Pregnancy

[Guest guest]

> Renata-

here is the story:

i got off all meds-mtx, enbrel & birth control 4 months prior to trying to

conceive. i got pregnant very quickly, but unfortunately had a miscarriage.

then i had to wait for my cycle to get back to normal-which it did very

quickly-and i got pregnant 3 months later. i had a great pregnancy. it was nice

" not having RA " for 9 months!! it probably helped that i was in a great

remission before- hand.

about 7 weeks post-partum, which is normal, i had a major flare-up. i hadn't

had pain like that in years. but, i got back on my meds asap and got under

control, which meant i couldn't breastfeed. but i had decided even before

getting pregnant that i wasn't going to breastfeed b/c i needed to get back on

my meds asap. i think that is vital. there are so many formulas out there that

are so close to breastmilk. i used nestle good start with iron and ARA & DHA.

my little man, dante, is 9 months old and in fantastic health-he even has been

sleeping entirely through the night since he was 7 weeks old!!! i'm now on mtx

and humira. the enbrel didn't work as well for me as it had prior to pregnancy.

my left wrist is my worst joint and it is pretty bad now from the carrying and

feeding and has developed tendonitis, but that will go away. let me know how

you are doing and how you are feeling when it comes time. keep in touch and we

can share experiences and hopefully i will!

be able to help you if you need it. good luck!

brooke

> From: " renia_22 " <renia_22@...>

> Date: 2006/10/26 Thu AM 09:23:13 EDT

>

> Subject: [ ] Re: pregnancy

>

> Hi

>

> I would love to find out all about the effects after pregnancy. I am

> planning on becoming pragnant next year but I'm scared of how my body

> would react after giving birth. Did you have to switch meds?

>

> Renata

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Renata,

> > > >

> > > > I am in a similar situation, I was 27 when I was first

> diagnosed

> > > but I

> > > > hadn't had children yet, I am now 30 and I'm pregnant for the

> first

> > > time

> > > > (with twins!).I am a pharmacist so I new the risks of a lot

> these

> > > drugs, I

> > > > did have to go off plaquenil, but I was put on sulfasalazine.

> It

> > > is one of

> > > > the DMARDS considered safe if you get pregnant while on it.

> you

> > > can also be

> > > > on prednisone while pregnant.(you can't use methotrexate or

> > > celebrex while

> > > > pregnant) The biologicals don't have a lot of safety data at

> this

> > > point.

> > > > One good thing about pregnancy is that 80% go into clinical

> > > remission. I

> > > > did have some bad days, i will admit, but i am now in my 3rd

> > > trimester and I

> > > > feel much better. Good luck in your decision!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > >From: " renia_22 " <renia_22@>

> > > > >Reply-

> > > > >

> > > > >Subject: [ ] pregnancy

> > > > >Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:08:41 -0000

> > > > >

> > > > >I am only 29, RA hit me after I gave birth to my daughter,

> two

> > > years

> > > > >ago. The pain was so bad that I could not move. I would love

> to

> > > have

> > > > >another baby, but I have heard that my second pregnancy will

> make

> > > my

> > > > >condition even worse. Currently I am taking 7 pills of

> methotrexate

> > > > >once a week, 1 pill of celebrex and folic acid a day. The

> pills

> > > don't

> > > > >always help my pain. I'm affraid what will happen to me

> after

> > > having a

> > > > >second baby. Would Methotrexate be enough? In addition, my

> doctor

> > > told

> > > > >me that I have to stop taking medication four months before

> > > becoming

> > > > >pregnant. I'm not sure how in the world I'm supposed to

> handle the

> > > > >paid. Are there any alternative available that won't harm

> the

> > > fetus?

> > > > >

> > > > >Renata

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________________

> > > > Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows

> Live

> > > Spaces

> > > > http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?

> > > href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?

> > > wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mkt=en-us

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Toni. My gut is telling me it's not RA only because I lack

pain except for my back and neck. I really think I'm going to end up

with a fibro diagnosis but am quite concerned it's something more -

again that gut feeling. I will be certain to update you all after

my appt with the rheumy in November. I pray he's a nice man and

takes his time with me. I know it can takes years to get an

autoimmune diagnosis of any kind so I will persevere. I've had

symptoms since age 20 (I'm 31 now) and have been complaining to drs

now for almost 4 years. But compared to many that's not very long.

I really don't know if having kids will ever be a good idea for me

becuase of my stomach. I feel like it will be a huge leap of faith

with no guarantees. My GI dr has told me I could end up very sick

and hospitalized with a feed tube and be permanently worse even

after the pregnancy. I am envious of all my friends who just breeze

through pregnancy without chronic stomach conditions to worry

about. I have one friend who is preg with twins and was just

hospitalized and told she probably has a chronic condition with her

kidneys. Despite how serious this all is, she has had no symptoms

to deal with. They only discovered these problems because of her

urine checks. She has felt great her whole pregnancy. I felt like I

was going to die from the nausea when I was pregnant so it just

seems so unfair sometimes. I guess I'm in the poor-me phase but

I've been slowly working my way out of that now. Okay off my sorry

wagon Charisse

>

> Charisse,

> Negative Rheumatoid factor test does not rule out RA. I am sero-

negative

> and are many members of the group. There are other auto-immune

diseases such

> as ankolysing Spondolosis with is RA that affects the spine.

>

> I am sure you Rheummy will continue to search and monitor you

until he finds

> the answers to your pain.

>

> I know I went many years before I found out what was the cause of

my pain.

> I have RA, OA and Fibro.

>

> Toni

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I feel so much better now that I read your story, wow there is hope!!

You have no idea how much your positive comments mean to me. I just

hope that I will be able to deal with the pain when I'm off the meds.

My feet are the worst especially in the morning, it's difficult for

me to walk. We have hardwood floors, which are not very friendly to

my feet. I asked my doctor if exercising would help me ease my pain,

but she strictly said NO. She wants to put me on Humira or enbrel,

but I am kind of hesitant. Those are strong meds. What I'm afraid of

is the fact that my body might become so accustomed to it that when I

get older it will not have any affect on my pain. I don't know...am I

being too paranoid?

Renata

> > > > >

> > > > > Renata,

> > > > >

> > > > > I am in a similar situation, I was 27 when I was first

> > diagnosed

> > > > but I

> > > > > hadn't had children yet, I am now 30 and I'm pregnant for

the

> > first

> > > > time

> > > > > (with twins!).I am a pharmacist so I new the risks of a

lot

> > these

> > > > drugs, I

> > > > > did have to go off plaquenil, but I was put on

sulfasalazine.

> > It

> > > > is one of

> > > > > the DMARDS considered safe if you get pregnant while on

it.

> > you

> > > > can also be

> > > > > on prednisone while pregnant.(you can't use methotrexate

or

> > > > celebrex while

> > > > > pregnant) The biologicals don't have a lot of safety data

at

> > this

> > > > point.

> > > > > One good thing about pregnancy is that 80% go into

clinical

> > > > remission. I

> > > > > did have some bad days, i will admit, but i am now in my

3rd

> > > > trimester and I

> > > > > feel much better. Good luck in your decision!

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > >From: " renia_22 " <renia_22@>

> > > > > >Reply-

> > > > > >

> > > > > >Subject: [ ] pregnancy

> > > > > >Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 17:08:41 -0000

> > > > > >

> > > > > >I am only 29, RA hit me after I gave birth to my

daughter,

> > two

> > > > years

> > > > > >ago. The pain was so bad that I could not move. I would

love

> > to

> > > > have

> > > > > >another baby, but I have heard that my second pregnancy

will

> > make

> > > > my

> > > > > >condition even worse. Currently I am taking 7 pills of

> > methotrexate

> > > > > >once a week, 1 pill of celebrex and folic acid a day.

