Morgan,

I have RA and am currently nursing my 20 month old.  I refuse to take
prednisone but it is considered a safe drug to take while nursing and my
rheumatologist always suggests it when I complain of pain.  There are other
drugs that are injectibles, such as Enbrel or Humira.  Hale has some
discussion on Enbrel on his chat boards and last I read it, he feels it is
safe enough.  My rheumatologist does not advise taking either Enbrel or
Humira while nursing because they have not been studied properly in nursing
moms and because they are immunosuppressing drugs and he worries how it will
effect the nurslings' immune system.  However, because the molecules are so
large and one must inject them, I wonder really how much, if any, of the
drug really passes into milk.

I don't like injecting myself and I also don't like the thought of injecting
such a powerful medication into myself anymore but in the past (pre
pregnancy & pre nursing) when I used to use Humira, it totally worked
wonders.  In the meantime, I eat no gluten, no soy, and only trace amounts
of dairy.  Since many autoimmune conditions are exacerbated by food
triggers, eliminating has worked very well for me.  I realize that's hard to
tell to a mom who is in pain, but it may help to eliminate gluten for
starters and see if things improve.  Add fish oil.  Add vitamin D.
Exercise.  Meditate.   That's what I do.  Good luck to her & keep me posted
if she hangs in there with nursing.

-- 
Anne Sakoff
San Diego, CA

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

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