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Remicade and pregnancy?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/12/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Im wondering if theres anyone who has had a pregnancy while on remicade? And any information on being pregnant whille on remicade?
Posted 3/12/2013 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently 17 weeks pregnant with twins and on remicade.  I get an infusion every 6 weeks at 10mg.  It's the only medicine that has helped me before pregnancy.  I had an infusion at 4 weeks, 10 weeks, and just had another one done yesterday.  I have a severe case of crohn's disease and I've had two small bowel resections within 4 years of each other the first being an emergency surgery.  I need a temp ileostomy with that one which was reversed 10 weeks later.  I also have a problem with iron deficiency anemia and am also currently receiving iv venofer iron infusions for the next three weeks.  My hemoglobin before pregnancy was 10.9 and yesterday it was 8.4.  All my doctors agree that it's safer to be on remicade then to possibly flare during the pregnancy. 
Posted 3/12/2013 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and Thanks for your reply. I am currently 12 weeks along and have my infusion tomorrow I get 5 vials every 6 weeks plus solucortef and diphenhydramine (benadryl) to counter any reaction, which knocks me out for the hours I am there, I am quite nervous. I've been on remicade since my last yearly hospital stay 3 1/2 years ago and have been in remission since that day :)
Do you get anything along with your Remicade?
What does your ob/gyn say about remicade?
Posted 3/12/2013 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
We have several members that have had multiple pregnancies while on Remicade. I think one gal has had three Remicade babies.
Posted 3/13/2013 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Wow that is great to know :) I tried going back a few pages looking for posts but didnt find anything..I will look again
Thanks! :)
Posted 3/13/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
You should also go to infantrisk.org to read about the different medications we take and what the risks are (and aren't) with regard to pregnancy and breastfeeding. It sounds like you are getting good care and congrats on your pregnancy!
Posted 3/13/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently 19 weeks and get Remicade every 8 weeks. From what my OB and my GI have told me, Remicade is just fine up until 32 weeks, no matter the frequency or dosage. You might want to find out if you can go 8 weeks without it to make it to 40 weeks or if you should be induced a little bit early. I have to have a c-section because I have a rectovaginal fistula from Crohn's that has a draining seton and they don't want to run the risk of tearing at all because it's too hard to heal with CD. So we're just scheduling the c-section to go along with right before I need the next Remicade infusion.
Posted 3/14/2013 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I receive benadryl, tylenold and a steroid before the remicade infusion.  My ob and GI are in agreement that it's safer to be on the meds than not to be.  I believe we are to stop having the remicade infusions around 32 or 34 weeks no sure though.  I hate getting the benadryl for that same reason.  From start to finish the infusion lasts around 3 to 4 hours and Im in and out of sleep the whole time b/c of the bendadryl.  It sucks lol  but it could be worse if we were to flare.  Good luck with everything and congratulations on the baby :)
Posted 3/14/2013 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I had a beautiful Remicade baby 2 and a half years ago. During my pregnancy I was on Remicade, Imuran (for part of it), and Zoloft. My doctor upped my Remicade (usually 300mg) to account for my increased weight throughout my pregnancy. I received a double dose of Remicade around 30 or 32 weeks (about 800mg--that was a BIG hospital bill!) to last me through the rest of the pregnancy (since it can transfer to the baby in the third trimester).

My daughter is a beautiful two and half year old. She had a minor heart defect when she was born, but so did my son and he was not a Remicade baby. She now has some sort of auto-inflammatory fever disorder (PFAPA is what doctors suspect), but I think that is due to our family's propensity for auto immune diseases and has nothing to do with the Remicade.

All that to say: go for the Remicade and follow your doctors' advice! Rest easy knowing that many, many other women have done it and have beautiful, healthy , lovely babies :). Congrats on your pregnancy, by the way!
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