Anyone know about RA and Enbrel during pregnancy?

[worththewait78]

I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 19 years old.  I'm now 32 and pregnant.  I've been giving myself shots of Enbrel to control it since 2001.  When we started doing IVF treatments to get pregnant, I went off of the Enbrel.  For the first two trimesters, my RA seemed to go into remission and I didn't need any treatments - which was a MIRACLE!  Now I'm starting my third trimester (I'm 27 weeks) and I am starting to have ALL SORTS of complications with my joints.  Pain, swelling, can barely move.  The reason I'm posting this here is because my OB says it's okay to give myself a shot of Enbrel, but my Rheumatologist says it's not.  I don't know why there is a discrepency in their opinions and what I should do.  Anyone out there have RA and gone through a pregnancy?  What did you do?  Thanks so much, everyone!

[rosekitten]

Have you looked into the Enbrel support program?  Even if you have insurance it helps cover the costs.  Don't have to meet a deductible, only around $20/ month.  You have to renew it every 6 months.  They are very helpful.

I hope you're feeling better by now.  I came across your post because I'm researching taking Enbrel during pregnancy.  Have had RA since age 15.  Now 31.  Nothing ever helped me until Enbrel.  It's so hard to decide to go off of it.  I'm so happy and healthy.  The thought of going back to the pain has made me very reluctant about pregnancy.  I've been married 4 yrs and I am starting to feel like it's now or never.

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[worththewait78]

So just an update about this.  Just when we finally got cleared for me to take the Enbrel while pregnant, we find out it's not going to be into the pharmacy until Friday AND it's going to cost $900!!!  BUT it turns out it will actually probably be safer for me TO take the Enbrel. I have to control my arthritis because if I don't control it, (according to the lady at the pregnancy risk hotline we talked to today) Rheumatoid ARthritis puts me at risk for still birth and preterm labor. She said the Enbrel can be taken up to one week before I deliver. Which is a miracle, really, because I have had such a horrible flare the last two days. And it's gotten bad REALLY fast. So I was all excited to be able to give myself an Enbrel shot - knowing how well it helps me. Then we realized that I am out of shots (because I haven't given myself any since we started trying to do IVF - just to be safe. It's actually AMAZING that I went into remission until now. BLESSING!) so we tried to order more tonight from the pharmacy and they can't get it in until FRIDAY! I am in so much pain. And THEN they added the part about the insurance deductible needing to be met and how it's going to cost $900. SIGH. I used to have better insurance and the copay for Enbrel was only $25. I guess I should be GRATEFUL that all those years of taking it (10+) it only cost me $25 per month when it retails for over $3000 a month. Just sad that I have to be "making up for it" now. Okay, I'm done ranting. And whining. It's just hard when I'm in so much pain. But once Friday comes and I get a shot in me, I'm sure I"ll be doing much better and feeling okay about all of this. Thanks for your compassion, everyone!

[worththewait78]

We just called a pregnancy hotline and she told us that Enbrel should be fine to take up until the last week before I deliver.  So that made me feel better.  Then, she went on, however, to tell me all the complications that just having Rheumatoid Arthritis can have.  Stillbirths, low birth weight, premature births.  I'm thinking, "Ah, man!  You calm one fear and then raise three new ones in my mind.  Thanks!"  Actually, I already knew that having RA makes me high risk.  And my OB is aware.  So I'm sure it's alright.  Just thought I'd share!

[worththewait78]

Thanks, Justice!  You should look into Enbrel when you're done with your pregnancy. It is seriously a MIRACLE drug for people with RA!  At least it has been for me!

About taking it during pregnancy, I have had to do a TON of research about the subject myself since there are discrepencies in the doctors viewpoints. The problem is that Enbrel is a relatively "new" drug. I have been taking it basically since it came out (since 2001). But there are unfortunately not many studies done with pregnant women. Some articles and information I've read say that it's a category B medication. Which is what tylenol is, so it should be fine. Other articles claim it is a category C. I'm thinking (and feeling) that one shot would be okay. In fact, I would rather give myself an Enbrel shot than take prednisone (which is normally what they give pregnant women with RA if they need medication. But I LOATHE prednisone and it's side effects. However - they say it's "safe.") Enbrel has always been good to me and I think it would be okay to take right now. I'm having an internal battle, though, since there's so little sutidies/information about it and my doctors have different ideas. I know I need to do what I feel is right, though. I'll keep thinking and praying about it. And studying. In the meantime, though, I'm in a lot of pain. So I'll need to hurry with whatever I decide :)  The interesting thing is that it's only the left side of my body that's bothering me.  My shoulder, my elbow (probably the worst along with my knee), my wrist, my hip, my knee and my ankle.  

Anyway - good luck to you and I hope you feel well too!

[justice6920]

I guess i cant be of much help bc I am not in Enbrel - I have had RA for a number of years since about the age 20 and I am 31 - I am almost 11 weeks pregnant and have noticed that my back mostly is actually starting to bothering me more.... I was on a daily regiment of percocet, Flexirol, and Ibuprofin in between and and stopped those until the dr said it was actually OK to take these meds when I need them for flare ups.... Is there anything else that would be safer to take that would help you? That is a bind one says yes, another says no, I guess I would weigh the options. Is it going to cause you more stress to be in all that pain then one little shot? I would maybe try doing some research and asking the Rheumatologist what negative effects could come of the shot. I hope you feel better hun!