Re: Any Mums or Mum to be with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

H

HappySammiay

New Member
Hi All

Just wondering any mums or mums to be in this forum have this condition but have been successful in conceiving? Did a search thru the forums but did not get much info.

Abit about myself - have had this condition for sometime perhaps almost 10 yrs - an autoimmune condition which requires long term medication. Recently begun to contemplate family planning.
Switched to less potent medication about 2 years ago (about 4-5 types of drugs available in Singapore for this condition)

Solved endo last year with keyhole as well on advice of gynae. So all went well - due to age (now mid 30s) gynae suggested accelerate to IVI asap. Did 2 rounds in June and July. Both didn't succeed unfortunately :( haiz.. The injections during the IVI cycles also made the PMS immediately after the failed IVI's a trip to hell!!

Now at dilemma - TCM or try IVI again or???

So was wondering if any successful mummies out there with Rheumatoid Arthritis can share the success stories - success path/ how many tries etc.. Good to have some motivation!
 


My case is not entirely similar to yours, but I think I have mild Rheumatoid Arthritis - my fingers were starting to get swollen and painful, especially at the joints, to such an extent that they were becoming a bit out of shape. For the past one year, I have been seeing a RA specialist and on medication Plaquenil and vitamin D and later some autoimmune medication. I've also had several steroid injections at the finger joints to help the swelling subside.

I went through IUIs and IVFs in 2007-2009, and never had any success except one ectopic pregnancy. Then in May this year, I found out I was pregnant (conceived naturally) and am today about 23 weeks. I have since stopped the RA medication.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi Rehdeer

Many thanks for your reply and sharing and congratulations on the good news! I was on cyclosporine but have now stopped and just take prednisone.

So it was not an issue whilst on RA medication while trying to get pregnant. How do you cope without any RA medication at the moment? The symptoms went away during the pregnancy?

Thanks for sharing!
 
When I first tested positive, I stopped the RA medication. Later I called the RA specialist and we agreed to stop the medication during the first trimester. However, I haven't started the medication again because surprisingly the fingers are all doing well - no swell no pain. But then mine is a mild case, and before testing positive, I had steroid injections for all swollen fingers. Maybe that helped bring the swell and pain down. But I'll have to go back to the RA specialist (maybe after delivery) and see what's the plan moving forward.

How's the RA affecting you physically? You're very young to be suffering from RA huh... I thought I was young (40yo), but you're even younger!

If you don't have fertility issues, I suggest to relax and try naturally first. With so many medications going into your body - RA meds plus IVF injections, may be too much for your body to cope.
 
Hi

I have suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was in my mid 20s - I'm already 31 - and also went through almost the same troubles as you. I went to see different gynaes to ask for their opinion on what I should do. Unfortunately, none of those I consulted were able to give me the solution needed. So that is when I opted to see a Rheumatology specialist. I went to see Dr. Leong. He was the 4th Rheumatologist I consulted from what I recall.

Long story short. He was a big help in what I was going through. Already had 2 successful pregnancies since then. I still see him in his clinic from time to time. I think this is his current website http://www.leongkenghong.com/index.html you can check it out if you like.

I hope this helps somehow.
 
I have a positive ANA and rheumatologist doesn’t know what is the problem. I had a miscarriage beginning of 2019 and now I want to TTC but terrified of possibility of another miscarriage because of the ANA levels. My joints hurt and doctor will be doing an ultrasound on my joints soon. Did you have to do anything before TTC? Or only after positive pregnancy test?
 
Blessed daughter said:
I have a positive ANA and rheumatologist doesn’t know what is the problem. I had a miscarriage beginning of 2019 and now I want to TTC but terrified of possibility of another miscarriage because of the ANA levels. My joints hurt and doctor will be doing an ultrasound on my joints soon. Did you have to do anything before TTC? Or only after positive pregnancy test?
Click to expand...

Hi, I know of a China lady Gynae who may know about this. Let me check with her n see what advise she will give
 
Hi there! I’m a mum-to-be with RA. Have been living with RA for around 5/6 years. In my mid 30s as well, and currently 4+ month pregnant with my first child. Arrcording to my rheumatologist, RA should not affect a woman’s chance of getting pregnant; and my gynecologist confirms that. So try to relax! Just FYI, my pregnancy is natural, and baby so far all scans and iGene test seems to be normal. If u wish to talk more, feel free to pm me! I have no friend with RA at the moment so would be more than happy to talk with someone with similar condition.
 
Barbarbella said:
Hi there! I’m a mum-to-be with RA. Have been living with RA for around 5/6 years. In my mid 30s as well, and currently 4+ month pregnant with my first child. Arrcording to my rheumatologist, RA should not affect a woman’s chance of getting pregnant; and my gynecologist confirms that. So try to relax! Just FYI, my pregnancy is natural, and baby so far all scans and iGene test seems to be normal. If u wish to talk more, feel free to pm me! I have no friend with RA at the moment so would be more than happy to talk with someone with similar condition.
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hi!! Congrats on your pregnancy and good test results!
Actually I didn’t have difficulty getting pregnant. I have 2 kids, trying for #3. But seems like after #2, I developed pains in joints and eventually a positive ANA and negative everything else with no diagnosis. How Long did it take for your RA to be diagnosed? Do you need any medication during pregnancy or before conceiving?
 
