pregnant with ulcerative colitis

Forum Rules | Help Manual | Chat Rooms | Moderators | Volunteer

HealingWell.com Forum > Diseases & Conditions > Ulcerative Colitis > pregnant with ulcerative colitis

43 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> ]

roxZ
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 21

Posted 9/27/2007 7:12 PM (GMT -6)

Hi guys I have 3 month old twin boys and throughout my entire pregnancy I was on 20mg of prednisone, colazal 750mg pills, 9/day, and entocort ec 3mg day. I have two beautiful healthy boys. And I had a few flares during pregnancy but actually felt better than I had in a long time. My doctor actually told be that being pregnant some women go into remission because the immune response works differently. Also my Gi doc said it was safer to remain on the meds than to try to be off them and risk a flare which can be harder on pregnancy. I don't believe that prednisone stunts growth. As for taking imuran while pregnant I work with a woman who has chrons disease and she was on imuran for her pregnancy and she has a beautiful baby girl. My only worry with the remicade is how it wipes out your imune system. You have a great risk of catching all the colds this winter, epecially while pregnant because that also lowers your bodys defense. If you have been using it and it works well I would continue. I've tried remicade many times believing the next time it would work, but the effects only seemed to last about a week after getting it so I quit. If it works and your doc says its safe though, you should trust. Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you good luck!

Vikki, 28

dx with ulcerative colitis at age 16

prednisone 20 mg, colazal, entocort ec

tats
Regular Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 9/27/2007 7:52 PM (GMT -6)

roxZ said...
Hi guys I have 3 month old twin boys and throughout my entire pregnancy I was on 20mg of prednisone, colazal 750mg pills, 9/day, and entocort ec 3mg day. I have two beautiful healthy boys. And I had a few flares during pregnancy but actually felt better than I had in a long time. My doctor actually told be that being pregnant some women go into remission because the immune response works differently. Also my Gi doc said it was safer to remain on the meds than to try to be off them and risk a flare which can be harder on pregnancy. I don't believe that prednisone stunts growth. As for taking imuran while pregnant I work with a woman who has chrons disease and she was on imuran for her pregnancy and she has a beautiful baby girl. My only worry with the remicade is how it wipes out your imune system. You have a great risk of catching all the colds this winter, epecially while pregnant because that also lowers your bodys defense. If you have been using it and it works well I would continue. I've tried remicade many times believing the next time it would work, but the effects only seemed to last about a week after getting it so I quit. If it works and your doc says its safe though, you should trust. Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you good luck!

congrats on ur twins!!! that must be exciting. yea i stopped the remicade,,i've heard that steroids have more research behind them,,n im on asacol 9 aday..my doctor is gonna lower my prednisone this monday to 30mg..im pretty excited about that. im just confused on what to eat to not cause a flare but at the same time try to keep it healthy for the baby without the bland stuff... what did you eat?

diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 6/05

CURRENTLY TAKING

40MG PREDNISONE

9 ASACOL

roxZ
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 21

Posted 9/27/2007 10:51 PM (GMT -6)

Im not the best one for diet advice, mine isn't very healthy but if I'm having a flare I tend to eat a lot of chicken noodle soup, applesauce, bannanas, toast, chicken, rice, white fish. I stay away from fried foods and cut out a lot of dairy. I drink vanilla soy instead of having a glass of milk. Yet I believe for myself it really doesn't matter what I eat, my flares don't seem to be related to food. While pregnant I followed the pregnancy diet rules, like no lunch meats, hot dogs, any processed foods, no caffeine, only certain fish is allowed. The first three months I was so worried I didn't even eat chocolate because of the caffeine. You know your body better than anyone, and listen to it. If you feel like things are worse think about what might have triggered it and avoid that food and if you have a craving go ahead and have it, in moderation. Dont eat a whole bag of potato chips or a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting, but nothings wrong with a few scoops once in a while if your body tolerates it. Also don't forget to take your prenatal vitamins and folic acid.

