Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Just wondering how common this is, and what is eveyone's experience. I am yet to be diagnosed, but am fairly certain I have RA now or some other inflammatory illness following my daughter's birth in Sept.
Did anyone here have RA triggered for the first time after pregnancy? If so, were there any pregnancy complications?
I had severe pre-eclampsia and terrible swelling starting at 20 weeks that started in my feet and progressed up to my knees, legs, and the rest of my body as the pregnancy progressed. I am wondering if all that fluid where it shouldn't be triggered some immune response once I gave birth and my immune system kicked back up. I was in the ICU for 5 days, hospital for 10 following my C-section, because I had two episodes of respiratory failure (flash pulmonary edema) because of too much fluid in my body, and they had to intubate me two more times and I was on a ventilator for a few days. :(
I am thinking that the medical trauma + the excessive and prolonged swelling triggered some autoimmune reaction (most likely RA). I have had autoimmune thyroid problems for years too, so I am at greater risk. I am also wondering if it just a coincidence that my worst joints now (feet, knees, hands) are also where I had the worst swelling during the pregnancy. Any insight is appreciated.
Did anyone here have RA triggered for the first time after pregnancy? If so, were there any pregnancy complications?
I had severe pre-eclampsia and terrible swelling starting at 20 weeks that started in my feet and progressed up to my knees, legs, and the rest of my body as the pregnancy progressed. I am wondering if all that fluid where it shouldn't be triggered some immune response once I gave birth and my immune system kicked back up. I was in the ICU for 5 days, hospital for 10 following my C-section, because I had two episodes of respiratory failure (flash pulmonary edema) because of too much fluid in my body, and they had to intubate me two more times and I was on a ventilator for a few days. :(
I am thinking that the medical trauma + the excessive and prolonged swelling triggered some autoimmune reaction (most likely RA). I have had autoimmune thyroid problems for years too, so I am at greater risk. I am also wondering if it just a coincidence that my worst joints now (feet, knees, hands) are also where I had the worst swelling during the pregnancy. Any insight is appreciated.
My son was born in at the end of 2000. I had toxemia and water ruptured at 31.5 weeks...so he was quite early.
No noticeable symptoms for RA after pregnancy with him except carpal tunnel.
Daughter was born mid 2003. Very difficult pregnancy - and LOTS of loose joint issues.
My carpal tunnel symptoms continued with daughter's pregnancy too.
I think it was a full year after her birth that I had an additional symptom for RA - my feet.
I have an aunt with RA, so I assume I have a decent genetic factor.
Do you also have family with RA?
My RA was triggered by 5th disease and my rheumie guesses that it's a genetic type of RA that gets "turned on" in some people and lies dormant in others.
Have you had bloodwork done during a flare?