i need to hear from women who have taken meds while pregnant. of course all of the meds say do not take while pregnant but the doctor recommends imuran. anyone taken imuran while prenant? what about prednisone?
38 y/o. diag. Fall 04.
current acute flare since may 09.
steroids 6 months now with no luck tapering off.
I want to hear from these women as well! I want very much to get pregnant again, but I am on 50mg of Imuran and am very scared to take that risk. My doctor tells me it is much more dangerous to drive in a car, but we do that everyday. It is one thing to put my own body at risk by being on these medications, but quite another to possibly risk hurting an unborn baby!
32 year old female
1 daughter, age 2
fourth grade teacher
currently taking 50mg Imuran, 25mg Prednisone (tapering), Udo's Ultimate Oli blend, probiotice, tumeric, folic acid
32 year old female
1 daughter, age 2
fourth grade teacher
currently taking 50mg Imuran, 25mg Prednisone (tapering), Udo's Ultimate Oli blend, probiotice, tumeric, folic acid
I don't know about Imuran, but i will tell you that i was dx w/ my UC right after giving birth to my first child. 3yrs later we started ttc after consults w/ my GI, OB and my perinatologist (high risk pregnancy doctor). They ALL agreed that i should remain on my meds. I was taking 6mp, 75mg per day. They all said that the benifits outweighed the risks. I did speak to quite a few women who used this same med during their pregnancies w/ no problems.
After i got pg, i flared right away. I was told by my GI and Peri that a flare that early highly increased my risk for miscarrage, so i was put on 40mg pred (to be tapered). After that taper, i flared again, and went back on 40mg pred. After the second taper, i flared, and Peri decided i should remain on pred 10mg through the rest of the pregnancy.
I was not to worried about pred, as we delt w/ infertility and pred is used alot in the infertility world while ttc and for the first few wks.
In the end, i went into premature labor (which we knew was going to happen, as i delivered early w/ my first), and at 22wks, i went off my 6mp because i was worried i would deliver a micropreemie and would need to provide breastmilk (which can NOT be done on 6mp). I maintained well on the 10mg pred for the next 10wks. I delivered at 34wks, and flared BAD right after that birth, and had to up my pred again.
I would suggest to anyone who is going to ttc go to a consult with a preinatologit. They have much knowledge about meds and how they affect pregnancy.
I will also say that during my pregnancy, i was watched very closely. (however i do have high risk statis in addition to my UC). I saw my OB one wk, my GI the next and my peri the 3rd, then started over. That way i saw a doctor EVERY week. They also all comunicated over the phone once a month regarding my statis. This is not normal pratcice, however, i would probally want to be seen every other wk in the beginning and then atleast once a month after that.
Good luck ladies!!!!
Jan. 2009, complete hysterectomy, diagnosed stage 4 endometriosis & adenomyosis (age 36)
After i got pg, i flared right away. I was told by my GI and Peri that a flare that early highly increased my risk for miscarrage, so i was put on 40mg pred (to be tapered). After that taper, i flared again, and went back on 40mg pred. After the second taper, i flared, and Peri decided i should remain on pred 10mg through the rest of the pregnancy.
I was not to worried about pred, as we delt w/ infertility and pred is used alot in the infertility world while ttc and for the first few wks.
In the end, i went into premature labor (which we knew was going to happen, as i delivered early w/ my first), and at 22wks, i went off my 6mp because i was worried i would deliver a micropreemie and would need to provide breastmilk (which can NOT be done on 6mp). I maintained well on the 10mg pred for the next 10wks. I delivered at 34wks, and flared BAD right after that birth, and had to up my pred again.
I would suggest to anyone who is going to ttc go to a consult with a preinatologit. They have much knowledge about meds and how they affect pregnancy.
I will also say that during my pregnancy, i was watched very closely. (however i do have high risk statis in addition to my UC). I saw my OB one wk, my GI the next and my peri the 3rd, then started over. That way i saw a doctor EVERY week. They also all comunicated over the phone once a month regarding my statis. This is not normal pratcice, however, i would probally want to be seen every other wk in the beginning and then atleast once a month after that.
