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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/27/2010
Posts: 75
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Hi Ruth
I really agree with Jenny. My RA nurse wrote to my GP and told them to refer us for fertility tests sooner rather than later.
Take care
Clairexx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 124 Location: Wolverhampton
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Hello Ruth.
Sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I didn't know of any link between RA and miscarriages - I had three miscarriages in the space of two years, one healthy pregnancy, then another miscarriage. We stopped trying again after that. As I was under a fertility clinic at the time, they did carry out the sticky blood test (there was another thing I was tested for but am unable to remember what that was) and both came back negative. For me, it turned out that I don't produce enough pregesterone during early pregnancy which causes me to miscarry about 7 weeks along. With my healthy pregnancy, I took pregesterone until 13 weeks - was very scared to come off them, but didn't really need it any more.
I hope you find the cause of your miscarriages - Amanda is right, it is something you never really get over ....
Nina x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/9/2010
Posts: 7
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Just to update you girls, I have finally feel I am getting somewhere. I have changed GPs as I was banging my head against a brick wall in getting any help whatsoever. At my new GP practice they have a GP who has special interest in RA and actually has the condition herself. On my first visit to see her last week, she was surprised I had not been offered anything as alternative to Methotrexate whilst TTC and has prescribed me Sulphazalazine (sorry about spelling - not sure it's right!) which she says I can take whilst TTC. She also arranged for some blood tests (not quite sure what they are all for but gave 8 testtubes of blood this morning!) to see if there are any underlying reasons for miscarriage. I'm sure it includes the Hughes Syndrome Test. All previous GPs I have seen have refused to do any tests until 3 miscarriages. We are now at stage where it is 'safe' for us to TTC, so fingers crossed for some good news soon as my RA has flared up big style. Will keep you posted.....
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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I am so pleased for you Ruth and glad your GP is being supportive. Good luck.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Ruth
That is such good news. You are very lucky finding a GP who also has RA. I wish you every success in TTC.
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Hi Ruth So sorry to hear about your miscarriages but I'm glad you've found an understanding GP. I was born with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and went onto methotrexate when I was 12. At the time, they advised that it may cause problems with fertility. I was advised to come off it a year before I wanted to conceive. My arthritis had gone into remission so I came off it long before but still stayed on contraceptive pill. When I was ready to start conceiving I came off the pill a year before and had a test to check ovulation, everything came back all ok. I became pregnant but sadly miscarried..... My Mum had miscarried with her first so just took it as one of those things. I then had a suspected ectopic with 2nd and it was after that I was referred for further tests.... One of the tests that I did have was to check for anti nuclear antibodies (ANA) as large amounts can cause complications with autoimmune conditions and miscarriages. I'll need to dig out the letter I got from the hospital to check the exact test. Unfortunately I'm only going to be able to conceive via IVF as I have blocked tubes but I am still ovulating regularly. The only thing is for me to go ahead with IVF I have to come off all my meds Hope everything goes ok with the tests xxx Helly x Celebrating 10yrs of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Doing a Tandem Skydive - May 2011 - All Sponsorship Welcome - www.justgiving.com/helencopeland Read my blog - Helly Copeland
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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I know that this is quite an old thread but I have only just joined NRAS and I thought I would add my expereience. I also had 2 miscarriages and was finding it dificult to get pregnant (even though I had got pregenant very easily with my first before being diagnosed with RA). I was very lucky that I had a very sympathetic Rheumatologists that decided to do a blood test after the second miscarriage (I too had been told that they didn't do any tests until after 3 miscarraiages). SHe said that some people with RA have 'sticky blood' and this can cause you to miscarry. The test came back positive so she put me on low dose aspirin. I then got pregnant very quickly and carried to term. I continued to take Sulphasalazine all the way through to keep the RA under some control and had regular steroid injections. I now have a very lively 15 month old!
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/9/2010
Posts: 7
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Hi all, I haven't been online for ages, but just thought I would share my excellent news. You'll be pleased to know that I managed to conceive again successfully and am now 30 weeks pregnant. I was so scared about miscarrying again, that I didn't want to tempt fate.
I'm doing quite well in my pregnancy, had some nasty flare ups early on of RA, but since week 12 of the pregnancy my RA has been under excellent control. I take 10 mg of Prednisolone daily. I'm trying to wean myself off this slowly by 1mg a week, but seem to have found 10mg is 'comfortable' for me.
I've made a decision not to breastfeed so I can go back onto Methotrexate after delivery, so hopefully I can keep RA symptoms at bay. This has been a difficult decision for me, but think it is for the best cause if I do have any bad days with RA then at least someone else can help me with feeding baby.
I wondered if anyone had any experience of having taken Prednisolone during pregnancy and then having to have a steroid drip during labour? This is something gynaecologist consultant has mentioned to me last time I saw her. Anything you know as ever would be useful.
I did have test for 'sticky blood' and it came back negative, so perhaps miscarriages were just one of those things, and nothing RA related after all.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Congratulations Ruth!  Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly. Keep us informed! Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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Huge Congratulations Ruth !! do keep us posted as to how you are doing in the last stages, won't be long now. Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Ruth Lovely to hear your news ! Sending you my very best wishes  Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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What lovely news Ruth! Thankyou for sharing it with us. Keep posting XX Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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HI Ruth
Fab news re baby.
I didnt breast feed either. Bernice is now 3 and bright, funny and clever. (and a right pickle too at times!)
Definately do the drip- you may need extra to cope with the trauma of labour, they can just up it as necessary.
I had a c-section for Bernie though, so no personal experience.
Wishing you, your other half and baby all the very best. Do let us know how you get on. Have you got all the equipment you need?
Jenni xx
PS I also miscarried and didnt have the sticky blood thing, its worth a check though always.how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Fantastic news! congratulations.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 262
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Hi Ruth,
Congratulations!!!
What lovely news!
Hope everything goes really well for you.
Diane x
ps I bottle fed both my daughters mainly due to RA and they thrived on it x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/21/2010
Posts: 178
Location: aberdeen
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hello ruth
congratulations
and is the pink typeface a clue?
.....eve x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Ruth Congratulations on your fab news! I took prednisolone throughout my last two pregnancies but didn't have the drip. I did however have methyl prednisolone infusions after each delivery which helped subdue any pending return of RA for a little while and at least until the stronger stuff kicked in! I had a Caesarian with the twins, and they did give me some steroidal concoction before I went to theatre but as it was an emergency under general anaesthetic, I kind of lost the plot somewhere between the ward and theatre doors! Hope everything goes really well for you, your partner and baby Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Wonderful News...Congratulations!!!!!!
Love Paula x
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