Sarcoidosis and Pregnancy
Many women give birth to healthy babies while being treated for
sarcoidosis. Pregnancy usually doesn't affect the course of sarcoidosis, and you can continue corticosteroid treatment through your pregnancy. None of the other medicines are recommended for use during pregnancy
(see Sarcoidosis Treatment for more information).
Sometimes, your sarcoidosis may get worse after the baby is delivered.
Women with severe sarcoidosis, especially if they are older, may have trouble becoming pregnant.
It's important for you to discuss this issue with your doctor. If you become pregnant, you should be sure to get both good
prenatal care and regular sarcoidosis checkups during and after pregnancy.
Follow-up Care for Sarcoidosis
Regular follow-up care is important, even if you aren't taking medication for your sarcoidosis. New symptoms of sarcoidosis can occur at any time, and your condition can get worse slowly, without you noticing it.
Follow-up exams usually include:
- A review of your symptoms
- A physical exam
- A chest x-ray and CT scan
- Breathing tests
- An eye exam
- Blood tests
- An electrocardiogram (EKG).
How often you have your examinations and tests depends on:
- How severe your symptoms are
- Which organs are affected
- What sarcoidosis treatment you are using
- Any complications that may develop during treatment.
You will probably need routine followup care for several years. Whether you see your regular doctor or a sarcoidosis specialist for this depends on your symptoms during the first year of follow-up.
Here are some examples of how your follow-up care can be managed. They are based on either your condition when you were diagnosed with sarcoidosis or the treatment used.
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