----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DKNYLI14" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 4:20 PM
Subject: [LACTNET] Avonex, MS and breastfeeding


> Hi everyone,

**Hello Donna,

> Just a quick question - I have a mom that is at the end of her pregnancy, 
> has MS and is not taking any meds right now. She is feeling very well with 
> her pregnancy.  Her OB has told her that after delivery she has to go back 
> on Avonex, an interferon and IVIG.
>
> I have her permission to post here is her email :
>
> <<<The meds I would be going on are Avonnex, an interferon and IVIG  which 
> is an immunoglobulin 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intravenous_immunoglobulin.  My neurologist 
> also recommended a round of cortiosteroids but I'm refusing them unless I 
> get a flare up as they make me really ill.  My other treatments also make 
> me feel badly that's why it's going to be hard to go back on them after I 
> give birth...which definitely wont help in my ability to be a new mom.
>
> Anyway, as you know I'm very concerned with giving the baby the best 
> nutrition I possibly can from the beginning and my obgyn insisting that I 
> not  breastfeed is making me very concerned.  I mean I'm also concerned 
> with my own well being but I figure if i have enough help I'll be able to 
> do it at least for a little while.   So far both of my neurologist and all 
> of my obgyn have advised against breastfeeding-for various reasons. >>>

**I can't tell much about the medication (would have to try and find 
something, if I have anything at all), but what I *can* tell you is that I 
counseled a mom with MS who breastfed her son for about two years. Her 
husband was very supportive and helped her out when she was tired, but all 
in all she was not feeling bad those two years and immensely enjoyed 
breastfeeding her son. He will probably be their only child, as both parents 
were already somewhat older. I would reckon it is something your mom should 
definitely try!
Let me know, if I have to search further or contact her about medication. 
(She was a pharmacist herself! ;-))

Warmly,

Marianne Vanderveen, Netherlands (where it feels like Winter, with daughter 
making hot chocolate and waiting for me to join her and start cooking the 
family a nice Easter dinner) 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome