I found your channel today as I have came home from my doctor with a new medicine regimen I really enjoyed your first video and this seems to be the only other one I found.. I wish my diagnosis process had been as easy as yours however for most of us it is a fight to figure out what is even wrong.. I would go to doctor 1 time and test positive for RA & Lupus then they would put me on a medicine then next time I go back and my levels changed, so it took forever to see a Rheumatologist however once I got her she had been a true blessing for me.. I went today and my Ana was negative yet 3 months ago it was a strong positive, however this time my inflammation level was through the roof she said see if you were going to a regular doctor they would see this negative as a negative yet I don't I see it was working on your antibodies however not helping your inflammation due to it being so high and causing pain.. so they switched my meds.. Thank you for giving me that face & a person to bond with and not think I am the only young person struggling.. I pray for you to be able to start your family and I pray for you to be happy & healthy you & your baby or babies!!!
Thanks for your comments! I am so sorry it took such a long time to get your diagnosis. I fully credit my original PA with helping me get to a Rheumy fast for my disease not getting too far along to reverse some of the side effects. I am currently still on meloxicam (monic) and plaquenil. Part of staying on that regimen through some flares included the decision to start a family. I didn't want to move to the next class of medications if I could avoid it before having our baby. Thanks so much for your comment, for finding us all here and for the congratulations. "See" you soon!
Hi Erin. Congrats!! What an exciting time. :) I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome in my last few months of pregnancy. When our boy was delivered I had hoped it would go away but it persisted to the point that I've had both of my wrists operated on since January. All of that to say that I had severe pain every time I held my baby with just my hands, tried to breastfeed without someone else holding him and a lot of trouble getting my hands to work to change little tiny diapers, clothes, etc. The best advice I can give you off the cuff is to be in constant communication with your OBGyn, Rheumy and your lactation specialist (should you chose to breastfeed). Make sure your doctors agree on a plan to get you back on your meds as soon as it's safe to do so (again considering any breastfeeding contraindications). My Rheumy and OBGyn were on the same page about me resuming my treatment for RA as well as how to help me manage my pain from the carpal tunnel. My other piece of advice is to not be afraid to try something new. If your hands are giving you trouble nursing the baby, try pumping until the flare is gone. I exclusively pumped for most of my son's first 6 weeks because my hands hurt so badly to hold him to my chest. Give yourself a break and the permission to constantly try new things. You'll all figure it out as a family and will adjust with the new aches and pains that may or may not come up. Keeping in good communication with Rheumy will help you tackle any new issues that come up as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to communicate any and all new changes to how you're feeling as they can be early signs of a flare or anything at all. Best of luck and try to get some sleep! ;) Use people when they say they want to help. You won't want to let that little one out of your arms but with an autoimmune disease you MUST let them help. It will help you stay more healthy and mobile which will help you be better at being a mommy. Many hugs to you and yours on your little blessing.
Thanks. I'll be making that one next. The part that I'll cover is why I decided to stay on my meloxicam and plaquenil only until we were able to conceive. I then stopped them for the pregnancy and resumed them after. Let me know if there is anything else that you'd like me to discuss specifically in the video and i'll be sure to include it. Thank you, Oluwaseyi.
Simply Christi, I would love you to highlight the meds and supplements you used to help get you pregnant. The protocol you were placed on by your doctor and all the details of what you think worked and helped get your precious baby.
I would like to see a video on how you selected a doctor. Where to start. We only have two rheumatologist in the state of Alaska. I think I'll be on a year wait list for my initial visit. Not sure what to do in the mean time. Did you start with an m.d.?
Hi Anna. I'm not sure I have enough to fill a video but let me see if this helps you at all...I worked with my general practice Nurse Practitioner. She was the one who really suspected RA and got the testing underway. She then referred me to the Rheumatology office in my area. It just happened that the doctors and PA I worked with there were awesome. When I moved from Oklahoma City to Denver I wanted the best team I could find. I wanted someone on the cutting edge of therapy and treatment. I also strongly believe in supporting teaching hospitals. All of that led me to look into the University of Colorado Rheumatology Department. I had to send my records to them and they had to accept me as a patient. Luckily for me they did and I have the most wonderful Rheumy team there. My only fear with them having you wait a year is that your disease can continue to worsen and perhaps start causing further joint issues. If you have good insurance and have the option to go to either I'd get on both of their lists as well as their waiting lists for cancellations. If you can start with an MD until then I'd definitely try to do so. Depending on how RA impacts your body you may want to start treatment as soon as possible to help get it under control. Good luck! I hope you let me know how things go.
Congratulations on your baby boy!!!
Thanks Sheila!
Good! Keep it up!
Congratulations on having a baby boy and the start of your new family! I pray that your pain level stays low and that you have a happy life!
Thank you, Phil.