Vikki, 28

dx with ulcerative colitis at age 16

prednisone 20 mg, colazal, entocort ec

tats
Regular Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 9/28/2007 4:57 PM (GMT -6)

roxZ said...
Im not the best one for diet advice, mine isn't very healthy but if I'm having a flare I tend to eat a lot of chicken noodle soup, applesauce, bannanas, toast, chicken, rice, white fish. I stay away from fried foods and cut out a lot of dairy. I drink vanilla soy instead of having a glass of milk. Yet I believe for myself it really doesn't matter what I eat, my flares don't seem to be related to food. While pregnant I followed the pregnancy diet rules, like no lunch meats, hot dogs, any processed foods, no caffeine, only certain fish is allowed. The first three months I was so worried I didn't even eat chocolate because of the caffeine. You know your body better than anyone, and listen to it. If you feel like things are worse think about what might have triggered it and avoid that food and if you have a craving go ahead and have it, in moderation. Dont eat a whole bag of potato chips or a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting, but nothings wrong with a few scoops once in a while if your body tolerates it. Also don't forget to take your prenatal vitamins and folic acid.

oh okay. well thanks for the advice. Do you think a cvs brand prenatal vitamin is okay, i mean it has all the same ingredients. and did u say u were only on 20mg of prednisone? do u think 40mg is really bad?

diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 6/05

CURRENTLY TAKING

40MG PREDNISONE

9 ASACOL

roxZ
Regular Member

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 21

Posted 9/28/2007 5:13 PM (GMT -6)

Most doctors feel that the generic drugs are just as good as the name brand, check with your OB, but I don't see why the cvs brand wouldn't be. I am very fortunate to have excellent health insurance copays for prescriptions, so I took a prescription prenatal vitamin called primacare one. Yes I was on 20 mg the entire pregnancy, I doubt 40 is really bad if its controlling your flare, because a flare is worse for pregnancy, prednisone is a class C drug which means its not the safest for pregnacy but can be given if the benefits outweigh the risk, in which your case it would be a benefit. YOu must avoid class D drugs in pregnancy. Also remeber your blood sugars are harder to control when on steroid medications, you could develop gestational diabetes much easier than someone not on prednisone, so watch the sugar.

Vikki, 28

dx with ulcerative colitis at age 16

prednisone 20 mg, colazal, entocort ec

poohbear37
Regular Member

Date Joined Feb 2007
Total Posts : 98

Posted 9/28/2007 9:10 PM (GMT -6)

When my doctor started me on remicade he said that when I get pregnant he will take me off remicade,.

~*~Kristyn~*~
Age - 24
Diagnosed w/UC at age 18
Current Meds - Asacol (12 pills daily)
-Canasa suppository (1000mg at bedtime)
-Lexapro (10mg)
-Prednisone (40mg when flaring)
-Multivitamin, Aloe Vera Gel

SoCal DJ
New Member

Date Joined Jun 2007
Total Posts : 4

Posted 9/29/2007 10:28 AM (GMT -6)

Hey all,

I'm 20 weeks pregnant, and until this week was doing great. I hadn't had any sign of a flare-up, and then suddenly two days ago I started cramping up and running to the bathroom more often. Both my GI and OB wanted me to stay on all my meds (including Remicade) through the pregnancy, so we all hoped I'd be ok. I took some dicyclomine for the cramping, but by yesterday evening, my stools had turned to water (like prep for a scope). I've never gone from zero to sixty in two days before, so I had no idea what to do. It was Friday night, so I didn't know who else to call besides the labor & delivery triage number my OB had given me. They made me come in to the hospital for a few hours to make sure the baby was ok and that my electrolytes were normal, but they wouldn't let me take anything for the diarrhea. They sent me home with warnings to watch for dehydration and instructions to call my GI on Monday if it hasn't completely cleared up.

So now I'm sitting at home trying not to worry. I feel "sore," and I wonder if it's the baby pressing against my colon. Anyone else feel that? Will it get worse as he gets bigger?

Anyone else ever flared so fast? My docs had said they wouldn't consider me high-risk unless I flared, and since I was hoping to have as natural a birth as possible (ironic, given how many meds I'm taking through the pregnancy), I would really like to avoid that label.

