Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hello,

I am new to this group and was looking for some feedback. My husband and I are seriously talking about having kids. I am 30 and am completely off methotrexate, and close to being off the other stuff.

The problem is when I do get off everything I flare and have to go on steriods and can't get down to a maintainable level of steriods or pain pills so we can start trying. Most of my constant pain is in my feet, knees and hips.

Leading me to my second question of whether I should be trying to have kids? My husband wants them, but has said the final decision is up to me as he wants to make sure I am able to handle it and I am most important to him. Which is nice but adds some pressure.

I am not sure I can so I am looking to see how it has been for others? I work at a very intensive job and by the end of the day am exhausted. Then with the flares, I am not sure I can handle it and am not sure if I should just tough it out and go for it or what.....

Feedback on your experiences?

Hi there. I am new to this forum as well and you're email was the first I'd read! It's funny because my husband and I have been thinking about having another child and I am in a similar situation to you. Firstly, when the RA first started for me I wasn't taking anything stronger than voltaren and panadol. Then I found out I was pregnant and my symptoms all but disappeared (which they often do when you are pregnant!). After giving birth though, the symptoms resurfaced worse than ever and I was put on predinose, salazapyrin, plaquenil, methotrexate, voltaren and tramadol! So in considering the second pregnancy, I have also just come off methotrexate and am considering coming off the rest too. Is it possible for you to use cortico-steriods such as predinose? Because these are safe before and during pregnancy and apparently you can really ramp up the dose if you need to. Ask your rheumy about it. Good Luck!
Majella