Pregnancy

[Guest guest]

I can't remember if there are any but there are a few on the graves_support site on groups, and there are also quite a few who have recently had babies.

[Guest guest]

Thanks - I will check it out! - Ellen

[Guest guest]

Debbie, from personal experience I encourage you to pursue your plans for

pregnancy as soon as possible. Consider seeking out a gynecologist before

you become pregnant who is willing to work closely with you as well as your

rheumatologist (a 2nd opinion is definitely warranted here--it is possible

that the gynecologist will have already had experience with another

rheumatologist who was cooperative and supportive of pregnancy with PA).

One thing I have learned over the years that anything we accomplish in spite

of chronic illness takes a strong will and an unwillingness to accept advice

blindly that is adverse to our instincts as a normal human being. My

husband has always been very protective of me and we have found that the

more we learn about this disease and the effects on the quality of our life,

the more in control we feel. There are protocols for going off medications

to become pregnant. There are genetic workups to assist you in assessing the

probability of your child's inheriting your disease. You may decide the

risks of pregnancy are too high for you or for your unborn child--but an

informed decision is yours ultimately.

I am so sympathetic to your plight because I became pregnant at age 23 with

my son being born at age 24. He is the joy and pride of my husband and

myself in spite of the challenges he has presented over the years (which

have been considerable!). Yes, I was plagued by nausea the 2nd month

through the 7th month and after delivering I was fatigued for several months

while my friends would " bounce " right back from pregnancy. I was unable to

become pregnant again and at age 32 I required a hysterectomy due to

hemorrhaging from previously undetected endometriosis. When I look back on

that time and remember how it took me two years to get pregnant and consider

the progressive nature of undetected endometriosis, I feel as though we only

had this small window of opportunity for pregnancy--maybe that's true or

maybe not, but the point is my husband and I have no regrets.

Also, my mother who had lupus became pregnant with myself and my sister at

ages 23 and 25 and then at age 36 when she had developed many complications

of lupus made a conscious decision to become pregnant again and experienced

a remission from the symptoms of lupus while pregnant and for some time

afterward. I am the only one of the three who experiences autoimmune

disease.

Debbie, my heart is with you and wish you wellness and your husband peace of

mind-- Hatchett ( is my husband).

[Guest guest]

Actually the opposite is true; ie, a woman's symptoms improve

dramatically while she is pregnant. Unfortunately, the symptoms

reappear afterwards and are sometimes worse than before. Do a " Search

Archive " for the word " pregnant " on the main PA web page. This has

been discussed quite a bit in the past and there are quite a few old

posts about arthritis during pregnancy. In short, you shouldn't let

it stop you from having children if you want to - at least that's the

gist I've gathered from women who have posted about it.

-- Ron

> I was wondering if anyone had any information on pregnancy and

> psoriatic arthritis. My husband and I are worried that if we

> get pregnant-my psoriasis (arthritis) may get worse. Please

> let me know if anyone has any information. We are really

> concerned about the reality that my arthritis will harm me, and

> more importantly the baby. FYI-I have justbeen diagnosed with

> PA-6 months ago- and my doctor suggests that we wait for at

> least a year. I am 28 years old and do not want towait much

> longer especially since my disease may get worse as I get

> older.

[Guest guest]

In my experience with asking the Reumy about getting

pregnant..they don't really know what a lot of the

drugs will do to a baby or how pregnancy effects women

who have PA or RA.so, they don;t recommend getting

pregnant. I think it is because, most women are older

(or used to be ) and already had there children

before PA or RA ever flared up but, now a lot of women

are younger when it strikes and there isn't enough

research for the reumies to know anything about it.

I have cried many a night trying to get used to the

fact that I may never have a child of my own. I'm 36,

have been dealing with PA for the last 12 years and

know that the old bio clock is ticking on me.

I also know from expierience that having PA or RA

makes it harder to become pregnant...so, pregnancy has

always been a touchy subject for me because, I love

children and would love to have one of my own some day

, I just don't know about it tho.

Good luck, to you and your husband

~ R~ in noa N.C.

--- joedebbiearredondo <joedebbiearredondo@...>

wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone had any information on

> pregnancy and

> psoriatic arthritis. My husband and I are worried

> that if we get

> pregnant-my psoriasis (arthritis) may get worse.

> Please let me know

> if anyone has any information. We are really

> concerned about the

> reality that my arthritis will harm me, and more

> importantly the baby.

> FYI-I have justbeen diagnosed with PA-6 months ago-

> and my doctor

> suggests that we wait for at least a year. I am 28

> years old and do

> not want towait much longer especially since my

> disease may get worse

> as I get older.

