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Pregnant and Imuran

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/9/2008 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am worried to death. My husband and I finally got pregnant with my doctor's blessing. I have been symptom free for about 1 year now. I am still taking remicade every 8 weeks and a daily dose of Imuran. I keep reading all this bad stuff about Imuran and pregnancy. My doctor assures me that the pros out way the cons and that it is better for me to remain symptom free while pregnant. I have decided that I am going to discuss with my doc about stopping the Imuran about 2 months before I delivery.......I really want to breastfeed and I read that Remicade is safe while breast feeding. Has anyone else been on Imuran during their pregnancy and what was their experience or if anyone jsut has any general knowledge about the drug and pregnancy.......I would be most thankful.
Posted 7/9/2008 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!!!! That's wonderful news!

Here's what I can tell you:  Imuran is basically the same drug as 6mp.  My GI in Miami who was part of a very large research team told me that the most recent studies show that women who take 6mp during pregnancy have NO GREATER INCIDENCE of birth defects/complications/abnormalities than women who DON'T take 6mp during pregnancy. He told me that while it was previously thought to be dangerous, it is proving to be "safe". He encouraged me that if I were to become pregnant, to keep taking the 6mp.  I never found myself in that situation, BUT I was very relieved to know that there is medical data to back it up. 

As far as breastfeeding goes - this is the only information I could find.  Dr. Hale is the leading expert on medications and mother's milk.  The link is actually about 6mp, but if you read all the way through he comments on Imuran and how it affects breast milk.

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/53/207.html?1065793938

This one also discusses Imuran and breastfeeding:

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/48/12604.html?1153235574

If you can get a hold of a copy of his book your doc can read it and explain it more.

Hope this helps a little.

Posted 7/9/2008 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much! Its nice to read these things. Most of the information that I have found online is from 1995-2001 none of the research looked very current.

I am so worried about being on the drug.......I stress about it daily. Which I know is not good for the pregnancy but I would hate to think that I am putting something in my body that could hurt my baby.
Posted 7/9/2008 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I totally understand your concern. Your OB should refer you out to a perinatologist because you are considered "high risk" due to the illness and having to take meds while pregnant. The perinatologist should be able to offer you some info and reassurance regarding your meds. I'm 15 weeks pregnant and my OB has me seeing the maternal/fetal medicine specialist once a month. On my very first visit they made me give them a list of my meds and the doses and when the doc came in to talk with me he told me that my meds were "safe". He basically said that science/medicine now takes the approach that "what's good for mom, is ok for the baby" because the mother's health is the most important key to the baby's health during the pregnancy. Basically healthy mom= healthy baby, even if that means mom has to take meds to stay healthy. I'm sure there are some exceptions on hard core medicines, but your doc will be able to tell you immediately if anything you are taking falls under that category. I know it's easy to say, but relax and enjoy this time. Don't stress. You'll be fine and I'm sure your baby will too. CONGRATS again!
Posted 7/9/2008 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I did not read the other responses (short on time) but I was on imuran during my entire pregnancy. My daughter is very healthy, happy and has suffered no ill effects of the drug (or the other prescriptions I was on!) . She is now 7.
Posted 7/9/2008 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm kinda glad you started this cause I was wondering the same stuff, I'm not pregnant yet that I know of, but am half trying and am on Imuran too. Last time I was at my doctors (and he's one of the top ones in my city) he said it was fine--I think he says it meaning the pro's outwiegh the cons of course, but I have also read others who say they've had healthy babies on almost any crohns med. If I do get pregnant I'll pursue it more of course but for now I'd rather take a med that keeps me healthy as possible so I can take care of a baby then risk things with changes.
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