Is anyone else high risk? Vent

TLCEsq

Hi Ladies,

I've had quite the day today and just need to vent a little and garner some support... I'm high risk because I have lupus, asthma and thyroid/endocrine problems. I hadn't had a lupus flare since early 2011, and all was going well until I got my flu shot on 10/25. I started having lots of joint pain and the typical symptoms but put off taking anything for it since usually it goes away on its own after about a week. Well, instead of going away this time it just got worse so I broke down and started a Medrol Dosepak (systemic steroids) yesterday. I've taken them before and they usually knock out the inflammatory problems I'm having. It only last six days and I'm hoping it works.

I had a perinatologist appointment this morning and all he did was freak me out! The steroids make me nervous and anxious now when they didn't before because I used to have adrenal problems (yeah for a 28 year-old I'm kind of a mess, I blame law school) and on top of that I had some contractions on Monday and had to go to the hospital to make sure it wasn't preterm labor. Bottom line is the baby is fine, but now that I am on these steroids for six days my doctor was saying I might have to take them every day until the end of the pregnancy if the flare doesn't subside (which I DON'T want to do) and then I'll have to get a "stress dose" of steroids during labor. As some of you know, I am planning on a natural birth and hired a doula, etc., so being medicated like that while in labor doesn't seem necessary to me (I've had this disease for 6+ years now and am well-educated on it) and it doesn't appeal to me either for what my plans are. Obviously I'll do whatever I have to for the baby's sake and I know I cannot plan everything (I'm open-minded but still stubborn), but my doctor was also talking about maybe needing to deliver him early, etc. and it was just too much for me to handle today. I'm feeling really overwhelmed and have to go in once a week for monitoring now, and I'm trying to relax but the stupid steroids are making that hard!

Any encouragement/insight/whatever at this point would be greatly appreciated. I apologize for sounding like an emotional mess but, well, I am. Matter of fact, I'm fighting the urge to go to Dairy Queen right now, LOL.

vim_n_vigor

You can always see another doctor for a second opinion. My doctor for this pregnancy specializes in higher risk patients and ironically he is the moat laid back of the three I've had. Good luck.

TLCEsq

You can always see another doctor for a second opinion. My doctor for this pregnancy specializes in higher risk patients and ironically he is the moat laid back of the three I've had. Good luck.

Thanks :-) I see my regular OB/GYN next week so I am going to run everything by him as well. I don't think I need steroids during labor just because of a six-day dosepak. Ultimately I know it's my decision, but I don't want my husband to start freaking out as well. My doula helped calmed me down and I am going to call her later. I just feel like such a wreck taking these meds!