Trouble conceiving with auto immune arthritis?

Claire38

Haven't written anything on the forum for quite a while, but feeling so down and fed up just recently.

Been trying to conceive now for nearly a year, with no luck. I've had a really rough few months with pain, and 4 months ago started Sulfasalizine. For the fist couple of months I continued to be in agony. Painful joints every where, and really bad costo. After 3 months the pain seemed to ease a bit and I thought finally some thing might be working, but now it's flaring up again. Lots of pain, and the morning stiffness getting much worse.

Just so fed up with being in pain all the time, and every month that goes by it gets harder and harder to bare as yet again I find out I'm still not pregnant.

I have my next rheumy appointment on 9th September, and was hoping so much to be able to go and say yes the sulfasalzine has really helped, I'm in less pain, and I'm pregnant. But that's not going to happen. I guess they'll still suggest the Leflunomide, as this seems to what they want me to go on. I still don't think I'm ready to give up trying for a family yet and go on the Leflunomide. I'd so love to have a family. Although I'm getting close to thinking this is never going to happen anyway.

My GP has just organised a load of blood tests as the first step to looking into fertility, and moving towards a specialist fertility referral. My partner is also doing his tests.

I guess at the end of the day I've got quite a few things stacked against me getting pregnant. My age, my pain, auto immune disease, being on lots of meds (I'm on: sulfazalizine, Tramadol, Omeprazole, Zopiclone, Folic acid, occasional codine when pain really bad, and intermittent IM steroid injections when pain very bad), etc etc. I just wish for once my body would do what it's supposed to and let me have a family!!

Has anyone else with AS, PsA etc had problems conceiving, and do you know if there is a direct correlation with the disease, meds etc and not being able to conceive. I guess I know the answer anyway.....there is no evidence either way from what I can see in the literature I've found/seen.

Just so fed up with life being so unfair!!

DebbieT

Hi,

I can't offer anything but encouragement & a ((((hug))))

I have PsA but married at 17 & I had our 4 kids by 24 so it was b4 it had kicked in, actually I didn't get psoriasis until my 25th birthday either ... I was very lucky!!

I think starting the process towards referral is probably wise. I'm sure GP knows wots best time wise too.

As for meds ... I don't think ul be allowed any of those meds during a pregnancy, well perhaps 2 of them folic acid & maybe sulf as they've given it to you whilst you try? Ru prepared for a life & pregnancy being completely med free? I know psoriasis can clear up or flare during pregnancy so I hope its the same for PsA.

The very best of luck with it all. Ure brave!! (((( )))) xxx

L1985

Hi hun

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you are having.

I just want to say don't give up hope I have graves, Pcos and lupus and was told I'd never have kids. I have two children and currently 9 weeks pregnant.

I was very symptomatic when fell pregnant and I'm actually surprised I have managed it. I'm still on my medication as mine is OK to take aza and plaquinel. Better check with your specialist if your meds are OK.

Good luck and hope you get your positive test soon

Xxx

stickywicket

I never had trouble conceiving. In fact, but for contraceptives, I'd probably have been like my grandmother who had 9 surviving children. I don't know if any of the meds are supposed to hinder conception. I think you'd need to ask your rheumatologist about that one. We have had quite a few 'forum babies' though. One thing that won't help though is stress. You are clearly, and understandably, stressing about this. I wish I knew the answer to that.

Toots

Can't really help Claire, although as stickywicket already mentioned, stress can be a huge contributory factor when trying to conceive. I hope the blood tests etc shed some light and that you can get some advice from your rheumy. Sending you hugs in the meantime x

DebraKelly

To be honest I didn't even get that far when I came off the Meth in March to try and start a family.

I made it as far as July and had to go back at on the Meth as the Sulpha wasn't doing anything for me.

I practically couldn't walk and and was in so much pain it was unbearable, so made the difficult decision to back on the Meth.

However I am back at my consultant in Oct so going to see if we can try something else rather than the Meth and the Sulpha but I am not sure what there is.

I am lot better now I am back on the Meth, but really disappointed that I had to go back on it.

Keep trying though! There must be hope for some of us!