Is there anyone with RA that has infertility problems

Your story is so similar to mine. I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis which is and auto immune problem. I was told by my RA doctor that this does not cause infertility but after trying for  3 1/2 years I did not believe her. I had to go on Enbrel for 3 months until my inflammations where under control then go off and try to get pregnant until the inflammations came back and I could no longer control them with other safer meds. After 3 1/2 years my husband and I had made the choice to Try IVF. Yes, its expensive but at the same time we want to make sure we have done everything we can now before I get to menopausal stage. We just completed IVF and am waiting for the pregnancy test to be done in one week. I hope it works but if it does not at least I know I have done all I can. I think its a small price to pay for the dissapointments I was facing each month after I starting my period. At least I have given myself a better chance to have a child.

You have a hard choice to make and no matter what you decide it will have to come with some sacrifices. 

You have to ask yourself what are you most tired of, can you let you body go through the flareups, and 30 years from now when you no longer can have kids can you trully be happy with your decision that you made now.  Take care.

I have RA and have been trying to get pregnant for a little over 2 years ( one on my own and 1 year with a infertility specialist).  I'm taking 3 mg of prednisone and enbrel and haven't had any luck yet. According to my rheumatologist you will be more successful trying to conceive when the flares are minimal so he recommended me not to get off all the medication. To complicate matters I also have endometriosis.  My husband and I are about to try invitro and you can follow our journey at Hopeforjoy.com

I too had trouble getting pregnant with my 2nd child while on Prednisone.  (I wasn't diagnosed with RA until after the birth of my 1st).  My OB/GYN said that Prednisone was the problem.  I went off Prednisone and onto Sulfasalazine, and I got pregnant first try. 

A little over three years ago, we decided to try and start a family.  In order to do so, I had to start coming off my RA drugs (methotrexate), but have continued taking 50mgs of Enbrel weekly and 10 mgs Prednisone daily.  Now three years into trying, we have decided to work with a fertility specialist.  Over the last two years, we have undergone 4 IUI attempts (one was a converted IVF attempt) and one recent failed IVF attempt.  I have never been pregnant during the last three years.  I am 42 years old which is a a contributing factor, but I can't help but question whether something else is happening which may be related to my RA drugs.  I have been labeled an "intermediate responder" to the IVF protocol which is good and my husband's results are strong.  On paper, no reason why we shouldn't be getting pregnant.  And my rheumatologist and fertility specialist say no issues with the current drugs, but I'm not convinced.  If pregnant, the plan would be to discontinue the use of Enbrel, but not until we're pregnant.  Studies have shown that it's safe and some women have remained on Enbrel during their pregnancy.  We're not taking the chance since there isn't enough data yet. 

I noted a post about changing prednisone to sulfasalazine, but wanted to see if anyone else has been working with a fertility specialist, is in a similar position and has modified their protocol resulting in a successful pregnancy?

It is both helpful and hard to read the responses above.  I was diagnosed with RA about 3 1/2 years ago.  I came off my meds about a year ago to begin trying.  We've been trying to get pregnant and nothing yet.  Although I know its very early, and people in my life that know keep telling me that its too soon to think about infertility and all of that, I know that my joints keep getting worse.  The pain is making it difficult to stay postive and work.  I really want a baby, it's something I've always wanted, but I'm starting to think that with my RA I wish my doctors would allow me to act more aggressively toward looking into answers.  Any thoughts???

Thank you!  You're right.  After posting this the other day, I spoke again with my GYNO.  She is great and willing to start testing things now.  I just don't want to regret waiting!  Thanks again and good luck to you and your process!  I hope it works for you soon.

I too am having difficulties getting pregnant while suffering the negative consequences of only being on prednisone with my RA. My husband and I have been trying for year and a half now and we are just now getting tested for possible infertility complications. I have been contemplating for the past two months if we should go straight to the IUI and/ or IVF track since I seem to be in far too much pain from the RA. I have not been on heavy meds for at least two to three years now and very much feel and see the negative effects this is having on my body. Trying to decipher the whole process and be 'patient' is very hard since I want to try everything possible to have a family of my own first.

Wow.  I'm in a slightly different boat than all of you but similar in ways.  I have one daughter and my husband and I have been TTC our second for 5 months now.  About a month and a half ago the pain started.  In the apst few weeks I've been through blood tests and my doctor just this past week spoke with a Rheumatologist who has agreed he believes I have the beginning stages of rheumatoid.  I'm 26 the idea of living with pain for next 60 years is terrifying.  The past week has been a bit better...smaller joints and milder pain rather than huge pain in commonly used joints.  I've been doing as much research as I can to understand this.  So far they have simply proscribed Naprosin for the inflammation which I start tonight.  Once I see the rheumatologist things may change.  This still brings me to tears and knowing that you are all having problems TTC with your RA makes it harder.  It was already hard accepting that we weren't pregnant yet but now I have one more obstacle.  It's specially hard knowing how much more physically difficult it could be to care for the next child.  My shoulder is a bit tender today from carrying my 25lb daughter (who is very light for her age) yesterday when she dislocated her elbow and I had to take her to the ER.  How will I be able to carry a baby around on my bad days?  I love to cuddle and carry my daughter but it is becoming mroe difficult and it tears me apart if I have to say no when she wants up.

I am having problems too!  I have been trying for two years without any RA treatments.  Did you ever conceive or did you decide to adopt?