Crohns Disease
 

Greetings Everyone,

I'm back with yet another question, but this one is rather important to me. I am wondering if any of you know anyone (a woman in particular) who has been diagnosed with Crohns Disease and have become pregnant since being diagnosed? Furthermore, what effects (if any) does the medication have on the baby (long term)?

After searching through some of my physician databases, it looks like the only drug that many pose a SERIOUS problem with pregancy is Methotrexate. Methotrexate causes fetal death and congenital abnormalities. So, if either partner is receiving methotrexate, couples must avoid pregnancy for at least three months after the drug is stopped (for men), or after one full ovulation cycle (for women). If a woman becomes pregnant while on methotrexate, termination of the pregnancy is advised, if this is consistent with her beliefs. Women should not breastfeed while taking methotrexate.

Other oral medications such as cortisteriods and antiboitcs carry their normal risk. There are a lot of treatments (medications and surgery )for Crohn's disease, so your friend has some options.

From the information, it looks like methotrexate was the only treatment that had a DEFINITE effect on pregnancy.

What kind of treatment has this person had? If the person had drug treatments, then there could be a danger to the fetus.

If this person have surgical intervention, it may be difficult to get pregnant or carry the pregnancy to term...

Moreover, it is possible that some of the chemicals normally released from the fetus during pregnancy could exacerbate Crohn's disease and make it worse.

Constant consultation with one's health provider is highly recommended.

Thanks for the information ladies. When first diagnosed this friend was put on Prednisone (SP?) which I believe is a steroid. That treatment ended about six months ago. Along with that, she was/is taking a drug to treat the disease by the name of Asacol which has to be taken three times a day for the rest of her life. No surgery was involved in the treatment at all.

Earlier, I posted a link to a website, but its disappeared? :confused:

If you friend wants to go to the doctor armed with some knowledge concerning possible treatments (and there are a lot for this disease) and how they could impact her and a pregnancy, go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus .

This site (which is extensive) will list the current treatments out there including all clinical trials.

I have ulcerative colitis, which is very similar to Crohns's disease. I have had this since I was ten and I'm now 22. I've never had a doctor tell me that it would affect me if I got pregnant in a negative way. I would suggest that she speak with her doctor about any medication that she may be on. Prednisone makes a person very moody so with her being pregnant also she may feel like she's on a rollercoaster. Prednisone also makes you "puff" up. I've never been pregnant but I do know that there is a certain amount of weight that you should gain so she may want to ask about the side effects of the prednisone. I hope that helps!!!

One of my good girlfriends has Ulcerative Colitis also. She was diagnosed at 27. She was on seveal courses of steroids and the result was heavy weight gain and loss of a lot of her hair. However, her doctor said she can still have children.

Make sure who ever you are asking for talks to their doctor, no matter what responses you get here. They cannot take the place of talking with a medical professional who knows the medical history. If they are not comfortable with the information they are getting from thier doctor- TELL THEM TO CHANGE DOCTORS NOW! Wanting a second opinion and needing to second guess are two different things.

I do have a friend with Chrons disease. About a year and some months after being hopsitalized and having emergnecy surgery because of it she had a beuatiful baby boy.