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Megan Female
Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:22 PM


 

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Last Login: Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:13 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 3
Hello everyone! My name is Megan I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with polyarticular JRA at age 2 this is my first time coming to this site but I need some advice. I am actually having a baby in August and before getting pregnant I researched the effects of pregnancy on people with RA. I found that most sites said that my JRA should go away during pregnancy. Now at 30 weeks pregnant I still have swollen joints although its not as bad as I thought considering im not on any meds and have gained 20 pounds I still didnt know if anyone has experienced having arthritis symptoms throughout pregnancy despite the advice that RA should go away. Also, the more I research about having a baby I feel that there is a strong bias for mothers to breastfeed. I was not sure what to do because my rhumatologist said RA gets much worse afterward so I dont know if I should breastfeed and not go on my meds because its better for the baby or if I should do what is better for me and bottlefeed so that I may start taking my medications after delivery.. any advice?
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Grandpavan
Posted Friday, May 22, 2009 12:04 AM


 

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Last Login: Today @ 2:17 PM
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I can't answer your question but there are several recent mothers on the RA Connect board who have regular RA and they may give you their answers if you post there also.  God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter.  Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.
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rachrobbins
Posted Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:12 AM


 

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Last Login: Thursday, June 18, 2009 5:53 AM
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First of all, Congratulations!!!

I'm sorry I can't answer your question either. My husband and I are planning ahead and I would like to know what you find out. I'm going to a new rheum. dr. next Thursday and will talk to her about it. I'll let you know what I find out.
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Jen Roth
Posted Sunday, June 21, 2009 4:31 PM


 

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Last Login: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 2:51 PM
Posts: 2, Visits: 15
Hi Megan!

Congrats on your pregnancy! I know everyone is different, but here's my story if it helps at all. I was diagnosed with systemic JRA when I was nine and now have two great kids! With the first, I got pregnant when I was 30. My arthritis went almost into remission and I was able to manage pain with only tylenol (which had never been the case before pregnancy). But after having the baby, my arthritis did get worse and I ended up making the difficult decision when my son was 5 months to stop nursing so I could resume my meds. My doctors and the pediatrician felt that it was more important for me to be healthy than to breastfeed if it meant more damage to my joints and overall health.

However, with my second pregnancy, which was a girl, I had a lot more difficulty. The pregnancy went very well, but my joints were a mess. I ended up on prednisone and tylenol with codiene to manage the pain. However, after I delivered, I felt a lot better! And with my daughter, I breastfed for 9 months. I don't know if the gender of the baby made a difference, or if it was just timing. But with both pregnancies I had totally different experiences.

I can tell you one thing for sure though - it was all worth it, and I'd do it all over again!
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Nicole Not Specified
Posted Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:21 AM


 

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Last Login: Thursday, October 15, 2009 12:52 PM
Posts: 49, Visits: 122
Well I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks after finding out I had RA. So all I was ever able to take was prednisone and tylenol. I took prednisone my entire pregnancy because unfortunately I did not go into remission. Still haven't to this day. I now have a 11 week old health baby boy, but chose not to breast feed because I was anxious to start something other than just prednisone. My pregnancy was very painful to just do day to day chores, including walking. I did not really know how RA was not being pregnant due to the fact I was dx right when I got pregnant. But for these past 11 weeks my RA is still not under control. But good luck and congrats!
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Sonya459
Posted Wednesday, August 05, 2009 3:30 PM


 

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Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:31 PM
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Megan, congratulations on your pregnancy; whether you choose to breastfeed or not is a personal choice.  I have been blessed and have been able to breastfeed all three of my girls for a full year while working, but I have known many mothers that have stopped for personal reasons before that and their children are just as healthy or healthier as mine.  Do not feel that you have to breastfeed, do what is best for you.  Also, say you do decide you would like to try and only make it a week or even an hour, so be it. 

Again, do what you feel is best for you, there will be BF snobs out there, but keeping yourself healthy is just as important as the health of your child. 

I wish you the best.

Sonya
Mom to Cassie, 5, diagnosed 14 months.

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