>

>

>

=====

Image by FlamingText.com

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have had P since I was 20 yrs old. (not that I knew what it was)

It has very gradually worsened for me. My husband and I were married

when I was 33 yrs old and we started a family right away. My

daughter was born a year later. My P went from my hair line to hair

line elbows and stomach. (not severe just small spots) I started

getting joint pain (I thought it was just from being in my 30s and

pregnant) Even though my P worsened it wasn't horrible. We just had

a little boy 8 months ago, this time things did get a little worse.

I had P on my face, back, knee, elbow, ears (inside and out) Chest,

stomach and even inside my bellybutton! (I wish I would have started

Phototherapy with my last pregnancy, it has really helped with the

skin lesions) during my last pregnancy and postpartum period my

right shoulder, left knee and left wrist really bothered me. I was

tested for lupus which was negative. Then I was sent to a Rhumy

where he diagnosed me with PA. I really think I have had PA for

years but just wasn't diagnosed.

Everything in life is a gamble. No one can look into a crystal ball

and tell us what will cause us to flare. I just know that even

though my P and PA worsened due to my pregnancies I wouldn't change a

thing, my kids are my joy and life. Yes, I have bad days when it is

uncomfortable to lift my son or flip my 7yr old daughter, but it is

worth it. Just keep your sense of humor and it will see you through.

Listen to your doctor and do what brings you peace.

Wishing you the Best,

Ann from Indiana

Message: 9

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 06:14:08 -0000

From: " joedebbiearredondo " <joedebbiearredondo@...>

Subject: pregnancy

I was wondering if anyone had any information on pregnancy and

psoriatic arthritis. My husband and I are worried that if we get

pregnant-my psoriasis (arthritis) may get worse. Please let me know

if anyone has any information. We are really concerned about the

reality that my arthritis will harm me, and more importantly the baby.

FYI-I have justbeen diagnosed with PA-6 months ago- and my doctor

suggests that we wait for at least a year. I am 28 years old and do

not want towait much longer especially since my disease may get worse

as I get older.

[Guest guest]

Hi!

Just want to tell you how my experience about pregnancy was.

I didnt know I had Pa at the time, but had it about 6 years before my

daughter was born.

I do think you should try to get children as soon as you feel it's

right for you.

Me and my husbond tried for 5 years before I got pregnant, and the

pregnancy was the best time ever.

I had some problems with the pelvic-area but if I took it easy, the

problem was small. Besides this I felt great the hole pregnancy.

After my daughter became 1 1/2 years old, we desided to try again.

But, nothing happend, the time went on and finally we gave up trying.

6 months ago I started out with birtcontrol again, and the reason for

this is that my health has been so much worse in a very short time.

If I had been pregnant when we first tried out, I could still have

coped having a newborn around easily, but now it isn't possible

anymore. We dont want tho mess up our good marriage with a baby

anymore, who knowes what would have happend.

So, do what you feel are the right thing for you, as I said, I felt

great while I was pregnant!

Good Luck, regards Hege

[Guest guest]

Oh, my gosh! Add another symptom to PA. That explains why I had

infertility problems while my siblings reproduced like rabbits! And, Dr.

Dan...suffering from hemorrhoids, did not make me spell them correctly. I

am an English teacher (that does not spell well and has some problems with

nitpicky grammar) and have had the little buggers for almost 20 years.

Ks Di

[Guest guest]

My first real episode of PA was during a pregnancy--although I wouldn't be

diagnosed for another 15 years. My experience is that you endure all sorts

of HELL to carry a baby...and they are really worth it. After thyroid

cancer, I needed year-round antidepressants. My dr finally convinced me it

would be better not to try for another baby, since I might have a really

horrid time w/o medication. I finally agreed with him, my husband also

agreed, and then three days later, I found out I was pregnant. It was not a

pleasant nine months, but what a joy the baby has been. I am no expert, but

I don't think major permanent damage would occur as a result of just a year

off meds. Sacrifice is the first rule of parenting and nine months of

discomfort would be a fitting start to the process. I assume your PA is not

to the severe stage yet. My depression was in remission due to hormone

levels. I understand RA also goes into remission during pregnancy. Perhaps

you will be so healthy you will want to stay pregnant!

KS Di

[ ] pregnancy

I was wondering if anyone had any information on pregnancy and

psoriatic arthritis.

[Guest guest]

hello everyone,

I dont post often or much - but there used to be a lady in the group

ksdaryanani@... she is pregnant and would like those who have been

pregnant with AIH to email her if they could. I know she would really

appreciate it.

