Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Does pregnancy keep us from fusing?

Just a random thought I just had - in pregnancy, there's this hormone called Relaxin (no, I'm not kidding, that's what it's called) whose job is specifically to open the sacroilliac joints for childbirth. However, (ask any woman who's had a kid) it works for the entire 10 months and over the entire body, meaning we have such wonderful little side-effects as spreading feet, butterfingers and dislocating knees.

So, I'm just thinking to myself, along the lines of "Move it or fuse it," if pregnancy will actually prevent fusion? I'm sure there's no study done or way to prove it at this point, but hey, all you women with multiple kids - *cough*Micki*cough* - I'm just wondering if mommies have less fusion than non-mommies?

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Bridget

PS Happy birthday Micki

That is an interesting question, and thought... my AS was kicked into high gear by the birth of our daughter. Relaxin , works on connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, muscles and proably somewhat on cartilage. For that reason, i'm not sure it would prevent fusion. Since Fusion is caused by the body attempting to repair itself, repair the errosions in the bone. But it's an interesting thought to be sure.

Interesting question, although I don't know why I'd be responding
I haven't fused yet, but I also have a lot of peripheral involvement. I am not aware of studies that would support the idea. Anecdotally, I've had a lot of pregnancies and no fusion. But I wouldn't recommend lots of pregnancies for anyone with auto-immune issues. The fatigue alone was debilitating.

i thought a lot about relaxin when my SI joint was loose rather than stiff. i was in perimenopause and wondered if the crazy roller coaster of hormones during that time could also involve relaxin? it was just a thought.

i've never had children and there is no evidence of fusing for me, why i've been dx'ed with undiff spondy instead of AS.

i too wonder why for some people, like me, with undiff spondy, just get the inflammation (at the entheses) but the body doesn't try to repair it by laying down new bone, and for others (with AS), they get the fusing process to occur. i've always thought that was one of the big differences between AS and undiff spondy. cause most of what others mention on here i can relate to (except the uveitis and the fusing).

I am currently pg (28 weeks, woohoo!) and I was wondering the same thing. I went into this with no fusion but the AS went into crazy mode after my miscarriage October 2010 and every day throughout this pg (got pg again in Feb 2011), it feels so much worse than ever. I'd say my peripheral joints are almost unbearable on most days, and I'm probably coming off Humira in about 4 weeks so this little cutie can come into this world with a not awful immune system. BTW, I am terrified of being on no meds at all. I have been trying to not freak out about it all day :-)

Maybe they should give us a Relaxin injection or put it in pill form! Eat 'em!

Craig

Congratulations, Natasha! While pregnant with my daughter I didn't go down to no meds at all, I weaned myself down to 4.5mg LDN, 30mg Cymbalta, 1mg gabapentin and a ton of tylenol, plus the occasional Percoset. The LDN made the most difference, and the doc said it may have been the reason I didn't miscarry her.

I know relaxin works on soft tissues vs bone, but I was thinking . . . if our joints are looser,even if our bodies are TRYING to fuse (as in my SIs) it'll take longer if the joint is more mobile and relaxed.

Well Bridg, I had 2 children and am fused and still fusing. The AS kicked into high gear with my second pregnancy, 27 years ago and has been going strong ever since.
Cindy