Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.

1,101 Members
21,517 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Postpartum relapse???

melaniealexis
melaniealexis
I actually haven't been on here for quite a while but I had switched to Tecfidera last October and it works wonders. HOWEVER, I stopped all MS treatments in June when I found out I was pregnant with my second baby. (Its a girl!) I wasn't diagnosed with MS until my firstborn was over a year old and when my hubby and I started trying for number 2, I thought the Dr. had said there was a SMALL chance of relapse after delivery. At my last visit, it sounded a little more than a small chance. Im kind of freaking out and was curious if anyone had experienced relapse after delivery. I am due the first week in February....
EPagain
EPagain
First, CONGRATS!

Second, don't stress as it not only will NOT help but could have negative impact on health.

Third, educate yourself about what you can do ie take folate, etc to help your babies growth inside you. Read about bio-identical sex hormone research done with MS patients. Studies show some MS participants with low estroil (weakest and best estrogen) who were given hormones did better.

Once you have your baby your progesterone and estrogen with fall. Some people drastically reduce hormones quickly (steep slope) others reduce more gradually.

IF you fall steeply this may have an impact on MS. If you had hormone testing before and right after you have the baby. You may be able to use this data in the event you do worse after delivery. Maybe you could work with a bio-identical hormone specialist to add these hormones to make the reduction more like a gradual slope vs a steep, quick plummet of neuro-protectant hormones.

Or you could round file this info..its up to you. Educate yourself to learn about what you can do to help your health. Try not to worry about what you can not change.

Hope you have a very healthy baby girl ( :
EP

PS have fun clothes shopping for her.

PSS Vitamin D3 levels, if high enough ie 70-85, reduce risk of developing MS. This is why my kids are on D3. Plus D3 slows progression of MS thus the reason my husband has been on it for many years.
EPagain
EPagain
Just seen this this morning and since it applies to you and what I said I am adding the link for you.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/06/02/317355068/pregnancy-hormone-may-reduce-multiple-sclerosis-symptoms
Estriol helps MS symptoms
melaniealexis
melaniealexis
Thank you for the info. I did research before getting pregnant and was aware that MS basically goes dormant in pregnancy, but I was more curious if anybody had experienced a relapse after delivery. In talking to my doctor, there are things I can do to make the transition more gradual, but there will still be a decline. I plan on going back on the Tecfidera as it was working wonders before I got pregnant. I loved it. I had been on it for about 8 months and I had no new lesions, my fatigue was better, my speech was better, my balance was better.