Thanks,

LC AIH (0701) Illinois

[Guest guest]

I received this message about a doctor that specializes in couples

getting pregnant with autoimmune problems. Any help is appreciated

and I will be checking out the website!! We just starting trying

again so I'm pretty uneducated about this. Does the autoimmune issue

present a problem when it comes to getting pregnant? I know we

haven't gotten pregnant as quickly as we did the first time, but it

hasn't been an unreasonable amount of time yet either.

Thanks for all your help & support out there. This site has been a

godsend for me!!

Jill

> Hi, I noticed you were talking about trying to conceive...I have a

great

> doctor who helps couples have a baby who have autoimmune problems.

His

> website is the first one listed, and there are several others as

well.

> Reproductive immunology is practiced by a few experts in the US, I

could not

> find anyone locally in my large city who knew a thing about it. He

helped me

> stop having miscarriages and get pregnant!

> God bless,

> Kitty

>

> <A HREF= " www.repro-med.net " >www.repro-med.net</A>

> <A HREF= " www.rialab.com " >www.rialab.com</A>

> <A HREF= " www.haveababy.com " >www.haveababy.com</A>

> <A HREF= " www.goivf.com " >www.goivf.com</A>

> <A HREF= " www.inciid.org " >www.inciid.org</A> has several boards

about immune probls in pg

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jill,

I'm not sure if anyone has responded to your message yet. I've not checked

my mail for a few days... I have had PA for over ten years and I have had

four babies in that time. No problems at all! In fact, my symptoms went

away during my pregnancies.

Cheryl

[ ] Re: Pregnancy

> I received this message about a doctor that specializes in couples

> getting pregnant with autoimmune problems. Any help is appreciated

> and I will be checking out the website!! We just starting trying

> again so I'm pretty uneducated about this. Does the autoimmune issue

> present a problem when it comes to getting pregnant? I know we

> haven't gotten pregnant as quickly as we did the first time, but it

> hasn't been an unreasonable amount of time yet either.

>

> Thanks for all your help & support out there. This site has been a

> godsend for me!!

>

> Jill

[Guest guest]

Yes, someone who experienced the same thing! I swear one day I'm going to do

research on that..... I really am if I could figure out how to get started =)

Re: [ ] Re: Pregnancy

Hi Jill,

I'm not sure if anyone has responded to your message yet. I've not checked

my mail for a few days... I have had PA for over ten years and I have had

four babies in that time. No problems at all! In fact, my symptoms went

away during my pregnancies.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

I have read about this in my Rheums office. For some women the seize of certain

hormones during pregnancy puts their arthritis in to temporary remission... for

other it doesn't. There are actually some women who's hormones stay suppressed

after pregnancy, and the remission last for a year or two.

In a message dated 1/12/2003 7:57:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,

celticangyl@... writes:

> Yes, someone who experienced the same thing! I swear one day I'm going to do

research on that..... I really am if I

> could figure out how to get started =)

[Guest guest]

then why can't hormomes be taken to " trick " our bodies into thinking they are

pregnant???? too easy I guess

[Ed. Note: I wonder if any women on birth control pills have noticed any

difference with their PA when on/off the pills? Ron]

Re: [ ] Re: Pregnancy

I have read about this in my Rheums office. For some women the seize of

certain hormones during pregnancy puts their arthritis in to temporary

remission... for other it doesn't. There are actually some women who's hormones

stay suppressed after pregnancy, and the remission last for a year or two.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/13/03 10:55:23 PM Central Standard Time,

celticangyl@... writes:

> then why can't hormomes be taken to " trick " our bodies into thinking they

> are pregnant???? too easy I guess

>

>

> [Ed. Note: I wonder if any women on birth control pills have noticed any

> difference with their PA when on/off the pills? Ron]

There is a clinical trial in progress to study I believe it was progesterone

for psor. as Ron mentioned birth control pills do trick the body with

hormones to disrupt the natural cycle but the hormones they affect arent

right on target for psor I did converse with a woman recently who believes

Orthotricyclin had positive effects on her psor. I hope to keep the buzz

going about the relationship between pregnancy, birth control etc because I

think if we focus enough on that we just might find the cause of psor. I

believe it is hormonal and is in that neighborhood. Orin

[Guest guest]

Interesting that you mentioned that. I was on birth control for 10 years, and I

honestly believe BC was the reason my P surfaced. I was 19, and I started the

pill because my periods were irregular. 3 months later I had P. 4 year later I

had PA. Could be mere coincedence, but I know several women with RA that believe

the reason they have RA is due to BC. I went off of my BC several months ago,

and I really don't notice a difference in my PA. What I do notice is an

increase in P.. but I was attributing that to the Sulfasalazine. It could be

hormones that have gone out of whack due to me stopping the BC, OR it could be

the Sulfa. I really don't know. Maureen mentioned yesterday that she had her

biggest flare ever after stopping BC. I know people who believe BC is the

CAUSE, and I know plenty who believe BC controls the situation. I simply think

any change on hormone levels in the body is going to possibly trigger

something... sometimes good, and sometimes bad. I also think everyone's body is

different.