Good luck ladies!!!!
Jan. 2009, complete hysterectomy, diagnosed stage 4 endometriosis & adenomyosis (age 36)
2003, dx moderate UC
2000, dx selective IGA deficiency w/ anti IGA antibodies
2000, dx Antipholipid Antibody Syndrome
1999-2009, chronic hemmoragic ovarian cysts, w/ partial ovary removal
1977, complete reconstruction of foot after lawnmower accident (chronic pain)
Meds
6mp 75mg, prednisone 40mg (just starting meds again)
percocet 5mg 3x day
potassium 3x day
There's a link to an article in the sticky thread (titled UC resources) at the top of the main page, that discusses IBD and pregnancy. It has info on how the drugs used to treat UC and CD affect pregnancy.
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
Status: Remission since May 2009!
Symptoms began in November 2008, ~4 weeks after giving birth to my son
Diagnosed with pancolitis on 1/30/09
Meds: Apriso (4 0.375g pills ONCE!! daily), mesalamine enema twice weekly, Natural Factors Ultimate probiotic 12/12 Formula, multivitamin. Used prednisone (starting dose 40 mg) to get into remission.
before i got pregnant, i went to a high risk dr and a dr who specialized in medicine and pregnancies, they have a name cant remember what it is,lol. he had been doing it for 30 years, and told me that, even though lots of these medicines are listed as D class, its because there are no tests, and in his experience there are very few of the drugs that are bad enough that it is better to risk the mother getting sick from whatever she is taking them for. On a side note, please check with drug companies to sign up to have your pregnancy tracked while you are on these meds, thats the only way they can gather info on how it affects pregnanices and babies. I did it, costs nothing, i think they even paid me some, and if they want more tests they pay for those also.
Anyway, i was on phenobarbital, lamictal (not for UC) immuran and asacol (for uc)
lamictal and asacol dont affect babies, the other two are listed as D, with the major problems being cleft palete, easily correctable, and def not worth the risk of flaring.
Taking folic acid is very important, for anyway, but esp for women taking meds like immuran, because it can affect brain development, i cant remember the exact numers, but like every woman has a chance of having a child with sphinabiphida, taking immuran, 6mp, phenobarbital raise that chance, but taking folic acid in the first 3 months of pregnancy can lower it back down to close to the normal.
So, if you are thinking of getting pregnant, start loading up on it now. you cant really overdose, unless you were to take like half a bottle or something, lol.
anyway, after my long speil, i took it, i flared immediately after pregnacy and ended up with surgery a few years later.
I was classified a high risk pregnancy and went more often and got ultra sounds everymonth, woo hoo, lol. And also got to get special ultrasounds. I delivered in a hospital with a nic-u and luckily only needed it for a short while, not related to the meds or uc at all!
i went into labor early, at like 34 weeks, again not related to meds, it was dehydration and heat related. but they stopped it and i made it to 39 and half weeks, when they induced.
Anyway, when i was pushing he got stuck and swallowed a lot of fluid and wasnt breathing correctly when he came out, and had to have his little stomach pumped three times in the first 18 hours. Thats the reason for the nic-u.
Anyway, he is 4 now, no brain damage at all, he has been speaking in sentences for three years now and can spell, read, add, subtract, simple multiplication and division, knows the planets, he is, super smart. No problems at all!
so very long story short, the risk of flaring (and in my case also seizures) was not worth the tiny tiny risk to the baby.
UC for 8 years, before finally kicking its butt and having a permanent ileostomy April 17 2007!
Anyway, i was on phenobarbital, lamictal (not for UC) immuran and asacol (for uc)
lamictal and asacol dont affect babies, the other two are listed as D, with the major problems being cleft palete, easily correctable, and def not worth the risk of flaring.
