Pregnancy and Sjogren's. I would love to hear your stories.

[sickmama]

So, I just found out I am pregnant. I had missed two periods in a row but the first pregnancy test said negative even after my missed first period. This month it was positive. I am not sure I will keep this baby as I already have two and I am so afraid of pregnancy with an autoimmune disease. I had amazing pregnancies. I had homebirths with midwives and doulas. I breasted each son for three years.
It would devastate me to not be able to breastfeed my baby. Aboslutely devastate me. I also don't want to make my diease process worse. I am pretty functional right now. Why tempt fate? This was a very big surprise for me and I am very confused about what to expect with possible Sjogrens (not officially dx yet, but I am very sure that is what I have) and pregnancy. I am 34 years old.

Please share your pregnancy/ breastfeeding stories with me. Your insights and advice and experiences are invaluable to me at this difficult time for me.

For example, did you flare or go into remission with pregnancy? Did you produce sufficient breastmilk for your babies (with real attempts, like exclusive, on demand breastfeeding)? What was the post-partum period like? I am already experiencing increased dryness, shortness of breath,, dizziness, muscle and joint pain and extreme fatugue and I am only 8 weeks along.

Thank you.

[slccom]

Congratulations! You will love this child just as much, and there is a great deal of experience on the Board with pregnancy and Sjogren's.

In all likelihood, you had Sjogren's with your first two children, and yet here you still are. Go celebrate with a nice glass of alcohol-free wine, and follow the responses you get.

Sharon, whose children all have four legs and furry tails

[4Kids]

I have four kids. I wasn't sick until after my 3rd. And when I say sick I was not sure what was going on.  I breastfed all my children until 15m, 22m, 19.5m (self-weaned due to next pg) and 26m. Yes I had reduced bm. They still gained over an acceptable amount but I didn't have fat chubby babies by any means. I took domperidon to make extra milk with my 4th. Had I realized, I would have drank 3 or 4L of water a day but I didn't feel like it at the time which was stupid.

Totally doable, you just have moments where it is hard. If you can, prepare for it. I had 3 under 4 and then 4 under 6, all c sections, with little to no help. Not sure I would recommend that.  Get some help and plan a few rest days.

My children are my life. Actually, no 4, unplanned, my birthday gift, pretty much stopped me from laying down and dying when I was severely ill with the big giant flare because he was and is so active I had to get up and go to keep up with him. Looking back even though he is active and very high-strung, he is what keeps me laughing and moving.  Unplanned children are gifts, and I really believe they come to you for a reason.

Good luck.

[Gingersnap]

I have 5 kids and the birth of my first triggered my autoimmune disease.  It took a long time for things to progress enough for me to be diagnosed so I was only under the care of a rheumatologist during my last pregnancy. With every single pregnancy my symptoms have gone into remission, and I lasts up until the baby stops nursing very frequently. Even now that my disease has progressed to significantly impact my life, I was able to nurse my now 2 year old for 18 months before needing to return to medications that caused me to need to wean. For this last pregnancy I stayed on plaquenil the whole time as it is safe. I went back on prednisone at 6 months post partum as it is safe while nursing too, in low doses. I wish there were a way to trick my body into thinking Im always pregnant as it's the only time I'm ever symptom free. Even my eyes and mouth stop being so dry while I'm pregnant! Before making any decisions you should read up on it, if you haven't already. It's common for Autoimmune diseases to go into remission or be milder during pregnancy. Your immune system changes in a way that stops it from attacking the fetus and whatever that change is, also alters the disease activity.

[Gingersnap]

Oh and as for breast feeding, I have exclusively BF all of my kids with the exception of my first who was a preemie. My youngest 3 kids never had a bottle. I have nursed for over 7 years if you add it all together. So, no issues here 

[JL23]

I am about 7 weeks right now and I do say I can relate to the symptoms you are having. This is also my 3rd and I exclusively breastfed both mine for 18 months. Im also hoping my symptoms improve mid pregnancy which I heard it sometimes does mid pregnancy.
I am pretty sure I had sjogrens with my son but not as bad as I do now. I too was very scared when I found out I was pregnant but i know that every thing we go through is worth it for that precious gift at the end.

[sickmama]

Thank you for all of your helpful responses.

I'm having a bad flare right now probably induced by the pregnancy.

My eyes, mouth, nose and throat are so so dry.

Does anyone remember this happening during early pregnancy or have it happening to them now? I expect to feel extra tired, dizzy, all the typical pregnancy symptoms, but this dryness is unbearable and I'm scared it won't go away.