Finally Pregnant!

[Tomoko]

Hi Lori and Everyone,

Haven't written here for long time, I was having hard time conceiving, and did not feel like writing about it...

But after 6,7 months of trying to conceive, I finally got pregnant! I stopped Enbrel in Dec, and just took predonisone. I was doing OK untill this September, then I had really bad flare and I could not even walk. My left knee was like a grapefruit. I was so sad because I stopped Enbrel for pregnancy but I was not getting pregnant, and only  getting weaker and weaker. In September, I had to change my Rheumatologist, because the old one moved out. My new doc thought It would be hard to get pregnant with the inflammation and weakness, so he puts me on Enbrel again. My body got very strong right away, and I found myself pregnant in a month.

Right now, I'm 9 week pregnant, and just saw baby's heart moving for the first time. I've been off all the meds over a month, my left wrist is really hurting, but otherwise I'm doing fine suprisingly. I just wanted to share the good news with you Lori, and also other RA moms.  I'm little nervous and bit scared about flare and about baby's future health, but I'm happy! 

[cavansmom]

Hi Tomoko!

Congratulations!  I am so happy for you!  I'm sorry it took so long for you to get pregnant.  We hadn't heard from you in so long, I was wondering.

So, now I have to ask... what are your med plans after the baby is born?  Will you go back on Enbrel?

Take care!  Please keep in touch!

Lori

[Tomoko]

Thank you Lori!!!

I started to flare up all of the sudden this week, my knee and hip joint are really swollen. I'm meeting my rheumatologist  tomorrow, he might drain water out from my knee, and we will discuss if I will take low dose predonisone or local shot... It's not fun, but something has to be done...

As for med plans after the baby is born, I was thinking about going without any meds as long as I'm OK. But now I'm flaring up, I have to talk to my doc about it too. So much to think about!!! I'll let you know how it goes.

Tomoko

[cavansmom]

Hi Tomoko,

I never had a joint drained until right after Cavan was born (my left knee... got cortisone shot too).  I gotta tell ya (not to scare you), but it was awful!  Afterwards, for about a week, I felt like a million bucks though!  I hope whatever you decide, it goes well.  Please let us know!

Take care,

Lori

[Tomoko]

Hi Lori,

You're right, the knee shot was pretty bad!!!!!!!!!!! I had done it once before, it was not as bad that time. This time, it almost felt like the nurse hit something, it hurt so much that I screamed.

But I'm feeling much better, I can walk again and be active. I hope this will last long.... I'm going to get ultra sound done next Monday, I'm excited!

Tomoko

[cavansmom]

Hi Tomoko,

Sorry to hear about the pain!  I had a doctor do it.... didn't know nurses could.  Either way... OUCH!

How'd your ultrasound go?

Lori

[Tomoko]

Hi Lori,

Its been a while since I wrote here last time, time flies! How have you and your family been? Since that local shot, I've been doing so well that I haven't been taking any more shots or medications so far. My inflammation is well-controlled except for my left wrist which even bothered me when I was taking Enbrel.

I have 3 more months to go now, and reading a lot about breast feeding on this site from everyone's experience. Its a hard decision to make... Its also hard to manage weight since I cannot be as active as other healthy moms. I still have to be really careful not too over use my joints. I swim 2times a week, but maybe that's not enough.

Otherwise, things are well. Just wanted to say hi and let you know how I'm doing. Hope things are well with everyone!

Tomoko

[cavansmom]

Hi Tomoko,

It's so good to hear from you.  When are you due?  I'm so excited for you!!!  I'm glad to hear the shot worked for you.  I've read that remission or lessening of symptoms tends to happen 2-3rd trimesters, if you're lucky enough to have it, so maybe you're getting some benefit there too.

Things here are going pretty well.  I'm down to 1 mg of prednisone and hope to be totally off in the next 30 days or so.  I'm feeling better, but still longing for that "before pregnancy" thing.  Maybe I'll never get back there, but that's ok... still worth it!  I'm functional!

Keep in touch!  I like to hear how our moms are doing.... helps other moms know what to expect!

Take care!

Lori

[roklems_chic]

Congrats on your pregnancy! 

[Heather]

I just wanted to say congratulations!