I found your channel today as I have came home from my doctor with a new medicine regimen I really enjoyed your first video and this seems to be the only other one I found.. I wish my diagnosis process had been as easy as yours however for most of us it is a fight to figure out what is even wrong.. I would go to doctor 1 time and test positive for RA & Lupus then they would put me on a medicine then next time I go back and my levels changed, so it took forever to see a Rheumatologist however once I got her she had been a true blessing for me.. I went today and my Ana was negative yet 3 months ago it was a strong positive, however this time my inflammation level was through the roof she said see if you were going to a regular doctor they would see this negative as a negative yet I don't I see it was working on your antibodies however not helping your inflammation due to it being so high and causing pain.. so they switched my meds.. Thank you for giving me that face & a person to bond with and not think I am the only young person struggling.. I pray for you to be able to start your family and I pray for you to be happy & healthy you & your baby or babies!!!
So happy about your baby boy!! I commented referring to your last video & so excited for your new baby!! What meds are you on now?
Thanks for your comments! I am so sorry it took such a long time to get your diagnosis. I fully credit my original PA with helping me get to a Rheumy fast for my disease not getting too far along to reverse some of the side effects. I am currently still on meloxicam (monic) and plaquenil. Part of staying on that regimen through some flares included the decision to start a family. I didn't want to move to the next class of medications if I could avoid it before having our baby. Thanks so much for your comment, for finding us all here and for the congratulations. "See" you soon!
I'd love to hear about how you are managing your symptoms with a baby. My first is due any day now and I worry about being Mom and having daily pain.
Hi Erin. Congrats!! What an exciting time. :)
I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome in my last few months of pregnancy. When our boy was delivered I had hoped it would go away but it persisted to the point that I've had both of my wrists operated on since January. All of that to say that I had severe pain every time I held my baby with just my hands, tried to breastfeed without someone else holding him and a lot of trouble getting my hands to work to change little tiny diapers, clothes, etc.
The best advice I can give you off the cuff is to be in constant communication with your OBGyn, Rheumy and your lactation specialist (should you chose to breastfeed). Make sure your doctors agree on a plan to get you back on your meds as soon as it's safe to do so (again considering any breastfeeding contraindications). My Rheumy and OBGyn were on the same page about me resuming my treatment for RA as well as how to help me manage my pain from the carpal tunnel.
My other piece of advice is to not be afraid to try something new. If your hands are giving you trouble nursing the baby, try pumping until the flare is gone. I exclusively pumped for most of my son's first 6 weeks because my hands hurt so badly to hold him to my chest. Give yourself a break and the permission to constantly try new things. You'll all figure it out as a family and will adjust with the new aches and pains that may or may not come up.
Keeping in good communication with Rheumy will help you tackle any new issues that come up as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to communicate any and all new changes to how you're feeling as they can be early signs of a flare or anything at all.
Best of luck and try to get some sleep! ;) Use people when they say they want to help. You won't want to let that little one out of your arms but with an autoimmune disease you MUST let them help. It will help you stay more healthy and mobile which will help you be better at being a mommy.
Many hugs to you and yours on your little blessing.
Looking forward to watching your video on infertility and RA. and were you on any RA meds?
Thanks. I'll be making that one next. The part that I'll cover is why I decided to stay on my meloxicam and plaquenil only until we were able to conceive. I then stopped them for the pregnancy and resumed them after. Let me know if there is anything else that you'd like me to discuss specifically in the video and i'll be sure to include it. Thank you, Oluwaseyi.
Simply Christi, I would love you to highlight the meds and supplements you used to help get you pregnant. The protocol you were placed on by your doctor and all the details of what you think worked and helped get your precious baby.
Congratulations on your baby boy ❤️ Are you still taking Plexus?
Thank you Ember. No, I am not taking, nor have I ever taken Plexus. :)
I would like to see a video on how you selected a doctor. Where to start. We only have two rheumatologist in the state of Alaska. I think I'll be on a year wait list for my initial visit. Not sure what to do in the mean time. Did you start with an m.d.?
Hi Anna. I'm not sure I have enough to fill a video but let me see if this helps you at all...I worked with my general practice Nurse Practitioner. She was the one who really suspected RA and got the testing underway. She then referred me to the Rheumatology office in my area. It just happened that the doctors and PA I worked with there were awesome. When I moved from Oklahoma City to Denver I wanted the best team I could find. I wanted someone on the cutting edge of therapy and treatment. I also strongly believe in supporting teaching hospitals. All of that led me to look into the University of Colorado Rheumatology Department. I had to send my records to them and they had to accept me as a patient. Luckily for me they did and I have the most wonderful Rheumy team there.
My only fear with them having you wait a year is that your disease can continue to worsen and perhaps start causing further joint issues. If you have good insurance and have the option to go to either I'd get on both of their lists as well as their waiting lists for cancellations. If you can start with an MD until then I'd definitely try to do so. Depending on how RA impacts your body you may want to start treatment as soon as possible to help get it under control.
Good luck! I hope you let me know how things go.
You're pretty and I love you