Food has never affected my flares, only stress, so now I'm trying to look over my already minimal commitments to see if I need to give any of them up. All I want is a healthy baby, so I'm willing to let go of whatever for his sake. At the same time, I wonder, do I have to give up my life until he's born in February?

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. If I talk to my husband, he'll just tell me to do what I need to do and he'll support me. If I talk to my mom, she'll tell me I need to drop everything immediately. And no one else really understands at all. So this seemed like the best place to come to get it all out.

Pancolitis since 1998, fairly stable since end of 2006

Pregnant (due 2/08)

UC meds:

asacol (4 pills, 3X/day)

Rowasa enema (nightly)

Remicade (infusion every 8 weeks; started 8/06)

Dicyclomine as needed for pain

Also singulair (asthma), bupropion (antidepressant), and Prenatals

Post Edited (SoCal DJ) : 9/29/2007 10:52:30 AM (GMT-6)

macgrl
Regular Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 11/22/2007 4:32 PM (GMT -6)

Hi,

I'm 29 years old and was diagnosed with UC in July 2007. I found out that I was pregnant a month later and I'm now 17 weeks along. My GI doc originally put me on mesalamine (Salofalk), which seemed to work wonders (inititally). Unfortunately, as my pregnancy has progressed, so have my symptoms. I'm now on 40mg prednisone + salofalk supps and although the prednisone seems to have reduced the frequency of my BMs, it definitely hasn't helped the bleeding, consistency, etc. I wake up every morning and like clockwork I'm in the bathroom for 15-20 minutes with severe cramping, diarrhea and blood. I'm really starting to worry about the effects on the baby. Has anyone else experienced severe flareups during pregnancy? Does anyone have any non-medicinal suggestions? I've tried diet, but that really doesn't seem to make a difference in my case. Anyways, I guess I'm just getting more and more frustrated because I'm new to UC and new to pregnancy so I don't know what's normal for either! Any advice would be awesome. Thanks.

Diagnosed: July 2007
Pregnant: Due 05/2008
Meds: mesalamine, 40mg prednisone,
Other: prenatal vit., probiotics, calcium, fish oil.

Scrap Girl
Regular Member

Date Joined Jan 2007
Total Posts : 391

Posted 11/24/2007 10:32 PM (GMT -6)

Macgrl, I took prednisone and colazal throughout my last pregnancy and things never really calmed down until the third trimester. I still has some problems even after that. My only two flares came on the last two times I was pregnant. I know some women's colitis actually improve with pregnancy but my didn't. Good luck.

Diagnosed with UC in Feb. 2005

Colazal (9 a day)

Folic Acid

Biotin

Calcium

Remicade remission

macgrl
Regular Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 11/26/2007 8:48 AM (GMT -6)

How did everything turn out? Was the baby okay? Ya, my GI told me that MOST people improve with pregnancy, but from what I've been reading online, it's about 1/3 improve, 1/3 stay the same, and 1/3 flare. Unfortunately, I'm in the latter. I'm just worried about all the blood loss. Were you tested for iron levels at all? Did you take iron supplements?

Diagnosed: July 2007
Pregnant: Due 05/2008
Meds: mesalamine, 40mg prednisone,
Other: prenatal vit., probiotics, calcium, fish oil.

RachRoo28
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 11/27/2007 5:03 PM (GMT -6)

Hello! I have been searching everywhere for women who wish to have healthy babies while dealing with uc. I was recently diagnosed with uc 8/07, 2 1/2 months after having my first baby. The doctor put me on Asacol and Prednisone. I became so nauseous and severely dehydrated, went to the ER for IV fluids and back two days later. I was then in the hospital for over a week and had to stop breastfeeding. I returned home and two days later was severely dehydrated again. I called the on call doctor to say I was going back to the ER, he told me to stay home another day and stop taking the Asacol. As soon as I discontinued it I stopped feeling nauseous and started going into remission. My doctor then put me on Lialda, which my body couldn't tolerate either. He has been tapering me off the Pred. and I'm now down to 10mg a day. He wants me to go on 6-MP since I can't tolerate the 5-ASA drugs. I'm so concerned about this drug with the more research I do. I would really like to have more children and I strongly desire to breastfeed, especially since I had to stop with my first baby. I spoke to someone from the Crohns and Colitis foundation who said 6_MP was probably safe for pregnancy and not safe for breastfeeding. Like I have heard in older posts, my doctor said it would be worse to have a flare up during pregnancy than to be on 6_MP. I also spoke with my OBGYN and he said he has dealt with uc patients before so not to worry. But, how can I not worry? Anyone have experience with 6_MP and pregnancy?

