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Concerns with AS and pregnancy

Posted , 4 users are following.

A1987
A1987

I’m a 28y/o female and I was diagnosed with AS a few months ago. I have been suffering with hip pain for about 10 years. I also started suffering pain in between my shoulders and neck over the past 12 months. My hip pain has increased so much in that time that I have lost about 50%of the flexibility in both hips and they are constantly stiff. The shoulder/neck issue has increased to points where I can’t breathe from the pain and need to go to emergency for an anti-inflammatory injection as Indocin doesn’t do the trick by that stage.

I am booked in to see a specialist to go on long term medication, however I am interested to know how females have coped while pregnant? I would like to start a family in a few years but am terrified I will be unable to do the most basic tasks as I am already struggling quite severely with chronic fatigue, depressed/low mood due to constant pain and quite regular flare ups. I know that most medications can’t be taken while pregnant.

Thanks

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • tim1978
    tim1978 A1987

    Posted

    Hi my mum went undiagnosed for 18 years with as and she had 5 of us in that time just have to take is steady.i have as too I was failed to be diagnosed in 2002.and 2 of my brothers have it too

    • A1987
      A1987 tim1978

      Posted

      Thanks Tim1978, your mother must have been superwoman. I hear it puts a lot of pressure on the lower joints while pregnant (more so than those who don’t have AS of course).

      My dad and uncle had AS (both have passed away). My dad didn’t have any real issues with it to be honest, he wasn’t on any medication. My uncle was far worse however.

      I seem to have copped the worst of it in our family. The past 12 months I have struggled to exercise without causing a lot of pain to my back, neck and hips. I’m incredibly tired all of the time. I feel like I can never get enough sleep and I am positive I am suffering from depression as a result. I barely have a social life anymore and have even taken a less time demanding job.

      I find it hard to talk to my family and friends about it, they don’t understand and often think I am using AS as an excuse not to attend functions. It’s almost easier to lie and come up with another excuse than try to explain my exhaustion or a flare up.

      I am praying that with specialised medication I will be able to live a much more active lifestyle in the future and hopefully prepare myself physically for a period of time that I won’t be able to take medication for my AS while pregnant. I also want to continue to progress in my career with the energy and enthusiasm that I used to have a few years ago. I’m just nervous that it will take some time to find the right balance of medication and I shouldn’t get my hopes up that I’ll have a quick fix after I see my specialist.

      There are a lot of positive stories out there though so I’m hoping I’ll be another one of them!

    • tim1978
      tim1978 A1987

      Posted

      My specialist has put me on humira it's a injection u do every 2 weeks at home I have had 2 so far and have noticed the difference to the pound t I have dropped one of my tablets a day I take 4 different pain relif
  • elaine35397
    elaine35397 A1987

    Posted

    Hi there, have recently joined this forum for other things and came across this post!

    I am now 50, was diagnosed at 18 following years of tests from the age of 13 (was hospitalised with Iritis).

    At first diagnosed then with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis! I have had every drug going since 18yrs old and have no stomach lining left.

    I do believe that us ladies and hormones have a big part to play!

    I have had 2 children successfully (normal deliveries).

    Whilst carrying my daughter my symptoms calmed down - which was handy, as you can only take paracetamol. Things might have changed, as this was 25 years ago!

    When carrying my son, I had quite a lot of pain and was induced on my due date - as he was a big baby! I couldn't have an epidural for either because of my spine!

    Also couldn't breast feed my son, as had to get back on medication promptly after giving birth. Hope this hasn't put you off. I don't want to scare you and they probably have better things available. X

  • drliz
    drliz A1987

    Posted

    Hi, I have had two pregnancies with AS and the AS went out of control at 9 weeks of pregnancy. I dont know what the medical literature says about AS and pregnancy - my rheumatologist had never seen someone pregnant with AS. Our oldest daughter has developed sero negative arthritis at 21 years - probably psoriatic but maybe AS.
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