Plaquenil During Pregnancy . . . yes? no? - HELP!

Hi all, I am a newbie. I am a 33 year old with Lupus, in remission for the last 5 years, and generally healthy.

I met with my high-risk OBGyn today (not yet pregnant but hoping soon) and she suggested that since I have been in remission for the last 5 years, that I might want to think about going off my plaquenil before trying to get pregnant.

Now, my rheumatologist said it was ok to stay on it, that the risk to me (by going off it) would be higher than the risk to a fetus (by staying on it).

I am concerned that if I go off it and flare it may prevent me from having children in my timeframe (all women in my family go through menopause around 40, and I want more than one child). I don't want to have a flare, and I don't want to risk my kidneys and not being able to carry a child.

I'm not sure what I should do...I don't want to wait too long, but I want to do what is going to be best for both a child and myself.

She just tested me for the SSA/SSB/Anti-Coag today. I should know in a week. My old tests (5 years ago) said my RO was a 5, and my LA was a 1, but I don't know if that is good or bad?

Thanks,
E.

Post Edited (PaintedLady) : 9/13/2008 8:55:21 PM (GMT-6)

Hi PaintedLady. Welcome and I'm glad to hear that you have been in remission for so long and I understand your concern about going off of plaquenil. I don't have any experience with this, so I really can't help. I would suggest talking more to your docs and especially the OB to find out what the risks might be if you stay on plaquenil. I hope that some of our members who have been pregnant while they have had lupus will see this and be able to tell you their experience.

bump!

Hey Painted Lady,

I am new to the list too, and wanted to welcome you too.  I too have no answers for you, but it seems you have gotten some good advice, with the four pages available on it.

Hope your search will be rewarded.

Hester

Hi!

I'm new to this forum too and I usually don't post but I thought I could give you just a little bit of advice.

I was in remission for about 4yrs and on plaquenil when I decided to try to get pregnant and my rheumy was the one who told me to wait until I was off of plaquenil for 6mos.(I think) before trying.  I listened and I was also VERY worried that I would flare up but I was pretty lucky actually.  Now that I think of it my rheumy kept me on a low dose of prednisone-I think it was only 10mg during the pregnancy to kind of "make up" for the plaquenil and I didn't have any problems at all.  Actually, I went into remission and I decided to stay pregnant and ended up having four children all in 5 yrs b/c pregnancy was so good for me but this is not true with everyone so don't go by my account.

Did your rheumy say anything about just trying to go off the plaquenil and seeing how you do before you try to get pregnant?  I would also ask about the prednisone if anything does begin to flare up.  Just a couple of thoughts.

Good luck and I hope you get some more responses here.

Kelly