Thursday, August 27, 2009
Background, i have been diagnosed with RA for about 3 ½ years. I was doing overall really well on Enbrel and Methx. Last year my husband and I decided it was time to have a baby. I stopped all my meds and luckily got pregnant very quickly. I am currently 38 weeks pregnant, and was not a one of the lucky ones who went into remission. I am concerned about post pregnancy flare ups because I didn't go into remission I am wondering if this is going to happen to me. Did anyone experience that? Also I am reading that Dr. think that breastfeeding my increase inflammation, thus increasing RA flares. Any experiences/knowledge you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
First, congratulations on your baby! Sorry to hear that you didn't go into remission, that's got to make it harder.
Second, when I hear doctors and breast-feeding mentioned in the same sentence, my teeth get a little itchy. Doctors are good at many things, but rarely experts in breast-feeding and may not know enough information to advise one way or another (I have a close friend who's a lactation consultant and the stories I've heard of doctors lack of understanding of breast-feeding it will turn your hair white). To get accurate and up-to-date information about what impact breast-feeding may have on your RA, contact a board-certified lactation consultant - they have to be certified every two years, so absolutely have to stay on top of the latest research. You can find an IBCLC through the International Lactation Consultant Association website here.
If you do speak to a lactation consultant, you can also discuss the pros and cons of breast-feeding for you. There are many benefits both to you and the baby from breast-feeding, even if it's for a short time, but depending on the activity of your RA, you may have to look at going back on the DMARDs sooner than you otherwise would. Again, a lactation consultant will be able to give you more details on the pros and cons of this.
Good luck! Please let me know how things go?