So my cousin was diagnosed with Lupus as a teenager. It has been in remission for a long time and she was fine. Recently she's experienced unexpected weight gain and some joint swelling. With these symptoms, prompted her to go to the doctor for tests. The tests are coming back with not very good results. One of them said her blood was too thick and another panel said she has a blood disorder MTHFR which can cause miscarriages or difficult pregnacy. She is not married and hasn't thought about kids yet but was devestated finding out this news being in her mid twenties. The results for the lupus haven't come back yet so still waiting on if it has resurfaced. I d did some research online and while this MTHFR condition is something to take care of it doesn't look like a death sentence or that is absolutely prevents a healthy pregnancy.
For those not familiar I guess it's a condition where the amnio acids in your blood don't work properly preventing you absorbing essential B vitamins and Folic acid.
Have any of you been diagnosed or know someone with this to have a healthy pregnancy? What did you do? I've tried reassuring her with some of my research that a healthy pregnancy is possible. Your thoughts?
My best friend's younger sister has exactly what your cousin has & she has had 2 perfectly normal pregnancies leading to 2 perfectly normal, healthy & happy boys. Tell her to do her own research, find doctors she really trusts & is comfortable with & follow whatever instructions they give her. It is possible!
I have MTHFR along with Factor V Leiden mutation. I had an uneventful 1st pregnancy (my son is 4 1/2yr old). In 2009 I had 2 early miscarraiges. After those I was diagnosed with these clotting disorders. I was put on baby aspirin and was already on extra folic acid due to my seizure medicine. When I got pregnant with my now 10mo old son, I stayed on those meds but was also put on Lovenox injections (blood thinner) until 36wks at which time they switched me to Heparin injections (same thing, shorter acting) and was taked off aspirin. After my son was born I had to do the Lovenox injections again for 6wks post delivery. So it is possible to have a healthy (but closely monitored) pregnancy. I wish her luck should she wish to have children in the future!
I'm sorry about this diagnosis and its implications. I do want to tell you one thing in case it might help... My grandmother had "thick blood" and she went in and donated as often as they allowed. It actually helped her physically to do it, and she lived a very long time. I would mention this to your mom and her doctor. It's a very easy thing to do that doesn't require medicine.
Of course, if the Red Cross doesn't want this blood because of its properties, that is a different thing. The doctor might know this.
Long ago, leeches were used to help this. They didn't understand the blood properties, but they did know that it helped. Some hospitals actually use leeches now to do the exact same thing because it's more healthy than using medicines. (Medically grown leeches, that is.) Hard to imagine putting yourself through that though!
Good luck to your mom,
Dawn
I have MTFHR. The doctors will put you on a prescription drug called Folgard and have you take 81 mg of aspirin a day. There's no concern as long as you know about it before pregnancy. It is linked to a higher risk (but not terribly higher) of spina bifida. I am 14 weeks pregnant and everything is going well!
