MSNik - Pregnancy Talk - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

ShelleyTab · 07-09-2007, 03:29 PM

MSNIk,

I saw your question about pregnancy on another thread and thought I might start one up on it. I am not pregnant, nor have I been, however, my husband and I are getting to a stage where it's going to be "that time" in our lives soon. I have done a lot studying on this, because we weren't sure if we would after I was dx. Almost everything I have seen shows people with MS do very well while pregnant. It's like your immune system forgets about the MS and concentrates on bringing along the pregnancy. My docs tell me a relapse during preg is almost unheard of. However, most people do tend to have mild relapses after delivering and are more likely to suffer from post pardom.

Anyone who has been pregnant after MS dx please let me know how it went. I am a little nervous to come off all my medications for 9 months plus the time to conceive - which is an indefinate period of time. Not to mention the extra energy that will take out of me!

- Shell

Bearygood · 07-09-2007, 08:34 PM

It's believed to be about hormones and the fact that many women experience this phenomenon during pregnancy has led to studies about the role of Estroil to possibly treat MS (studies have also been conducted on men and testosterone). Postpartum relapses came up recently in another discussion and I was curious so I looked it up. Most things I found suggested the culprit might be a sharp decrease in a stress hormone after pregnancy.

That's just information I've come across and while I can't contribute any other answers, not one woman with MS with whom I've interacted and has gone through pregnancy (some had an exacerbation, some didn't) regretted their decision for a second. Personal choice -- just listen to your heart.

anxiousme · 07-09-2007, 09:19 PM

I couldn't imagine life without my 6 and 2 year old. It gives me many reasons to focus on living healthy and happy and takes my worry about myself away. I was not diagnosed with my 2 year old. Looking back I probably had MS related symptoms before conception but no reason to think that something was wrong. After that pregnancy, is when my true MS symptoms began. It started with migranes and then a bout with vertigo. The next summer (2006) was the exacerbation that led to my dx. I have really thought about having #3 but my husband says no way. I know that I will be here for a long time for my kids. I'm not sure what shape I will be in, but I will be here! That is what I focus on. I live everyday for my family. For me the hardest part is the fatigue. I work full time and run around from school, daycare, dance classes, oh and clean up after everyone. But that is all by choice and my health so far is allowing me to.

This is a very personal matter. It really depends on how your MS is progressing. I think it is important to begin MS treatment right after delivery. It may lessen the likelyhood of an exacerbation. What ever you decide should come from your heart. If you see your life with kids, go for it. If you decide not to have children, then that is a very respectful decision. Good Luck to you. Be at peace with yourself.

MSNik · 07-10-2007, 05:38 AM

ShelleyTab,
First of all, I have to be honest, I wish you hadnt brought this up now. Im not sure which message you had seen where I asked about pregnancy...more than likely, you saw one where I asked about birth control, NOT PREGNANCY...as I learned about 7 months ago, that I would NEVER be able to have children....this is both confusing and upsetting to me, and Im really not clear why you addressed this to me. IM not upset with you, just upset in general, as I try to avoid the subject of getting pregnant at all costs...

Let me tell you this, as Bearygood mentioned, there is a study going on, and at one time, I was part of it, concerning Estriol. Estriol is a hormone which pregnant women get abundance of during pregnancy....during this time, there is NO chance of a relapse...however, as Bearygood said, the severe decrease in hormones at the time of delivery is a guarantee of a relapse. I know of 4 people who all had children with MS. 3 of them would give ANYTHING to change the clock back and not have become pregnant, the fourth is doing fine....
Personally speaking, I have been on birth control pills for 20+ years. I take a low dose estrogen pill, which is NOT the same thing as Estriol....part of the reason I left the study was because I was told by my GYN that I HAVE TO GET OFF THE B/C pills, which is funny. Here I am in a double blind study, taking my regular b/c pill and possibly taking another one on top of it which included the Estriol...I started having female problems out the ying yang! After two surgeries, I found out that I cannot concieve anyway.....now, on top of that, IM taking the B/C pill because my MS SPecialist tells me that it is preventing relapses....first of all, I got MS while being on B/C for over 20 years...Ive had 3 relapses in one year...and my GYN wants me off of them. The question of whether to quit cold turkey is a big one. Im being told that I will probably relapse in a huge way....IM also having more surgery in November, and wont consider going off of them until then. I dont want to be sick the rest of the summer....

As far as pregnancy goes...I have 3 step children, one of which is with us almost fulltime....I think that takes care of my need to have "kids". Its actually birth control in a way...Im 40 years old, I have no energy, I have been in relapse mode almost all summer long...the last thing I could handle right now is an infant or toddler...I couldnt keep up.

As it was stated, it is a personal thing. I dont know how old you are, and you might be stronger than I am and more capable. I also dont know your financial situation, or your husband's thoughts on this. My husband, because he already had 3 kids, was only willing to have another one, if I was truly capable of taking care of the baby...hes not a hands on father...had I been healthy, I could have accepted this; however, being that some nights, I cant even make dinner these days, and that IM still fighting to go to work each day, having a child just doesnt make sense.

I wish you well, whatveer you decide..and again, not sure how old the post was that you were reading, but I wasnt EVER talking about getting pregnant...simply about whether or not to quit the b/c pills?

Hugs
NIkki

ShelleyTab · 07-10-2007, 08:43 AM

Thank you to those of you who responded, I appreciate the feedback.

MSNik, I was looking back at posts throughout the month and must have misread what you (or someone else

) wrote. I apologise that I may have upset you, please understand it was not intentional. I appreciate your feedback as well.

Shell