TTC with illness

[happypinkpanther]

Hi all

I just wondered if there's anyone else out there who suffers from a chronic illness and is TTC? I have MS and just started my worst relapse yet (6 years post diagnosis) right slap bang at the start of my 2nd cycle :(

Am so gutted because I just got my 1st proper visit from AF 2 weeks ago (after stopping pill in April) so I thought we were all set :( Im completely numb from the waist up but somehow just convinced hubby to DTD. On lots of pain killers though so maybe this wasn't the best idea. I was also meant to have a job interview on Thurs which would have sorted me out Mat leave-wise. Bad bad timing!

Just wondered if anyone else has similar probs?

x

Hi I ttc'd for dc with ill health, yes. Also took a long time to conceive. Am now struggling to conceive dc2. What helped for me was seeing an obstetrician before I conceived to talk through my health issue. I only got this referral as I unfortunately had infertility issues and was originally refused Ivf treatment due to concerns. Has your gp been helpful?
When pregnant I also saw a health visitor before birth for extra support and to ensure child cared for if I was in hospital etc for IV treatments etc.

I also delayed ttc for several years to try and get to better health etc.

Thanks for your reply hoophopes :)

I'm worried I've delayed too long and the relapses are becoming more frequent. I am only 29 but I wanted a big family, but we wanted to own a house etc first.

I also had some brown spotting a couple of days ago- did OPX yesterday and the 2nd line was nearly the same as test line (best so far), but faded again today- I'm cd14. I probably shouldn't be trying anyway because of all the drugs so gutted and frustrated!!

The annoying thing is I just stopped my meds 2 months ago (daily injections) because of wanting to start trying, and
have been going out of my mind trying to come off antidepressants for the last 6 months which i have really struggled with because I wanted to try and do everything perfectly and now drugged up anyway. Now I've found out I have an MRI scan on tues and I'm scared incase I've already caught.

The GP was happy for the MS service to deal with me and they have been helpful. It's only early days but as I say, bad timing :(

Very best of luck to you too xxx

Well if I was 29 I would be encouraged that there is plenty of time. I know that doesn't help you. I conceived aged 36. Good they have guided you to the MS service.

I know it sounds hard, but this is only month 2 so hopefully things will improve. Many people with no health issues take time to conceive.

Do you have to come off the antidepressants to conceive, or are they ones safer for pregnancy? I only ask this as there are lots of different types and people do swop to safer ones (I did etc). If you are struggling with no AD's that might be one thing to change to help you. For me mental and physical health is very much linked and as physical health can be harder to control (is for me anyway) I chose to stay on a low dose until I was 8 weeks or so pregnant. I think sertraline and citalopram are generally recommended in pregnancy but your gp can advise you.

How are you now?

Thanks hoophopes, I really appreciate your reply :)

I'm on citalopram and dropped down to 10mg a few months ago but sent me v low, then tried again until i was on 5mg every other day and same happened, (got v bad) so atm I'm alternating 20/10mg. Doc thinks its far more important to be happy and healthy rather than loopy ;) I suspect the melt down I had coming off them has something to do with this bad relapse- I agree with you completely about physical and mental health.

You are right- 29 is still plenty of time! I just feel like we've waited forever (for me, its since I was a little girl myself!) and I want to get cracking! Had cramping today and 2 days brown spotting and am right in middle of cycle so I'm hoping its ov not just weird hormones post-pill which bodes well for the future :)

It certainly does!

Most dr's would rather people stayed on citalopor am throughout a pregnancy than end up struggling mentally through pregnancy. Sounds like you on the best ad. For me I had to take one not recommended SOS rayed on it til 8 weeks then swooped and have a health ds.

I know it feels like ages. I tried to remind myself that it would not happen straight away, it is normal to take 6-12 myths to conceive ( well took us 7 yrs, but not due to my usual chronic illness!!) am on month 9 of ttc 2.

Guess you taking folix acid? I did everything I could to improve my health. Lots of fruit and veg, protein etc etc.

Hi, I don't have anything as severe as your condition, though my condition is considered a disability and I have quite a few sick days and work reduced hours to help manage it. Some of my flare ups have been terrible timing and have limited the number of opportunities each cycle.

I'm slso 29, been ttc since September. We waited longer than I wanted to by a year, so I mentally feel as though ive been ttc for two years.

I went to docs and shes ordered me some blood tests and a basic scan.
My career was very secure until recently and now is looking like I might not have my job in 18 months.

None of the above is any help to you, but I empathise a little with your position. I delayed things a bit to improve my health which I did, though it took a little tumble after I decided to stop most of my medicines as they would be bad if I were to get pg.

In order to deal with my sense of missing something I have just welcomed my 3rd cat as a distraction and it has largely helped this month. Not sure I can buy a cat every month though!

Yeah I've been on the folic for a few months, and lots of fruit and veg- its more the hubby I worry about (he doesn't eat veg at all!)

Hey deliasmithy- your situation sounds v v familiar. It's good to know there are others feeling the same out there :) We got a cat too who I adore, he definitely helps and is so loving. I'm really anxious about work, everything was falling into place and its all about to get very screwed up if I don't get well soon. On the plus side, this is my first proper cycle post pill and I got mid cycle spotting (TMI- brown then pink and a bit of EWCM). I could be reading too much in but I think this is promising. I made him DTD anyway- was a bit tricky but hey ho!!

Wishing you lots of luck xxx