Arthritis flair up + pregnant + 8 month old baby

[Lillygreen]

Hi all,

Feeling rather sorry for myself. Is there anyone else out there who has been in a similar situation?

I am currently in early pregnancy (5+2 weeks), but I have been going through a flair up in my arthritis recently and its only getting worse since finding out I am pg.

I am feeling particularly exhausted, sore, slow and to top it off, I have an 8 month old (24 pound!) baby who still wakes up multiple times a night. I feel I can't keep on top of house work as 8 month old is demanding and the arthritis is painful and it feels as though I am working in slow motion all day long. DS is so heavy to lug around on top of my aching joints.

I am trying to get an emergency appointment with my rheumatologist. Will she put me on drugs again? I know I can't take ibuprofen during pregnancy, and methotrexate which I used to take is definitely a nono. Are there any other non medical tricks to help?

I haven't told anyone about my pregnancy (only DH) as he wants to wait until 12 weeks. I feel so lonely and struggling. Sorry for the rather pathetic post

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

Mine was so much worse during my pregnancy. There are some medications you can take that are (apparently) safe either sulfasalazine or plaqunil. I avoided both though.
My GP gave me a steroid injection at about 6 weeks pregnant which really helped for a bit. Not all GPs can do them though so when you call for an appointment say you are wanting to get a steroid injection. Not all drs (who can administer it) will administer it though apparently.
I was able to continue taking cocodamol throughout although I limited the amount I took. Ask to be referred to a consultant for your arthritis as they will become your main help over your rheumatologist and will advise you on safe medication/painkillers. My consultant was only really interested in the amount I had to take during the last trimester as this is the time it could make a difference to the baby and depending on how much I took would have depended on if my DD needed some extra care after she was born.
I found the first trimester the hardest in terms of flares but it seemed to settle down after that to a point where I wasn't reliant on a steroid injection/cocodamol.

After I had DD I found that the usual painkillers following a c-section didn't help my flares but a lot of medication can't be taken if you are planning on BF.

Good luck with your pregnancy. It's hard enough without bloody arthritis getting in the way

[Lillygreen]

peppapig thank you so much for your reply. Glad to know I'm not alone.
I am aware sulphasalazine can be taken in pregnancy, but I am too paranoid to try it. I really don't want to affect the baby. I do hope to BF, so that will be a big factor in dugs.

Steroid injections are a good idea, I hadn't thought about those. I have an appointment with the consultant next month, so I will suggest this then (it feels like such a long time away!)

I have heard prednisolone can be taken in pregnancy, but only read this online. I have some still in my 'stock', but too scared to take them. I'm only in 1st trimester now.

[PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon]

If you're in pain then don't wait for your consultant appointment. It can be administered by your local GP (but at mine only 2 are trained). I definitely think you should call your DRs up and get an appointment sooner than next month.

I thought prednisone was a steroid? Maybe if you have that then a call to the dr would be quicker/easier just to put your mind at ease?