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Autoimmune disease

Rheumatoid arthritis in pregnancy

2 replies

Unsure445 · 12/04/2018 14:15

Hi, just wondering if anyone is in or has been in a similar situation as me and can share their experience?

After my baby was born a year ago I started getting very painful joints, Gp did some test which didn’t show anything and was given a rheumatology referral. There was a 9 month waiting list, so used some insurance we had to cover a couple of diagnostic appointments privately. Further blood tests didn’t show RA but it was clear I was in a bit flare up and consultant said best case scenario it was a reactive arthritis following an infection caught during childbirth. I was treated with painkillers and Sulfazalazine rather than methotrexate (as this is apparently safe in pregnancy and we were hoping to have another child soon). Treatment has been effective and I was largely pain free.

I’m now 22 weeks pregnant with baby number 2 and at 20 weeks came off my Sulfazalazine as my joints were feeling good and it was hoped the pregnancy hormones will have suppressed the arthritis. It quickly became obvious it hadn’t and within a few days they were starting to get worse. I’ve going back on the tablets for a further 4 weeks at which points I have to come off them as they are not safe in the third trimester.

The consultant is sure that this is no longer likely to be a reactive arthritis and is Rheumatoid. Even though I have not tested positive for rheumatoid he has told me that 1/3rd of people who have it don’t test positive immediately.

I’m really nervous when I come off the drugs in 4 weeks I am going to be in a lot of pain and discomfort. I was really hoping to one of the majority who experience relief of symptoms in pregnant and immediately after. I feel very deflated. I have Hyperemesis which is making me feel dreadful but I’ve been living for the later stages of pregnancy when that (hopefully) improves and now I’m faced with more joint pain!

I’d love to know anyone else’s experience of arthritis in pregnancy (good or bad), I don’t know anyone who’s gone through anything similar.

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SluttyButty · 12/04/2018 15:09

I have PsA rather than RA and I was lucky that mine improved with each pregnancy but really flared afterwards.
Can you get prepared and make sure you have crutches, something around the toilet to help You on and off etc before you come off the sulfasalazine?
Also is your midwife fully informed? Have you seen an obstetrician?

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DreamingofSunshine · 16/04/2018 06:15

My rheumatologist said that they would but me on a stronger drug combination after pregnancy if I manage to get pregnant again to try to stop the flare.

I'm like you, post partum onset but quickly becoming obvious it's RA and not just a pregnancy related thing.

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