Advice needed on medications and pregnancies

[BSweet]

I have been combing these posts for a few days now trying to find answers and I still have no idea….
My husband and I were not actively TTC, we figured if it happened great for us. I had already had the conversation with my GI that we were going off protection and that it was a possibility. About a month ago I became pregnant, after I found out I went to him to see what my next steps were (as I was scheduled to start humira) and he very sternly informed me that I was going to a have a high chance of fetal deformity and that he would advise terminating the pregnancy due to the medications (Imuran and Mezavant) I was on.
Needless to say I was horrified as I thought he would have brought this up when we discussed it the first time. So I did the only thing I could think of and took myself off all medications. I miscarried a few days ago; I really have no idea why… it could have been the medication, crohns or, a natural occurrence. However I am scared to go back on my medications. I have been trying to control symptoms through diet and doing ok (thankfully), my husband and I have figured out we really want to try again, we didn’t know what we were missing until it became a reality… but I am worried about going back onto drugs and it happening again, I honestly don’t think my heart can handle another miscarriage. I really have no idea what to do and any advice is appreciated!

 

[David]

Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear of your miscarriage. That's so heart breaking

*hugs*

And yes, your GI should have talked to you about medications the first time you brought it up.

Begin your research here with the pregnancy categories for the various medications.

And there of course is always enteral nutrition as a treatment option as well.

 

[DustyKat]

I am so very sorry to hear of your miscarriage...:hug:

As David has already suggested EN may well be an option for you.

Did you happen to look through the link I have in another thread here titled The Informed Patient: IBD and Pregnancy? It does discuss all aspects of pregnancy including all the classes of medication used to treat IBD...

http://www.drfalkpharma.de/uploads/tx_tocfpshoperw/S82e_12-1-09.pdf

Good luck hun, I wish you all the best for the future.

Dusty. xxx

 

[BSweet]

Thank you both, I appreciate your kind words and advice more than I could ever express. It is a horrible situation, but I have chosen to learn from it, and try again!

I stumbled across the information (yesterday) that you (Dusty) had previously posted. Such great information, it really answers a lot of the questions and I have been studying it feverishly since.

And thank you David another great tip, I am looking into the enternal nutrition. About 2 months ago I started the SCD diet and due to time constraints made a lot of soup and smoothies. I have noticed a huge difference! My symptoms are minimized, energy was up and weight loss (which was very hard for me) started to come easier with exercise.
After much thought and consideration I am going to try a naturopathic approach and, see if it is something that I can make work for me. I am lucky enough to have the work benefit I might as well use it!

I have a hard time talking about things or asking questions. I guess part of me believes if I do not know about it, then it is not happening. Very silly (I know)! This forum has taught me that it occurs no matter what and asking questions is what empowers you. So, thank you again, you have both provided me with information that enables me and provides me with confidence to ask those questions. :ysmile:

 

[David]

I'm glad the SCD is helping

I'm all for you seeing a naturopathic doctor. My suggestion would be to find a new GI and work with them as well. I say new because I'm guessing your relationship with your old doctor is quite frayed. And I say work with a GI as well because they're going to be the best at monitoring your Crohn's Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis. It's imperative that you keep those under control as they can be far more dangerous to your baby than many of the medications. It's a tough balance for sure. And even if you do want to avoid all medications, as I said, the GI is going to be best at monitoring your disease state to see if the naturopathic route is helping.

If you are indeed going the naturopathic route, I'd ask them about Low Dose Naltrexone. While it's pregnancy category C, the dose is low and the side effects for you should be very minimal. I don't know if it has helped anyone with Ankylosing Spondylitis, I'd email this guy if I was you as that's something you may want to look into as it helps more than just Crohn's.

 

[BSweet]

Thank you for the great information David. I am now on my second appointment with a great naturopath, who is actually checking my B12 levels. I have asked about the low dose naltrexone and it is a possibility that we are going to explore together.

I am just waiting for my first GI appointment who I can hopefully get on board!

And, thank you both for the support it was greatly appreciated! :ysmile:

 

[David]

Anytime. I'm glad you found a great naturopath and are following up with a new GI. Good for you

 

[StaceyQ]

im so sorry for your loss, i hope that you get everything sorted x x