2 Questions , Sulfasalzine and Pregnancy and SCD diet

Okay,
Question one?
What has been people's experience with Sulfasalazine and Pregnancy. I was diagnosed with Colitis when I was ten in 1990. I was put on sulfasalzine and RX folic acid and did great on it until I went to College and decided I didn't need medicine anymore. I was in remission without any drugs until my junior year during exam time. Had I not been taking IBuprofin or Advil everyday for my bad knees I wonder how much longer I would have lasted in remission (I played DI lacrosse, it was stupid to do, but you can't play sitting on the bench in pain and I had no idea it was so lethal for Colitis patients). Anyhow, when I went back to a doctor in 2001 I was given Asacol but it didn't work with my liver, and then Colazol. I can tolerate Colazol just fine, but I don't feel it was effective until 6MP was added to it for the past 4 years. Well, my husband and I are ready to start a family, I got off the 6MP (4 months now) and now the Colazol alone is not working once again. As a result, we had to stop trying until I was no longer active and I was given the ever dreaded Rowasas. I see my doctor on the 29th and I wanted to suggest trying Sulfasalzine and folic acid again. I was just curious of some people's experience with that while pregnant and if alright what did you do while nursing? I have heard it goes into the breastmilk and can cause jaundice. I think nursing is very important with colitis in the genes. My brother read some research about colitis patients and many of them were not nursed for very long. My brother and I are the only 2 with colitis and neither of us were nursed for very long out of the 4 of us. Anyway, I just don't think the Colazol has ever worked and I was curious what people's thoughts were.

Question Two?
Has anyone had any experience with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? I have been reading about it, but it is tough to tell if it is effective or not seeing as I started the Rowasa'a not too long after the diet so I don't know if one or both is effective. Going through the grocery store is miserable now. When on the 6MP I could eat even the spiciest things, same with Sulfasalzine when I was younger. (My brother is also doing wonderful on Sulfasalazine and their daughter is 9 months old...he was taking Sulfasalzine at the time of conception)

So any and all help good or bad is much appreciated. Thanks for your time everyone who responds!!

-AMJ713

I stopped because my disease is fairly low key (only 8" are infected). He felt my disease was under control long enough (4 years) that I would do alright without the 6MP and just Colazol. Sometimes he does recommend women stay on 6MP for just the reason you gave above, but he didn't feel my case was bad enough to risk it with a class "D" medication. He really tries to stay away from those drugs during pregnancy. I personally did not want to risk it either. Have you had experience with 6MP in pregnancy?

-AMJ713

I am currently pregnant (13 weeks!) and am on Asacol and Rowasa. I actually flared in my 9th week and just ended a 4 week taper of Prednisone. I'm back in remission. I did get pregnant while in remission. My doctor told me that Asacol and Rowasa are the best pairing to take while pregnant, althought he did admit that his group (the Cleveland Clinic) has had "several Remicade babies."

As for breast feeding, I am still trying to make a decision on that. You hear people from both perspectives - some do, some don't. My current state of mind is that, while breastfeeding is obviously best, Asacol is secreted through breast milk, and I do not want my child to start off their life with Asacol running through their system. I think I am opting to formula-feed. No one in my family was breastfed as a child, and I am the only one with Colitis, so I don't see that link in my history.

expecting226:
Congratulations on your pregnancy, how exciting!!!!! I wish you all the best both during and post pregnancy. I personally can't take Asacol, blood tests have shown it doesn't agree with my liver.

KTM:
Thanks for all the input, it is much appreciated. 6MP is great and I hope you are able to be in remission for a while. Good luck if you decide you would like another child!!! I would be greatly interested in how everything goes!!!

I'm still hoping that someone who took Sulfasalzine while pregnant will comment as well!! Have a good day everyone!!!