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Fathering a child under RA treatment

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 5/4/2018 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 34 and have been diagnosed with RA a year ago when my wife and I are planning on starting a family. I'm on methotrexate for over 6 months and my sperm count/quality has dropped significantly over the past year (there's no other plausible cause but the medication). My doctor has been coy about this medication's impact on fertility and I didn't get a definitive answer. After searching online, I found some varying accounts of methotrexate from affecting sperm count to causing birth defect (can't believe that my doctor said it has no impact on fathering a child!). Now I've added adalimumab to my treatment and my doctor says I can half the dosage of methotrexate, but it looks like I cannot get rid of it anytime soon plus there doesn't seems to be sufficient evidence about the impact of adalimumab too. I don't know what to do. Does anyone know anyone who has to deal with this situation? cry cry cry
Posted 5/4/2018 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
In treatment of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, all the meds are considered safe for the father - with the notable exception of methotrexate. My understanding is that it's not safe for the fetus when taken by the mother or father because of the risk of birth defects.

Adalimumab, on the other hand, is safe for the father and for the mother before and during pregnancy.

The same would be true of these meds for treatment of RA or psoriasis or anything else they are used for.

So I too am surprised your doc hasn't/didn't mention this about methotrexate.

After you've been on the adalimumab for a while and are stable, get off the methotrexate completely for a few months before starting a family.
Posted 5/4/2018 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Beave, your information is very useful. I read more posts about Humira's and there doesn't seem to be sufficient study on using it around conception. Have you come across more findings about this? Since I just started Humira, I think I'll have to be on it regularly for at least 2 years.
Posted 5/4/2018 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Humira (and Remicade) and others like them are safe for pregnancy, both before conception and during pregnancy, for mothers and fathers. There are several mothers with Crohn's or UC on this forum who have been on Humira or Remicade before and during their pregnancy. There are no known risks at all for the father to be on it.
Posted 6/9/2018 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
When I was on Humira, I was able to get off methotrexate completely. Now I'm on Enbril and back on it. The doc says it is better than prednisone, but I wish I could go off again. I hope you are able to get off and stay off. Too many side effects!
Very best wishes as you endeavor into parenthood. I'm my experience, the best thing about having children is that later in life they produce grandchildren turn
Beth
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