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I would like to know if anybody was taking 6MP while pregnant, I have been taking it for 4 years now, and have been on remission for 1 year and a half. I have ulcerative colitis.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

My doctor decided that I should stay on the 6MP throughout my last pregnancy. Like some of the others it was because the risk of a flare up out weighed the risks to the baby. I had to go to a special hospital and was way more closely monitored than I was when I had my first child. I had to have non-stress tests and, because I had previous issues with atrial fibrilation due to the weight gain from Prednisone, I was also closely monitored by a cardiologist. My child is 3 years old now, and is perfect! Other than the minor inconveniences that went with the extra care - everything turned out great.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

Big Problems!!!   Methotrexate's can be used in certain situations to cause abortions.  I was only 5 weeks off the 6MP when I found out I was pregnant.  They sent me to multiple ultrasounds and a detailed ultrasound to determine the development of the babies organs.  BE SO CAREFUL if you are on 6MP and think you might want to become pregnant.  We are already dealing with the side effects of this medication, don't let the effects impact an innocent child.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

My doctor took me off the 6-MP.  Limited studies show that 6-MP is actually safe for pregnancy, and many people stay on the drug to prevent a flare-up that would be devastating to the baby.  I have been doing very well for two years on Remicade, and my doctor believed that coming off the 6-MP would not increase my risk of a flare-up.  Luckily, he was right!  Also, 6-MP is NOT recommended for breastfeeding, and that is something that is very important to me.  I think the decision to stay on or come off 6-MP during pregnancy is one that your doctor should probably make, based on your particular situation.  For me, it's been fine without the 6-MP.  But stopping the medication could be a very bad idea for some patients.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

Hi everyone, is the first time I get into this kind of things in internet, Im from Ecuador, so sorry my bad English...

Since I got married my husband found out that he has UC, we had a pretty bad experience since then until we traveled two years ago to Minesota to a Clinic where they gave him 6 MP, now WE have recovered our normal lives, this medicene worked great for him, but now, the problem is, that it seems to affect his reproductive system...in other words, he doesnt want to have sex...and his sperm s pretty bad...have anyone heard about that...besides I have poliquistic ovarian sintrome...and everything is becoming more difficult in order to have kids...im pretty sad cause i already took medicine to get pregnant and it hadnt worked...if someone know something please let me know. doctors here in Ecuador dont know about this illness, it is very rare...thanks.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

I have asked this same question as I am on 6MP. The advice I have gotten is that the benefits of being on 6MP during pregnancy outweigh the risks (i.e., the risk of having a crohn's flare during pregnancy can be so great if you are off of 6mp and that would be far more dangerous for the baby and the pregnancy than continuing to take to take the 6mp). Also, as I understand it, the reason 6mp is a category D drug is that that was determined based upon 6mp's original usage in transplant patients, typically at much higher dosages than we use for crohn's.

It is such a tough decision though, I totally understand. All the best to you.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

I have been on 6MP for sometime, myself.  My husband and I are planning on starting a family this August, so I came off 6MP back in March, in preparation.  My doctor told me it was safe to take 6MP during pregnancy, but I can't seem to get any study results from anyone (I've even contacted the "expert" doctors on this topic) to prove the safety.  For my own peace of mind during pregnancy, I have chosen to be off 6MP for six months before trying to conceive.  Thank God I've stayed in remission with only my Lialda medication, which I plan on taking throughout my pregnancy. 

 Reply posted for Bug.

Hey Bug, 6MP (or purinethol) it´s an immunosuppressive drug (chemo) that is used for IBD. It has worked for me.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

what is 6mp>

 Reply posted for Amidala.

Good Luck! I know a few people that have Crohns and as soon as they got pregnant the went into remission, some doctors say that sometimes your body will go into "a perfect state of health" during pregnancy for the sake of the baby. It (ofcourse) cant be explained but I think your body works wonders during pregnancy to protect that growing baby!

Again good luck!

yellie

 Reply posted for yellie25.

Yellie, thanks for sharing. that is exactly what I am trying to ponder. Since what my doctor tells me is that the best thing is to lower my dozes and being on remision prior to the pregnancy. I'd just rather have a flare up for stoping 6Mp, than hurting my baby for taking it. But it may be worse, to have a flare up. God only knows. I am thinking ahead. Just would like to know if could ever get pregnant. Thanks again, and congrats for your 2 babies!

 Reply posted for Barbara3.

Hi Barbara, and thank you so much for sharing. I am so happy for you and your baby, and you give me hope. Thanks.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

I had a healthy baby boy in July 2007 after taking 6mp throughout my pregnancy. I was very nervous about it but my doctor said it was better for the baby that I not have a flare during the pregnancy. He is almost 10 months now and he is beautiful and healthy.

 Reply posted for Amidala.

I was on 6MP and got pregnant with my 2nd child....My husband and I decided that I should stop taking it right away since it was not recommended during pregnancy. I was pretty sick (with my Crohns) when I got pregnant and got worse during the pregnacy. I had to deliver my son a month early and he was healthy! I was very glad that I was not taking any harsh meds during my pregnancy and I would do it again if I had to!

 Reply posted for Amidala.

I'm not a doctor, so I can't say for certain, but it is not recommended that you take a 6MP while pregnant. No studies that I know of have shown that it's bad for the fetus, but it appears that it might cause fetal cardiac syndromes.

Once more, I'm not a doctor, so please don't take my advice to choose what you should do. Go see a doctor as soon as you can.

--Worddoc