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remicade and pregnancy

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/24/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)

  My GI doctor has advised me that it is much more beneficial to stay on remicade throughout pregnancy rather than risk a flare (where I usually drop to about 85 pounds from my current 110). I know a flare would mos tlikely cause me to miscarry. They also have told me there might not be a need for meds as pregnancy itself is a immunosuppressive state and most of those expecting feel great even without meds.

Can anyone who has taken remicade prior to pregnancy or during please share your story with me. It would be so helpful. Thanks.

Posted 2/25/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on remicade & imuran and wanting to have kids in the future. My doc told me that I cannot be on remicade or Imuran while pregnant. So for now, I have to wait. Not a big problem for me.... no kids yet and I am willing to wait awhile. Not sure why he said that though, bc i've seen alot of posts on here of pregnant women on remicade who are doing very well. I'm sure some of them will post. Good luck!
Posted 2/25/2010 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I think most GI's say it's better to avoid a flare. Good luck!
Posted 2/25/2010 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Rem is seen as way safer than a flare. It doesn't cross the placenta til late in pregnancy, so you time your infusions and then get one right after birth. It's also safe to breast feed on because the molecule is too large to pass into milk. Search old posts. Stef17 has had two healthy remicade babies and a healthy humira babies. There are other similar stories. Good luck!
Posted 2/25/2010 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have endo and crohn's, the GI doc prefer I have a baby now and then stop my period for good. I am on humira and imuran.
I am getting married in a month so we will try on our honeymoon. The doctor said I will do humira (if and when I get pregnant) for my fist 2 trimesters and stop for my 3rd. As soon as I have the baby I'll do my injection again (so no breastfeeding)
She said it was fine to stay on imuran (thankfully, as it helps the arthritis and the flares)
I really believe each doctor has their own opinion. As I've seen a lot stay on humira/remi through out their whole pregnancy and some other do what the doc's plan for me.
Good luck, keep us posted!!
Posted 2/25/2010 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for all of your responses. I can't tell you how much it is appreciated. This disease is so frustrating....especially since opinions run the full spectrum. I appreciate any info I get especially when it comes from someone else who has been there.

Regards,

Jenn
Posted 2/25/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have 3 children and was not on any drugs during my preg and luckily i did not have any problems at all. It was like it totally went away and i never felt healthier. It all came back after i had then unfortunately but at least for those 9 months i was ok. I didn't even get morning sickness. 2 of my 3 children however were both born with bowel problems they were both severely malabsorbing food (my youngest was the worst) she was on a speacial formula called neocate for 2 years of her life but today they are both fine they seemed to have outgrown it.
Posted 2/25/2010 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, i have crhon's colitis and i was on imuran my all pregnancy and i also breastfeed my baby for three months. My son was born healthy, 4,200 kg, big baby boy, he is now 8 months old and doing very well.
Posted 2/25/2010 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, i have crhon's colitis and i was on imuran my all pregnancy and i also breastfeed my baby for three months. My son was born healthy, 4,200 kg, big baby boy, he is now 8 months old and doing very well.
Posted 2/25/2010 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
You sound about like me - my usual is 110/115lbs and in a flare I can drop into the 80's easily. I had 2 miscarriages before my first successful pregnancy because my body was just too weak to sustain a pregnancy. I can really relate to your concerns. That being said, let me tell about my experience with pregnancy and remicade.

I have 2 healthy remicade babies and 1 humira baby. I took the high dose of remicade (10mg/kg) throughout both pregnancies. With the first one (2003-2004) I had infusions every 5 weeks from 5 weeks pregnant through 35 weeks and then had an infusion right after baby was born. She was perfect and healthy in every way. With baby #2 I had my infusions every 8 weeks and got the last one around 30-32 weeks. By then (2006) it had been discovered that remicade crosses the placenta around 30-32 weeks and my GI wanted me to get the last infusion before the cut off. I wasn't overly concerned because I'd already had a successful pregnancy with infusions at 30 and 35 weeks. Baby #2 was born healthy and perfect as well. :) I breastfed both of them - 6months and 8 months respectively. The research shows that the remicade molecule is too large to pass through to the milk. Today they are 5 and 3 years old and they are active, intelligent, and healthy kids. I am now on Humira, so my 3rd baby was a Humira baby, but I wouldn't hesitate to take Remicade while pregant.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Stef
Posted 2/25/2010 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Stef,

Thank you so much for your reply to questions pertaining to Remicade and pregnancy. It was exactly the information I have wanted to hear from someone who actually went through it. I am told I am a rare case of Crohn’s colitis since I am allergic to 6MP and mesalamines, which they think would normally be enough to keep me “maintained”. Since I have started Remicade (May 2009) I have had no issues or signs of flare ups. I have been maintained on a standard dose (5mg/kg) and they think they might possible be able to maintain me on less (3 or 4 mg/kg, the dosing for RA). I am not quite at a point to have children but I am hoping that being healthy without any problems for 1 year + will aide me in a successful pregnancy. Ideally, I would love to be off drugs but I’ve decided its better if I don’t rock the boat so to speak. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your candor and as the time approaches I might have a few more questions for you. Thanks so much!

Jenn
Posted 2/25/2010 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
yes thank you so much for sharing your experince!! :) I am so happy to your about your 3 beautiful healthy children, congrats!!! :)
Posted 2/25/2010 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad I could help. I know how much it helps to hear from someone who has "been there, done that". In a perfect world we wouldn't have to worry about all of this, but... you are doing the right thing - educating yourself and talking to people in similar situations as yourself. If you have more questions or just want someone to bounce ideas off of, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm happy to help in whatever way I can. I'm gearing up for trying for baby#4 (last one!) soon. So, I know how it goes. :)
Posted 2/26/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
JAS, I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and have been on remicade thoughout the pregnancy with no problems to date. I would mention that my OB tried to prevent me from getting Remicade during the first trimester. I was due for remicade at like week 9 or 10 of pregnancy and after with holding it one week past my normal infusion date they realized that withholding it was not a good option for me as I flared pretty bad. My GI ended up getting him to give in and allow me to have it. So my suggetion to you is make sure the OB and GI are on the same page and both agree in the treatment plan from the start, and I don't advise trying to go without :)

good luck to you!
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