Colitis/Crohns and Pregnant?

Re: Colitis/Crohns and Pregnant?

• Jesse's Girl 10 member

  September 2011

  I have Crohn's Disease and so far I've been ok.  I had a really bad flare up in July because I stopped taking prednisone (I was only on 5mg and didn't want to be on them while trying to get pregnant).

   Well, that backfired and I wound up in the ER where they made me start the prednisone again at 40 mg and to wean myself off them 5 mg per week.  I'm back down to 5 mg and feel fine.

  A friend of mine has Crohn's as well and has had 3 kids.  In all 3 pregnancies, she told me her symptoms went away at around 10 weeks.  She told me that 1/3 of people's symptoms will go away, 1/3 will get worse and 1/3 will stay the same.

  I'm also on Remicade every 8 weeks and my doctor recommended that I stay on it during my pregnancy.  They said it wouldn't hurt anything.  

  Being on prednisone, I have a small chance that the baby could have a cleft palate but considering what could happen, I can live with that and it's treatable.   

  

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• Jessy25 member

  September 2011

  I have ulcerative colitis. I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant. It is good that you are keeping track of yours.I thought mine was doing good and I wasn't having any problems, boy did I think wrong. Talk to your OB, mine referred me to a gastro dr to get in check while pregnant. I have the opposite problem with my colitis that I won't be able to go and my colon freaks out and will turn spastic. I ended up in the ER and being admitted at 18 weeks because it was so bad that I was vomitting and passing in and out of conscienous.

  Check your prenatnal vitamins and make sure they don't have a stool softner in them. Alot of them contain the stool softner because many women have trouble going to the bathroom since the digestive system slows down during pregnancy.

   Hang in there and I hope you get some periods of remission! 

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• mamalongarms member

  September 2011

  I have UC but so far so good.  I was in remission for 8 months before we got pregnant.  I had put myself on a strict diet but after getting pregnant and having m/s I had to throw that diet out of the window and eat whatever will stay down.  I'm hoping things continue to go well.
  

  <a href="http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/mamalongarms/?action=view

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• newbeachbride

  September 2011

  I was diagnosed with Crohn's a little over 5 years ago, while I've only had one flair ever and that's when I was diagnosed (it was a bad one too) my pregnancy with DD # 1 was perfect no issues ever.  I do notice that since I started taking my PNV for this pregnancy (started taking them before my BFP) I was having to go to the bathroom more, but it was only in the mornings and not all day.  I think I read someplace that PNV's can do that if you have Crohns or UC, I would talk to your GI and see what they say.  Or you just may need to change brands, good luck and hopefully you will have a great pregnancy.
  

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• wannabemommy30

  September 2011

  I have UC and have had some minor issues but nothing too terrible.  Mine has been pretty manageable with meds.  I go back to my gastro in November for a check up.
  

  

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• laurenmae1228 member

  September 2011

  I have IBS-D that my doc wanted to investigate further (thinking I might have Crohns, since there's a strong family history & some of symptoms fit more with that). I never did investigate it more (mostly because I was sick of doctors at that point), but basically, what you described with things going right through you, especially right after you eat, is what happens to me. I also have no gallbladder though (as it got removed during a liver surgery).

  It's weird, but from weeks 3 1/2 to 5, everything slowed down, and for once, I could say I felt slightly normal. I was thrilled; hoping it would stay that way!

  And then literally from 5 w 1 d on, it's been back with a vengeance. Imodium daily is the only thing helping. (Which I know; I didnt like the idea of, but my doc said it was okay). So Im trying to take it as little as possible and suffer in between, but that's hard to do at work; particularly with noisy intestinal cramping! Sigh...

  Anyway, I know some food is being absorbed, and I have some extra fat stores anyway, so I know the baby is okay. I've just got to ride out the discomfort, I guess, and hope that maybe it will calm down in the 2nd trimester (when the placenta starts to regulate the hormones a bit more, supposedly).

  Good luck!

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• Bstone07

  September 2011

  Thanks everyone! I go for my first appt on friday and I will have to ask what they think about it! The stool softner in the PNV is something I will DEF look into! Stool softners are something I have never neede! lol Im thinking that maybe I shouldnt of stop taking my stomach meds now, I was just doing so good without it. Foods have never triggered me and a combination of antibiotics and a specific diet pill sent me into a horrible horrible episode over the summer.

  One good thing is that the nurse practicioner to my GI dr is one of my very good friends and just a phone call away. I just dont want to bother her if I dont have to! I also have heard of the thirds, I am hoping for the best! Having stomach issues to this extent makes my anxiety through the roof and thats def not what I need right now! but thanks everyone for the info!

  

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