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Christina78
Posted Friday, January 26, 2007 10:09 AM


 

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I have seen so many responses from people who have had miscarriages and are unable to become pregnant after being on various drugs. I desperately want to start a family with my husband. We tried for a while- I stopped Arava and after a year of not conceiving my RA symptoms worsened and my doctor encouraged me to go back on medication. Now I am on methotrexate. I am so depressed about it, but at the same time I am trying to be hopeful that some day I will be able to have a child. It is so hard to look at people who get pregnant so easily- I never thought it would be like this when I was younger.
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Michelle81
Posted Friday, January 26, 2007 10:48 AM


 

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You are not alone. I've been trying for 5 yrs and found out in October that I have PsA. I talked to my Rheumy about my desire to have children and we decided to start on "safe" medicines (if there is a such thing). He didn't want to try methotrexate b/c it can cause defects in babies and you have to go off it for, I believe, 6 months before you can try to conceive. It's depressing yes, and I'm still in pain waiting for the slower medicine to start working. This is a great place to vent.
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Happymom
Posted Saturday, January 27, 2007 8:46 PM


 

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Have you had your hormone levels checked, I had to be on progesterone to sustain my pregnancies. My lab work did not indicate a low progesterone level, but this was the 1st non invasive method we tried and it worked.
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jenh72
Posted Thursday, February 15, 2007 2:34 PM


 

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It is so interesting to read your responses here. I have been trying to get pregnant for about 2 years. I have had the HSG test which was normal and I have had a normal progesterone level. My doctor has prescribed clomid but I have only done 1 round of it. Meanwhile, I am hearing conflicting thoughts about medications during pregnancy. My rheumatologist says prednisone is safe, however, the ob/gyn says that it causes birth defects. What have you all heard. I am frustrated because I am flaring and really reluctant to take any meds. At this point, I need to hear from other people who are in the same boat as me. I do not have many personal contacts that have arthritis and know what I am going through. Thanks!!!!
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sis
Posted Friday, February 16, 2007 3:38 PM


 

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I just recently turned thirty and for the past three years I have been putting off going on the medications that my rheumatologist has been pushing because I want to start a family, yet meanwhile, the desease is running me over, and I know there is irreparable damage being done. I just dont trust those heavy duty medications, even for myself, although in the long run I know they will help improve the quality of my life, or theoritically anyway. Lately I have become increasingly disheartened and depressed I almost want to give in and take the drugs. This is why I started looking on line for support. I am glad to find this discussion, and I am going to keep hoping and struggling.
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teresa102
Posted Friday, February 16, 2007 7:30 PM


 

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just read all of your posts and was relieved as I have looked here before and there is not much discussion about this. I will soon be 37, have inflammatory arthritis for 4 years. TTC for baby #2. Our son was conceived through IUI with Clomid (on the second try) I was only on 5 mg of Prednisone then and remitted during pregnancy. Have put off going on a stronger med since my RE will not allow it and unfortunately just went thru our first failed IVF cycle. DH and I decided we would do 1 or 2 more IVF cycles and if no luck then it will be time to go on a TNF alpha inhibitor as I can't go on like this much longer. If anyone needs support - please post...
Teresa
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teresa102
Posted Friday, February 16, 2007 7:36 PM


 

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Jennifer
I have been treated by two Rheumy's thus far... one in NYC and currently one in Boston (both who specialize in women with autoimmune issues who are trying to conceive). Both have told me the same thing - the safest thing while TTC and during pregnancy would be Prednisone. Research thus far on the TNF alpha inhibitors has proven to be safe but most don't recommend them since they are still relatively new.
DH and I have been TTC #2 for 7 months now (on IF treatments) and my current rheumy told me I could take up to 20 mg/day of Prednisone as it is only temporary.

If you want to look at articles by these docs, search by their names (Michael Lockshin, Bonnie Bermas)

Good Luck - I know it's difficult!!
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2Stubborn
Posted Saturday, February 17, 2007 12:59 PM


 

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I just had a little boy last Feb (he will be one this month) and I never thought it would be so hard to be pregnant. He was my third child (I didn't have the PsA with my first 2 pregnancies). It was so much harder to conceive and a really difficult pregnancy. I tood prednisone my entire pregnancy because it was what was "safest" and I couldn't go without meds. By the time my second trimester hit I could barely walk or dress myself. After a lot of discussion back and forth between my rheumy and my OB, I went on Remicade and remained on it throughout the rest of my pregnancy. I was terrified because there isn't much in the way of research to say whether or not it was safe. All I had was my rheumatologist saying he had recently been to a conference and spoken to other rheumys who had given their patients remicade while pregnant with no adverse effects. My husband and I prayed long and hard before making the decision to try it. ....and now....I have a beautiful, intelligent little boy who suffered no adverse effects from my decision. I wish you all the best and just know that whatever decision you make, God is ultimately in control!
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jenh72
Posted Sunday, February 18, 2007 9:52 PM


