle.- they ideally wanted my ra stable before trying but age is a factor so we decided to carry on.
    So I opted for 2 cycles post stopping I like you was very sore so decided the sooner the better, am 9.5 weeks now and still sore, had a steroid depo just after conception as was suffering, I avoided it before as had read it can delay ovulation as can anti inflammatories though I think the anti inflammatory is the worst offender and there have been reports of increased miscarriage risk- as ever the reports are all different.
    Am hoping for remission but in the mean time seeing the rheumy as think I will need to be on oral steroids to cope.
    Have another chat to the rheum, I think they vary a lot regards this advice though. We have a constant battle with guilt in pregnancy but you have to weigh up the effect the ra is having on you and your baby with all these decisions.

    Good luck, shout if I can help anymore.xx
  • mcford
    mcford Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you both for your replies it has given me lots to think about.

    lkizzieuk1 thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I left a message on my hospitals RA advice line and a nurse should call me tomorrow so hopefully will suggest I come in for an appointment.

    Its such a hard decision to make about the time frame and to be honest I didnt think I would feel this bad this quickly. I am feeling quite upset about it all as when I was first diagnosed at 17 I didn't really think about the whole baby thing and what it would mean for me when I wanted to start trying for one. My sister has just told me she is pregnant and 99% of me is so happy for her and 1% thinks its not fair, I have to go through all this pain before I can have a baby! I know its a stupid thing to think and I am not resentful of my sister at all I just am feeling a bit sorry for myself. :(

    I also worry if I manage to last the 6 months, it could take months after that to get pregnant and that really worries me and is one reason why I would like to start trying a bit earlier.

    Thanks again for your advice and support x
  • lizzieuk1
    lizzieuk1 Member Posts: 302
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah clare it is so hard for us dealing with this as well as the trials of conception, but it is well worth the heartache when you finally have a baby you forget all about the bad times they are so joyful, makes it all the more special. Try to be happy for your sis shell need your support too having a new baby is amazing but still hard work so try to enjoy your new niece/nephew don't let the ra take that away from you its bad enough how it messes with us anyway.
    Try to be positive, I conceived very quickly both times, try using ovulation sticks - cheapies off internet worked fine for me I'm sure thats what made it so quick for us.
    Also many women do go into remission in 2nd trimester so fingers crossed for that, I was def better in preg first time so hope I am this time too.
    Keep your chin up you will get there.xxxx
  • DebraKelly
    DebraKelly Member Posts: 398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am having the same problem, we have also decided to try and have a baby, but won't discuss this until I see my consultant in April.

    But I have already had so many problems with my medication and health over the past few months also had a miscarriage in early December, I am really confused as to what to do, as the Meth does help me.

    The steriod injections should help you too as they do help me.

    But I would speak to a Rhumey Nurse asap. Do you swim? I find swimming really helps me with the pain side of things.
  • LignumVitae
    LignumVitae Member Posts: 1,972
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Clare,
    I was just where you are now a few months back. I didn't realise I could do a withdrawal from mtx in less than 6 months but my rheumy and rheumy nurse both decided after 3 months that the chances of my body retaining its fertility by 6 months due to the onset of my symptoms (steroid injections helped but couldn't hold things) could be slim. Today I am 31 weeks pregnant with twins.
    My nephew arrived at the start of last year and whilst I understand your emotions I will say that he has been a wonderful training aid for me. I know how I can hold a baby in a way that I find least painful, I know that with a big toddler I can entertain them sitting on the floor singing with actions and I know that carrying a baby for long periods isn't really very comfy so I have my ultra padded carrier thing selected on the basis that his wasn't padded enough for me. It has been so helpful and reassuring to find those things out prior to needing to know them...that said, the fact that I will have two to carry and entertain might muddy those lessons a bit!
    Good luck, lots of relaxing, having nice treats, taking time out and trying to stay as calm as possible helped me along with being as healthy as I could with my diet and stuff.
    LV
    Hey little fighter, things will get brighter
  • gemz10
    gemz10 Member Posts: 42
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello there

    Having recently been thinking about starting a family my RA consultant advised that 3 months is the recommended time to wait after coming of methotrexate. I too had been reading up on this on the net but when I asked she confirmed 3 months is ok according to their guidelines.

    I have since decided not to try as I have not been coping these past 2 1/2 months without meth.. despite having sulpha....!!? added to the mix a while back. And due to the fact my husband suffers with depression and anxiety, we do not feel able to cope as between us we are lacking both physical and mental strength and potentially the ability to offer support to one another if we both suffer at the same time. this is a decision we have thought over very much, both in thinking about when to start trying & then to not.

    The consultant did also say that she expected me to go into remission while pregnant & withdraw all meds as most peoples bodies cope well during pregnancy (which again is more reasurring than what you read on the net) :-) I can not however speak from experience, nor be able to offer advice as your journey continues but I would like to wish you all the best & a speedy & healthy pregnancy

    kind regards xx
  • mcford
    mcford Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello

    Thank you to everyone has replied to me. I have been off work for a couple of days and have had my rheumy nurse and a consultant phone me. They have advised me to up my steroids to 7.5mg twice a day for the next 4 days then they are going to get my own rheumy consultant phone me. I have asked the question about 3 months so they are going to get my Dr to talk to me about it

    Thanks again

    Clare