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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/7/2007 9:49 AM (GMT -6)
This may be a dumb question but I was pregnant with my son when I was diagnosed with UC.  Is he at a higher risk for developing this disease because of this?  Also, does anyone else worry that their UC symptoms might be masking other health problems?  For instance, my back is hurting and I just think it is because I am in a flare but what if it is something else and I do nothing because I think it is just the UC?  I must have too much time on my hands that I am thinking too much. :-)
Posted 9/7/2007 10:38 AM (GMT -6)
Some thinking can be a good thing - it means you are being proactive to your own health care. Too much thinking however can make you a nervous wreck! :) Yeah, I speak from experience lol.

Yes there is a chance your son can get Uc. I forget what the percentages are but it's not very high. I worry about my daughter especially more so then my son. She has already shown some signs of gut troubles but luckily (for now) it's sporadic. I had it drilled in my kids head as soon as they could understand that if they ever have days of D and/or bleeding to let me know ASAP. It's a scary thought that any child (or your own child) can get this.

I sometimes wonder about my various aches and pains too but I also chalk them up to my Uc. Now that I've had this for a while, I can tell the difference between what is normal for me and what isn't. The tricky part is trying to get a doctor to think outside the box as well.
Posted 9/7/2007 10:51 AM (GMT -6)
I am currently pregnant with our first child and was diagnosed with UC in 2001. We did the genetic research before trying to conceive and were told by a geneticist at the Cleveland Clinic that the chance of passing down the disease is 5%. I hope that makes you feel better!
Posted 9/7/2007 11:32 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks for the perspective Red_34. It sure helps to share thoughts and know you won't get shot down for thinking them.

Wow, expecting226! I don't think I would have even thought to have genetic testing done. You will be a great mom. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted 9/7/2007 11:47 AM (GMT -6)

Annie76 said...
For instance, my back is hurting and I just think it is because I am in a flare but what if it is something else and I do nothing because I think it is just the UC? 

If it's lower back pain, chances are it is related to your UC. I had a chiropractor tell me inflammation in the gut/pelvic area can spread to affect the SI joints in the lower spine.
Posted 9/7/2007 12:03 PM (GMT -6)
Regardless of you getting while pregnant (which really sucks and I'm sorry about that because pregnancy should be a wonderful experiance) but yes, there is a -10 to -15 fold increased risk if one parent has IBD their offspring may get it...I didn't get sick with my crohns until my first born was already over a yr old, so don't feel guilty about it or anything, it was out of your control.

:)
Posted 9/7/2007 12:27 PM (GMT -6)
My mother has UC, and so do I. But, after asking around and reading about it, it's not a very high correlation. I did a poll on this forum and found that most people with UC didn't know anyone else in their family that had it.
Posted 9/12/2007 11:02 PM (GMT -6)
My sister has it and possibly an aunt and a female cousin
Posted 9/13/2007 7:30 AM (GMT -6)
My mother had UC (has a colostomy) she had my brother when she was 18 and I do not belive she had active UC at that time, he is now 42 and does not have UC. My mother had me when she was 28 and was flaring while pg w/me and I was dx'd with mild UC in 2000 when I was 24 (hers was severe, mine is not even close to being as bad as hers). She had my sister when she was 33 and was even more sick w/her than with me, my sister is now 26 and does not have UC.

I am 1 of 3 and do have it but it is milder than hers. Also, I worry about passing that down to my children. Hopefully my future children will get my husband's colon.
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