Restricted

According to my fertility chart, I ovulated for the first time since we started trying to conceive about 6 days ago. That puts us firmly into the two week wait (2WW) until I can expect a reliable result on a home pregnancy test. It's hard not to start obsessing over every little twinge and poke when you know that there is a real possibility that you could be pregnant!

Everyone knows there are restrictions that you must follow in pregnancy for the health of your future baby. What I didn't know is that I would have to start following those restrictions right after ovulation, just to be safe. My doctor and pharmacist are both concerned that my over-zealous immune system might harm an embryo, so they want me to be extra careful to avoid anything that might cause more harm. I've stopped drinking alcohol completely, am severely limiting my caffeine intake, am being extra careful with food safety precautions and following a healthy diet including recommended supplements.

Unfortunately, it doesn't just mean I have to switch my morning tea for decaf. For a Still's (wannabe) Mama it also means I can't even take my usual anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of choice, my old friend Naproxen. I've been off it for over a week and have really been feeling worse for it. I actually took a trip to the pharmacy today to ask if there might be any safe NSAIDs or alternatives available over the counter to help me cope with my joint inflammation, arthritis and swelling. It was discouraging to hear my pharmacist say that he would not feel comfortable with me taking any NSAID drugs whatsoever, not with the risk that my Still's Disease might pose to an embryo.

He did suggest trying some Bromelain tablets to see if they might have any effect on my joint inflammation and swelling. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples that is becoming well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. I am a die hard sceptic but it looks like there is at least a little bit of empirical research on its use in osteoarthritis, and my pharmacist said it can't hurt. He felt that the only other safe option would be to increase my narcotic painkillers a bit. I definitely feel more comfortable trying the pineapple first.

Is it just me?

I was a little uncomfortable choosing "Still's Mama" as a name for my new blog. You see, I'm actually not a mama, at least not yet. E and I decided to start trying for our first baby after a recent appointment with my doctor. I am starting this diary now to document our journey into parenthood from the very beginning. I have looked around parenting blogs and websites a lot since we started talking about this massive step in our lives, and it's left me feeling kind of isolated and alone. There just isn't very much information or support out there for disabled and chronically ill women like me who are trying to have babies or raise a family. Adult Onset Still's Disease is a rare form of autoimmune arthritis, so rare that it seems like there is not even information in medical journals about its effects on pregnancy.

Am I really alone? I've wondered if E and I really are pioneers, charting new waters on our way to parenthood. Maybe this illness and the disability it brings are so devastating for most women that they just choose not to be parents. Maybe they just can't find a partner willing to take this step with them. Maybe, and I'm terrified just thinking about this one, this disease has left them all unable to get pregnant or to carry a healthy baby to term. I don't really believe that's true, but maybe they just haven't written about it or published their writings on the internet.