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Posted 10/14/2009 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I got married last month & we're thinking we want to try for a baby this time next year. I'll be going for a colonoscopy/EGD in January to check things out then my GI said he'll want me off Imuran for 2 months before we start trying. I know Imuran views differ, I'd personally like to stay on it (assuming it's safe).

What type of process (getting off meds, upping certain meds, etc.) did those of you that have been/are pregnant go thru?

He said he'd double my Lialda dose, take me off Imuran & possibly put me on Pred. I LOVE my GI but I'm not crazy with how that sounds.

tia!

Posted 10/14/2009 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
All I know for sure is you don't want to be on pred BEFORE getting pregnant, but once you're pregnant and if you need to go on pred then it's okay...I knew a lady that was on pred before she got pregnant and everything with her and the baby was still okay but apparently there can be some issues of being on it BEFORE getting pregnant so do talk to your doc about this...far as I know about the other meds, it's suppose to be safe before/during pregnancy.

:)
Posted 10/14/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)

I consulted with my OB, GI, and family doc before trying to get pregant and they all agreed Imuran was not to be taken during conception or pregnancy.  It was a class D drug I believe and I think someone mentioned birth defects. 

I am currently 18 weeks and doing fine without my imuran. I am still on Remicade.

Posted 10/14/2009 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Actually most doctors would recommend staying on the Imuran as you run a bigger risk of problems if you flare during pregnancy than from the Imuran.
Posted 10/14/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
all my doctors agreed Imuran is tested and fine while pregnant. Thats what I am on and have a healthy good 7 month old. The only doc who had a problem with it was only cause of breastfeeding AFTER baby is born. Alot of view differ, so it really is up to you to decide which med you want to take. But I do agree the pred while pregnant is not the best idea. And my docs are all against the remicade while pregnant, like others said they are on, again, goes with the whole every doc is different again. It gets confusing for sure.
Posted 10/15/2009 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 6mp and Pentasa before I wanted to go for my first baby. My GI thought it was better to go off. I was in remission and stable and he expected me to be fine without it. That was over two years ago. I'm now pregnant with my second and never went back on it. I did keep up the Pentasa until my most recent scope. I think it depends on your current health. It's a rule of thirds -- 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same, 1/3 get worse. If you get preg already in remission you should stay that way (at least through the pregnancy). My GI planned to add pred if I flared while pregnant. Hopefully I will never need that.

Good luck. I feel the best ever when pregnant. Hope you are as lucky.
Posted 10/15/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Acutally - about prednisone - you CAN be on pred BEFORE you become pregnant. It is NOT a problem at all. I have 3 kids and I have been on prednisone before, during and after conception with all of them and they are fine. I am currently ttc #4 (last one!) and I am on pred now too. The only thing you really need to worry about with prednisone is if you are on VERY HIGH doses of it at early pregnancy. High doses have shown to cause cleft palate in the baby. The palate develops around the 7th week of the pregnancy.

I took all of my meds while pregnant (asacol, prednisone, nexium, and humira - remicade with my first 2 kids). All of my kids have been healthy and perfect. I have had good pregnancies. I would recommend talking to your GI AND your OB and getting their counsel. Your OB might send you to a Maternal/Fetal Medicine specialist. The mat/fet spec deals with people like us who take meds while pregnant.

Good luck to you!!!
Posted 10/15/2009 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Let me clarify, my goal was to be on the least meds possible. For me being without Remicade was too much of a risk, so they opted to remove the Imuran to try and minimize what all I am on.
Posted 10/15/2009 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone.

He did mention the cleft lip with the pred suggestion. I'm going to my gyno tomorrow and will ask him what he thinks as well.

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