Lupus / ANA -- Pregnancy????

[coconutprincess]

Hi... So after two miscarriages, my doctor ran a ton of tests and found out I have two antibodies I shouldn't. So she is referring me to a rheumatologist. There's a chance I could have lupus. I have no real symptoms that I know of.

Has this happened to anyone else? Anyone with lupus have a successful pregnancy? I'm trying not to freak but I still kind of am.

btw... they still dont' know if its why I m/c. They didn't biopsy the first and the second was due to a chromosome not joining properly.

 

[golfgal]

Did they check your thyroid levels? That can "look" like Lupus with blood tests. An endocrinologist might be a better choice then a Rheumatologist.

 

[coconutprincess]

Yep. My thyroid came back normal and so did my glucose. My iron was really low so now I am taking supplements. I just tested positive for the APA and ANA antibodies. They can't "confirm" its lupus yet. Normally, the thought of lupus would terrify me, but right now I'm more focused on TTCing. I'm sure that insanity will kick in later (I'm a total hypochondriac)

 

[SingingMUA]

Hi... So after two miscarriages, my doctor ran a ton of tests and found out I have two antibodies I shouldn't. So she is referring me to a rheumatologist. There's a chance I could have lupus. I have no real symptoms that I know of.

Has this happened to anyone else? Anyone with lupus have a successful pregnancy? I'm trying not to freak but I still kind of am.

btw... they still dont' know if its why I m/c. They didn't biopsy the first and the second was due to a chromosome not joining properly.

I'm very curious about this also. I have Lupus, and have had it for 3 years. I have always wanted children, and one of the first things I was told after my diagnosis was that my pregnancy would be high-risk and that I would need to have some in depth discussions with my doctors before getting pregnant.

My cousin had Lupus (she passed away 6 years ago from complications from Lupus), and she had a baby (about 10 months before she passed away) after several miscarriages. And her son was actually born early due to preeclampsia.

However, her disease activity was more "severe" than mine, and her organs were affected, causing her to have a kidney transplant about 4 years before she had her son.

In my case, I have anticardiolipin antibodies in my blood, which means that I am prone to hypercoagulate (blood clots), and therefore have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life. Of course, for me, if I am able to get pregnant, this would be a major concern. I'd have to switch from my current regimen of oral warfarin (blood thinner) to a twice-a-day injection (apparently the oral warfarin is fatal to the fetus or something like that).

My doctors have not said that it is impossible for me to have a healthy pregnancy, but I have alot of additional things to be aware of during pregnancy.

I also need to lose a good deal of weight before I can attempt to get pregnant. I'm in the process of doing that, and have lost about 35 pounds so far, with about 100 more to go. My hope is that I can take of the remainder of the weight this year, and by this time next year get the ok from my docs to TTC.

I wish you all the pixie dust in the world. Please feel free to ask me anything you like.

 

[*JoGo*]

I think it's a semi-normal thing for them to check for. I had an "episode" a few years ago and one of the first things on my list of possible diagnosis was Lupus. I had several blood tests, ct scan, that test where you're put in the tunnel! I cannot for the life of me think of the name! (i'm going to bed as soon as i post this!) Also ultra-sounds of my carotid arteries/heart.

Anyway, I don't have Lupus, but I have a clotting disorder, MTHFR. I clot easily and take 81mg aspirin daily. I also have an under active thyroid, which is still not under control and I've gained a lot of weight and nap almost daily.

The clotting disorder can cause miscarriages. And I would be high risk and need heparin injections. I found this out 3 years ago. My kids are 10 and 8! I've never had a miscarriage. The clotting disorder is genetic, my grandma had it, my uncle has it, I suspect my mom does, and so far I know my 8yr does NOT have it but we haven't had the 10yr old tested yet. Also, the symptoms are blood clots, anxiety and depression.

I'm sure your dr will also check you for this.


SingingMUA - do you see a specialist? I'm going to discuss this w/ my reg. dr on Monday. mostly b/c of my thyroid levels though.

 

[quasar4legs]

I have 2 friends with lupus who have both had 2 children.

Hope you get some answers soon

Quasar

 

[sunlver]

From what I remember the "lupus' in pregnancy is different then what people have who have been diangosed with it on day to day living..sorry if that doesnt make sense...

I have 3 kids..my son 16 and my daughter 11..those pregnancies and births were fine...After that I had 4 miscarriages in a row...then my daughter who is 6. After the 3rd miscarriage my reg ob ran lots of tests..then sent me on to an RE(specialist), who then ran more test..She diagnosed me with that APA..When I got pregnant I started Heparin(2 shots everyday of prengnacy)and I took one baby aspirin everyday as well. In the end of all that my baby girl was born and we named her "Faith"..

My point..there is a good outcome

 

[coconutprincess]

Thanks!!! I appreciate it! My nurse doesn't seem too too concerned yet. It's just hard. I begged for a quick appt so my doc made me one as sometimes they have better luck. At first I was excited because its the 15th. But now I'm like that is so far away!!!!

 

[dejr_8]

My wife has had Lupus since she was 16. She gave birth to our kids at age 32 and 35 with no complications.

I believe all she did to address any issues with Lupus and pregnancy was to take a low-dose aspirin a day.

 

[Miller1412]

I was positive for ANA during both of my pregnancies, but I do not have day to day Lupus. I took an 81 mg aspirin daily and injected a daily shot of Fragmin into my belly. It wasn't hard to do at all. They monitored me with frequent Ultrasounds, but ultimately, I had two very healthy children on that regiment.

I was diagnosed after I lost one pregnancy at 16 weeks. Basically, my blood was clotting and not getting through the placenta to give the baby the nutrients it needed. Good luck to you, it really is not a horrible treatment at all and my outcome was very positive.

 

[dejr_8]

I was positive for ANA during both of my pregnancies, but I do not have day to day Lupus. I took an 81 mg aspirin daily and injected a daily shot of Fragmin into my belly. It wasn't hard to do at all. They monitored me with frequent Ultrasounds, but ultimately, I had two very healthy children on that regiment.

I was diagnosed after I lost one pregnancy at 16 weeks. Basically, my blood was clotting and not getting through the placenta to give the baby the nutrients it needed. Good luck to you, it really is not a horrible treatment at all and my outcome was very positive.

You were doing IP injections?

 

[Miller1412]

You were doing IP injections?

Yes, once daily from when I found out about my pregnancy through several days before I delivered. I was induced the second time, and scheduled so that they could be sure I was off the blood thinner. The first time, they never told me to stop taking it...I found out after that I should have stopped.

It left some lovely bruises around my belly button, but other than that it wasn't hard or painful once I got used to it.

 

[rpbert1]

My DW was diagnosed with Lupus in 1992. after the birth of our daughter in 1982, she was unwell and admitted to hospital, for quite a few weeks. They eventually discharged her and said it was arthritis. she had our son in 1983. Here in the UK it is not very good with the diagnosis, and over the years she did get worse, till we moved house and doctors, and it was him who was concerned about her, and thought she might have Lups, which proved correct.
She is on meds, and got pregnantin 1995, they monitored her quite closely, and did have problems with her blood pressure, and was admitted to hospital a few times, but did have our daughter in 1996. About a year after ,she had to have a Hysterectomy, which they put down to the Lupus, but i am not so sure.
hope everything goes well for you.