CIDP and pregnancy
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May 25, 2006 at 5:10 pm
I was dx’ed with GBS after the birth of my second daughter in May of 2002. When my doctor saw my recovery was not where he thought it should be, he referred me to a specialist in Chicago who ran the dreaded spinal tap. I was redx’ed with CIDP in November of 2002.
Since then, I began IVIG treatment. The treatments went from every 3 weeks to treatments every 5 weeks.
With my 30th birthday approaching, I realized what I really wanted…another baby. I am now in my second trimester and am pleased to report after a very thorough ultrasound that everything looks great.
Although the ‘specialist’ didn’t think I “needed” any more kids, my regular neurologist had no problem with it.
I have had a huge reduction in the time it takes for the tingling/numbness to advance up the legs. I have actually never had such relief from the pain like I have had now. My treatments have been able to be stretched from 6 weeks to 8 weeks to a whopping 10 weeks apart!!
I do find that my body fatigues much faster and my stamina is less each month but that is not uncommon in a ‘regular’ pregnancy. I have found an increase in lack of fine motor skills in my hands which bothers me because I have not had problems with my hands since 2002.
I am so glad that we waited until my youngest was (mostly) out of her toddler years. She just turned 4 and I have a 6 year old and they are both excited about the baby. We found out it is a boy which I think explains the 20+ weeks of all day morning sickness. He also doesn’t like me to lay on my back and begins kicking violently often waking me up at night.
We are so excited about this and even more so after the ultrasound showed no visual abnormalities. I’m even happier that I didn’t let a specialist decide how many children to have as we feel incredibly blessed to have another little one on the way.
To anyone wanting another child, I have found it is definetly a decision that the couple should make. Don’t get me wrong – I read up on pregnancies with MS patients and consulted my doc for an opinion. But ultimately, it was our choice and we made the right one!:D -
May 25, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Mary,
Dont want to detract from the thread, just wanted to say its really good to ‘see’ you again.
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May 25, 2006 at 5:22 pm
When I saw you were back, I just quickly jumped in to welcome you back, i didint even read your post properly. Now that I have, just wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy, I didnt even realize you were pregnant. Wishing you all the best.:)
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May 26, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Congratulations and nice to meet you! I’m glad to hear that everything is fine. When are you due?
Please forgive me but I have to ask, why did you choose badmommy for your name?
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May 29, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Thanks, Ali…it is good to see the familar blue board up and helping others again. I enjoy reading the posts and have sat up many nights after a treatment (the Excedrin running thru me) in here.
Pam,
My due date is Oct. 5th but I have never made it through a pregnancy all 40 weeks. I usually am induced around 38/39 due to me being unable to function from the weight:)
For my screen name, my family and I enjoy costuming and my Star Wars character is on the Imperial side (the bad guys). The first time my daughter saw me, she called me “the bad mommy with the long fingers”. The name stuck in our costuming group and I found it is easier to use one screen name for everything than several different. the last thing I need is multiple identities, LOL!Here is me at the Hunger Walk last year at Lake Michigan…(my friend changed the sky color)
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May 29, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Hey Mary congrats and judging from that pic I am glad I am on your good side 🙂
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May 29, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Wow! That’s cool! I’d love to see more photos.
My daughter (first) was due Oct 4th and she arrived on her due date… I was in labour with her for 2 days though 😮
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May 30, 2006 at 12:23 am
2 days in labor????
WOW!! I have been fortunate with my labors. Both of them I had the epidural and felt little to no pain. My first was born within 14 hours and my last was only @ 8 hours. Plus, the hospital allowed me a few suckers, juice, and ice so at least I wasn’t completely starved. Although after both deliveries, I ate for at least 3 people, LOL!
I’ll have to post my photobucket pics which show the family in our costumes. I even recently had my sister join.
I am lucky to have great friends everwhere especially in my costuming group. One inserted pre-fab AFOs into my boots so I could walk. All it took was him hearing why I coudln’t costume ( I began the costume before the CIDP took over my feet) and he emailed me instantly offering his services.
Needless to say, I am not wearing the costume lately! Although I am working on the ‘goodmommy’ costume of Padme when she is pregnant with Luke and Leia. It is more ‘fitting’ 🙂 -
May 30, 2006 at 12:45 am
How neat Mary! Looking forward to any photos you can find. You probably make a great Padme!!
Are you wearing the AFOs in the shot above? I’d never guess by that photo.
My first was 2 days labour because I fought the contractions. My second was only about 4 hours, with almost 10 minutes of pushing! Both med-free. ahh!
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May 31, 2006 at 12:38 am
MED FREE?? Good for you! I on the other hand took it for awhile and decided to let the nice meds relieve the pain for me.
