Lupus and Pregnancy

What does your gut tell you?

I think if my rheumy & high-risk OBG said you're doing okay, I would trust them over this other guy who seems to be out in left field (and trying to collect $$). If that doesn't feel comfortable, perhaps you need a 2ond opinion from another immunologist?

Alternatively, a 2ond opinion from a high-risk OBG?

Keep us posted!

PS. Went back and double checked what an immunologist is supposed to do -- do you have allergies you didn't mention? I'm not clear why this guy is part of your care team.

Thanks Lynnwood for your reply,
I don't have allergies, not sure why I had severe reaction to heparin. The reason I was referred to the immunologist because both the OB and rheumy suspect I may be having other auto-immune issues. To follow my gut, I rather go drug free. I don't mind frequent ultrasound to monitor my baby and pray for a miracle! All these medications is making me sick. I have a healthy diet and lifestyle. I read that LA can be retested between 6-8 weeks, not sure how soon I can retest the ANA.

Lynnwood said...
That just sounds so strange to me. Most rheumies treat auto-immune disorders - that is the main part of their practice. And the definitions of an immunologist I read this morning don't seem to include treating auto-immune diseases.

"Lupus anticoagulant antibodies in living systems cause an increase in inappropriate blood clotting." So I see why they'd want something like heparine -- since you have a reaction I'd think they'd try coumadin plus I think there is a new anti-clotting med...

Thank you for your response. You are right about the immunologist not to be involved in this and that the rheumies are the one to treat auto-immune disorder.

I currently live abroad and the problem with developing country doctors is that they try so hard to prove the American doctors to be wrong. I have already had my diagnosis years ago and all I need is treatment, not an entirely new diagnosis. I have no choice because my husband's work is posted here and going through the rest of my pregnancy in the US is not an option.

To give an update, I heard from a doctor from LFA as well as my rheumy and OBGYN from the US who shed some light to my situation. According to them, there is no "one size fits all" treatment. The heparin that caused me to have reaction is Innohep, there is little study done on this and my physicians advise me to go on Clexane or Lovenox instead as it is said to have "minimal side effects." I am thankful to the doctors who took their time to help me out in this situation. I trust my doctors as they have been monitoring my lupus from the beginning and with all my medical history, they definitely have a better handle on things than these new doctors I am working with.

My physicians did state that a positive for Lupus Anticoagulant (doesn't matter weak or strong) can increase chances of having complications later in pregnancy. The immunoglobin transfusion (IVIG) is only recommended to those who have had recurrent miscarriages (more than 2). I am definitely not a candidate and the immunologist who recommend this is definitely trying to make more $$$

I am glad I did my research. I had a bad feeling from the beginning - especially when the immunologist dismiss the reaction I had to the drug, almost judging me to be psycho-somatic. This is definitely not the way health professionals behave. I never had blood clot issues (have been on birth control for years) and I understand pregnancy changes anything. I am thankful to have 2 or 3 healthcare professionals that discussed this with me. I certainly did not know about the different versions of heparin that is on the market. I hope my post will help somebody in this forum. I also want to thank LFA for taking their time in providing me with a lot of information. I am better aware of what I am looking at, it is a new learning experience for me!