Plaquenil & Pregnancy

[ROLA]

HI:)
I'm trying to get pregnant too...this is the first pregnancy after lupus :(
actually i'm scared little bit!
I'm on aspirin & plaquinil...now,
what makes me worry is plaquinil! i've read that i should'nt take plaquinil in case i'm pregnant:(
should i quit the plaquinil ???
i don't want to do any thing harmful for the baby !


good luck to you
Rola

[cath]

Hi Rola,

How are you?

All the best with your plans:blush: . I hope it goes well for you:rolleyes: .

The first thing you should do is discuss your hopes with your rheumatologist, and have a pre-conception appointment with an obstetrician (ask your rheumy to refer you).

You should tell both specialists what medications you are on and get their advice about what to coninue taking and what to stop. As you have APS as well as SLE, you also need a plan about how to treat the APS during pregnancy.

It was previously recommended that Plaquenil not be taken in pregnancy, but increasingly women are staying on it, without problems for the baby and a reduced risk of the SLE flaring. Current thinking is coming round to the idea that it is therefore safe and actually better for you to stay on it that to stop it. You need to ask and follow your own specialist's advice though.

APS is usually managed with low dose asprin (which you are already on), and heparin (usually low molecular weight heparin). Discuss with your obstetrician if this is necissary in your situation.

You should also find out is you are Ro or La positive. If so, the obstetricians wouls keep a close eye on the baby during pregnancy to watch for signs of heart block (a possible complication os neonatal lupus).

You should also start folic acid at least one month before beginning to try to get pregnant.

All the best,

X C X

[Maia]

A few years ago now, I was STRONGLY encouraged to STAY ON the Plaquenil throughout pregnancy. I was a bit surprised at how strongly the doctors felt about that - but they said the risk of a lupus flare during pregnancy greatly outweighs the unknown but likely very small risk of taking that med.

I think it's a category "C" for pregnancy but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets bumped up to "B" which is about as safe as it gets in 10 years time or so when more evidence accumulates as to it's safety.

Definitely talk to your rheumy, and get a consult to a high risk OB-gyn for a pre-conception visit. That's what I did, and it all worked out great for me. I was just like you... SLE diagnosis with prior small problems due to anti-cardiolipin antibodies as well. I took Plaquenil and aspirin throughout pregnancy and before.

Good luck - also - remember to take a multivitamin with Folic Acid in it or get the recommended amount from your diet. That's probably the single most important thing for any woman to do who is trying to get pregnant.

[Judy Seagrove]

Hi,

During my third pregnancy, I developed Lupus and my daughter was born with Neonatal Lupus, which was really scary. If I knew I had Lupus (which I didn't), it may have helped her if I was on some medication. I would definitely discuss it with your rheumy, as pregnancy can really put Lupus in a tail spin!!! It did for me!
Everything I have read about Plaquneil is that it is a very "benign" safe drug.

Look into it!!

Judy

[Jen79]

That is a good question you need to discuss with your doctors first. I am getting married this summer and will be planning on having my first child in 2008 and I am going to doctors this summer about what medications i can stay on and the ones I may have to elimanate. I lot of women take Plaqunil while being pregeant and have healthy babies. It also helps prevent the progression of the Lupus while you are pregant also. Talk with your doctors and see what they say first.

[ROLA]

Hi ...
Thank you realy for your replies :)
It's realy helpful..
actually i did the RO & LA tests..thank god it's negative..:)
i'm trying to find another doctor..cos i don't trust mine at all:(
it seems i'm the only SLE patient he has!

THANK GOD i've found this site!

[Luscinda]

Hi Rola,

As far as I know Plaquenil is a safe drug to take for us lupies during Pregnancy. I'm also trying to get pregnant, and doctors told me it is safe.

As for your doctor, I think you're right: don't trust him/her if it is the case that you are the ONLY patient with lupus he/she has got. Try to find an experienced doctor.

I wish you lots of luck,

Luscinda