Hello

Welcome Greetings and Introductions
1

I was diagnosed in 2007 after being misdiagnosed with tendinitis, seeing numerous doctors who literally shrugged their shoulders and an employer who told me no one else would employee me. I felt lost and alone. Both my wrists, knees, ankles and certain fingers and toes were stiff, swollen and painful.

I was put on Salazapyrin and eventually showed signs of mild liver damage, when my Rheumy kept me on the same dose and added Plequenil to the mix I decided to change Rhemuatologists.

My new Rheumy put me on Methotrexate and Prednisolone then added Arava, after awhile he decided to put me on Humira. I only had two injections before I started showing side effects that might be affecting my nervous system, and with multiple sclerosis in my family it was decided I should go off it.

After that I started to feel better. Eventually joining a gym with friends and seeing a trainer. I wasn't stiff in the morning, had some mild pain in my elbow and swelling in a few fingers. I honestly thought the worst was behind me.

My husband and I had been talking about having children and, knowing the effects of the medication I was taking, started to discuss our options. From September 2012 my Rheumy started to reduce my doses and in October this year stopped the Arava and Methotrexate, putting me back on Salazapyrin and Prednisolone. Once I had adjusted to that medication we would begin the "flush out". Three weeks in I started to notice pain in my wrists and knees again. By the next fortnight it felt worse than ever, but every day it seemed like a new area was affected while another was feeling better. It's in my wrists, elbows, knees, fingers, hands, feet, toes and jaw.

I went back to see my Rheumy who advised me to continue with my flush out and put me on Simponi. I have my first injection on Friday and am starting to worry that I may never get a chance to fall pregnant.

While I have no issues if I'm having to deal with medication and side effects it's the last thing I would want an unborn child to deal with. So if anyone has fallen pregnant while still being treated, or if you could just share your pregnancy story I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Charmaine xoxo

2

Hi!! Welcome. I am over the baby hill but I am sure you will get some people who have experience or can tell you what they know. Have you asked your dr about the meds and babies? That’s so exciting for you! Best of luck!!!

3

Hi Charmaine, welcome, I'm new here too. I can't help with the pregnancy question either but from what I've seen so far in this community there will be someone who has travelled the same road and will be able to share their experience and point you in the right direction.

4

It's good that you're being proactive about it. Did you do an active flush for the leflunomide? That takes a long time to clear out of your system on its own.

I was lucky enough to have had my second child prior to being diagnosed, so I didn't have this issue. I did breastfeed while taking meds. I took NSAIDs and plaquenil. Again, my timing was good that I didn't have to add in another DMARD until I was good and ready to wean (my son was 5yrs old).

Definitely keep talking to your doctor about planning for a pregnancy. You may also want to ask about the likelihood of a remission during pregnancy. It isn't uncommon for women with autoimmune diseases to have a remission during pregnancy. So it may be more of a question of getting you to the point of ready to be pregnant more than anything else. You'll also want to talk about medication after pregnancy, since if you are planning to breastfeed, there are some medications that are not compatible with breastfeeding. (You can contact your local La Leche League, but if I remember correctly, plaquenil is compatible with breastfeeding, as are most of the TNF inhibitors. I know a woman who has Crohn's disease and uses humira. Not sure if she used it while pregnant, but she's definitely using it while breastfeeding.

I did a quick bit of research about it, and the molecules are considered too big to enter the milk, but there is not sufficient research to claim that they are completely safe.