Community Forum

 Reply posted for JPouch Person.

Thanks for the information.  I had been taking prenatal vitamins (extra folic acid too) for around a year or so before I became pregnant.  I didn't actually go into pre-term labor.  We aren't exactly sure why we lost the baby, except to say I was hospitalized for my first flare of UC (that's when I was diagnosed) and was being treated with IV steriods and cyclosporin (sp?).  We didn't have an autopsy done to know if it was the medications or perhaps all the side effects of the medications that caused us to lose the baby.  But I have been told that not having my colon anymore would be better for me in getting pregnant again because there is no more disease in my body now.  It's too much for me to think about now though . . . it's been a tough year.   

 Reply posted for JPouch Person.

Thanks for answering my questions.  This is all so new for me and happened so fast - it's helpful to hear other people's experiences and gain some knowlenge that way.  Good luck to you in your pregnancy endeavors. 

 Reply posted for tpiemo.

Thanks!  That's interesting about the small bowel absorption.  I've used VSL#3 in the past and it did help.  Honestly, the thing that works best for me (that I won't be able to do during pregnancy) is two Pepto Bismal tablets on days when I'm not feeling up to par (i.e. my pouch is grumbly and I'm going more than I want to). My doctor's told me that pregnant women should not take Pepto Bismal (or off-brands) because it includes ingredients harmful if pregnant.  So I may try going back to the VSL#3 before trying to conceive.  FloraQ, probiotics in pill form, has helped me as well, though I guess I'm a delicate balance because I've also gotten "girly" issues from too many good bacteria products (e.g. bacterial vaginosis - also not good to have while pregnant).  Ugh, I'll have to find a good balance someday.  :)

 Reply posted for JPouch Person.

HI,  I AM IN THE SAME BOAT YOU ARE IN JUST A 1/2 YEAR BEHIND POST SURGERY. I TOO USED A CHILDS VITAMIN I HAVE NOW UPGRADED TO THE ADULT MULTI AND A BCOMPLEX YOU SHOULD TRY THE ISOTONIX VITAMINS PURCHASED THROUGH MARKET AMERICA. THEY ARE A POWDER WHICH IS MIXED WITH H2O AND THEN IT BECOMES AN ISOTONIC STAGE WHICH IS MORE READILY ABSORB BY THE SMALL INTESTINE THEREFORE PROVIDING MORE % OF VITMIN ABSORBED. ALSO YOU MAY WANT TO TRY VSL#3 PROBIOTICS ALSO A POWDER FORM(FOUND ONLINE GOOGLE VSL#3) THEY ARE BASICALLY GOOD BACTERIA AIDEING IN DIGESTIONS . I FEEL THESE THREE PRODUCTS ARE WHAT HELPED ME GET MY BODY BACK TO A MORE NORMAL HEATH AND HOPEFULLY READY AND WILING FOR CHILD BIRTH. GOODLUCK

 Reply posted for Cash75.

I say all this and don’t plan on trying to conceive for at least another year or two until my husband has finished up school.  But oh, I have started taking a child’s multi-vitamin (feel like I can digest those better) every day that has 400 micrograms of folic acid in it.  I saw a study recently that showed women who took that much folic acid daily for a full year before they became pregnant (and continued taking it during pregnancy) had greatly reduced risks of going into preterm labor – something like 50% less risk.  It was kind of hard to find a kiddie vitamin with that much folic acid in it (it says on the back label), but I figured that this can’t hurt, right?  I even asked my husband to take a men’s vitamin with 400mcg in it too.  Who knows, could help.  Couldn’t hurt.

 Reply posted for Cash75.

I am so sorry to hear about your pregnancy.  And I appreciate your help if you find any info about pregnancy and post-surgery UC in the future.

When I say I still have trouble with inflammation/my immune system I mean this: the auto-immune disease that is ulcerative colitis is something I will always have regardless of whether or not I have a colon for the immune system to attack.  Before my surgeries, when I had a bad flare-up I would also have a lot of sores in my mouth (basically the same sort of ulcers that were in my colon, only in my mouth as well).  Since my surgeries I've found that there are times I will still get a round of numerous mouth sores, generally during late winter months when I used to get flare-ups a lot.  I have also been having a lot of joint pain recently for no obvious reasons (I am currently waiting on my C-reactive protein blood test to come back to see if I am having a "flare-up" - or inflammation - without the colon).  I am 23 and this much joint pain doesn't usually happen in someone so young without a reason, so we are trying to figure out whether or not it is related to my auto-immune disease (UC) since other auto-immune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, can cause joint pain, too.

I hope it encourages you to say that while I have concerns about pregnancy in my current post-colectomy state, I am so much less concerned than I would have been if I was considering trying for a child before my surgeries when I was really, really sick with UC flare-ups and an "intact" colon.  Looking back at how sick I was before my surgery I realize now my body was doing everything it could to keep ME going.  I still have some problems, but am so much healthier now that I feel my body has a chance at supporting me without reaching total exhaustion, and hopefully another as well. Whereas before my body was stretched to such limits just supporting me...

 Reply posted for JPouch Person.

I don't have a response to your question, but I do have a follow-up question for you about what you posted.  I was just diagnosed with UC a few months ago after I became pregnant for the first time.  We lost the baby and I had an colectomy (ileostomy).  People tell me I will still be able to have kids, but I'm concerned about my immune system.  When you said you still have inflamation and problems with your immune system, what types of symptoms are you talking about?  If I come across anything regarding pregnancy I will be sure to pass that information on to you.