Can I breast-feed while on medication?
Dear Dr. Donya,
I'm a 37-year-old mother of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl and a 14-month-old baby boy. Unfortunately, I've just been diagnosed as suffering from arthritis, with an ASO/ASTO score of 400 (I was told it should be negative?). My physician told me that I should give up breast-feeding my baby if I was going to take medicine for my arthritis. She suggested I try acupuncture if I didn't want to stop breast-feeding, but she said it would only help reduce the pain and fatigue, not cure the condition.
My questions are: how bad is my arthritis according to my ASO/ASTO score; what are the consequences if I decide to delay taking any medicine; is it worthwhile to give up breast-feeding to take the medication; is there any treatment that is safe for a breast-feeding mother?
By the way, is it true that arthritis could lead to osteoporosis? Just to inform you, I have not had my period since my son's birth. Is that normal? In the case of my daughter, I had it again when she was 11 months old.
-- Reader
Dear reader,
I need more specific information, and would like you to answer the following:
1. What kind of arthritis do you have? Is it rheumatoid arthritis?
2. Do you have any idea what medication your doctor will prescribe you?
3. I have never heard of an ASO or ASTO score. Is this an arthritis score? I am waiting for your reply.
-- Dr. Donya
Dear Dr. Donya,
I'm sorry for taking so long to answer your previous e-mail. Yes, I did receive your questions but have not been able to answer them because I have yet to see my physician.
In fact, she is not really a physician, but a dentist. I originally went to her about my painful teeth. After examining me for a moment, she began asking me questions about my acne, my eyesight, whether I was suffering back pain, tired easily, was suffering from vertigo or headaches, etc. Surprisingly, I answered yes almost every time she asked if I was experiencing certain symptoms.
She then said that all of these symptoms might have something to do with my teeth problems. So she asked to run some lab tests, including the ASO/ASTO test I told you about, a uric acid test, X-rays of my teeth and an X-ray of my back.
From the tests and X-rays she concluded that I was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (or inflammation of the joints), that my backbone was not straight (bending to the left) and one of my lower right teeth had not come out but was still inside the gum.
She did mention the name of a medicine for my arthritis, which I cannot remember, but could not tell me whether it was safe for my baby. She gave me time to think about the medication and treatment (including therapy for my backbone), and suggested that I teach my baby to have less frequent breast-feeding sessions.
Again, I am sorry for the limited information I can give you. I hope it will help you in answering my questions and giving me medical advice. Thank you in advance.
-- Reader
Dear reader,
Thank you for your information. The only suggestion I have is go to see your doctor; your medical doctor. I am not sure that your symptoms are rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis effects small joints such as those in the fingers or wrist more than big joints, and you have more problems with your back than other joints.
Doctors use a medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests to diagnose a patient's problem. And do not take any medication without a prescription while you are breast- feeding.
-- Dr. Donya