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

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

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.

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?