[waitingonbaby0228]

Hello Group! My name is April. I am 22 years old. I was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 15 while being hospitalized for a severe staph infection and major organ involvment which led to kidney damage. In 2006, I had my first flare up after being diagnosed and had to undergo cytoxan and cellcept for my kidneys. I have been on plaquenil, prednisone, and many blood pressure medicines. I have been married to Joe for almost 5 years and in October we found out we were expecting our first child! I have been in remission for 2 years now and have been off all medicines since June of 2008. So when I got pregnant, it was a good time since i wasn't on any meds and was in remission. I am now 15 weeks pregnant and doing very well so far. I am being seen by a regular obgyn, a high risk obgyn, a rheumatologist, and a nephrologist. So needless to say my time is spent going to all these darn appointments, but it's better to be safe than sorry! I work full time at a doctor's office and my husband is currently unemployed. He was medically discharged from the Army and is in the process of finding a job. I wanted to join this board because I would like to talk with you all about your experiences and get as much info as I can. I am hoping and praying that my pregnancy will go well and my kidneys wont start acting up. All my blood tests and urine tests have come back normal, so i'm still in remission, but i'm also worried about flaring up when i get farther along. So I look forward to hearing from you all. Is there any in here that have lupus and did not flare up during pregnancy?

 

[Jen79]

I just had a baby boy that will be 4 weeks on the 11th of this month. He was a 33 week baby due to problems not related to lupus. I felt wonderful while I was pregnant with no pains from the lupus or other related problems. Every pregnancy is different and some people go into remission like I did while pregnant and others have flares. I was also closely monitored by my OB and High Risk doc. Congrats on your pregnancy and I am sure you will do wonderful. I was only on Plaqunil and stomach med while pregnant and it seems like everything started hitting me all at once after I had him with the lupus, heart , pain........... Needless to say I had to get back on all my meds immediately and added some. I am suppose to be going to see a new rhume when doc gets me a appointment. Please keep me updated.

Jennifer

 

[LolaLola]

Hello and a big Welcome to you.
It can't be easy having Joe unemployed, does he have a lot of medical problems going on?
I still hadn't been diagnosed when I had my children, due to idiot local hospital, but despite things going very wrong it was all worth it. It is always worth it whatever happens.
I hope you will do really well,you sound very positive.
x Lola

 

[Maia]

Statistics for your primary question will tell you that roughly 1/3 will have a remission during the pregnancy or less symptomatic, 1/3 will be the same with the same # of flares as when not pregnant, and 1/3 will flare worse during pregnancy.

I had a return to very nearly full HEALTH when I was pregnant for almost all of that time, and it lasted for 3-4 months after having my baby too. Then I started to get sick, partially from germs from a baby in daycare and also I believe because my old rheumy took me off all medication because I was breastfeeding (all I wanted to take was the Plaquenil...).

I did have one short term flare while pregnant (massive hair loss, joint pain, fatigue were only symptoms though), lasted about 3 weeks and happened in the middle of the 3rd trimester. The best thing you can do is rest, take your medications, keep all those appointments, and eat well including more protein than normal (assuming your kidneys can handle it). I had a very normal/healthy pregnancy and baby. Chances are good for you too!

Good luck and take care & welcome to the site.

 

[waitingonbaby0228]

Jen79, congrats to you on your baby boy! Thank you for the info. I am hoping that my lupus will stay in remission.

 

[waitingonbaby0228]

lola, thanks for your input. No, it hasn't been easy with Joe being unemployed but it hasn't been his fault and he is trying to find employment. The only medical problems he has is osteoarthitis in his knees and he sometimes battles with depression, anxiety, etc. But he was going to school, which was helping bring in some income. But he just wants to find a good job now. I'll keep you all updated!

 

[waitingonbaby0228]

Maia, Thank you for your helpful information. I know everyone will be different, i am just really hoping for a good outcome. I am not on any medication right now. My rheumy says as long as my labs are still looking good that he sees no need to put me on anything. So after I have the baby, I will probaly look into getting put on something to prevent any flare-ups.

 

[LolaLola]

April,
Lots of love to you. This is a special time.
x Lola

 

[LeahPhinn]

I am 35 weeks into my pregnancy and so far no flare. I am seeing the same specialists as you are, OB, Perinatologist, Rheumy and Nephro. It IS a lot of appointments, but well worth it. I'm just waiting for this little one to be born. I have had issues with Cholestasis of Pregnancy, but that is unrelated to lupus. Other than that, my pregnancy has been pretty healthy. Oh, BTW, I have been on my Plaquenil for the entire pregnancy.