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Remicade while Pregnant - Please Help??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/11/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
During my first pregnancy, I had a Chrohn's flare up at 25 weeks, which caused VERY bad complications & pre-mature birth.  

My child is now a healthy 4 year old. Currently my husband & I are looking to become pregnant again BUT want to prepare by researching all medications that could possibly help a pregnant Chrohn's patient. I've been on Remicade for 5 years but since there are few studies regarding taking the medication during pregnancy - I'm leary. Has anyone taken Remicade during their pregnancy?  If so, was it successful & are your children healthy?

Posted 1/11/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Stef17 has had two Remicade babies as well as a few others. All babies born healthy.
Posted 1/11/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Nanners! I'm really nervous about taking any medication during my pregnancy but my flare-up was soo seroius last time, I want to make sure I'm prepared this time.

Posted 1/11/2008 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheena, I posted this questions recently as well. Look at the last couple of pages of questions and you'll find a couple of posts. Stef17 was a valuable resource (Thanks again Stef17). My sister also found me a bunch of articles on the subject. If you want you can email me [email protected], I can forward you the articles and a great email Stef17 sent me regarding her experiences.

I am almost 8 weeks now and still no meds. I cant believe I have gone this long without remicade. I was due for an infusion the day I found out I was pregnant. My doctor is not recommending it to me but if I end up as sick as you were then I may consider it again because although the risk may not be known for remicade the risks of what can happen to the baby if you are malnourished and ill are known.

Are you Canadian? A good place to call regarding meds and pregnancy is MotherRisk which is run through Sick Kids hospital in Toronto.
http://www.motherisk.org/women/index.jsp
Posted 1/14/2008 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
JustNerves - THANK YOU!!! 

I will reach out to you for those articles, as well as the Toronto hotline. I appreciate you sharing your experiences & knowledge about pregnancy & Remicade. Good Luck to you!

Posted 1/14/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
My husband and I are trying for our first right now. I'm on Asacol. I don't know too much about Remicade but my doctor did say I could still take Asacol during pregnancy.

Best of luck to you!!!

Posted 1/14/2008 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
YES, you CAN take remicade while pregnant. I have taken it during my pregnancies and we are currently ttc #3. If you'd like to email me I'd be more than happy to share my experiences with you OR "Justnerves" can email you the email that I sent her. :)

ResearchNut- I have taken asacol in my pregnancies too. It's a pretty benign drug because it is designed to stay in tact until it gets to the large intestine/colon area so it can work locally. It doesn't have as much risk because it doesn't work systemically like drugs that dissolve in your stomach.

I breastfed on Asacol AND remicade (and nexium and prednisone) so if anyone has questions I have a great link for meds and breastfeeding and which are safe/not safe.
Posted 1/14/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Stef17, Oh that's so good to hear. Hubby and I are just starting out ttc. Did it take you long to concieve? I've heard CD can someimes affect fertility.
Posted 1/14/2008 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
The results for how this drug affects the fetus is based on few reported cases. There is ongoing research about this including following up with mothers after birth. The good news is that so far, it doesn't appear to cause significant increase in harm.

One thing to consider is that drugs affect each baby differently and some babies may even have problems later in life. Others may not have any.

With imuran, for example, there have been reported cases of babies born with immuno suppresion.

It's a very difficult decision for us as mothers to make. I struggle with it myself. I don't even know if I should have any more children, which totally saddens me.

One thing that may help is sticking to a more natural diet during pregnancy. It eventually helped my crohn's symptoms the first time.

Best wishes for you and your children.

Post Edited (Roni) : 1/14/2008 11:33:48 AM (GMT-7)

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