I need new mom advice

[Liamsmomma]

Ok so heres my story, I am 27 years old, Me and my husband decided to wait to try for a child until i was in remission. In 2009 I acheived remission thanks to Humira, although because of Humira, ASACOL and Entocort I contracted the HCV virus which attacked my liver and kidneys. A year later I was in full remission and we were pregnant. I worked very hard to get off all of my medication with diet only so that I could breast feed. My little monster is now 9 months old and my flare is starting to get so bad that yesterday in the grocery store I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. I go see my doctor on monday but am afraid that I will have to stop breast feeding.. I know many probably think I'm crazy for being upset but I dont want to give up it but I dont know what options are out there that I can try..

Ok medication wise..I have been on Asacol 400mg 6x aday up until about a month ago when we decided to try a new medication Lialda, I take it 2 times in the morning 1.2 mg but its not working either.. Do you know what other medications are out there that you can breast feed with? I just need to make it 4 more months..

 

[Jennifer]

I just looked up a slew of meds and they all mention pregnancy and breastfeeding. Here's the list of meds I looked through: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Even Lialda mentions pregnancy and breastfeeding while on that drug.

From what I've heard mentioned on this forum is that during pregnancy, you don't seem to be affected with Crohn's but after the pregnancy ends, it can come on full force.

There's talk about how some meds only get a little of the medication into the breast milk but that may not be a chance some people are willing to take. There are tons of people talking about it on the internet but who's right and who's wrong I cannot say so its very difficult to find information.

You say you only want to breast feed for 4 more months. Do you think its possible that you could have some tests done to see how bad exactly things are going on the inside via a scope or barium test etc.? This way you can talk to your GI about how long is ok to go without meds. Now if it gets really bad, you aren't going to be able to care much for your little one with all the pain and other symptoms. I know breastfeeding is a bonding experience but you don't want to let it get so bad that you aren't able to care for the child by not being healthy. The only thing I can suggest for you is to see how long you can go without meds (by talking it over with your doctor) without having to have surgery after you finish breastfeeding or Heaven forbid dying. If it gets towards either of those points then you may have to cut the breastfeeding short by a month or two or maybe more cause I really don't know how bad your condition is.

Sorry if I wasn't much help. I don't have any children yet but I do have Crohn's and will some day be dealing with the same issue as you. From what I remember my old GI saying is that if I ever got pregnant, we would have to do a full stop on meds and see how long I can go without them after the pregnancy.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Lisa]

I can understand how you feel about wanting to breast feed...unfortunately after I had my little 'monster', I did end up flaring again, and had to switch to formula when she was about 4 months old.

In an effort to use breast milk as long as posible, have you thought about pumping and freezing? You may be able to extend the time that way without affecting your own health as much.

One thing to keep in mind though - you need to take care of YOURSELF FIRST.....if YOU are sick, you can't take care of your little one, who really, really needs you right now!

Best of luck with everything - let us know how you are doing!

 

[ErikaHouston]

I completely understand wanting to continue breastfeeding, I felt the same way. In my opinion a healthy mom is 100X more important than breastfeeding. I personally would not take the risk of putting any drugs in my baby, so I switched to formula when I needed to start drugs after my diagnosis in Oct 2010.

Also keep in mind if you are in a flare you are likely not absorbing nutrients properly yourself so your breastmilk may not even be the best option for your baby, or even if it is still wonderful, that likely means it's robbing everything from you.

In the end, you need to make the decision that's best for you, but know that you have a wonderful, happy baby whether you breastfeed or not. Additionally, the most important time for a baby has already passed...they got all the really good stuff.

Don't beat yourself up about it! You are a great mom, and breastmilk does not change that. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Liamsmomma]

Thank you for your advice crabby.. I will absolutly ask if there is a way to find out to what extent my flair is at right now.. I know that she told me I could only take one immodium a day, so I do, and it only helps for half the day..
pasobuff, Im so sorry you went into a flair so quickly.. I had some milk stored up but I got an infection when He was 3 months old and he went through all of it in two day (he is a beast).. Now I get just enough for him and if I pump an extra pump through the day I may only get 2 ounces (if im lucky) I've thought about having a weekend where I pump every two hours but I think my hubby would go nuts with me doing that..
Erika you really made me think of something I hadn't thought about at all, He has been wanting more table food then breast milk, he might already be trying to tell me that I'm lacking nutritients for him. I will certainly bring all this up on monday. Thankyou so much for your advice!

 

[TheMrs]

I highly recommend a book called medication and mothers milkby Thomas hale. You can find some info here: http://www.infantrisk.com/. He is an expert in breastfeeding pharmacology. Hope this helps.

 

[rmorris63]

I am the mom of 3 wonderful kids that are now college and high school age, and a stepmom for 2 more high school age. I can tell you from experience, mom to mom, what makes you a great mom is what comes from your heart. You can absolutely be the mom you want to be, at your best, when you take care of yourself! I can also tell you, that kids at all ages pick up your energy. You will give your "monster" a MUCH greater gift by giving him the best of you, and that means you need to feel good to be the real you. I can also tell you from experience, that what you children want for you more than anything is for you to be happy and healthy...and NOT to feel that they were the cause, in any way, of your compromised health or happiness. They want to be the cause of the JOY in your life, NOT the issues. I know he's too young to understand that now, but as they mature it will show through. Taking care of YOUR health IS taking care of your little one. I hope that makes sense! I know it's a tough choice, because we all think we can indure anything for the sake of our children.

 

[ameslouise]

Ditto 110% what Erika said!

 

[Jennifer]

Erika you really made me think of something I hadn't thought about at all, He has been wanting more table food then breast milk, he might already be trying to tell me that I'm lacking nutritients for him. I will certainly bring all this up on monday. Thankyou so much for your advice!

Every baby is different so he may be one of those who starts taking in regular food sooner than others. It's definitely something to bring up with the doctor to see if he's ready or if he's lacking in any nutrients by doing some blood work on him. Good luck!

 

[Liamsmomma]

Ok so a quick update.. We went to the Dr. on monday, They are going to put me on Prednisone for 10 days to see if that will work , and increase Lialda to 4 pills aday.. If that does not work then we will move to a colonoscopy (ugh) and see whats going on. I felt pretty good on monday, Tuesday was an extremely achey day. Oh and today I wanted to crawl under a rock, woke up with an aweful headache, my stomach was turning all which ways, between the gagging like I was going to throw up and haveing to go potty I'm proud of my self for getting my little guy ready and to my moms house, then making it in to work. So I am determined to make it through today, but we will see. Hopefully the Prednisone starts working soon. I need the releif.

I just wanted to thank all of you for your advice, my dr was very impressed I was prepared and had some great questions to ask about me and what to do about breastfeeding my little guy.
If I can get better, my Pedi said Prednisone is ok to breast feed with and when I make it to 10 1/2 months I can introduce him to regular milk and then we can go full on back with treatment for me. If not and this round of steroid doesn't work then we will be on formula for 3 more months. (That stuff is crazy expensive) So I'm hoping to work through this and feel better by next week.. crossing fingers, toes and everything else.

Again Thank you for the advice and wonderful questions for me to ask..