How do you manage pregnancy w/ Fibromyalgia? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

UT_mom · 11-17-2004, 01:38 AM

Hi everyone--
I was just wondering if anyone can tell me if you experience changes with your fibro with pregnancy and how your pregnancy went. What about your fibro while pregnant and I'm assuming w/o any medication?

I was even wondering if there were people who weren't diagnosed until later in life but had difficult pregnancies which they now attribute to fibromyalgia?

I've had two babies and had difficult pregnancies both times. Even though I had pre eclampsia and gestational diabetes, I just felt like I must be a big fat whiner because nobody else seemed to be as tired or hurt like I did when pregnant. Little did I know... But anyway, I would like to have another baby but my symptoms are much worse now than they were in previous pregnancies when I didn't know what was going on, so I'm just wondering if you might be able to help me.

Thanks for any info and advice!

Love,
Shawnee

Sami34 · 11-18-2004, 12:39 PM

Hi, I had a very rough pregnancy. Lots of pain all over my body, esp my neck. I was on bedrest the entire pregnancy, and I didn't know why I felt so terrible. Doctor didn't even know why I wasn't tolerating the pregnancy. It just wasn't "normal". I had a bodyache, headache, leg pains, etc...

Anyway looking back, I believe it was FM symptoms that got worse or began showing up by being pregnant?! but I wasn't diagnosed with it then so we had no clue at the time. I went back to my normal self after the delivery until three months ago.

I was lucky to have a great OBGYN who was very caring. He just didn't understand why I was so ill. None of us had any clue. I hope you have a great doctor and I hope your experience will be a much better one than the one I had.

daqa · 11-20-2004, 06:56 PM

hello-I am a mom of 2 and i had tough pregnancies!!nobody knew I had fibro through my first one-and i didnt have a clue what was wrong either-I just thought it was normal-I also had alot of stress during that pregnancy too-through my second pregnancy I wasnt diagnosed with fibro until a few months before delivery! but it was extremely rough for me very painful very painful!!! I was actually advised by my doctor not to go through it again because of how bad it was and I wouldnt be able to take any meds during it...thats acceptable advice for me because i'm not planning on having any more but for someone who wants more children-its a hard decision-I did alot of massage and chiropractic visits during the second pregnancy which really did help alot!! I reccomend doing that and any water exercising too-anything low impact and natural!! good luck! Naq.

fibrofighter · 11-22-2004, 03:15 PM

I too had two babies with fibro. Prior to my son being born I had not had severe fibro symptoms. But I had just come out of lupus flare and was in remission again so my system was in a weakened state. I got lots of aches and pains during the pregnancy and after delivery I thought I was gonna gie. It was at that point that I got severe fibro where I could barely get ouf of bed to do the essentials, eat, poop and change the baby.

I got on a amed plan which helped but when we decided to have another I had to give up all my meds and most supplements. That was a rough nine months but I kept up with the yoga and exercise. I also rested plenty and went for chiro and massage. The first pregnancy I was working. Since I was already unable to work I think the second pregnancy was easier for me.

My daughter is just an infant but I seem to be handling two kids as well as I did one. My son is a good boy and my daughter is just hungry all the time. So I just nurse her while I'm already lying down anyway. I know once she gets heavier and isn't walking or crawling yet it will get tougher but I would not be able to work with or without the kids.

So for me they are my purpose in life or my job as I see it. And it is fullfilling and rewarding to me. I don't know if pregnancy itself made the fibro worse or the surgeries I had to have after the first one. But I'm on all my meds now that the baby is here and I'm doing alright.

I have ben having some lupus activity though which concerns me but it's not bad enough yet to warrant a doctor visit. Anyone else get sick of going to the doctor?

Hope you're feeling good today! - FF

JenniferEvelynn · 12-01-2004, 08:48 AM

Hi Shawnee,
I have 5 children, the last delivery being twins. When I think back now, I felt really good then - compared to now! I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with FM, although I had symptoms for the past 6 years or so. If I was pregnant now, I'm not sure if I could handle it. The pain would be overwhelming and giving birth would be much more painful than I remember. Get advice from your dr and find out if there are alternative treatments that you could utilize during pregnancy.
God bless, Jen