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Pregnancy & 6MP or Remicade

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/6/2009 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Ladies,

I have been diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis. I had my first MAJOR flare up in Jan. 08 after I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks. I was previously diagnosed with UC and put on asacol back in 05. I went right in remission and before ttc via IVF i stopped my meds. I am assuming that is what helped me in a bad flare. I have been sick ever since. Not really responding to anything.

I am at the point where I am taking 12 asacol, 1 canasa, and 1 hydrocort enema. I am still bleeding but go about 2-3 times a day. I did go get a second opinon and that GI took me off the asacol and told me to taper the enema on 12/24...I immediately got worse and went back to old GI yesterday. she told me to go back to my normal routine. Anyway, I know the next step is either 6MP or remicade....and I know most Dr.'s want you in remission before having a baby.

My questions are...

How many of you had babies while on 6MP or remicade?

Was your pregnancy successful?

Is going to a high risk OB a good idea (I have an appt on 1/14) to help learn more about the meds?

I dont want to put a baby on hold. I have been trying for years. I know I can't keep doing IVF but I am supposed to cycle in Feb. My husband and I have considered adoption and have met with several agencies. I just can't decide on what to do??? Do I go on the stronger meds and have a baby and take a risk, if there is one???

Please advise...I am sooo scared and sad.

Posted 1/6/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
There are many NEW mom's on this board who have used 6mp, Imuran, Remicade and even Humira while pregnant and all have had healthy babies. We actually have had a bit of a baby boom lately. They say its better for the mom to be healthy to have a healthy baby. Hopefully some of the new moms will be along soon. Good luck!!
Posted 1/6/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am taking Imuran currently and also planning a pregnancy. I just posted a similiar question to yours but have not had feedback. I would love to share info and hear how people with this drug coped with pregnancy as I am not receiving much guidence from my MD.
Posted 1/6/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 2 remicade babies and 1 remicade-switch-to-humira baby. All healthy. No complications. I don't have any experience with 6mp and pregnancy, but a previous GI of mine was part of a big research team in Miami and told me that the data (as of 2006) showed that women who take 6mp during pregnancy have NO GREATER INCIDENCE of complications,defects, etc. than women who DON'T take 6mp. So basically, 6mp was showing to be "safe". Since I have personal experience with the remicade I will tell you that I would not hesitate for a second to take it while pregnant. I have had marvelous outcomes every time and I've been able to be pregnant and keep my disease stable (severe crohn's-colitis). I have even breastfed 2 babies while on remicade - one for 6 months and one for 8 months. No one knows the "long-term risks", but I will tell you that on my end I don't see any negative effects at all. My kids are now 4 &1/2 and 2& 1/2. The 3rd is now 2 weeks old. She's great too.

Your regular OB will most likely refer you to a maternal/fetal medicine specialist where you will get to have frequent ultrasounds and extra monitoring. Other than the hassle of extra appointments and the fun part of seeing your baby often on the ultrasound, they won't really do much else. The mat/fet spec will tell you that their philosophy is what is good for mom is ok for baby (barring the really hard core drugs - which does NOT include 6mp or remicade).

You have to decide which is the best option for you (biological or adoption), but I wouldn't hesitate to go the biological route if your concern is the 6mp or remicade. You can totally have a healthy baby on either of those meds.
Posted 1/7/2009 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
hey there,
Don't be sad! You can have a baby on Imuran/6MP. Have you been on it before? I tried Asacaol and everything under the sun and nothing but 6MP has sent me into remission. On a lighter note, my doctor told me about a woman who had horrible Crohn's but became pregnant, and though she was bed ridden for the term she went into remission right after childbirth! There are some who think that childbirth can straighten us out.
Posted 1/7/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you so much for your replies and advice!! It makes me feel so good to hear your stories and to hear about your successful pregnancies! I am seeing a high risk OB next week to speak to her then back to my GI a few days later. I am supposed to cycle soon via IVF and want to make sure I have a plan in place.

Any other mommies are welcome to respond!! turn

Posted 1/7/2009 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wishful. I just had my first baby four months ago. I was in remission beforehand and felt great the entire time. I took only Pentasa though. I was on 6mp before, but we stopped it b/c my blood work was all over the place. My girl is perfect and I actually miss being pregnant. I am still nursing her too. I plan to nurse for a year, but am starting a mini-flare so I'll have to see on that.

Good luck!
Posted 1/7/2009 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a similar topic last month and got a great response.... https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1297326

Posted 1/7/2009 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the link. That was very helpfull.
Posted 1/8/2009 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the posting that link!!!!
Posted 1/8/2009 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have Crohns colitis and i did not have any problems to get pregnant, i am 21 weeks now and feeling great, i believe that preganncy itself act as an immunosupressant . I will see my GI in two weeks time to discuss the possibility to came out of imuran, i would like breastfeeding and imuran is toxic for the baby. I did a lot of research about imuran and pregnancy and my doctor told me as well that is ok to stay on this medication even in a high dose. I have history of strictures and i did one resection in the past. I am glad that everything is going well with me, healthy mother produces heathy babies. Good lucky!!


I am 38 years old, this is my first pregnancy, i am on 100mg imuran day, pregnancare and fish oil.
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