Rheumatoid Arthritis & meds during pregnancy

[Margo2023]

I am taking a biological med Tocilzumab and wanting to know if anyone else has experience of RA meds through pregnancy. I have an app next month with my RA consultant and of course will ask then, but I am trying to find out some information from others going thru the same experience. Did you continue to take your RA med thru pregnancy and if not, were you prescribed an alternative med?

Hey, I’m not entirely sure about the treatment your on but I have RA and I can continue to take sulfasalazine throughout pregnancy/breastfeeding. RA tends to go into remission throughout pregnancy anyway so fingers crossed it won’t be a huge issue for you 🤞

Yes, I was switched back to plain prednisone during pregnancy, as it was considered safer (16 years ago, so thinking might have changed now). I switched to it for both of my pregnancies, now on DMARDs. I have to say the rebound RA symptoms 6 weeks post partum were horrid though.

I have psoriatic arthritis and my meds (sulfasalazine) are safe to take in pregnancy. I was put on them specifically as I said I wanted to TTC.

My understanding from my Rheumy is that sulfasalazine is the only DMARD safe in pregnancy and that there is also a biologic which is safe. He said if I failed sulfasalazine at any point they could move me straight on to the biologic as due to pregnancy/TTC the usual requirement to fail two DMARDs wouldn't apply.

So far, the pregnancy has been smooth (am 24 weeks). I had to take prescription strength folic acid when TTC and I also have to take it until birth (due to sulfasalazine).

Rheumy has been really supportive, he said I can just ring the nurses if I flare up at any point. Largely my arthritis has been much better in pregnancy (tbf I was in remission before I conceived). He has also written to my doctors to say my pain meds (amitriptyline and codeine) are needed. My obstetrician has no concerns with any of my meds including the Rheumatology ones.

I've been told to expect a flare up at some point after the birth but that they can support me through it.

Hi my rhumy told me when I was ttc that Sulfasalazine is safe until the end of 2nd trimester I had to come off it tho as it depleted my white cells rapidly.
He put me on hydroxychloroquine he said safe through the whole pregnancy and breastfeeding along with prednisone.

In my last pregnancy I came off all my meds through choice and was in remission from 4months pregnant till my daughter was 18months

I hope u get sorted does your rhumy have a rhumy nurse helpline might be worth finding out as they were very helpful in clarification first time round for me

I'm currently nearing the end of my first trimester. I take the biologic drug etanercept which I inject weekly. My rheumatologist has been very helpful and supportive. She was aware that I was trying to conceive and has reassured me, my GP and midwife team that my medication is safe to take in pregnancy, at least for the first two trimesters, taking it in the third trimester would mean that baby's vaccinations would have to be delayed until they are six months old. She has personally overseen numerous patients taking this medication during pregnancy without issue and she also told me that this particular drug has also been used to treat women suffering from recurrent miscarriages so it has more of a track record of being used in pregnancy.
I also take 150mg of aspirin a day, high dose folic acid, iron and two 600mg calcium tablets a day. I take small amounts of cocadmol daily and have been told that is fine, at least for the first two trimesters.
Thanks to my medication, I have not had a serious RA flare for years so I'm not sure if pregnancy has caused me to go into remission. However, I had to skip one week's dose of my biologic drug due to taking antibiotics for a UTI last week and within days my joints were starting to feel hot and painful, so I think I am definitely going to need to keep taking these meds.

Hi

I'm not pregnant but I am wondering if anyone can possibly share their first signs of RA and how long they've had RA for plus if it's a permanent feature or flares up?

Thanks

Me. Although not sure if you might get more responses on another thread. Diagnosed rather young at 22, now 35. Has been controlled with meds, as in, not really any symptoms now and can do quite a lot of active gym classes and swimming. Without meds not good, struggled getting out of bed and was always stiff sitting for periods of time so walking was hard. I went to my Doc after my hand knuckles became swollen which is a very common indicator. Do you have symptoms that you think might be RA? Mine was diagnosed by a blood test

Sorry to add it is permanent in that there is no cure but it can go into remission. For me flares are brought on by stressful times or sometimes doing something as simple as overusing a joint. On a positive note, it can be well managed, I am honestly the fittest and happiest I have ever been and that's 15 years diagnosed.

Thanks @Margo2023

My GP is going down that route but I'm not sure.

White blood cell count is high over last 3 months as well as CRP. Waiting on RA test results - been told likely know on Friday.

I have mainly a stiff shoulder. Aching ankles and knees. 1 hip aches but may be cycle related. My thumb used to swell up years ago but never went to GP. Fingers only swell in extreme heat.

Does it sound likely?