Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Before getting married, I was diagnosed with arthritis. At five months of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with symphysis pubis diastasis, and later gave birth via cesarean section. Due to poor joint health and a fear of cold, I was given cold medication during delivery, which further injured my left side. After giving birth, my left side became extremely sensitive to cold: I couldn't use air conditioners or electric fans, couldn't touch cold water with my hands, and even a slight breeze felt like it was penetrating deep into my bones. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine treatments did not help. Many people have told me that having another child can help cure this condition, otherwise, the illnesses contracted during the postpartum period are said to be incurable. I would like to ask if this claim has any basis. Should I consider having another child?Doctor's answer:
First, there is this saying.Postpartum illness, in reality, is caused by the relative looseness of ligaments when estrogen levels are high after a woman gives birth (due to childbirth). At this time, it is important to avoid getting cold and excessive fatigue. Otherwise, it may lead to poor recovery of soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and fascia. The purpose of having another child is to reach the estrogen level in the body that existed when the first child was born, and to treat it at this time in hopes of recovery. However, this method is mostly used for joint dislocations, such as symphysis pubis diastasis.
Your condition appears to be primarily rheumatic, including arthritis, and you also have rheumatic muscle disease (this is the condition you developed due to your relatively weaker physical state during childbirth). This disease cannot be cured by having another child and requires anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic treatment.
Western medicine: Primarily antipyretic and analgesic drugs (Sudafed, Tolmetin) – these two drugs have higher concentrations in the joints.
Other options include ibuprofen, naproxen, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on warming the yang, unblocking meridians, nourishing blood, and dispelling wind: using herbal pills like Yangxue Rongjin Wan and Fanfeng Huoluo Wan.
The entire treatment is primarily Western medicine, with traditional Chinese medicine as a supplement. First, use Western medicine to control the condition (though symptom improvement may sometimes be unsatisfactory), and then use traditional Chinese medicine to consolidate the treatment (traditional Chinese medicine is better at improving symptoms). Overall, the general effect is slightly better.