Arthritis and nursing- what do you take?

[Delicateflower]

My rheumatologist has told me to come back when my baby's weaned and only take tylenol in the meantime. There are things I could say, but I'll refrain and only say that I will be trying to find a doctor who cares about their patient's joints. I showed her Dr Hale's site at my first appointment, but it's so very much more difficult to spend five minutes online than to just cut a patient off, isn't it?

Assuming I can get someone to write the prescription for me, what anti-inflammatories can you safely take while nursing, and work for arthritis? It would be nice if insurance covered them as well, but not 100% essential. I'll get onto Hales website later, as well, but I'm not even sure what drugs to look for. My baby's 2 and only nurses at bedtime and during the night, so I have quite a bit of leeway. I think I could quite easily cut out the naptime nursing, leaving 12 hours between taking the drug first thing in the morning and any nursing.

ETA: Kellymom quick list of AAP approved drugs gives me:
L1 Ibuprofen (gosh, that poor nurse who "we don't even know if it's safe for you to take ibuprofen". It must be hard to be a medical practicioner and never have heard of google, mustn't it?)

L2
Azapropazone
Ketorolac
Piroxicam

NR
Flufenamic acid
mefenamic acid
phenylbutazone
suprofen

Are you taking any of these for arthritis?

[kjbrown92]

I take Pure Encapsulations AI Support (AI is anti inflammatory). It's doing a better job for me than 4 Advil at a time. I am not nursing however, so you'd have to find that part out. It's mostly natural stuff: turmeric, bromelain, etc. but again, you'd have to find out if it's safe to take. Also are you on an anti-inflammatory diet (no gluten, no nightshades, etc.)? That helps as well.

[Delicateflower]

I looked at some articles about anti-inflammatory diets, and it's pretty much the way our family eats anyway, although I can see how someone who eats lots of processed food might want to change. As far as supplements are concerned, I'd prefer to eat a curry to get turmeric, you know? Highly processed things just don't seem to be the best way for me to do that.

Thatnks for suggesting the bromelain, but the side effects sound horrendous! And the effect on a nursling is unknown.

Some of the more common side effects of bromelain include indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. Other side effects may include vomiting, increased heart rate, drowsiness and abnormal uterine bleeding or heavy menstruation.

People with peptic ulcers should not use bromelain. People with other digestive disorders should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using bromelain.

Theoretically, bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding, so people with bleeding disorders and those taking medication that can increase the risk of bleeding should only use bromelain under the supervision of their physician. It should not be taken two weeks before or after dental procedures or surgery.

The safety of bromelain in pregnant or nursing women, children or people with liver or kidney disease isn't known.

[Delicateflower]

bumping

[provocativa]

Hmm. . . looking into anti-inflamatory diets is not the same as being wheat, gluten, and casein free. With autoimmune disease, even a tiny amount provokes a reaction. Whatever medicine you choose to take, megadoses of cod liver oil and sodium ascorbate, mag and d3 will help. And don't forget cayenne. The authors of Dangerous Grains assert that no one with RA (and many other autoimmune conditions) anywhere in their family tree, should eat wheat. My acute joint pain went away quickly after making the diet change. Duller joint pain took awhile to disappear.

[ASusan]

Could you also wear an amber bracelet or necklace? Can't hurt; might help.

[MountainMamaGC]

I took turmeric/bromelain capsules while breastfeeding with no problems. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple and can help you digest your food better. I also have cut wheat recently and find my crohns (autoimmune) symptoms are improving. I have a close friend with RA who follows a strict macrobiotic diet and she is off almost all of her meds. She still has some pain from the residual damage but the acute symptoms are gone.

Most natural supplements have never been tested on pregnant/nursing women so they will always err on the side of caution and tell you not to take it. I have seen this on a fenugreek bottle which is suggested for building supply.

[newcastlemama]

Originally Posted by provocativa

Hmm. . . looking into anti-inflamatory diets is not the same as being wheat, gluten, and casein free. With autoimmune disease, even a tiny amount provokes a reaction. Whatever medicine you choose to take, megadoses of cod liver oil and sodium ascorbate, mag and d3 will help. And don't forget cayenne. The authors of Dangerous Grains assert that no one with RA (and many other autoimmune conditions) anywhere in their family tree, should eat wheat. My acute joint pain went away quickly after making the diet change. Duller joint pain took awhile to disappear.

I have chronic lyme and I do gluten, dairy, and grain free (hunter-gatherer type diet). It has worked for me for a few years. I started eating GF grains again and I had so much inflammation and pain in my usual areas (arms and joints in hands, some in knees). After dropping the grains again I woke up pain free. I do the other stuff provocativa talks about too. You could also try enzymes made specifically for inflammation. I know that sounds like a lot to do but it helps me be able to function in daily life. I hope you find a solution that works for you soon. Being in pain is hard when you are trying to care for your children. s
Jen

[Delicateflower]

I've been gluten dairy and soy free and felt no different physically. I'm looking for help from big pharma.

Most natural supplements have never been tested on pregnant/nursing women so they will always err on the side of caution and tell you not to take it.

But, there are alternatives which HAVE been tested, and I can be sure of the exposure and effects on my nursling.

[buckeye_bebe]

I took Enbrel while nursing the last, and throughout this pregnancy. Lidoderm patches didn't help much.

[Delicateflower]

Thanks, buckeye, that is helpful to know, but I'm scared to start a biologic this early on in the disease. They only work for a decade or so, don't they? I really really want to keep the big guns in the arsenal IYKWIM.

But super huge thanks, because googling "enbrel breastfeeding" got me a result that linked to this site

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

It is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Better than Hale's website, even.

And www.momswithra.com , which has forums with some handy discussions. Thank you!