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Recently dx'd and now pregnant

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Posted 7/9/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

I have lurked in this forum for some time and have found your advice and support for each other very helpful. Now it's time for me to ask for some of that assistance.

I was dx'd about 4 months ago with RRMS. The symptoms appeared in full force about 5 months after my daughter was born, and the dx came about 1.5 years later. I have some lasting difficulties from that attack - numbness and tingling in right hand to the elbow, some fatigue if I do too much physically, some other issues that seem to fade as my day goes on. I have found it not so difficult to make some changes to how I live in order to live with MS.

However, I have just had the shock of a lifetime to discover I am pregnant. I had just ordered my first set of Betaseron injections and had a funny feeling that I might be pregnant so I tested before I started the shots, and there was the positive line on the test.

I can't even formulate a question to ask right now. I am very worried and scared for myself, this baby, the one I already have and my husband. I have read that pregnancy can cause some remission, but still looking back now, I know I had symptoms the last time I was pregnant and just chaulked them up to being preggo! And what of the potential for a come back attack after delivery?

Oi, I have bad timing! If anyone can offer some advice or information I would greatly appreciate it. I have an appointment with my family doctor this week and I will follow up with my neuro as well (good way to get out of my scheduled MRI - those things terrify me like mad!).

Thanks for reading my novel. This is a unique on-line community. I have not found one, based on any topic, that is as supportive as you are for each other.

 

Posted 7/9/2007 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Nikffie!

Welcome to the board! First let me say congratulations on the baby!! Enjoy the joy of this and try to stop and relax a bit for that awesome experience. Second, let me say i'm so sorry for u'r dx. I'm a limbolander and have to say that there is some (tho ONLY some) comfort in not knowing for sure it's ms. At least i can still hold out hope it's not ms. I know u'r scared right now, but try to relax and think clearly. U did great in testing before injecting. Fantastic u!! Yes, pregnancy does seem to offer a bit of a remission for many and that can be great since u'r already pretty anxious. It'll also allow u time to prepare for a possible flare after the baby's birth. Other's on hand to stay with u or to support u in other ways until u'r up and at it again. Like u, i had some symptoms when preg with my first and chaulked them up to the pregnancy, but looking back they weren't. It's ok, tho, if u have symptoms...just be aware and protect u'rself the best u can. Rest as much as u can and stay out of the heat...both good things to do for ms and preg...and avoid the things that irritate u'r symptoms already. U'r family and u'r new baby should be fine...just keep in mind...and make clear to others...that u may need to take extra steps for u'r care...and that's normal anyway. Call u'r doc...neuro as well as ob-gyn...and let them both know about the other. They should be in contact with each other thru this. Communicate everything to each of them and be sure to write down anything new to u. Take good care friend. We're here for u and will be here as much as u need us. If u can, join us for chat on Monday's at 6:00pm (cst). It's a ton of fun and a great chance to get some real time answers to u'r questions. Hang in there...u'r gonna do just fine.
Posted 7/9/2007 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Nikffie, and welcome!

 

I was a lurker on here for a few months as well, before I finally took the plunge and posted. I am so glad I did, as I find this site to be an excellent source of support and information. I hope that you have the same experience.

 

Congrats on your pregnancy! (wow, you sure went to great lengths to get out of that MRI, huh tongue ). I truly hope that all goes smoothly for you. Please do take care of yourself, and make sure not to overdo. There appears to be a fair amount of info out there about pregnancy and MS, and hopefully people can come along and share some first-hand experiences. Here is a link to the National MS Society website which has general pregnancy info, tips (you might check out the section called "ms and pregnancy: the main event), first-hand stories, etc:

 

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_LIVE_spotlight_pregnancy

 

 

Sunny

Post Edited (Sunnycitrus) : 7/9/2007 1:36:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/9/2007 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nikffie,

 

    Wow congratulations!  Take a deep breath, that's a lot to deal with in such a short time but please know that we all are here to try to help or just listen when you need us.  The site Sunny gave is a good one, please check that out when you get time.  I hope all goes well for you, please let us know how your doctor visits go and again congratulations!

 

Kimber

Posted 7/9/2007 9:53 PM (GMT 0)

wow...thanks for the responses!

I realized I had mistyped my name and have now corrected it. Crazy fingers that don't always work (I'm sure it didn't help that I had the AC on high as it is a bit of a heat wave day here - Toronto, Canada).

I took a quick peek at the link Sunny provided and there is so much more useful information than on the Canadian MS Society website. I'll have a chance later to absorb the info and see where my head is at then.

We (the husband and I) are excited about this pregnancy as we were planning on another child until my dx. He will be the greatest weapon I have against anything that comes my way.

I think my earlier panic was 50% shock and 50% fear. Hopefully after some of the reading I have to do and meeting with my doctors that ratio will change for the better.

Posted 7/10/2007 2:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Niffie,

Wish I saw this before the chat instead of after.  Congrats.  Both my bigbrat and ltlbrat were oops because I have been sick for over 17 years, first dx as sero negative lupus, because everything else was ruled out, and sometimes you have lupus without the positive ana.  I was so scared with the first pregnancy because of being on meds, I stopped them against doctor's advice, felt the best I had felt in a few years.  Had a great pregnancy, easy delivery, and easy baby.  After six weeks I flared and had trouble holding her for three days.  Thank God, for giving me my second "brat", and we were prepared for a flare, I chose not to nurse, and took a six week course of prednison, avoided the flare and was able to get back on my meds.  You can feel free to share this with both of your doctors for their feedback.  I don't know if you even mentioned flaring after your first.  My doc said that is common during the recovery 6 weeks, so we erred on the side of caution.

Since my second, I had changed rhemy's, he never had seen a case of sero negative lupus, dx me with fibro.  I was only dx about a year ago with ms, have lesions on the brain, with a negative lumbar puncture, some abnormality on VEP testing, and started copaxone last fall.  Had a bad flare in April and haven't ever had a symptom free week since then, and have to admit I am nervous about neuro visit next week, my neuro is watching me for the first year because she feels this could have been ms all along.  Don't quite understand what that means, and I'll deal when I have to.

Like I said in the chat, my girls are the greatest thing in my life and God provided them because I might not have chose to because of being ill.  HE knew what I needed.  I hope you can try to put the fears aside, enjoy your pregnancy, and stay well.

Debbie

Posted 7/10/2007 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey I have asked EVERY doc I have seen about me having another child. I got diagnosed 5 months after the birth of my daughter. They have all said pregnancy is not only fine for MS patients but a good thing. I think that I had a lot of symptoms when I was pregs but now that I know I have MS i feel like they will be easier to manage and to understand what is going on. You are going to be fine and I bet this pregnancy is much easier on you than the last. Enjoy it!!!

Posted 7/10/2007 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I can totally agree with you in terms of getting what you need when you need it. I found out I was pregnant with my first, 1 week after my mom died. I think she put in a good word for me as I have the best kid someone could ask for. I hope the same holds true for this one. If there is a time when I need that unconditional love, it would be now.

I am sorry to see that you have had so much trouble being dx'd. I consider myself lucky that it took just over a year, and most of that time was waiting for the MRI! I'll be keeping you in good thoughts for your neuro visit.

tkelly - I guess now I am more concerned about after the baby is born. I flared BIG time after the first (before I knew I had anything "wong" with me, let alone a name for it). I am just worried that with a newborn and a near 3 year old at the time, that I will have too many difficulties as is, let alone if I relapse again.

Debbie, I had come across some articles about going back on DMD right after the delivery, or a few other things as well. I will talk to my neuro and hope he is open to these ideas. He is a great researcher and MS champion, but sometimes his bedside manner leaves room for improvement tongue

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and comfort. I feel so much calmer than I did yesterday. Now I am arming myself with knowledge and with the support of new friends like you, I will mount a good fight. yeah

 

Posted 7/23/2007 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello new friends!

Thought I would pop in and give an update to my "situation"...

So far the family doctor has reserved any advise because although he has patients with MS, none have been pregnant. He has referred me to a high risk OB at the same hospital my neuro is at, just to cover all the possibilities. But he does say I am in no way high risk, just higher maintenance (I think my husband has been telling stories about me ;) )

My neuro is in no rush to see me, still another month to that appointment.  I will try to get him rolling with info for restarting Betaseron or something else  after the little one arrives.

So far, no issues with anything pregnancy wise. I've had a few more hugs than usual, but mostly just the tightness with no pain. I did get a painful hug last week and I was worried that it would run crazy like they usually do (like I'd rather bash my head off the wall than feel that pain). But it stopped at uber uncomfortable and left me sleepless for the night. I'm hoping it doesn't happen again.

So for now, other than the stress of bridesmaid dress shopping for a friends wedding, I'm good!!

Again, thank you all for your reassuring and encouraging words.

Posted 7/23/2007 5:32 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Niffie,

This is a cool and exciting thread.  I cannot offer any advice but I am really excited for you.  I can imagine that you are worried but you will get through this and then you are going to have the best prize of all - a new baby!!!!!!!  And just because you flared before doesn't mean you will this time.  Think positive and we all will think positive with you.  Keep us posted.  This is so great.  I loved reading this.

Oh and welcome to the board.  Most of us are really nice.  Well Kimber is really nice.  Sunny is nice but she will get you gardening until it is a compulsion and Rhonda is just scary.  Stay way clear of Rhonda nono  .  Debbie and Tkelly are cool though.  I like them just fine.  So welcome and let me know if anyone is mean to you ( like rhonda ).

Love and prayers,

Posted 7/23/2007 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Niffie,

 

I hope that is your last problem with this pregnancy.  I used to joke that I felt so good when pregnant, I wanted it to last forever.  Yes, that was a joke, by the end everyone wants it over.  I hope you can feel that good for the rest of your pregnancy.  Gretchen is right, keep focused on that sweet little gift at the end.

 

As for the bridesmaid dress, I had to pay $90 extra for velvet to be put in mine for my brother's wedding and I went into preterm labor the day before the wedding.  I told the doc, I paid too much to miss this wedding, plus it was my brother.  To make a long story short, the wedding was great, everyone took care of me (because I was huge), Becca was born 3 weeks later.  It's a great story about her birth, makes it a little special.  Hope the bride picks something fairly Aline, then they just need to add a panel for the special one.

 

Keep us posted.

 

Debbie

Posted 7/25/2007 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
HI Niffie

Congratulation on your baby.

I am also pregnant with my second child. I am a little scared because I have RRMS too. I am just trying remain positive. I am not considered high risk at all. I talked to the doctor about labour and my worries about being too weak to push and so he told me all the procedures he can do to help me push the baby out easier. We will have to see how that goes.

I have asked some of my family if they could help if it is needed and most have agreed so I have some comfort in that.

Some times I have some weakness in my arms, so I think I will be using the stroller alot so I not carrying the baby around as much.

Are you going to breastfeed. I have decided not to breastfeed. I think it will make me more tired. I have a lot of problems with the fatigue from MS. It would be interesting to know your opinion on breastfeeding and having MS.

I hope you all the best and good luck. Keep posting about your pregnancy.

Anita
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