6-mp and pregnancy

I have been on 6-mp and asacol for about 8 years now and haven't had a flare since.  My recent colonoscopy revealed very, very minor inflamation... nothing that would cause me to be symptomatic.  My husband and I would like to start a family but I'm worried about the 6-mp.  The reserach I've read is very contradictory, some articles say it's perfectly fine, some say it's a big no no.  I'm also scarred that my Crohn's could act up if I go off the 6-mp while pregnant. 

Anyone have advise or stories to share with 6-mp and pregnancy??? 

Hi! I just wanted to say congratulation on wanting a family it is so exciting to start. I am not on 6mp, but I am on Immuran similar drugs. I was on it the entire time of my preg. and did just fine. I believe it better to stay on meds then go off of them and risk a huge flair. Ask your GI doctor what, he thinks. My obgyn also agreed with my GI.

I cant tell you from personal experience - bur from conversations with my doctors (both Gi & OB) they seem to think that you are better off staying on the meds. Healthy Mommy makes a Healthy Baby!
You have to decide what is right for you as this is definitely a personal decision but there are plenty of perfectly healthy, happy 6MP babies out there!!

I have had two healthy, full-term pregnancies while on Imuran (6-MP) and Pentasa.  My disease was inactive before and during the pregnancies, but my GI said the risk of my disease becoming active was greater than the risk to the baby.  Most of the "scary" research regarding the risks is based on the drug being used for other diseases at higher dosages.  I agree it would best to be off meds, and I worried every day of my pregnancy about it, but I am happy with my decision.  I was not able to nurse either baby, though, but my two and a half year old son and three-month old daughter both did fine with the formula.  I would be happy to answer any other questions you have.  Good luck! 

Hey!
I have been pregnant 4 times with my first being a first trimester miscarriage before I was diagnosed with crohns. The baby had trisomy 9 which is that something freakish happened when the chromosomes were dividing which is very common in first pregnancys for some reason. I didn't start the 6mp until I actually stopped nursing my second born son unfortunetly. I was in a mild to severe flare almost the whole year after having him and on asacol and steroids what seemed like the whole year too. When I became pregnant with the twins I did stop the 6mp in the first trimester (I am always way too anal in the first trimester due to my miscarriage which I still feel sad about today) but went back on it in the second trimester only to get really severe headaches for some reason. My doctor said to stop taking it and we would try it again after the babies were born. I was healthy through the pregnancy Thank God.

Anyways, I started taking it again when the twins were about 2 months old. (I did flare really bad about 5 days after they were born but started the steroids right away.) I still am nursing them at 13 months and my doctor, 2 different OBs one who has crohns herself, all my pediatricians and my lactation consultant do not see a problem with it. And I have to say that I feel my milk quality (quantity is the same) with the twins is and was way better because I have been so healthy compared to after having my second son. I happen to be someone who totally loves 6mp and have never felt so awesome since starting it.

I believe it to be safe but it is a personal choice. I have felt awesome while pregnant and always flare right after.
Good luck to you and as easy at is for me to say try not worry too much and enjoy trying. You and your doctors will guide you to the right decision when the time comes.

Sally

Hi: I can't take 6mp because I am allergic to it. But, I did see Dr. Present once in NYC when I was doing really bad. Apparently he is the leading guy who headed all the 6mp research and clinical trials. Don't know much more than that but do know he is very well respected in the Crohn's arena. He basically said that being on 6mp was fine if you wanted to get pregnant and there were pictures of mothers and their babies all over his office who were on 6mp during their pregnancies. Just wanted to share that story. I know drugs and pregnancy are scary. Hope that helps.