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Pregnancy and Prednisone Alternatives


Sun, June 22, 2014 1:31 PM

I found out I was pregnant about 3 1/2 weeks ago and will be seeing my OB this week, so I am not sure how far along I am (I have very irregular periods) but am guessing about 7-8 weeks.  About a week and a half ago I started having some bleeding, my first flare in well over a year.  I take 4 Apriso daily to manage my UC.  In my only other flare I was prescribed prednisone and it cleared up quickly, however this can have detrimental effects to the developing baby, especially this early in the pregnancy.  To try to avoid that, my GI had me double up on my Apriso for 2 weeks along with a low-residue diet, which I have just switched to a full liquid diet since things are not improving.  I will be calling tomorrow to speak to my GI about treatment options other than prednisone, but I have a feeling this will be the prescribed treatment.  Just wondering if anyone has had other treatments that I can ask him about that would be safer for pregnancy?  My OB is having me ask about whether there are any suppositories that can help, as she feels these drugs are less systemic and therefore less likely to affect the baby.  Any and all ideas are welcome.  I need to get better, but I do not want to harm my baby.  Thank you.

FPO tm96
Joined Jan 23, 2013

Fri, July 18, 2014 10:06 PM

Thanks, ambari, for your reply.  The Apriso is another mesalamine, so I assume it works similarly to Asacol.  I've been fine with it as a maintenance med (I went over 1 1/2 years in remission before this flare).  I was looking for something to help me out of the flare and back into remission.  I am now 11 1/2 weeks along in my pregnancy, and have been flaring about  5 1/2 weeks.  I know the end is in sight, but this last week and a half that my OB is wanting to wait can't get here fast enough!  Once I hit 13 weeks she has approved me for prednisone or Entocort, and since I responded well to steroids during my other flare, I am hopeful that this will be quickly resolved at that point.  Again, thanks for taking the time to reply.  This is my fourth baby, but my first UC baby, so I am definitely more anxious this time around.  It's so encouraging to hear of other women who have successful pregnancies and births with UC.  Good luck with your growing family!

FPO tm96
Joined Jan 23, 2013

Fri, July 18, 2014 9:21 PM

 Reply posted for tm96.

I was diagnosed with UC at 28.  I was 5 months pregnant.  My daughter is now 13.....I currently take Asacol.  I have a 1 1/2 year old and currently trying to get pregnant again (clock ticking)  my GI said this medication was totally safe for the baby but the enemas were a definite NO.  have you considered Asacol?

FPO ambari
Joined Apr 3, 2014

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