MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Hello,

Has anyone had any experience of a pregnancy with Microscopic Colitis please?

Thanks,

Amy

Hi Amy,

Although we have a number of members who have gone through one or more pregnancies after an MC diagnosis, most young mothers have their hands full raising a family, so that after thery'e in remission, they rarely check back here, if ever. Consequently, I doubt that you will get many (or any) responses from them. You can search the archives for old discussions on this topic, but as I recall from reading posts in the past, in about half the cases, the patient will remain in remission, or go into remission after a few months of pregnancy (if they are reacting to begin with), and in the other half of cases, their reactions will continue (if they are reacting to begin with), or they will begin to react. Apparently, relative estrogen and progesterone levels, and changes in those levels, have a lot to do with this, but predicting the outcome is dicey. Consequently, some women look forward to pregnancy because it will relieve their MC symptoms, while others may dread it, because it may initiate MC symptoms.

Here are a few random examples of old posts, ranked from oldest to newest:

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1956&p=12537&hilit ... +MC#p12537

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8948&p=66452&hilit= ... +MC#p66452

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=12584&p=84953&hili ... +MC#p84953

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15540&p=114409&hili ... MC#p114409

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19415&p=152131&hili ... MC#p152131

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20873&p=165476&hili ... MC#p165476

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21602&p=172253&hili ... MC#p172253

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21748&p=173650&hili ... MC#p173650

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22006&p=176361&hili ... MC#p176361

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22391&p=180254&hili ... MC#p180254

I hope this is helpful,

Tex

Yes. Bad flare that wouldn't quit 1st trimester, went on meds, weaned off in the beginning of my 3rd trimester. No flares 3rd trimester.

Hello, I am planning a pregnancy. I was diagnosed with microscopic lymphocytic colitis at the beginning of this year. Can you please tell me you drank budesonide during pregnancy?
I am in remission on budesonide, and when I leave it to drink again, an aggravation and the doctor recommends drinking it for a long time. I am wondering whether it is possible to carry on pregnancy on it and whether it will harm the fetus?

I was not on budesonide. I was on Lialda during my pregnancy. Lialda is not considered to be safe anymore and not allowed during pregnancy. Many women go into remission during pregnancy and don't have any issues.

Sorry for the late reply everyone! I don’t recall seeing a notification plus I had covid at the beginning of December and haven’t checked back here since.

Noted and thank you for all the links Tex, I’ll have a look.

I am hoping 2022 is the year that I get pregnant and will update this post every so often if I am lucky enough to get pregnant. You may have seen my other post about IVF, I’m not sure if this will go ahead now due to discussions with consultants and labs but I have a consultation booked for the end of the month.

Were you considered high risk for having MC please?

Take care,

Amy

Amy,

I’m not sure what you mean by “high risk”. I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in August 2012 and became pregnant June 2013.

Hi Jessica,

I mean were you considered a high risk pregnancy? I thought pregnant women with Crohns or UC are considered high risk pregnancies because of potential complications. MC is a more minor form of bowel disease isn’t it. I could be wrong on all counts

Amy

There was hardly any information about microscopic colitis a decade ago. I think they just didn’t know.

Hi Amy,
I'm also going through IVF but I did have one spontaneous pregnancy (that resulted in live birth) while active MC. My MC symptoms weren't as bad then and I wasn't on budesinide, but my current IVF doctors have actually recommended starting budesinide while trying to conceive, not taking during the first trimester, and then starting again for 2nd and 3rd trimesters (assuming I actually get pregnant and stay that way--I've had lots of miscarriages but I think they are due to my age, not due to MC).

In my one successful pregnancy, my MC didn't seem any better or worse. My overall GI symptoms were pretty bad in the first trimester due to morning sickness, and I'm sure layering that with MC didn't help.

I wasn't considered high risk due to MC, but my current docs have said that steroids are used for some women to help maintain pregnancy so that their bodies don't reject the fetus. Budesinide is also considered low risk to a fetus because of how it "targets the gut." With that said, any steroid use is apparently associated with increased risk of cleft palate and pre-term birth, which is why they suggest stopping during the first trimester.

I hope this helps. MC and IVF are both a lot to deal with.
Sonia

Hi all,

Just an update to this post to say that Crohn’s and Colitis UK have updated their information on pregnancy to include:

‘There is no research or specific information about pregnancy and breastfeeding for people living with Microscopic Colitis. You may still find some of this information helpful. But it’s best to speak to your IBD team or other healthcare professional. They can advise you on your individual situation.’

Kind Regards,

Amy

Hi all,

For anyone who experiences a miscarriage I think it can cause a flare. That’s what I found when I researched for IBD anyway.

Amy

Amy
you may be interested that there has been research that miscarriage can be linked to nutrient deficiencies in key nutrients like zinc.
(this is acknowledged more in functional medicine than mainstream medicine but there are published studies)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 105859.htm
Scientists at the University of Granada have confirmed that a low plasma level of copper and zinc in pregnant women may be a factor associated with spontaneous abortion, a hypothesis that had not been confirmed to date, and which had never been proven in humans before.

zinc levels of both mother and father have impact.

Zinc is also key for the immune system to function and how it reacts to inflammation
If your budget allows it might be beneficial to source a reliable functional practitioner that can assist with key nutrients.

your post on the main message board mentioned the mental and emotional stress and its impact. are you taking any medications for this?
it might be beneficial for your MC to get assistance to help deal with challenges and emotional stress.


hope this helps