I am 11 weeks pregnant, and I am having a major flare up. It feels like someone took a sledge hammer to my hips, lower back, and SI joints. I'm having a hard time walking. I was taking Remicade, but when I found out I was pregnant I stopped. I'm currently on 8mg of prednisone a day. I've put a call into my Rheumatologist, and I'm waiting to hear back. Has anyone taken Remicade while pregnant? I don't want to go back on the medication, but I know that being in this much pain is also extremely bad for the baby, and clearly Tylenol is like taking a sugar pill. I welcome any advice!
What does your rheumatologist think? I’m in the process of weaning off medications so that I can start trying to get pregnant, and my doctors have different ideas about what meds are ok. I think it’s best to make that kind of decision with your doctor(s) and family. I hope you can get some relief though! There is some data available for biological meds and pregnancy, but your rheumatologist would know your situation best.
Teachgirl, sorry that you are flaring when you should enjoying the anticipation of a new family member. There isn’t all that much information on PsA and pregnancy here, but we are working on an article about pregnancy and breastfeeding and it should be up soon. As rosen already said, only you can find the answer that you, your family and your rheumatologist are comfortable with.
I know the kind of pain you are having and you’re right, Tylenol doesn’t help me that much either.
Many women find that they go into remission during pregnancy. I hope that happens to you. Like, today!
Keep a look out for the article, coming soon.
Rosen:
I'm set to see my rheumatologist on Thursday, thank goodness. I actually called her and my OB. The rheumatologist didn't get back to me yet today, but my OB did. She prescribed Norco. I asked if there was any risk to the baby, and she told me no. I still hate having to take medication, but at this point I really don't have any choice. I'm on antibiotics for a sinus infection (thank you steriods), and I think that being sick kicked in the flare up. I'm hoping that in the next few weeks the pregnancy hormones will help knock down the arthritis. I went off as many meds as I could before we started trying, and as soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped the Remicade. I hear that tons of people get relief during pregnancy, so I'm hoping for that.
Good luck trying to get pregnant! Have fun and don't let it stress you out. It took us 6 months, which was tough. Everyone I knew was getting pregnant on the first or second try. I highly recommend using an ovulation kit. After 5 months my OB suggested it and of course that was the month I got pregnant.
rosen said:
What does your rheumatologist think? I'm in the process of weaning off medications so that I can start trying to get pregnant, and my doctors have different ideas about what meds are ok. I think it's best to make that kind of decision with your doctor(s) and family. I hope you can get some relief though! There is some data available for biological meds and pregnancy, but your rheumatologist would know your situation best.
Seenie:
Thank you for the support. I'm almost into my second trimester, and my fingers are crossed that the hormones reduce the arthritis soon! I just want to enjoy this pregnancy so badly, and I don't want to do anything to hurt my baby.
Seenie said:
Teachgirl, sorry that you are flaring when you should enjoying the anticipation of a new family member. There isn't all that much information on PsA and pregnancy here, but we are working on an article about pregnancy and breastfeeding and it should be up soon. As rosen already said, only you can find the answer that you, your family and your rheumatologist are comfortable with.
I know the kind of pain you are having and you're right, Tylenol doesn't help me that much either.
Many women find that they go into remission during pregnancy. I hope that happens to you. Like, today!
Keep a look out for the article, coming soon.
Here's the amazing brand spanking new post on pregnancy, brastfeeding, and PsA: http://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/forum/topics/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-psa-1
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I hope you get the pregnancy-induced remission we all hope for! I've found that the first 12 weeks are usually difficult, with things improving greatly thereafter! I hope the same goes for you and you don't have long until you're feeling like new and are able to enjoy the pregnancy!
Thanks for the tip! Congratulations, by the way! I hope everything starts mellowing out for you soon. :)
Teachgirl21 said:
Rosen:
I'm set to see my rheumatologist on Thursday, thank goodness. I actually called her and my OB. The rheumatologist didn't get back to me yet today, but my OB did. She prescribed Norco. I asked if there was any risk to the baby, and she told me no. I still hate having to take medication, but at this point I really don't have any choice. I'm on antibiotics for a sinus infection (thank you steriods), and I think that being sick kicked in the flare up. I'm hoping that in the next few weeks the pregnancy hormones will help knock down the arthritis. I went off as many meds as I could before we started trying, and as soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped the Remicade. I hear that tons of people get relief during pregnancy, so I'm hoping for that.
Good luck trying to get pregnant! Have fun and don't let it stress you out. It took us 6 months, which was tough. Everyone I knew was getting pregnant on the first or second try. I highly recommend using an ovulation kit. After 5 months my OB suggested it and of course that was the month I got pregnant.
rosen said:What does your rheumatologist think? I'm in the process of weaning off medications so that I can start trying to get pregnant, and my doctors have different ideas about what meds are ok. I think it's best to make that kind of decision with your doctor(s) and family. I hope you can get some relief though! There is some data available for biological meds and pregnancy, but your rheumatologist would know your situation best.