26 female
diagnosed_August 2007
10mg Prednisone
Culturelle, calcium, daily vitamin + minerals
about to start 6_MP

tats
Regular Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 11/27/2007 9:58 PM (GMT -6)

RachRoo28 said...
Hello! I have been searching everywhere for women who wish to have healthy babies while dealing with uc. I was recently diagnosed with uc 8/07, 2 1/2 months after having my first baby. The doctor put me on Asacol and Prednisone. I became so nauseous and severely dehydrated, went to the ER for IV fluids and back two days later. I was then in the hospital for over a week and had to stop breastfeeding. I returned home and two days later was severely dehydrated again. I called the on call doctor to say I was going back to the ER, he told me to stay home another day and stop taking the Asacol. As soon as I discontinued it I stopped feeling nauseous and started going into remission. My doctor then put me on Lialda, which my body couldn't tolerate either. He has been tapering me off the Pred. and I'm now down to 10mg a day. He wants me to go on 6-MP since I can't tolerate the 5-ASA drugs. I'm so concerned about this drug with the more research I do. I would really like to have more children and I strongly desire to breastfeed, especially since I had to stop with my first baby. I spoke to someone from the Crohns and Colitis foundation who said 6_MP was probably safe for pregnancy and not safe for breastfeeding. Like I have heard in older posts, my doctor said it would be worse to have a flare up during pregnancy than to be on 6_MP. I also spoke with my OBGYN and he said he has dealt with uc patients before so not to worry. But, how can I not worry? Anyone have experience with 6_MP and pregnancy?

26 female
diagnosed_August 2007
10mg Prednisone
Culturelle, calcium, daily vitamin + minerals
about to start 6_MP

6mp is a pretty hard drug. I wouldnt take it if i wanted to get pregnant or was pregnant. I was on 6mp a little while back and my liver wasnt processing it right. Ask your doctor maybe rowasea enemas or colazal..good luck.

diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 6/05

16weeks & 5days pregnant

CURRENTLY TAKING

20MG PREDNISONE

12 ASACOL

E
New Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 1

Posted 11/29/2007 11:37 PM (GMT -6)

Macgrl, I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with UC 3 years ago now, I was in remission for sometimes nearly 12 months at a time but since I've been pregnant it's been really bad. I've been on Imuran for 2 years now and was on it with my first son throughout the whole pregnancy and he's perfect and have been on it for this whole pregnancy too. I've been taking prednisone since I was 12 weeks pregnant this time as my flares just keep on coming back. I know how you feel, as soon as my feet touch the ground in the morning I spend it on the toilet with cramps etc. I am just trying a low residue diet at the moment ie. white food, cornflakes, lean meat, chicken and vegies such as zucchini, squash etc. I have heard a low carb diet called the SCD works but it involves a lot of work and doesn't allow grains, lactose, gluten or sugar at all which is really hard especially when you are pregnant and you just want to eat chocolate or satisfy your cravings! I haven't put on any weight hardly and I'm worried but apparently the bub is average and so far it all seems ok.

macgrl
Regular Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 12/1/2007 9:31 AM (GMT -6)

E - thanks for the post. Makes me feel a little better at least knowing that other people are going through the same thing. I thought I was getting everything under control last week. Was down to two really bad BMs between Saturday and Wednesday last week and then everything flared up again. Ended up home sick on Thursday because I was so dehydrated from being on the toilet all night and it's been really bad since. I have an appointment with my GI on Tuesday so hopefully he can offer some help? I've looked into that SCD diet too, but I really don't think I could handle no grains, lactose, gluten, etc. I've always LOVED food and trying new kinds/combinations. I would be completely miserable if I couldn't eat what I wanted (at least some of the time!). Good luck with your pregnancy. Keep me posted.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Diagnosed: July 2007
Pregnant: Due 05/2008
Meds: mesalamine, 40mg prednisone,
Other: prenatal vit., probiotics, calcium, fish oil.

