Friday, June 20, 2014

Where in the World has Autoimmune Gal been?

Image Source
Some of you might have noticed that I haven't been blogging as much.  My twitter and Facebook presence has also dwindled.  But I promise there is good reason for my less frequent communication.

It also happens to be a very exciting and wonderful reason--my husband and I are expecting our first child.  Yes, Autoimmune Gal is pregnant.

We didn't know that having a family would be a possibility given my multiple autoimmune and health issues.  It took lots of communication and coordination with multiple doctors to just plan for the possibility of trying to get pregnant.

Important medical questions and issues had to be addressed.  What medications would I be able to stay on?  Did I need to change medications or lower doses before becoming pregnant or was it safe to wait until a pregnancy was actually confirmed?  How would we keep my autoimmune disease in check, while trying to protect the baby?  Would pregnancy make my autoimmune manifestations worse, the same, or better? And these were just the tip of the iceberg.

With pregnancy many of these questions do not have clear cut answers.  Medicines aren't regularly tested on pregnant women so there is less data than one would like on safety and fetal outcomes.  The doctors have constantly reminded me that if I'm not healthy, the baby won't be either, but this is really tough complicated stuff.  And we've certainly added another big and of course wonderful variable to the careful health balancing act.  

Beyond my autoimmune issues, my pregnancy is super high risk so I'm being monitored you might say within an inch of my life.  I guess you could say I'm super super high risk.   My doctors appointments have more than doubled and every health issue that comes up has to be thought through even more carefully and methodically.  Right now, we're trying to enjoy the pregnancy while keeping our fingers double and triple crossed that everything will be OK.  We know this is such an amazing blessing, but we still have a long way to go.  

So that's my update on where I've been.  I love writing and communicating with all of you and feel like something is missing when I'm not.  I'll keep writing as much as I can.  I know when the baby comes it will be a whole new kind of busy too!

16 comments:

  1. Thanks so much Amy! Hope you're dong well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations on your happy news!! While I don't have experience, per se, with pregnancy and autoimmune disease (as I was diagnosed six months after giving birth) I am happy to share with you anything might be curious about in regards to autoimmune disease and motherhood. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristen--
      Your blog has already served as inspiration for me about creative parenting when dealing with autoimmune disease. I love how you share your strategies, coping techniques, the joy and the tough stuff too. I'll definitely be sending you emails once the little one arrives ;)).

      Delete
  3. Thank you for all your posts! I have my first appointment with a rheumatologist next week but my primary care doctor, ENT, and neurologist are all confident that it is sjogrens. I am 26 and have been dealing with progressive symptoms for the past 5 years that have become debilitating over the past year. Sometimes it's hard to imagine continuing this for the rest of my life! My biggest challenge has been the facial pain and swelling I experience. I literally look like a different person now 80% of the time

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so delighted for you and wish you nothing but the best of luck. Such thrilling news! My heartfelt congratulations to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG, that is fantastic news...congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. congratulations!!! thats awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations on your great news and wishing you an easy and smooth pregnancy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I wish you and hubby every joy and happiness possible. Putting the 3 of you on my prayer list now. You are now stuck there forever :) Congratulations to you! With hugs and prayers always,

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've read your blog for the last year as I've struggled with a major flare. Thanks for all of your information and insight. And, congratulations on your wonderful news!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so very happy for you!! It will be a lot of work, but so worth it all in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations! As a mama of two (one born after being diagnosed with SS.) I truly wish you a happy pregnancy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for all the wonderful support and kind words as this new journey begins. I'm so glad that I have all of you to share the excitement, joy, and challenges ahead. What a wonderful community!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Best wishes! Hope you can enjoy every minute!

    ReplyDelete