RA and trying for IVF in London

[ouch27]

I'm new to this but really could do with some help. I'm 39 years old and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last week. The specialist has said that I need to do what I can to conceive quickly so he can begin a course of aggressive treatment for the RA. He's prescribed strong anti inflammatories for now.
We're been trying to get pregnant for 2 and a half years and had routine bloods and sperm analysis done 6 months ago. Everything was 'normal' and we made a decision to just keep trying and wait for nature to take it's course. BTW we have a 3.5 year old who was conceived when we weren't trying.
I'm thinking we should just go for IVF asap but am really not sure where to start. My GP has referred me to a consultant at Chelsea Westminster and that appt is in a few weeks time.
Any advice/comments from you guys out there would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
PSI also posted this under conception. My apologies if that's against protocol.

bumping for you

oh thanks peanutbutterkid!

Anyone?

Hi there

I can't help with the IVF side of things as I've no experience.

But I have RA, and haven't yet finished having babies! I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I know it's a scary time.

Treatment is available that is compatible with trying to conceive. They can prescribe various drugs which are safe (although some have a 2 year period when you shouldn't conceive so obviously avoid these) - your consultant really should be able to give you more detailed advice than just telling you to get on with it! Also, if you can cope on painkillers/NSAIDs alone until you conceive then a lot of RA patients find they actually go in to a remission phase when pregnant so you may not need drugs then anyway. You may have a flare up immediately after the birth due to the prolactin levels and you will then need to decide on a course of action taking in to account whether you will be breastfeeding or not. I'm not sure about DMARDs (the "wonder" drugs). These take months to work and I'm not sure if they are ok with having a baby. I am on methotextrate and it can't stay in your system that long because my consultant knows we will be trying for another baby in about a year. I am currently on "aggressive" treatment - my cocktail of 8 including steroids, NSAIDs and DMARDS - if you shake me I rattle! My consultant has done this knowing that I'm actively preventing pregnancy now but will want to try again within a year or two. Speak to your consultant again and ask him to go through your options. Also go to this website www.rheumatoid.org.uk/. They have lots of info and also a forum where you can hear about the experiences of others which I have found very helpful.

Anyway, I'm still learning the territory myself so sorry not to be of much more help but if you have any further questions I'll try my best! Good luck with getting pregnant and all the best with the RA. I've had some success with diet changes as well as drug treatment and physio.

All the best.

Hi weegle and thanks for posting. It's great to hear that I'm not alone in this. My symptoms came on very suddenly and I was referred to the rheumy within weeks. He kinda made me feel better as he was pretty laid back and said he's seen lots of women may age with RA who are trying to conceive. As I have an appt to discuss IVF in a few weeks he's just put me on painkillers/anti-inflammatories for now. I'm also waiting for an MRI appt to come through where they'll check for joint damage. I was devasted when my GP first told me my diagnosis as I had already scared myself witless by researching RA on the internet. Right now, my focus is exploring the possiblity of having another baby and that's taken my mind off the RA to some extent. I'm not sure what the future holds but I can't bear the thought of disability and/or immobility. Pain and stiffness I can bear although (for the first time in my life) I now feel old...
How do you cope and have you made any changes to your lifestyle?