Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

Hi - I am completely new here. My name is Erica and August 5th my husband and I have been married a year. We started discussing trying to have a baby. I started taking a multi-vitamin and made sure I was getting enough folic acid. I bought a multi-vitamin for my husband to start taking and thought that I was trying to plan and prepare the best I could. Until - I was searching the internet and came across someone saying they were concerned that their husband was taking medication for Crohn's. I have researched everyday something about the topic and I have found very conflicting information. The medication he takes is a pregnancy class D drug but its initial use was for cancer and is taken in much higher doses than what the dose for Crohn's is.

A little history: My husband was diagnosed with Crohn's 7 years ago and was unable to get into remission which ended up with him needing a resection. Every since the surgery he has been taking 100mg of 6mp daily which great results. His scans come back fine and his most recent colonoscopy in April came back looking perfect. So I am nervous about having him stopping the medication and going into a flare up but of course I don't want the health of our unborn child to be negatively affected by the medication. His GI doctor has been on vacation for 2 weeks but we will be scheduling an appointment with him to discuss what he recommends.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone is or was in a similar situation and what their healthcare provider recommended, what they chose, and what was the outcome.

Thank you in advance!

Re: Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

I'm not familiar with that medication, but the best advice is just to talk to your husband's dr. You may also consider talking to your gyno as well.

Also want to add that a multi vitamin for you may not be enough, even with folic acid. You should really be on a pre-natal vitamin with a DHA supplement. Most OTCs are good.

And good luck!

Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

I have a mild case of Crohns and was weeded off the meds. I have been lucky and havent had any flare ups but the meds I was on is known to cause miscarriages. Not sure if it would be the same from the male side. Check with your dr.

Re: Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

I would check with a doctor. You could always get a sperm analysis done as well. Good luck!!!

Re: Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

Yes this was me...I could've written this word for word.

DH was put on 6MP but there were too many side effects and possibilities of birth defects. DH spoke to his doctor and it was best decided that he stop taking 6MP. Actually he stopped taking all medication accept for Acical.

Unfortunately DS was 5 months old and my DH was hospitalized and had to have surgery. We're not sure if this is because he stopped the medication but there is probably a good chance that is the reason.

This is a decision you and DH will have to decide. Yes there is a chance that your DH will have a flare up and no I am not a doctor. Everyone does respond differently.

DH also didn't go back on the medication right away because we knew we were trying for #2 right after #1. Hopefully your DH will only have to be off the medication for a short time.

Best of luck!

Crohn's Medication and Conceiving

Thanks. I have an appointment with my gyno and my husband made an appointment with his GI doctor for this month so hopefully we can discuss this with our doctors and come to a decision that we are comfortable with.

Tina - that is what I am afraid of. I don't want him to flare up. I have read many articles that state how it is much more difficult to regain remission than to maintain it. I wish there was something out there that worked as well for him but was safer even just for his own health.

I have just been so stressed about the entire situation.