All I can say is this:

1) I am so sorry you are in pain.

2) When you are in enough pain, you won't care what it takes to stop it. If it comes to that, ask for a biologic such as Enbrel or Humira.

I had kidney disease due to Methotrexate for about five years. I recovered. The biologics are relatively safe and have a good track record. I highly recommend Enbrel, although the shot hurts (big deal!). My friend just underwent surgery to remove his entire rectum and anus and now has an ostomy bag for the rest of his live (due to rectal cancer). He is only 30 years old. Watching him go through this has put my RA into perspective.

I have been diagnosed for about a year and a half and about 6-8 months ago I was put on Plaquenil. I'm not having much luck with it but we are running out of things I can use, I think there must be a lot of people that it does help. I am also on Prednisone and recently Arava. The first main symptom I had was with tendonitis in my ankles and wrists and my feet have always bothered me. It feels as if someone is trying to rip my toes off my feet and I remember commenting to my PCP before I could get into my RHeumie that I'm feeling bones hurting in my feet I never knew I had. The first year I didn't hurt every single day, it came and went . I would hurt for a few days and feel okay for a little while. Don't be afraid to share your concerns with your Dr about the pregnancy and your concerns on weight gain. Hopefully y'all can work as a team to get you some relief.

Welcome to our group. They're some wonderful, caring people here.

i hear your concerns

take a deep breath. it's a chronic disease from now until we leave this planet. morning stiffness lasting hours is a symptom of the disease. try not to ruminate while you have your new beautiful baby and want to make another :). maybe your progression will jib and jab so you you can grow your family. those symptoms started for me at your age. i just did piece meal treatment. i did get cortisone shots in my heel area for fascitis about then.

you are a new mom. can you nurse with plaquenil? you want another baby? awesome.

see if you can negotiate the trajectory of your treatment based on what your family making/planning needs are of you and your husband. can your spouse go to your next appointment?

you want a second child, so maybe physical therapy at this time? maybe another pregnancy would stall the advent of more vigorous symptoms?

set up a gym in the kitchen. the ball, some dumb bells, and the usual bands. you poor thing. you are RA hurting and you have an infant at home :) be sweet to you.

ohio, well you can't buy a jogging stroller with snow, how about mall walking with the carriage? does the foot pain ease up in the afternoon? if it does not what about living room yoga? :)

feel better

congratulations on your new baby!!!!!!!

depot

Debotblue; I really do want another baby so we will continue with Plaquenil for now. The weather is finally getting better so we've been able to take some walks. I am also feeling better. It was kind of like a switch went off and things took a turn for the better. I still have a little bit of morning stiffness but my feet are feeling great. I've started to go back to the gym and we are getting a zoo membership so that will be great exercise. I see my Rheumatologist in about a month to go over everything and to see about continuing treatment plans.

that's great - the zoo membership sounds fun.

enjoy the baby and I am glad things evened out. ask the rheumatologist to copy everything to the obstetrician you will use - it will make it easier for you.

depot