And yes, the AFOS are in there which is why it was so darn hard to pose. The guy who did them is a master at costuming and has a huge heart.
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June 3, 2006 at 3:31 am
Haha! I asked for an epidural a few hours before my first was born, but I was too far along they told me. They gave me some laughing gas but it made me sick (I actually puked)! lol
With my son, everything went so smoothly and so much quicker that I just went with it. What helped me was keeping in mind that the contractions are the worst part of labour. As soon as baby arrives, you feel so much better as the contractions dramatically disappear.
I’m sorry to hear you have to wear these awful things (AFOs) too. 🙁
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June 6, 2006 at 11:53 pm
Dear Mary,
Mary congratulations on your pregnancy. I am glad to hear from you (this is Emily from St. Louis). Approaching my mid 20’s has made me begin to think about a family myself, but I was unsure about the pregnancy. I also worry if I would be able to keep up with a child and all the other concerns that go along with that responsibility, but I guess that is something I will never know until I try it.
I am so happy to hear you and your family are doing well, I love the picture by the way. I still have a picture of you and your kids in costume hanging on my bulletin board.
Take care,
Emily -
June 7, 2006 at 10:29 pm
EMILY!! EMILY!!
YEAH!!!!! YOU HAVE INTERNET!!!!!I am so glad to see you on here. I tried calling your place a few times but always got an answering machine. I had hoped to catch up with you again!!
As for the pregnancy, I wish I could stay this way. My symptoms have slowed down to the point I actually skip a month of IVIG. The weird sensations have quieted down. and when I do receive an IVIG treatment, I haven’t gotten a single migraine. If only I could bottle it!
Only down side is not being able to sleep well (like since March!). Between having to go to the bathroom and the boy not liking it when I sleep on my back, I only get about 3-4 hours sleep at a time. It’s getting tiring but I tell myself I get a baby boy out of it all and that makes it all seem worthwhile:)
I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t have the support system I have. My husband is a wonderful man and we have family about an hour and a half away that would help should I need it after the baby is born. I’m hoping since everyone is on top of things that it is a better post-birth experience for us all.
Glad to see you on here – hope you are not overdoing it!!
Peace,
Mary -
June 8, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Mary,
You’re very beautiful, even with all the costume stuff on. Congrats on your pregnancy! I know you must be so excited!
P.S. What’d your friend do to Lake Michigan?!
Shannon
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June 10, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Thank you, Shannon!
As for Lake Michigan…photoshop is fun to play with if you know how to use it. He actually removed a can of coke and small child from some of the other pics, LOL! -
June 10, 2006 at 12:22 pm
You’re welcome, Mary! I need to learn Photoshop! I’m always afraid to use it at work because it never seems to do what I want it to do. If you have all those other pics, why don’t you post them? I think we all love pics around here!
Shan
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June 11, 2006 at 11:56 am
Cool costume!!
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September 15, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Well, I’m almost at the end and I must admit that I am thankful he appears to be a healthy baby. Very active with lots of hiccups 🙂
I have minor symptoms that began about 2 months ago. Finger tips are numb and tingly…everything ‘feels’ weird. Within the last few weeks, my left foot (which was my most affected) has decided to completely ignore me. I have tripped a few times and am back in my AFOs all the time now. The symptoms have not progressed past the ankles so for that I am thankful.
Only 12 more days left…I must admit, between the lack of sleep and finger problems, I will be anxious to be done:) Although I don’t know if the lack of sleep problem will get any better once he is here, LOL!
I did something I never thought I would do…I took a pill for sleeping. My doc gave me Lunesta. I don’t normally take any type of meds but things were desperate around here…my sleep was down to about 2 hours. I took it last night and slept a whooping 6 hours in a row. I plan on taking it again tonight and then going without for a few days. I must admit, this morning was the first time I woke up feeling semi-refreshed. Most mornings lately, I have awoken feeling horrible and crying.
Many of my friends don’t understand what this is like. They either don’t have children or don’t understand the illness. I’m so glad I have my family in here…you guys/gals know what it is like to feel the numbing/tingling and frustration from having body parts not respond. Thanks for all your well wishes and helpful information. You have really helped me thru this 🙂
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May 12, 2009 at 8:35 am
Just wanted to stop by and let you all know that we are expecting Baby #4 this July. Although it was a shock to find out at first (I thought I was dying of the flu, LOL), we are very excited about the arrival.
A few months back we found out that it is a girl and she wouldn’t stop slapping the ultrasound high 5s! Doc said that is a good sign 🙂
Although it was a little more tiring already having the other 3, they have been helpful and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little sis!
Don’t be afraid to live your life whatever you are dealt – you can do it! -
May 13, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Congrats to you!! How exciting! 4 kids! 🙂 I am the 4th in my family.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
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