Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

After I had my DD in 2008, 2 weeks post csection my joints were inflammed and many tests and bone scans later I am told I have an autoimmune disease. I tested negative for rheumatoid arthritis. I ended up having to see the rheumatologist bc of the malar (butterfly rash) that seemed to have been lupus. It wasn't lupus. I was in so much pain with my joints after and didn't get any answers. I gave up going to doctors bc I felt like a pin cushion and just wanted to take care of my baby and not running to doctors and hospitals once a week. I am now TTC #2 (4 years later) and I wonder if this evil autoimmune disease will come out during pregnancy or possibly after. For those of you who do have an autoimmune disease, how has it been during pregnancy? if you've been pregnant before, how was it post birth? I'm definitely very scared which is why it's taken me 4 years to even THINK about trying to have another baby. Thanks in advance, this is a tough and emotional road for me.

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

My situation is a little different from yours... but when I was pregnant with my DS, I was having symptoms consistant with MS (they continued until I was about 4m PP). They couldn't do the proper testing while I was pregnant, so i had to wait until after I delivered. 5 MRIs and many tests later... they still can't give me a firm diagnosis. I obviously pray that I don't have MS, but we are currently TTC#2 and I'm so scared that the same symtoms will pop up again. The only advice I have for you is to go back to your doctors and voice your concerns. It's better to be proactive about this and try to prevent any symptoms from coming back.

Good Luck!!

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

I have an autoimmune disorder but they don't know what one. I have had some testing done and the best they can tell me is it takes years to diagnosis someone and labelled me undifferentiated connective tissue disorder. Basically saying there is something wrong they just can't figure out what.

That said... I had a great first pregnancy. No flare afterwards or anything. It was almost like the pregnancy put me into remission.

Then I got pregnant with #2 I has some pain during the pregnancy but it wasn't too bad. After the baby came the pain got worse but was still bearable. Mostly went along with weather changes.

Then I got pregnant with #3 and I have been in constant pain. My joints are just so swollen and painful. I have had debilitating migraines the whole pregnancy. It has really helped me realize that after this baby comes my family will be complete and my dh will be getting snipped. I am honestly scared about how I will feel after I deliver. I am hoping it will improve after the baby comes. Otherwise it is time to start the testing again and find an answer this time. My hands are so weak I keep dropping everything. My hips and knees constantly hurt. My shoulder was so bad at one point I literally could not breath and almost ended up in the ER but I couldn't get out of bed to go get DH to take me. I am being induced in a couple days so I can let you know then if the pain subsides after the baby is born.

That said even with all the pain I would do it again in an instant to have my children

Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

Message edited 8/23/2012 12:49:19 AM.

Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a child which went into remission at age 11. It was very bad as a child. Everything stayed good throughout pregnancy ,thank God . Baby was born in May and no issues during pg or since dd was born. Good luck. Hoping you also stay well throughout your pregnancy, and after.

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

Posted by imyself

I have an autoimmune disorder but they don't know what one. I have had some testing done and the best they can tell me is it takes years to diagnosis someone and labelled me undifferentiated connective tissue disorder. Basically saying there is something wrong they just can't figure out what.

That said... I had a great first pregnancy. No flare afterwards or anything. It was almost like the pregnancy put me into remission.

Then I got pregnant with #2 I has some pain during the pregnancy but it wasn't too bad. After the baby came the pain got worse but was still bearable. Mostly went along with weather changes.

Then I got pregnant with #3 and I have been in constant pain. My joints are just so swollen and painful. I have had debilitating migraines the whole pregnancy. It has really helped me realize that after this baby comes my family will be complete and my dh will be getting snipped. I am honestly scared about how I will feel after I deliver. I am hoping it will improve after the baby comes. Otherwise it is time to start the testing again and find an answer this time. My hands are so weak I keep dropping everything. My hips and knees constantly hurt. My shoulder was so bad at one point I literally could not breath and almost ended up in the ER but I couldn't get out of bed to go get DH to take me. I am being induced in a couple days so I can let you know then if the pain subsides after the baby is born.

That said even with all the pain I would do it again in an instant to have my children

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

I have had 2 losses, and I am ANA positive (anti-nuclear antibodies= something that is a marker for auto immune diseases), I have raynauds syndrome (tendency to have numb fingers/toes)....but so far I do not have an actual autoimmune disease. I also found out I have a gene mutation and the high dosage of B vitamins I was taking to counteract the mutation (something called Metanx) gave me a horrible inflammatory reaction- just like lupus. It freaked me out and left me wondering if I would have that reaction in my next pregnancy if I go back on the high dose of B vitamins.....but I seem to be a rare case, so I doubt you'd have the same issues I have going on! Have you been tested to find out if you are ANA positive? That alone is a concern and can cause miscarriages. I would suggest seeing a reproductive specialist like Dr. Braverman since he is an immunologist as well and checks out a lot of autoimmune problems. I just started seeing him and I've found out so much in the month and a half since our initial consultation. It's better to be cautious and have testing done if you are concerned about what's going on with you from an autoimmune perspective, I only wish I had gone to see Dr. B after our 1st loss. Good luck on your TTC journey for #2!!

Message edited 8/23/2012 2:02:02 PM.

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy

we have every AI in the sun in my family, I have two - Hashimotos aka Hypothyroid but the AI version and AICU (autoimmune chronic urtercaria - hives.)

When you are pregnant, your body will usually do one of two things - either go into hyperdrive exaggerating everything or, surpress everything including AI symptoms.

With my hypothyroid with my first pregnancy, i never needed to adjust my meds. My numbers were actually better than they had been in 10 years! This pregnancy, I am out of whack. My meds have doubled. You never know how your body will respond.

From 2007-2009, I have severe breakouts of hives and soft tissue swelling, usually brought on by stress but it was very unpredictable. It was an awful time in my life. As soon as i got pregnant in 2009, not a single symptom UNTIL right after i gave birth. My hands swelled up 2 days PP and the hives came back. I had symptoms on and off for about 2-3 weeks but nothing really sicne, 2.5 years ago.

A lot of AIs are triggered by and exaggerated by stress and hormones. I hope this helps!

Re: Autoimmune Diseases during pregnancy