 

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Thank you to all of you for the encouraging words. It is very difficult for other people to understand what we are going through. I am glad I found this message board. Your posts have given me even more hope. I feel like if I need to go up on my prednisone it will not be a bad thing. I think I need to have my ob and rheumatologist talk. Are any of you seeing high risk ob's? Just curious. Thanks again!!!!
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teresa102
Posted Monday, February 19, 2007 7:04 PM


 

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Jennifer,
first pregnancy (ended in miscarriage) I had my regular OB. Second time around I went with a high risk OB which was a good decision. She worked very closely with my rheumy and thankfully all went well, carried to term a healthy baby boy.

Good luck!

Teresa
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Christina78
Posted Monday, February 19, 2007 10:43 PM


 

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It's so nice to read everyones thoughts on this. I get so frustrated with this topic. I have always wanted a baby and I never thought it would be this difficult. I feel like so many people don't understand- they think it is easy to get pregnant. But they don't have to worry about medications, flare ups and all the rest that comes with RA. I never really thought about looking into a high-risk OB until I read your posts. I think I will try that- I like my current OB/GYN but she openly admits that she does not know much about RA drugs. Good luck to everyone who is trying to conceive!
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2Stubborn
Posted Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:07 AM


 

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I also saw a high risk OB. I feel like he was much more willing to work with my rheumy than the regular OB I was initially seeing. In addition to that, he was always willing to do his own research on the meds and what not and was always sharing what he had found and giving me copies of the articles or medical journals where he got the info from so I could see it for myself. I think that having a high risk OB made all the difference.
Good luck everyone!
Amy
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jenh72
Posted Sunday, March 18, 2007 6:50 PM


 

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I was just wondering if anyone has taken clomid? I am on my third round of it and coming up on my 26th day. Did anyone have weird side effects? Also, has anyone taken clomid with steroids? Just curious. I do not want to get my hopes up but I am having symptoms that are not common for me with PMS. Thanks!!!
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Liora18
Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:31 PM


 

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Hi, I'm new to these boards-but I am feeling very alone in this whole RA/pregnancy world. Going off my meds to try to get pregnant (Enbrel and methotrexate) doesn't at all feel like the happy anticipation that I had hoped, instead I am flaring like crazy and am scared I won't be able to get pregnant and then I will be off the meds even longer than the recommended 4-6 months. My husband doesn't really want to adopt...and the plus of potential remission during pregnancy is something I hope for. I just am worried about going on prednisone because I was kind of psycho the last time I tried it. Any thoughts/suggestions/resources? My male rheumy doesn't seem to respond to my fears. Glad to have found all you strong, brave women!
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Phoebe32
Posted Sunday, April 01, 2007 10:42 PM


 

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I have been on prednisone and at times it has caused depression, as well as all the other unpleasant physical side effects. I have used it with all three of my pregnancies (currently 32 weeks) and have done fine on it. My first 2 girls (who are 4 and 2) arrived healthy at 36 weeks. While this pregnancy has been more difficult, having horrible flair ups in the first trimester, it is going well. I recommend a high risk dr. I never went into remission with either of my prior 2 pregnancies. and have little doubt i will with this one either. I wish this web site would create a chat time for women who are pregnant and who are interested in getting pregnant to chat on line at a specified day and time. Good luck.
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jenh72
Posted Sunday, April 08, 2007 8:38 PM


 

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Hi, I know how you feel!!! I have ankylosing spondylitis which is pretty much treated like RA. Anyway, I have been off of Enbrel since November and just resumed prednisone at the end of January. I am a pretty miserable soul. Maybe you can take very low dose prednisone. I know what you are saying about your OB. My OB does not want me on any meds and my rheumatologist says that prednisone and enbrel are okay. I already feel like I am facing road blocks with getting pregnant, I do not want to risk any birth defects. I am also having trouble getting pregnant so I have been on clomid which makes you equally as crazy as prednisone. I agree with you that this is supposed to be a happy time and it is hard when you feel pretty miserable! I really wish you the best. Please respond. Maybe we can be support for each other.
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yufang150
Posted Sunday, June 01, 2008 6:56 AM


 

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Hi! I am new to the board.
I have been trying to conceive for a year and had a chemical pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage in Feb. I have been off of Arava for almost 2 yrs. I have been on clomid for 3 rounds and had no luck. I am curious to know where do I find a high risk OB? I have also started seeing a fertility dr but everything is normal. I agree that this is very frustrating. Any advice would be great.
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