The

> > pills

> > > > don't

> > > > > >always help my pain. I'm affraid what will happen to me

> > after

> > > > having a

> > > > > >second baby. Would Methotrexate be enough? In addition,

my

> > doctor

> > > > told

> > > > > >me that I have to stop taking medication four months

before

> > > > becoming

> > > > > >pregnant. I'm not sure how in the world I'm supposed to

> > handle the

> > > > > >paid. Are there any alternative available that won't

harm

> > the

> > > > fetus?

> > > > > >

> > > > > >Renata

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________________

> > > > > Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with

Windows

> > Live

> > > > Spaces

> > > > >

http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?

> > > > href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?

> > > > wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mkt=en-us

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I have palmar/plantar psoriasis. The PPP came about 9 years before

the PA. I did find out something interesting about pregnancy,

though. When my 1st child was 10 mos. old, my PPP started. It was

pretty much moderate to bad (only using otc products to keep

pregnancy safe). But suddenly 2 years later (and while we were

trying to get pregnant again) I awoke to completely clear skin.

I " felt " pregnant, only 5 weeks since missed period, and did a pg

test. POSITIVE. My entire pregnancy my P was completely gone.

While still at the hospital after #2 delivery, the PPP started to

show up again. There HAS to be a hormonal connection somehow. It's

just that nobody wants to use pregnant women as test dummies (for

obvious reasons.) Even now, my P is in check thanks to humira and

mtx, but occasional mild eruptions coincide 100% of the time with my

cycle. Go figure. Anyone else have this happen to them? I was not

dx with PA until a couple of years ago, (not during pregnancy) but

other than expected exhaustion, with skin condition in check, it was

a great experience. Best of luck to you.

Chris

>

> Well.....exhaustion and stress and early menopause may not be the

reason

> for my missed menstrual cycles......it is possible that I could be

> pregnant despite 2 surgical reversals that my husband had years

ago that

> appeared to be unsuccessful......so.....I am wondering if any

other

> women (sorry guys) have missed cycles with PA??? I am scheduled

to have

> a test done and am not on Methotrexate...but, if the stork is

> visiting...any help or tips from other gals who have done

pregnancy with

> PA???

> Thanks,

> Dawn B. in PA

>

[Guest guest]

I felt incredibly healthy during my pregnancy. No pain! I to wonder

about a hormonal connection. -Betz

[Guest guest]

Other than the hormonal connection (I'm not discounting that there could be

one), I have hear there is an immune system connection, which is why P and

PA often improve during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your immune

system is down, so your body does not " attack " or " reject " your baby.

Because P and PA is your immune system attacking your body for no reason, it

would make sense that there would be less disease activity while your immune

system is subdued during pregnancy.

Jen- TTC for 15 months, diagnosed with PA about 1 1/2 years ago

>From: " thriftych " <uffdatn@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Re: Pregnancy

>Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:03:46 -0000

>

>I have palmar/plantar psoriasis. The PPP came about 9 years before

>the PA. I did find out something interesting about pregnancy,

>though. When my 1st child was 10 mos. old, my PPP started. It was

>pretty much moderate to bad (only using otc products to keep

>pregnancy safe). But suddenly 2 years later (and while we were

>trying to get pregnant again) I awoke to completely clear skin.

>I " felt " pregnant, only 5 weeks since missed period, and did a pg

>test. POSITIVE. My entire pregnancy my P was completely gone.

>While still at the hospital after #2 delivery, the PPP started to

>show up again. There HAS to be a hormonal connection somehow. It's

>just that nobody wants to use pregnant women as test dummies (for

>obvious reasons.) Even now, my P is in check thanks to humira and

>mtx, but occasional mild eruptions coincide 100% of the time with my

>cycle. Go figure. Anyone else have this happen to them? I was not

>dx with PA until a couple of years ago, (not during pregnancy) but

>other than expected exhaustion, with skin condition in check, it was

>a great experience. Best of luck to you.