What do I believe? I believe BC (causing a CHANGE of hormones in my body) was a

root of the P showing itself. I believe the stress of college had something to

do with it too. BC if I recall correctly stops the fertilization of eggs, and it

does control certain hormones, but it does NOT have the same effect on the body

that pregnancy does. Pregnancy seizes the production of certain hormones, and

produces other hormones that are " good " hormones for arthritics. Remember, you

don't have a period when you are pregnant, but you do when you are on the pill.

There is still a releasing of the eggs when you are on the pill. I have read

that the " releasing " time of the months is hardest on women, and I can agree

with that. I can always tell about a week before my period, because my body

hurts so much worse. Guys, be glad you don't have to go through that week. Once

again, I do believe BC had something to do with my immune system going awry, but

stopping it has only made the P situation worse. I just didn't like dealing with

the idea that the BC could cause even more problems with my body, so I went off

of it. I also look at it this way... if BC was the cure, or if hormones

over/underproduction was the only cause, then why would guys have this disease

too? Most auto immune diseases go into remission when a woman is pregnant...

maybe the production of " different " hormones is just the body's natural way of

trying to keep a baby healthy... and mommy healthy and happy too. Who knows!

In a message dated 1/13/2003 7:15:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

celticangyl@... writes:

> then why can't hormomes be taken to " trick " our bodies into thinking they are

pregnant???? too easy I guess

>

>

>

> [Ed. Note: I wonder if any women on birth control pills have noticed any

difference with their PA when on/off the pills?

> Ron]

[Guest guest]

Cheryl~

You had 4 babies in 10 years with PA? You're superwoman!! How did you deal

with the fatigue? Or was it that bad for you? I have a huge energy

problem...I used to be one that was on the go all the time. NOT anymore!!

You've shown me it can be done though. Thanks for providing me with some

optimism!!

Hugs!

Jill

[Guest guest]

Interesting. Ortho-tricyclene was what brough my first outbreak of Psoriasis

on. Ortho is good for Acne, but I have never heard of it working on anything

else. I might add... I never had a period until I was 19, and it was medically

induced with a big round of progesterone and then birth control. I never had any

P or PA until I had a period. When my hormones were non-existent, so was my P

and PA. Something to think about!

In a message dated 1/14/2003 8:05:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, orinok writes:

> I did converse with a woman recently who believes

> Orthotricyclin had positive effects on her psor. I hope to keep the buzz

> going about the relationship between pregnancy, birth control etc because I

> think if we focus enough on that we just might find the

> cause of psor. I

> believe it is hormonal and is in that neighborhood. Orin

[Guest guest]

I'll by progesterone only.... I was on depo and did ok.... but I went off of it,

to the patch... and now it is worse....

Re: [ ] Re: Pregnancy

In a message dated 1/13/03 10:55:23 PM Central Standard Time,

celticangyl@... writes:

> then why can't hormomes be taken to " trick " our bodies into thinking they

> are pregnant???? too easy I guess

>

>

> [Ed. Note: I wonder if any women on birth control pills have noticed any

> difference with their PA when on/off the pills? Ron]

There is a clinical trial in progress to study I believe it was progesterone

for psor. as Ron mentioned birth control pills do trick the body with

hormones to disrupt the natural cycle but the hormones they affect arent

right on target for psor I did converse with a woman recently who believes

Orthotricyclin had positive effects on her psor. I hope to keep the buzz

going about the relationship between pregnancy, birth control etc because I

think if we focus enough on that we just might find the cause of psor. I

believe it is hormonal and is in that neighborhood. Orin

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/14/03 6:50:49 PM Central Standard Time,

pookiegut@... writes:

> Interesting. Ortho-tricyclene was what brough my first outbreak of

> Psoriasis on. Ortho is good for Acne, but I have never heard of it working

> on anything else. I might add... I never had a period until I was 19, and

> it was medically induced with a big round of progesterone and then birth

> control. I never had any P or PA until I had a period. When my hormones

> were non-existent, so was my P and PA. Something to think about!

