Hi, I'm new to the forum as I forgot my password and couldn't log in - RA brain for you!

I've been reading some of the posts about trying to conceive and also pregnancy and RA and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice? I've had RA for 2 years and am 36. We wanted to start a family so I was advised to stop Methotrexate in July last year and was advised by RA Nurse to wait 3 months before trying to conceive. Told could carry on with anti-inflammatories (Naproxen) and Prednisolone (low dose 10-15 mg depending on how I was) whilst TTC and to take paracetamol. Got pregnant first month of trying (very lucky!) but miscarried at 5/6 weeks. TTC again and fell pregnant in February, but again miscarried but at 11 weeks this time - totally gutted! Stopped Naproxen when found out pregnant (which I was advised to do) but carried on with Prednisolone and Paracetamol, but was in major flare up whole time and could hardly move.

Anyway, after devastation of 2 miscarriages have gone back on Methotrexate temporarily (last 8 weeks) to control RA and get out of flare ups. But now am in process of TTC again, so am waiting 3 months for Methotrexte to come out of system before TTC.

Any advice on what I was doing wrong - if anything? Any other medication suggestions for me to speak to RA team about when I go for next appointment. If manage to get pregnant and lose another baby, know I can't cope with doing it again, as it's been so devastating, so will be looking at adoption route, but will having RA go against me and my husband trying to adopt? Again, any tips appreciate.

Ruth

Hi Ruth so sorry to hear about the miscarriages i had one too at 13 weeks so i know how you feel, i had to come off the Sulfasalazine but stayed on naproxen and prednisolone , i also had to have the fertility drug clomid as i could not conceive ( tried for 4 years) eventualy got pregnant six months after miscarriage and had a healthy baby boy ( 1 month early) its so hard stopping and starting these drugs , i dont know anything about adoption but others on here do, take it easy and good luck ttc]

Sophie x

Hi Ruth

I am so sad to hear about this. It is devastating.

As Doreen has said, Amanda, Jenni and Alison are the ones to help you. They have been through it and once they pick up on this thread will be here with some good advice. Jenni is away until tomorrow but will most certainly come back yo you.

Much love to you
Jeanxxxx

Hi Ruth aww welcome to nras site
so sorry hear of your loss,im about start tcc for 1st time this winter im told wait 9 months after stopping mtx as im newly diagnosed with sysetmic lupus they want the hydroxy get time work fully and lupus be controlled,im also on nsaids,and alot other bits some of which are to stop at trying stage 1 of which is nsaids.


cartn advise re miscarriage ,only thing you may not be checked for it aps,hughes syndrome threw blood test i have so far i am partially postive so they will re check later in year if am its easy to treat,as can cause miscarriages.

genlte hugs.
lv melly

Thanks for all your comments and support. It's just all so overwhelming sometimes trying to come to terms with RA alone, let alone having had the miscarriages. It's so nice to know I'm not the only one going through these things. My support network (friends and family) are really good generally but struggle to understand how I feel with having RA and my symptoms. I struggle to understand most of the time! It is good news I know that I seem to be able to get pregnant without problem as I know this isn't the case for many women and I feel lucky in that respect.

Good wishes to all of you x

Hi Ruth

Welcome to the forum where you will make lots of new friends and find much useful information.

I'm sorry to hear of your problems with miscarriage and understand your concerns with having RA. I haven't had miscarriages but have experienced sub fertility on two occasions. My RA started after the birth of my first child and it was an extremely difficult time. I did however improve with effective RA treatment and Clomid and went on to have twin boys and another baby boy. The twins should have been triplets but I did lose one and looked set to lose the other two but things settled down and all was well.

Certainly the RA drugs can be a cause for concern in pregnancy but I'm sure your doctors will offer advice on what's right for you. I had a friend with RA who had seven miscarriages. She had two boys with no problems and then the difficulties started. The RA drugs were ruled out as being responsible and many years later it was discovered that in each of the miscarriages she had been carrying girls. The problem was diagnosed as Hughes Syndrome (mentioned by Melly earlier). 'Hughes' is another auto-immune disorder and with the correct treatment I understand that a pregnancy can be carried to term.

It may be worth asking for some additional tests to be done to eliminate the likes of 'Hughes' and similar auto immune disorders.
Let us know how you go on and good luck,

Lyn x

Hi Ruth
aww you will get there,yes hughes foundation also useful abscent minded forgot post link here goes,
http://hughes-syndrome.org/

it is easily treatable,may not be casue but something id of thought your rheumy would have tested for.
keep posting lovely see you online.
Im at month 4 of my wait for mtx be out system,lupus be more controlled,along with ra.
currently RA being nuisance so just had bloods again see if action terms drugs needed.


take care
Melly

Thanks Jenni for the information. I'm am trying to arrange to be tested, but my GP is pretty adamant they won't do any investigations until 3 miscarriages, which is really unhelpful! I see my RA Nurse on 3rd August, so hope I will get some support there. She is usually pretty good. Now I've got the information you girls have all given me, I feel I can try and ask again about some tests. I've started to take 5mg Folic Acid and 75mg Asprin which was recommended by Early Pregnancy Nurse after last miscarriage as something which could help me next time. Worth a go.

Many thanks

Ruth x