>Chris

>

[Guest guest]

Ah......yes....that makes sense. I wonder if R & D is onto figuring out

the mechanism that prevents the female body from attacking the fetus.

Hey...if they could do THAT, then MEN could carry the child! -Betz

[Guest guest]

I'm convinced of the hormonal connection, too. My Palmar/plantar P

started with menopause. They could use us old ladies as test

dummies! I've never taken hormones, but I'm wondering if just going

on hormones might help my P and my PA. My PCP is willing to give me

hormone therapy for menopause. I didn't choose it because of all the

controversy surrounding it now, but maybe...

sherry z

>

There HAS to be a hormonal connection somehow. It's

> just that nobody wants to use pregnant women as test dummies (for

> obvious reasons.)

[Guest guest]

I felt incredible during my pregnancy! Now my morning sickness was awful

and hospitalized me several times....but the P and the PA and

fibro....GONE!!! well... that remission word anyways lol

HOWEVER there is bad news after the good news for me....the remission cost

me BIG TIME =(

Appx 3 mos after (now 5 yrs old) was born, I couldnt get out of bed

much less hold my newborn. I was frightened to say the least. My husband

at first thought it was recovery from the pre-eclamsia and c-section and

took a portable bassinet and placed it by the bed to make it easier on me

and was a lifesaver to say the least. Personally I am 200% convinced that

there IS a hormonal connection.. well we can send a man to the moon, let's

figure this out too hehehehehe!! I want another child, however with the way

I feel right now, it scares me of how my body would retaliate!

On 10/31/06, Skudlarek <jskudlar@...> wrote:

>

> Other than the hormonal connection (I'm not discounting that there could

> be

> one), I have hear there is an immune system connection, which is why P and

>

> PA often improve during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your immune

> system is down, so your body does not " attack " or " reject " your baby.

> Because P and PA is your immune system attacking your body for no reason,

> it

> would make sense that there would be less disease activity while your

> immune

> system is subdued during pregnancy.

>

> Jen- TTC for 15 months, diagnosed with PA about 1 1/2 years ago

>

> >From: " thriftych " <uffdatn@... <uffdatn%40bellsouth.net>>

> >Reply-To:

< %40>

> > < %40>

> >Subject: [ ] Re: Pregnancy

> >Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:03:46 -0000

> >

> >I have palmar/plantar psoriasis. The PPP came about 9 years before

> >the PA. I did find out something interesting about pregnancy,

> >though. When my 1st child was 10 mos. old, my PPP started. It was

> >pretty much moderate to bad (only using otc products to keep

> >pregnancy safe). But suddenly 2 years later (and while we were

> >trying to get pregnant again) I awoke to completely clear skin.

> >I " felt " pregnant, only 5 weeks since missed period, and did a pg

> >test. POSITIVE. My entire pregnancy my P was completely gone.

> >While still at the hospital after #2 delivery, the PPP started to

> >show up again. There HAS to be a hormonal connection somehow. It's

> >just that nobody wants to use pregnant women as test dummies (for

> >obvious reasons.) Even now, my P is in check thanks to humira and

> >mtx, but occasional mild eruptions coincide 100% of the time with my

> >cycle. Go figure. Anyone else have this happen to them? I was not

> >dx with PA until a couple of years ago, (not during pregnancy) but

> >other than expected exhaustion, with skin condition in check, it was

> >a great experience. Best of luck to you.

> >Chris

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My name is Katy. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 22 almost 3

years ago. I got married in December last year. In December I went off

of Mtx and Plaquinil, I remained on Prednisolone, Sulf, Naproxen. I

went off the contraceptive pill 2 months before our wedding. My RA

flared up very quickly, we tried to get pregnant for 7 months before

the pain was so bad that I just couldnt do it anymore. My

Rheumatologist said that it was the worst flare up in a woman trying

to get pregnant he had ever seen. My Rheumatoid Factor was up to 486.