Emily D.
New Member

Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 14

Posted 12/2/2007 10:22 AM (GMT -6)

Hi there, I just recently went through all this! My baby girl is now 4 months old and I definitely know how you all are feeling. Its so scaring not knowing, what will work, what won't, and whether the choices we make will impact the baby positively or negatively. When I found out I was pregnant I was taking 6MP and Colazol(6x a day). I really really wanted to breastfeed, so I went back and forth with my GI doctor and my HIgh risk OB as to whether it would be safe or not. Initially he had been in contact with a doctor who was testing the breastmilk of women on 6MP to see if it was coming out in it. So I thought that it wouldn't be a problem. But then in my 5th month or so he had spoken with another doctor, this one in pediatrics, who was testing the blood levels of babies breastfeeding from mom's on 6MP. And she found that it was actually in the bloodstream of the babies. So this led me to really evaluate whether to stop the 6MP and breastfeed or to just give up breastfeeding entirely. Well, I decided to take the chance that I wouldn't flare, so in my 7th month I stopped the 6MP. I also started the SCD diet(specific carbohydrate diet, for those who might not know what it stands for). I remained flare free until about 8 weeks post partum. I upped my colazol to 8 pills a day, scaled back to the really intro part of the diet and that definitely helped. I still have a few days where I might flare a bit and notice blood in my stools, but I feel really great otherwise and the symptoms seem to go away after a few days. I'm starting to wonder whether ovulation is playing a part in the little flares(even though my period has not yet reappeared...can you ovulate and not get your period????)

I'm still breastfeeding and am so glad I gave it a chance. But really its a decision you need to make for yourself. It may not be as important to you as it was to me, and the tough thing is what worked for me may not work for you. But I thought I'd post my experience anyways just so you know you're not alone. BTW, my daughter is very healthy and happy. No problems(other than initial issues gaining weight, which is completely normal for breastfed babies...my milk took 4 days to come in..) Anyhow, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. My email is emilycard (at) gmail.com(obviously replace (at) with @)

macgrl
Regular Member

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 12/17/2007 12:02 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Emily D - I'm thinking of starting the SCD too. Did you follow it strictly? Is there anything that I need to worry about "missing" from my diet during pregnancy? I've been flaring off and on since 8 or 9 weeks and I'm just hoping the SCD will work!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Diagnosed: July 2007
Pregnant: Due 05/2008
Meds: mesalamine, 40mg prednisone,
Other: prenatal vit., probiotics, calcium, fish oil.

flowerchaser
New Member

Date Joined Dec 2007
Total Posts : 2

Posted 12/20/2007 1:19 AM (GMT -6)

I have been in remission for about a year and off remicade for 4 months. I am 8 weeks pregnant and am beginning to have a flare-up. I went off remicade sort of against doctors orders but i did not want to be on medication while i was pregnant or trying to get pregnant. I am having mild signs but no blood yet. Is there anything anyone knows of to do that is not medication to help my symptoms?

flowerchaser
New Member

Date Joined Dec 2007
Total Posts : 2

Posted 12/20/2007 3:02 PM (GMT -6)

okay thanks!! I will get a hold of a doctor. The reason i haven't yet is because i hate my doctor and need to find a new one. I was in remission so i haven't really thought about getting a new one but i guess i should get on doing that. I do not want to take medication at all while im pregnant for two reasons. Number one is that most of the medicines that are safe i have tried and they do not help me. Secondly, the one that does work is remicade and it is not safe to take while your pregnant. I know that stress is the main factor in my disease so i am trying to find ways to eliminate it as much as possible. My husband works hard and has allowed me to work when i can which is really helpful. Thanks for the support i am soo glad i found this site!!!

43 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2

Forum Information

Currently it is Sunday, August 01, 2010 1:56 AM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 1,005,031 posts in 114,958 threads.