I have been taking more or less the same RA medications before and during pregnancy. When I told my rheumatologist that I’m trying for a baby, the only medication that my doc has to take off the “menu” is Methotrexate (MTX). My doc prescribed Azathioprine instead, which works just as well as MTX for me.
My RA actually seems to be in remission after I got pregnant, which is common for many preggers with RA as well. But still need to continue with the medication to prevent a flare.
I don’t quite recall how fast I was diagnosed, but I remember going through 2 different blood test (RA factor and anti-ccp), and both came out positive. I had a flare at that time on one of my finger joints. The doc confirm the diagnosis with a CT scan.
 
Last edited:
Barbarbella said:
I have been taking more or less the same RA medications before and during pregnancy. When I told my rheumatologist that I’m trying for a baby, the only medication that my doc has to take off the “menu” is Methotrexate (MTX). My doc prescribed Azathioprine instead, which works just as well as MTX for me.
My RA actually seems to be in remission after I got pregnant, which is common for many preggers with RA as well. But still need to continue with the medication to prevent a flare.
I don’t quite recall how fast I was diagnosed, but I remember going through 2 different blood test (RA factor and anti-ccp), and both came out positive. I had a flare at that time on one of my finger joints. The doc confirm the diagnosis with a CT scan.
Click to expand...
Great that it’s all good with your pregnancy now. Enjoy it! I miss being pregnant, and I was really so disappointed with my miscarriage. I am hoping to try again... age and health must also permit...
Recently having hair loss, I don’t know if it is due to recent miscarriage or ANA levels.
 
Blessed daughter said:
Great that it’s all good with your pregnancy now. Enjoy it! I miss being pregnant, and I was really so disappointed with my miscarriage. I am hoping to try again... age and health must also permit...
Recently having hair loss, I don’t know if it is due to recent miscarriage or ANA levels.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your well wishes! Hope you’ll feel better soon! May I know if u still have any pain in your joints? If so, did your doc prescribe anything for the pain?
 
Barbarbella said:
Does the supplement help?
My doc told me that it is important to control the RA at early stage, cos it will affect the prognosis in the long run...
Click to expand...
Hmm actually I don’t know if it’s helping, coz the discomfort is randomly bad. The doctor isn’t diagnosing me with anything, just ‘wait and see’ so no actual medication is given. It’s very frustrating feeling not ‘normal’ like something is wrong but don’t know exactly what it is. And I noticed the menstrual cycle affects the pain also, different periods of the cycle will bring more discomfort. My blood tests don’t show anything definite that’s why she won’t medicate me. But really frustrating lor. I don’t understand what’s happening... my last pregnancy was normal and I was fine before that.
 
Blessed daughter said:
Hmm actually I don’t know if it’s helping, coz the discomfort is randomly bad. The doctor isn’t diagnosing me with anything, just ‘wait and see’ so no actual medication is given. It’s very frustrating feeling not ‘normal’ like something is wrong but don’t know exactly what it is. And I noticed the menstrual cycle affects the pain also, different periods of the cycle will bring more discomfort. My blood tests don’t show anything definite that’s why she won’t medicate me. But really frustrating lor. I don’t understand what’s happening... my last pregnancy was normal and I was fine before that.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps you would like to consider seeing another rheumatologist for a second opinion? RA does occur very sudden to women (and sometimes men) either at their 30s or 60s.
 
Barbarbella said:
I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps you would like to consider seeing another rheumatologist for a second opinion? RA does occur very sudden to women (and sometimes men) either at their 30s or 60s.
Click to expand...

This uncertainty is causing a lot of stress, I’m going to see a rheumatologist under TTSH as well and see what they think. My hair loss is really very distressing. Do you suffer from that too?
 
Blessed daughter said:
This uncertainty is causing a lot of stress, I’m going to see a rheumatologist under TTSH as well and see what they think. My hair loss is really very distressing. Do you suffer from that too?
Click to expand...
Hmm I do experience some hair loss, but I believe it is due to the steroid rather than from RA itself. Perhaps stress could be a factor too?
 
Barbarbella said:
Does the supplement help?
My doc told me that it is important to control the RA at early stage, cos it will affect the prognosis in the long run...
Click to expand...

Sorry to interrupt the conversation.
Perhaps, my aunt have similar case as you guys. She had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 11 yrs, and has been on medication to control her condition with ESR reading maintaining at around 100 (below 20 to reduce pain & inflammation to the joints). After she took ageloc supplement and she was mentioned its dropped to 2.
 
I’ve been prescribed Plaquenil although no official diagnosis. I will have to start prednisolone if I get a BFP. The thing is, my Husband is concerned what effect do all these medication have on foetus and growing baby? Our concern is health if baby, and will there be any possible complications in the health of baby after birth? Because gynae always say that it’s best not to take any medication at all during pregnancy.
 
Blessed daughter said:
I’ve been prescribed Plaquenil although no official diagnosis. I will have to start prednisolone if I get a BFP. The thing is, my Husband is concerned what effect do all these medication have on foetus and growing baby? Our concern is health if baby, and will there be any possible complications in the health of baby after birth? Because gynae always say that it’s best not to take any medication at all during pregnancy.
Click to expand...

Hi,
Agreed with your husband concerned.
Because prednisolone seem to have steroid contain according to NHS.uk

Best that try to take good quality multi supplements eg: Coq10, etc to improve your nutrition.

Some sharing from others. (Abit long story but try reach through)
https://community.babycenter.com/post/a33021175/its_possible?cpg=1
 
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