It was so devastating, all I ever wanted to be was a Mum. I am slowly

recovering, I am still experiencing some pain but nothing compared to

what I went through. I dont know what to think about the future. I

hope that some day we will be able to try again. I just found this

group today, it has already helped to see other people going through

RA and to realise that Im not alone.

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy

Welcome to the group. I know how hard it is to deal with the pain. I

was lucky enough to have my daughter before RA hit me. But I would

love to have a second one, but just like you I am having difficulties

with the pain. I went off the MTX for three weeks and I could not

handle the pain any longer so I started to take it again. My doctor

keeps telling me that I have to stop taking it at least four months

before becoming pregnant. Other moms that have joined this group were

taking the same meds that you were, but it sounds like you did not

have good luck with those. Did you doctor suggest other meds?

Renata

--- In , " gothedockers " <gothedockers@...>

wrote:

>

> My name is Katy. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 22 almost 3

> years ago. I got married in December last year. In December I went

off

> of Mtx and Plaquinil, I remained on Prednisolone, Sulf, Naproxen. I

> went off the contraceptive pill 2 months before our wedding. My RA

> flared up very quickly, we tried to get pregnant for 7 months

before

> the pain was so bad that I just couldnt do it anymore. My

> Rheumatologist said that it was the worst flare up in a woman

trying

> to get pregnant he had ever seen. My Rheumatoid Factor was up to

486.

> It was so devastating, all I ever wanted to be was a Mum. I am

slowly

> recovering, I am still experiencing some pain but nothing compared

to

> what I went through. I dont know what to think about the future. I

> hope that some day we will be able to try again. I just found this

> group today, it has already helped to see other people going

through

> RA and to realise that Im not alone.

>

[Guest guest]

Katy

Sorry to hear of your predicament. I had a neice with a seizure disorder

that couldn't get pregnant for awhile because of all the meds she was on

but it all worked out for her later. I hope it does the same for you.

Joy

gothedockers <gothedockers@...> wrote:

My name is Katy. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 22 almost 3

years ago. I got married in December last year. In December I went off

of Mtx and Plaquinil, I remained on Prednisolone, Sulf, Naproxen. I

went off the contraceptive pill 2 months before our wedding. My RA

flared up very quickly, we tried to get pregnant for 7 months before

the pain was so bad that I just couldnt do it anymore. My

Rheumatologist said that it was the worst flare up in a woman trying

to get pregnant he had ever seen. My Rheumatoid Factor was up to 486.

It was so devastating, all I ever wanted to be was a Mum. I am slowly

recovering, I am still experiencing some pain but nothing compared to

what I went through. I dont know what to think about the future. I

hope that some day we will be able to try again. I just found this

group today, it has already helped to see other people going through

RA and to realise that Im not alone.

Joy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit Joy's Homepage and Reading Room!

http://jhoormann-ivil.tripod.com

Come see My Dog Salsa!

http://www.geocities.com/jhoorm01/Salsa.html

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 16. I went off Celebrex, no problem. Starting

going down on methetrexate and the last month I had left, I flared....I was also

under the most stress I have been under in years...we want a baby so bad. I am

26 now, he is 35. I want to have a baby and then deal with the RA, know what I

mean? I had to back up to 5 pills weekly on the methetrexate and she wants me to

stay there for a " minute " - probably a couple of months. I am also on

alsulfazine and well at 6 tylenol arthritis a day....worked pretty good until

the flare. Any ideas?

---------------------------------

We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to .

[Guest guest]

Katy,

I am now pregnant after trying for a year and a half. Have you and your

husband gone through infertility testing? I know at your age most ob-gyn's

would say your young enough, just keep trying. I talked to mine about my RA

being a concern and I started diagnostic testing at 9 months of trying (I

was 28 when I started trying to get pregnant). If there is something

physicially hindering you from becoming pregnant (low sperm count, blocked

tubes etc) there are proceedures that could help you become pregnant more

quickly (IUI, etc) I was on clomid for 4 cycles and became pregnant with

twins, I'm due in January. Don't give up, I know what you're going through.

