Seeking Advice Regarding Rheumatoid Arthritis in Pregnancy

Hi R.

I have had RA for about 10 years. I have had two kids. When I was pregnant with the first, the arthritis went away. I was in heaven. The arthritis was really bad during the second pregnancy. Instead of Enbrel, I was put on prednisone. It's a steriod, and apparently is safe for the baby. It helped me a lot. As soon as I had my second, I was put on Humira.

I don't know if this helps, but I really feel for you. I've been there.

I actually own my own health/wellness business, and we have some all-natural proudcts that help with arthritis. We have seen incredible results, and our products are safe to take when pregnant. If you would like more info, please let me know. You can also visit my website at www.gehrke.unfranchise.com GOod luck!

R.:

my reference, drugs in pregnancy nad lactation, indicates that there have been no studies in human pregnancy-in rats and rabbits at doeses 60 -100 times the himan diese revealed no fetal harm.

As for breastfeeding this drug is perfectly safe. it has a large molecular structure such that it can not pass into the milk. additionally as it is not bioavailable from the gut if it got into the milk it would end up only in the stomach.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc.
1 800 LACTATE

Rheumatoid arthritis and regular arthritis are totally different, as are the medications that treat them. Enbrel is NOT in the same class of drugs as Vioxx or Celebrex. The previous comment regarding arthritis drugs 5 years later is well meaning, but not well informed.

The only person who is qualified to answer your question is a physician. Please talk to your doctor, and if he or she is uncomfortable with your situation, see a high-risk OB. RA is a serious condition and warrants treatment, pregnant or not. It is not like treating minor aches or the sniffles, of which I am sure you are already aware.

PLEASE talk to your doctor about it. This is not the forum to ask for medical advice.

I do not have RA, or use these mediation. I have Fibromyalgia. When talking with my Rheumatologist, he mentioned that often during pregnancy symptoms of Fibromyalgia, RA, etc. go away during the duration and medicating is not necessary. I was lucky enough to have this wonderful "side effect". My symptoms did not return until I started weaning. Hopefully you will get this "side effect" as well!

As I understand it, the drug is comparitively new as it was introduced in 1998, and sufficient studies haven't been done to test its effects in pregnancy or breast feeding to an infant. The warning on the label says not to use in pregnancy or with breast feeding (due to potential harm to babies) unless absolutely necessary....

don't take it - they keep on saying certain arthritis drugs are fine and then 5 yrs later say it is really dangerous. For your baby do not take the chance. Good luck!