Lupus Pregancy?

I have had Lupus for 5 years and my doctor is a jerk, I was wondering if any of you people out there with lupus took there medicine during there pregancy. Because my doctor told me that if i did not stop taking all of my meds i would have a difformed child. He really hurt my feelings but i can't sleep at night unless i take my pills to help me. So if anyone out there could help me out and let me know what they went through, THANK-YOU

First, you might consider finding a new doctor. perhaps a rheumatologist, who can think a little more creatively and modernistically - like at least 2nd half 20th century - and knows a little more about lupus, especially about lupus and pregnancy.

Lots of us lupies have children and the kids come out fine. One friend's first child had slight symptoms of cerebral palsy early on but with physical therapy and an otherwise normal childhood, they are gone by now -at 6 years old. He and his brother (who happen to be my God-children) are smart, healthy, happy children and a blessing to the world. Some of us do have children who also develop lupus or another autoimmune system disease but many do not.

Whether or not to discontinue meds during pregnancy is a complex issue that would be most affected by your current health, they side effects your meds already have on you, what other meds are workable for you and your general overall health.

I once met a doc who said we should all be forcibly sterilized to prevent the "deformities" your dr. seems to refer to but the idea of a perfect human race - "eugenics' - has proven to be one of the most ignorant, cruel and wasteful theories ever and mostly died out with the Nazis. Thank Goodness!

You need a doctor blessed with common sense, an investigative mind and superior skills - it does not sound like you've met your match.

The links below may help you in your decisions but remember, anything affecting your health and the health of your children actually is ultimately your own choice. Doctors are our guides and should be our partners in helping to create a useful, productive and quality life. Strictly negative opinions, based on what seems here - from what you write - to be prejudice and superstition, don't count.

I wish you well and hope you鈥檒l let me know how this works out for you.

Shar

Lupus Foundation of America http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html
Pregnancy And Lupus http://www.lupus.org/education/brochures...
Should a lupus patient get pregnant? What are the risks? http://www.cerebel.com/lupus/lupus_quest...
Lupus Clinical Overview http://cerebel.com/lupus/overview.html
Lupus NewsLog (my home) http://lupusnewslog.blogspot.com/

Some of the medication commonly used in treating lupus are an absolute No-No to take when pregnant.

If you aren't getting along with your doctor, you need to find a new one whom you can trust. Although you may find your current doctor to be a jerk, his advice is unfortunately correct. Lupus meds and pregnancy should be taken very seriously.

Hi! Sorry your doc is being a jerk! I have RA (rheumatoid arthritis) which is a sister disease of lupus. I have had 2 daughters while having it. My Rheumatoligist worked very closely with my OB and i took prednisone throughout both pregnancy and my girls are healthy.

I'm not sure what meds. you are taking currently, but i would call my ob and ask to have a talk with her about it and possibly even call and talk to the doctor you see for lupus.

Best of luck!

Find a different doctor. Lupus is very manageable and having children is difficult enough with lupus without having an uncaring doc. Is this your OB or your Rheumatologist? Whichever, get a new one and discuss your meds ASAP because some of them *do* have the potential to harm your baby.