Good luck!

>From: " gothedockers " <gothedockers@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Re: pregnancy

>Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:15:27 -0000

>

>My name is Katy. I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 22 almost 3

>years ago. I got married in December last year. In December I went off

>of Mtx and Plaquinil, I remained on Prednisolone, Sulf, Naproxen. I

>went off the contraceptive pill 2 months before our wedding. My RA

>flared up very quickly, we tried to get pregnant for 7 months before

>the pain was so bad that I just couldnt do it anymore. My

>Rheumatologist said that it was the worst flare up in a woman trying

>to get pregnant he had ever seen. My Rheumatoid Factor was up to 486.

>It was so devastating, all I ever wanted to be was a Mum. I am slowly

>recovering, I am still experiencing some pain but nothing compared to

>what I went through. I dont know what to think about the future. I

>hope that some day we will be able to try again. I just found this

>group today, it has already helped to see other people going through

>RA and to realise that Im not alone.

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces

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[Guest guest]

There has to be a connection...agree...our bodies are getting older and any type

of arthritis is a degenerative disease. Oxidative stress is a culprit in most

cases here.

Hope

Degenerative Disease Information

juliehope@...

Saskatchewan, Canada

Tel: 1 306 648-2642 (CST)

http://www.4betrhealth.com

[ ] Re: Pregnancy

I'm convinced of the hormonal connection, too. My Palmar/plantar P

started with menopause. They could use us old ladies as test

dummies! I've never taken hormones, but I'm wondering if just going

on hormones might help my P and my PA. My PCP is willing to give me

hormone therapy for menopause. I didn't choose it because of all the

controversy surrounding it now, but maybe...

sherry z

>

There HAS to be a hormonal connection somehow. It's

> just that nobody wants to use pregnant women as test dummies (for

> obvious reasons.)

[Guest guest]

I can't answer that Abby but with C-section you will get IV abx. post op.

This gave me and my baby yeast as he was nursing.

[Guest guest]

>

> Please help! I was wondering if someone can tell me whether candida

is passed on to a baby during childbirth or breastfeeding? And if so,

is it NOT passed on with a c-section? Are there lasting effects from

going through the birth canal with candida?

==>Hi Abby. No one can " catch " candida, so babies do not " get it "

going through the birth canal, nor while breastfeeding, like the

medical field tries to make you believe. It is impossible. Candida

only occurs within the person's own body due to a depressed immune

system.

==>What actually happens is that babies acquire both

parent's " nutritional status " upon conception, and if that is poor, and

particularly if the mother's is poor or she has a depressed immune

system during gestation, babies growing in the womb will also have a

depressed immune system. So their own body will create candida before

they are born. You cannot catch candida from someone else any more

than you can catch someone else's mineral or vitamin imbalances or

their broken leg. The baby's body will have the same make-up as the

mother's, influenced by " nutritional status " upon conception, and the

nutrients or toxins it receives while in the womb.

I hope that helps you understand how it works.

Luv, Bee

[Guest guest]

>

> I was diagnosed with

RRMS in January of 2006

and placed on copaxone in

> March of 2006, long

after my first and last

exacerbation occured and

> resolved itself with

the time period of one

week.

> I am currently 6 and

1/2 months pregnant and I

have been reading about

> the benefits of

breastfeeding for both

mother and child.

However, my

> doctor insists that I

immediately resume

copaxone after giving

birth

> and that I should not

breastfeed b/c there

hasn't been any conclusive

> study on how this drug

will react with breast

milk.

> I wonder if it would be

feasible for me to start

taking LDN after

> and/or during the

remainder of my

pregnancy.I desparately

would love

> to hear from someone

about this matter.

>

===========

D. Bihari does not

recommend taking LDN

while pregnant or breast

feeding. There hasn't

been enough research to

know if it's safe or not.

