Arthritis and pregnant!

[Gemma108]

Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone else out there is pregnant and has arthritis!? I'm 28 and I've had severe arthritis since I was 9 which means I've had both hips replaced and my spine is very badly damaged. I'm now 8 weeks pregnant (unexpected but very much wanted!) And kind of scared. I've taken no painkillers since I found out and I'm already in agony. The docs said eother the pain will suddenly and dramatically leave around the 2nd trimester OR it'll get much worse causing my hipsto dislocate and me to be wheelchair bound (they told me it's more likely to be the extra pain option).
My partner and family are doing their best to help but I'm so worried that it would help more to know someone in a similar situation who got on great!
Sorry for the novel haha!

[Gudgyx]

Hi Gemma,

I'm 16w 2d, and have rheumatoid arthritis. But I am on humira to help it, had long talks with my consultant etc and all is safe for baby. The humira really is a godsend, I havent had any pain or had to take painkillers for the full time I've been pregnant so far.

Sorry you're in so much pain :( hope you find something to help.

[Purplefrogshoes]

Hi Gemma, I have arthritis too although no replacements yet, I found my pain gradually improved and by 13 weeks had almost gone, I'm now 6 weeks pg and my pain is gradually easing again.. Hope you feel better

[cactusnic]

I'm 20 weeks and have RA. Before pregnancy, i was taking sulfasalazine, etodolac and cocodamol for it. Yes, i do still have some pain (from the damage already done), but generally, the daily pain has reduced a lot (though i still have the fatigue).

I'm not sure what type of arthritis you have, but my rheum said it was up to me with regards to the sulfasalazine - so, i came off it the day i found out i was pregnant (~6 weeks), and will go back on it gradually around 32 weeks, so i have it in my system post-birth to try and minimize a flare. NSAIDs are a no-no in pregnancy, but they've said i can take co-codamol, albeit very sparingly. (Seems the biggest risk is if you're taking it regularly in 3rd trimester, of dependency in baby). I'm trying to get by on a couple of doses a week. I've managed a few periods of 1-2 weeks without taking it, but now i'm finding that with pelvic pain kicking in, i'm needing it, but trying to stick at a max of one dose per day. Cocodamol has been around for a long time though, and thankfully a fair amount is known about it, and it is fairly "routinely" used in pregnancy.

Is it just your GP you've spoken to so far? Mine was great in looking up all my meds properly (i have other medical conditions too), but it was the rheum who was most useful.)