Since the very first day I brought Pebbles home from the hospital I have felt stiff, sore, tired and sometimes weak. I know this is typical for the first 6 weeks or so, but it's been 2 years and I don't feel much different. I had an epidural and it was wonderful at numbing me (24 hrs) the only problem with that is, I pushed too hard and (brace yourselves) tore in three places...didn't feel a thing! I should have been sitting on ice for 2 1/2 days in the hospital but my nurses must have forgot or just assumed I was on ice. Dr. Lopez was furious when he found out I had not been given an "ice pad". He gave me a whole bag full to take home.
So, it took me close to a year to recover in that way from the birth. However, the stiff joints are about to get the best of me. Some days I walk around shuffling like an elderly person. I laugh about it a lot, but it's really not funny and can be a problem when caring for a hyper, full of life and adorable toddler.
When I look at this picture of me giving Pebbles a sponge bath I can remember how stiff I was and how much PAIN I was in. My feet were extremely swollen and I still cannot wear any of my pre-pregnancy shoes.
No problems rocking the baby. :)
I always have to throw in some humor on my posts!! This is how I really felt...like I looked!
Here's what I need from you guys:
A blog ((Hug))
Prayers that my blood test comes back RF negative
Advice on medications or anything you think would be helpful
*Rheumatoid Arthritis and Childbirth: Is There a Connection?Can having a baby give a woman arthritis? The answer suggested by a recent study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, October 2001, may be of interest to any woman who has given birth, or who is planning on having a baby.
Stress hormones plummet after a woman gives birth setting the stage for immune-system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. The disease affects more women than men.
~from: allaboutarthritis.com
*A person with RA has a very active immune system. The problem is that the immune system is attacking the body, not an infection. When the body attacks itself in this way, it often produces a substance known as rheumatoid factor (RF). About 75% of people with RA are RF positive, so it can be a helpful indicator in making a diagnosis.
http://www.rheumatoidarthritis.com/diagnosing-ra/how-a-diagnosis-is-made.aspx
Please visit Marcy's Blog for more SFMTY fun.
(At the very bottom of my blog I added a birth slide show)
16 comments:
I do hope your tests come back negative!!!
I remember that when I was being tested for, then diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the doctors told me that certain conditions are "activated" by pregnancy and childbirth, due to the stress on the body. I guess that makes sense...
I am sorry..that must be so miserable!! Praying your test comes back negative.
I am sending you out a huge hug. I am so sorry you are feeling like this. I hope they can figure out what is going on and then help you relieve some of your symptoms. I will be praying that it isn't RA. My youngest sister is being tested for this and Lupus right now. She is only 23 and has been feeling awful for about a year now.
I'm shooting up a prayer right now and a bloggy hug to you. I also think you should have received a medal for surviving 3 tears! OUCH!
HUGS!
And PRAYERS.
Can do.
I sincerely hope your test comes back negative and that you find some relief soon!
HEY MY RF FACTOR WAS NEG!!! YAY!!! Good news so far.
Soo glad that your test came back negative. But the fact still remains that you feel this way.
What will be the next step?
(((HUGS))) Thoughts and prayers coming your way!
I am so sorry,you are going through that! I don't know anything about this, but I do know how to pray.
(((HUGS)))
PRAYERS
and a BIG YAY! for the negative RF factor!!!
As Amy asked, what's next? You can't live like this forever.
I have no advice, but I'm sending hugs and prayers your way.
Awww I am sorry you are feeling so yucky.
I have always had long recovery from my births. And my shoes size never ever went back to pre-preg.
I will pray your tests are good.
Thanks for sharing these photos from your past with the FRO party. This is perfect FRO post stuff!
Sending prayers your way! By the way,my feet got bigger after pregnancy...and NEVER got smaller again and it's been 5 years. I don't think there is no going back on the feet issue. But the swelling and pain not normal...keep pressing the drs to figure it out!
Big Big hugs going out to you. I will be adding you to the prayer list tonight. Let us know how the test turns out.
My stiffness and sore joints is a form of arthritis and old age. And your right, it's not funny anymore.
{{{{Wilma}}}} I wish I could give you a real life hug! I am late to the ball game (busy week, I'm sorry) but I was happy to read your RF came back negative!
Constant pain is so overwhelming. I hate what you had to go through/what you ARE going through. I've had back pain since giving birth. Plus, a lovely sway back! Sigh. What we go through, huh?
I will send prayers up for you!
Oh my gosh! I am totally praying for you. I am so sorry that you are hurting. It actually made me hurt to read that. Ummmmmmmm, yeah... I am going to pray that you get some answers and your pain goes away soon.
Oh my...tears in 3 places! OUCH!
My Yaya developed RA after the birth of my Uncle.
So glad to hear your test results are negative.
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