>

The statement about non-existent hormones isnt correct. You have several

hundred hormones that control every aspect of how your body functions and

reacts to external events. It may be that you had insufficient levels of

some hormones to initiate or maintain a menstrual cycle. I would further add

that men and women have all the same hormones but women have much more of

some and less of others. The main differences are as result of ovaries/versus

testicles. I dont suspect that the predominantly female hormones,

progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, FSH etc, are directly involved in psor but

I do believe that the shift in the entire system caused by these varying

hormonal levels may be. Orin

[Guest guest]

At 14.05 14/01/03, you wrote:

> I hope to keep the buzz

>going about the relationship between pregnancy, birth control etc because I

>think if we focus enough on that we just might find the cause of psor. I

>believe it is hormonal and is in that neighborhood. Orin

Just received a notice of this site in my mailbox, which talks about

pregnancy, hormones and psoriasis. But it doesn't seem to say much (except

that women might want to stay off methotrexate if they haven't their

children yet...).

http://healthtalk.com/psoriasis/talk/edition7/index.html?mid=03011424f

Myself, I think that hormones are just one of many stress (and protection)

factors, not a cause, and we are all affected differently--this is

definitely an inherited disorder, and we all have our different stress factors.

After years of observation, the two biggest factors for me seem to be

climate, and emotional stress that is not finding its proper outlet. (Calm

on the surface is not always best!)

However, my P always flares up a little more during my period, and over the

years I've felt that BC mitigated those flares--probably because it

eliminates the stress of rapidly changing hormonal levels. I think you'd

need a stronger pill to get the kind of protection throughout the month

that a real pregnancy gives you.

But now I am off BC, and despite the cold weather and dry air, my P (and

PA) have improved greatly since I have been concentrating on eating a very

healthy diet (and a healthy mind :-)) for the PA. As always, YM will V.

As for pregnancy, there is definitely hormonal protection--I think I read

in Henry Scammel's book (The New Arthritis Breakthrough) that it is due to

an extra high level of natural cortisone, but I suppose other hormones are

involved too. Perhaps this naturally high level of cortisone would be

healthy for the duration of a pregnancy, but not for the long run, so it

goes back down again. Shucks.

With my second pregnancy, I predicted that I was about to go into labor

when my P suddenly flared. I had a false labor that evening, and then my

son was born two days later.

I admire your curiosity, Orin.

Maureen

[Guest guest]

I agree Maureen. I don't think BC was the CAUSE of my disease, but I do

think it allowed the gene I already have to surface. Any change in the body,

stress level etc, can cause dormant cells to activate in the body. I think

everyone is pre-disposed to certain diseases. I think BC changed my chemistry

and activated this dormant gene in by body.

In a message dated 1/15/03 4:36:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, maureen@...

writes:

> Myself, I think that hormones are just one of many stress (and protection)

> factors, not a cause, and we are all affected differently--this is

> definitely an inherited disorder, and we all have our different stress

> factors.

> After years of observation, the two biggest factors for me seem to be

> climate, and emotional stress that is not finding its proper outlet. (Calm

> on the surface is not always best!)

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/15/03 3:35:16 PM Central Standard Time, maureen@...

writes:

> admire your curiosity, Orin.

>

> Maureen

>

Thanks Maureen leave no stone unturned. ha ha Whenever I find anything that

shows a pattern of having an effect on psor whether better or worse I try to

learn it inside and out to try to understand how it might be related to

something else that has an effect. What do all the influencing factors have

in common, what is the kingpin? Orin

[Guest guest]

Very cool, and that makes complete sense. I have also heard about the breast

feeding. I hope I am able to do that too when I have a little one.

Thanks for the info.

In a message dated 1/16/03 8:48:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,

gynot@... writes:

> Anyhow, along with the apparent connection between hormones and PA, she said

> there is a theory that antibodies present in the unborn baby (presumably

> from my husband) may have an effect on symptoms. Whatever the reason, I was

> grateful. Also, I would recommend extended breastfeeding to all moms, and

> especially those with PA. Not only is it fantastic for mother and baby

> physically, emotionally and spiritually, but I found the continued hormonal

> changes kept my arthritis symptoms at bay, almost entirely, for six months,

> while he nursed exclusively. As he nursed less, the symptoms returned. But

> we had a wonderful nursing relationship until he was almost 1 1/2, when I

> went on plaquenil -- it made my milk taste bitter and weaned

> himself. Not only that, but it didn't help me a bit. Talk about

> frustration! Glad to report life is so much better these days. It was

> incredibly difficult being in so much pain and trying to care for a toddler

> -- but well worth it! Good luck to all who are going down the motherhood

> path. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it ...

>

>

> skana in nova scotia

>

>