Hello! Keen to share a few arthritis worries...

Harri24

Hi all, I was diagnosed with arthritis at just 2 years of age, and now 27, I have a Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis with the condition present in pretty much every joint (except my elbows!).

I've managed to maintain a reasonably active life thanks to consistent medication and although I am going through a tough time at the moment with my joints I'm keen to start my new journey on a new medication as I am switching to the infusions.

A question I have always had, is about pregnancy, and the chance of giving the condition to my children. I'm now at the stage with my partner where we are settling down and in a few years looking to start a family, but it concerns me whether I will be passing my condition down to them? Would love to have a chat about this with the community and if there is any advice/stories to listen to.

Thank you :)

noddingtonpete

Hello @Harri24 and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that you will experience that as well.

I understand that you have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since you were two and now looking to start a family. Have a look through the following from our website

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/pregnancy/

and also from the NHS

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/causes/#:~:text=your%20genes%20%E2%80%93%20there's%20some%20evidence,small%20role%20in%20the%20condition

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well.

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

stickywicket

You are very wise and thoughtful to be considering all this well in advance. There are, or have been, several,people on here like me who have had children and RA. I think the evidence is that RA is complicated. There is probably a genetic disposition but then it must be triggered by an environmental factor. Actually, I think the genetic disposition is to autoimmune disease rather than just RA.

Neither of my sons, now either side of 50, have RA but they both had asthma, another autoimmune disease, as kids , one gets hayfever in summer and the other cannot eat gluten without coming out in a vicious rash relieved only by steroids. But, both are very healthy.

I know of two former members on here whose children (one each) have RA. But also several who don't. My genetic grandson (the other is adopted) is 13 and very sporty. No RA there.

Pregnancy itself is very different now to when I had mine. The only meds permitted then were soluble aspirin. I didn't need it first time. My RA disappeared for 9 months. Not so with the second. Ouch!. There was no third. Like many mothers I flared badly after giving birth on both occasions. I had to accept all the help I could get. And dealing with a baby, or worse in some ways, a toddler, is difficult and can be painful. But.....but.......my sons have grown up to be good, kind men and excellent Dads.

Only you, and your partner, can decide what's best. Whatever you decide I wish you the very best of luck.