[Guest guest]

We had full on discussions regarding MS and pregnancy last year. Most woman who are pregnant seem to have not symptoms while pregnant. This seems to last during a varying degree of time after birth. Some women seemed great until 1 to 6 months after pregnancy. I think breastfeeding helps prolong the pregnancy honeymoon if you will. Personally I would not resume the copaxone until I started to feel symptoms again. One caution however is that when the MS symptoms do come back they seem to hit like a semi truck. I don't know why this is. I would never breast feed while taking a strong drug, because you never know how these things may effect your child.

The pregnancy thing is so well known (lack of symptoms while pregnant) that studies have been done to try and understand it. Some theorize that our immune systems go into gear to protect the fetus, some say women have a certain hormone released during pregnancy that helps with MS. Who knows at this point.

My best

Aletha

[low dose naltrexone] Pregnancy

I was diagnosed with RRMS in January of 2006 and placed on copaxone inMarch of 2006, long after my first and last exacerbation occured andresolved itself with the time period of one week. I am currently 6 and 1/2 months pregnant and I have been reading aboutthe benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. However, mydoctor insists that I immediately resume copaxone after giving birthand that I should not breastfeed b/c there hasn't been any conclusivestudy on how this drug will react with breast milk. I wonder if it would be feasible for me to start taking LDN afterand/or during the remainder of my pregnancy.I desparately would loveto hear from someone about this matter.

[Guest guest]

Hi Amelia,

I am just checking on you to see how your last few weeks of

pregnancy are going. I hope you are feeling really good. You need a happy break

from all the CMT worries.

[Guest guest]

,

I'm feeling fine and hopefully my body will kick this baby out soon I hope

you guys are doing well too. Do any of you have the info about what it takes to

get the tests done to determine if a child has CMT?

My husband hasn't been tested since he was about 13-14 and I'm not sure where to

find his records. My pediatrician said it can be done by a simple blood

test...I'm seeing him again on Wednesday and I'm going to make him tell me

exactly what my next step should be. I'm a little confused. I sent my husband

to his primary care doc. and she acted clueless like...She had no idea where to

send him to get tested. Errr. I wish I could just find the old medical records

but he can't remember who did it. I guess they have to have his blood to see if

she has it as well ? I don't know I'm lost a little. Thanks

AMELIA

[Guest guest]

Hi Amelia,

I am happy to hear you are feeling pretty good. Heidi had her babies tested for

CMT. Hopefully she will see this email. If not then I will hunt down her phone

number and give her a call.

[Guest guest]

Almost like magic I felt unbelievably stronger while I was pregnant.

Except for the first few months when I had morning sickness. But other than

that, I had tons of energy, my skin was healthier, my hair wasn't falling out.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Me too...wonder why that is! I loved being pregnant. just didn't like the very

last part...Labor...Birth...!!! Holding my babies ...wonderful!

Geri

[Guest guest]

Hi Latisha,

I am pregnant right now, and my Dr just prescribed me

3mg of prednison once I passed my first trimester. I

hadn't been taking any meds before that, but I have

heard that a lot of people have used this same

medication and their babies have turned out fine. Can

you tell me about the weight loss you experienced with

your other children?

Best of luck!!

Janet

--- latishavallone <latishavallone@...> wrote:

> Hello all, I am 35 diagnosed 5 years ago but suspect

> Ive had RA for

> about 14 or more years. I had children before I was

> diagnosed in my

> early 20's had difficult pregnancies, severe weight

> loss and pre-term

> labor and now want to have more children I would

> like tips about pain

> meds and doctors how to deal with them i know I

> could go into remission

> but what if not??? I am concerned yet at peace with

> having more

> children and know this is going to happen just need

> advice. I stopped

> taking my MTX 6 months ago and hope to start trying

> in the next month

> or 2. I have not told my rheumatoligist I think she

> would frown on

> having more kids or at least try to talk me out of

> it since i already

> have children.my husband and I from the beginning

> wanted many children

> but stopped out of fear I dont want fear to stop my

> life or my choices.

> thank you look forward to hearing your input.

> Latisha

>

>