Taking folic acid is very important, for anyway, but esp for women taking meds like immuran, because it can affect brain development, i cant remember the exact numers, but like every woman has a chance of having a child with sphinabiphida, taking immuran, 6mp, phenobarbital raise that chance, but taking folic acid in the first 3 months of pregnancy can lower it back down to close to the normal.
So, if you are thinking of getting pregnant, start loading up on it now. you cant really overdose, unless you were to take like half a bottle or something, lol.
anyway, after my long speil, i took it, i flared immediately after pregnacy and ended up with surgery a few years later.
I was classified a high risk pregnancy and went more often and got ultra sounds everymonth, woo hoo, lol. And also got to get special ultrasounds. I delivered in a hospital with a nic-u and luckily only needed it for a short while, not related to the meds or uc at all!
i went into labor early, at like 34 weeks, again not related to meds, it was dehydration and heat related. but they stopped it and i made it to 39 and half weeks, when they induced.
Anyway, when i was pushing he got stuck and swallowed a lot of fluid and wasnt breathing correctly when he came out, and had to have his little stomach pumped three times in the first 18 hours. Thats the reason for the nic-u.
Anyway, he is 4 now, no brain damage at all, he has been speaking in sentences for three years now and can spell, read, add, subtract, simple multiplication and division, knows the planets, he is, super smart. No problems at all!
so very long story short, the risk of flaring (and in my case also seizures) was not worth the tiny tiny risk to the baby.
UC for 8 years, before finally kicking its butt and having a permanent ileostomy April 17 2007!
-I have gone to find myself, if i get back before i return, keep me here-
and let me add, that there are alot of things women do, unknowlingly, often that are far more likely to cause problems. Eating deli meats without heating them to steaming, eating icecream, lifting things, being exposed to second hand smoke.
UC for 8 years, before finally kicking its butt and having a permanent ileostomy April 17 2007!
UC for 8 years, before finally kicking its butt and having a permanent ileostomy April 17 2007!
-I have gone to find myself, if i get back before i return, keep me here-
summerstorm,
is it ok to eat cold smoked turkey breast from honey baked ham or is that considered as deli meat? i am in the process of trying to conceive and want to make sure i do everything to have a healthy baby. also why cant you eat ice cream?
Currently taking Apriso 4xs a day
is it ok to eat cold smoked turkey breast from honey baked ham or is that considered as deli meat? i am in the process of trying to conceive and want to make sure i do everything to have a healthy baby. also why cant you eat ice cream?
Currently taking Apriso 4xs a day
Zypan (to digest food better), Hemevite (for iron), and Bio-B(vitamin)
I was on pred while pregnant - it's safe.
32 yr old female, mommy to 2 girls
Mild Pancolitis
UC since 2000/Dx'd 2008
Cannot tolerate mesalamine. Currently take probiotics, fish oil & various Standard Process supps. Cut out soda drink green tea. Trying Applied Kinesiology & Reiki.
32 yr old female, mommy to 2 girls
Mild Pancolitis
UC since 2000/Dx'd 2008
Cannot tolerate mesalamine. Currently take probiotics, fish oil & various Standard Process supps. Cut out soda drink green tea. Trying Applied Kinesiology & Reiki.
UCISNOTMYFRIEND, some docs recommend that you stay away from deli meats (anything you buy sliced, whether in a package or from the deli counter is considered a deli meat) and soft-serve ice cream (like Dairy Queen...I think hand scooped, whether from home or a store is ok) due to the threat of listeria. It's a bacteria that can contaminate those foods, and the reason it's so dangerous is because it's a bacteria that can cross the placenta and potentially kill the baby. So when I was pregnant, I avoided those things. It's not something to worry about until you're pregnant, though.
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
Status: Remission since May 2009!
Symptoms began in November 2008, ~4 weeks after giving birth to my son
Diagnosed with pancolitis on 1/30/09
Meds: Apriso (4 0.375g pills ONCE!! daily), mesalamine enema twice weekly, Natural Factors Ultimate probiotic 12/12 Formula, multivitamin. Used prednisone (starting dose 40 mg) to get into remission.