Welcome

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Welcome to the group. I am so sorry you have so much going with on with your

health (or lack of it). Hopefully it'll get better and if you have any

questions just send them away, I'm sure there'll be a person here who can

shed some light.

As far as pregnancy in Lupus is concerned I have had some experience, but I

am considered to be lucky by myself as well as the doctors who treat me. I

was diagnosed almost 17 years ago, at age 22, just married - no kids. I was

diagnosed with a full flare, joints, rash, and kidneys involved. The first

three years I was in and out of hospitals and on heavy medication due to

ongoing flares. Then I went in remission but I was still on imuran and

doctors warned me about getting pregnant on that medication. They said low

dose prednisone was not a problem (I was on 5 mg). We worked on getting me

off the imuran and at age 30 I had my first son. It was a high risk

pregnancy, I was constantly being monitored, but I had a full term healthy

pregnancy. I did not flare after the pregnancy and if anything I was

actually able to get off the prednisone for the first time in eight years. A

bit later we decided to try again and two and a half years later we had our

second son. Again, high risk, not an easy pregnancy but full term with a

healthy baby. No problems afterwards either. We though we were done, but

destiny had a different plan for us and X-mas of 1999 the test turned blue

and we had our third son in August of 2000. That was a very difficult

pregnancy as I was flaring just at the same time as getting pregnant. I was

on very heavy diuretics throughout the pregnancy, had to stay on a

medication that is not yet completely known not to cause any problems

(nothing else helped and I would retain 20 lbs of water in three days and my

blood pressure would go sky high). I actually got better towards the end of

the pregnancy which was again full term with a healthy baby.

So, pregnancy is possible, but I really think it also depends on the

individual. The doctors warned me it is sometimes difficult to conceive for

Lupus patients - I had no problem with that, actually the two first were a

hit the first time, the third we didn't even know we were trying. Then they

warned about miscarriages - I had none. Then, they said it may be difficult

to carry full term - I was lucky. My best lab results are those within a

year after each pregnancy, so I guess being pregnant was good for me. But

again, that is in my case and each one of us can be different.

First of all you need to do it when your body is at its' best. Wait until

you have been in remission for a while, talk to your doctors and see what

they say about it. Consider the medication that you may be on while you

conceive - that is very important. Don't push yourself you still have plenty

of time.

Good luck and hope it all works out for you.

Mojo

you are all soo wonderful

> I can not believe that for the last 3 years I felt so utterly alone

> and all of you were here helping and supporting each other. I am new

> here and I thought I would formerly introduce myself. I am 22 years

> old and was diagnosed with SLE 3 years ago. I have a loving and

> supportive partner and my family... well they just don't understand

> what lupus even is. I am enrolled in college here in Michigan for

> interior design, it is rough trying to go to school and fight this

> battle. I am on every medication known to man, and I am in worse

> shape than ever. I curently have joint pain, and severe pericarditis

> and pleurisy. My kidneys are inflammed along with every other tissue

> and joint in my body. I am tired all the time and grocery shopping

> wears me out. I get the flu and every other illness several time per

> year. I am still rather new to this but I have read several books and

> utilize the online resources often. I am always open to new

> innovative ways to cope with pain and family and friends. I am in

> severe pain from the inflammation of my heart and lungs. Any methods

> to ease the pain would be ever so appreciated. I remember back when I

> was diagnosed I read the brochures from my doc and it said all of the

> problems that go hand and hand with lupus. I thought to myself I am

> not going to be like that, i thought it would just be mild. Now with

> major organ involvement and pain from hell I can't imagine life

> getting much worse... oops I shouldn't say that every time I do I get

> slammed with a new ailment. I got my first butterfly rash last week

> treatment for that would help to if any of you have a little secret

> to treating those hiteous rashes. I am anticipating having a baby in

> the next few years and I was just curious of anyone has advice or a

> story about being pregnant and delivering while having lupus... is it

> safe, and does it cause severe flares. Thank you for your time and I

> hope to hear from you soon. The new member...

>

>

>

> " The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store...

> http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies

>

> " The LUPIES Web Page "

> http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html

>

> " The LUPIES online photo albums! "

> Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...

> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

>

>