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Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

Last post 11-19-2008 7:35 PM by GenevieveK. 4 replies.
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  • 11-19-2008 9:29 AM

    Sad [:(] Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

    My husband and I have been TTC for a little over a year now. I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 18 (I'm 29 now). I've read some places that it is either hard for people with RA to conceive or sometimes they can't conceive at all. Is there anyone else out there that has RA or knows someone with RA that can give me a little glimmer of hope...maybe we can conceive? I am currently taking 5 mg of Prednisone since that is the only think I can take to stop the swelling and pain. I've read that steroid use should stop too but then I would be in terrible pain since I have stopped all other RA meds (Methotrexate). I am also on Lexapro for my depression and anxiety. I've heard that the benefits to me out weight the risks to the baby. Any one else heard differently?? Gosh, I didn't know this pregnancy thing would cause so much anxiety and depression!!! I am going through so much frustration right now!! I feel like EVERYONE around me is pregnant but me!! Any advice or support is greatly appreciated.
  • 11-19-2008 9:57 AM In reply to

    • sjcush
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 09-19-2006
    • Posts 139

    Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

    My DH has a condition they can't exactly put a finger on...and he's had it for 15 years or so.   He was initially diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, then ankylosing spondylitis, then Chron's, then when they realized it was none of those they diagnosed him with a HLBA27 Reactive arthritis.  He's had surgery to remove inflamed tissue from one of his knees.

    He did try methotrexate for some time, steroids, sulphasalazine, and many, many other things...nothing really worked.  He is now on Remicade (admistered every 8-12 weeks by infusion), and that has FINALLY given him his life back and he has problems only when he waits too long to go in for his meds.  Seriously, he has NO PROBLEMS...no swelling, no pain, his sed rate has been perfect...he calls Remicade his 'cure'.  Remicade is not safe in pregnancy, but there are others in the same category of meds (Humira, Enbrel...maybe other new ones now) that are pregnancy category B...but I think there are a lot of unknowns since these drugs are so new.  It certainly can't hurt to ask your rheumatologist about them though!

    While Lexapro isn't as safe in pg, as Zoloft and a few others I *think*.  I know it's hard because other meds might not work as well as what you are currently on.  However, I do agree that benefits to you definitely outweigh the risks to baby as long as you can find a med you are comfortable with as some do carry higher risks in pregnancy.

    A few websites I found, some say experts disagree whether rheumatoid arthritis reduces fertility in women :

    http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-tips-for-living-8/pregnancy  

    http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=83

    http://arthritis.about.com/cs/preg/a/pregarth.htm

    Good luck to you!!

  • 11-19-2008 9:58 AM In reply to

    Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

    Hi! I am sorry hear that. But I had a good friend that had RA and she had 3kids! So there is hope! Good luck with your TTC journey! ~Jessica

  • 11-19-2008 10:48 AM In reply to

    Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

    Wow, at least those websites sound promising! One even said small amounts of Prednisone won't hurt pregnancy! I feel so much better. I know it's going to take me a little bit longer since I have RA but now I can see there is hope. Please send baby dust my way!!!
  • 11-19-2008 7:35 PM In reply to

    • GenevieveK
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 07-30-2005
    • Mom to Andrew, Eleanor, and Henry #4 due 8/3/2009
    • Posts 1,096

    Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis and TTC

    I have no info on RA, but I wanted to wish you all the best and send you tons of *~Baby Dust*~

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