Pregnant With Either Pancreatic Insufficiency Or Colitis- Help!

[willabec]

i was taking a pancreatic enzyme and just found out last week that i am pregnant (a surprise since my kids are 10 and 8). i had not taken this enzyme with my prior pregnancies b/c i was not having bowel issues then. started having issues about a year ago. the enzyme did seem to help quite a bit, but just found out that it is a category c med which is not recommended to be taken while pregnant. well, since i have stopped the enzyme, my bowels are horrible! yesterday and today- almost like water!! anyone out there having the same issues with the same possible diagnosis, either pancreatic insufficiency or colitis?? and if so, anything out there that is safe to take while pregnant that will help! it's worse than it was before i was on the enzyme! i am also afraid that the loose bowels/diareaha will harm the fetus. my gi did not think it would, but how could it not.....i mean all the nutrients are ending up in the toilet right? any advice or information would be appreciated!

[Wolicki]

How about eating papaya and pineapple? I think they have the same kinds of enzymes.

[NicoleAJ]

I'm pregnant and have had watery stools off and on--it hasn't affected my nutrient levels though. I've been trying not to take anything for it, though my OB said I could take Kaopectate if I really needed it. I get bloody stools a lot, and every time I'm tested for Crohn's, the tests come back abnormal and show a lot of bleeding, but they are not perfectly specific for Crohn's. I just avoid leafy vegetables, popcorn, red meat--things that cause me to be in pain, and I take my prenatals and DHA daily.

Is your iron low? If so, then take iron supplements, which will definitely slow things down. I don't know about pancreatic insufficiency, but as far as IBD is concerned, I definitely wouldn't take anything that's category C, especially in the first trimester. The risks would not outweigh the benefits. I haven't taken any drugs at all (I'm 13 weeks now), and the baby is measuring perfectly, the heartbeat is right on track. A lot of women in the pregnancy forum I participate in have been dealing with diarrhea all 3 trimesters, and their babies are doing just fine. Be sure to get important levels checked though--B12, D, thyroid, etc.

[willabec]

I'm pregnant and have had watery stools off and on--it hasn't affected my nutrient levels though. I've been trying not to take anything for it, though my OB said I could take Kaopectate if I really needed it. I get bloody stools a lot, and every time I'm tested for Crohn's, the tests come back abnormal and show a lot of bleeding, but they are not perfectly specific for Crohn's. I just avoid leafy vegetables, popcorn, red meat--things that cause me to be in pain, and I take my prenatals and DHA daily.

Is your iron low? If so, then take iron supplements, which will definitely slow things down. I don't know about pancreatic insufficiency, but as far as IBD is concerned, I definitely wouldn't take anything that's category C, especially in the first trimester. The risks would not outweigh the benefits. I haven't taken any drugs at all (I'm 13 weeks now), and the baby is measuring perfectly, the heartbeat is right on track. A lot of women in the pregnancy forum I participate in have been dealing with diarrhea all 3 trimesters, and their babies are doing just fine. Be sure to get important levels checked though--B12, D, thyroid, etc.

thanks for your input....i just had regular blood work done with my pcp and everything checked out ok, i would think my prenatal would have enough iron right? even my celiac panel checked out ok (thank god!!) - had one done just to see if things were working being on the diet (have been for about 8 years now)...i believe as my gi dr. does that it is either pancreatic insufficiency or colitis. i am going to call my ob tomorrow just to check with her and make sure that if these symptoms continue the baby will be ok. things are still very early, so hopefully mother nature is on my side!

[NicoleAJ]

That's great that all your bloodwork checked out. You shouldn't need extra iron if you're not anemic. Luckily, the baby doesn't really require many calories in the first trimester and the prenatals should give you the nutrients you need. Even with diarrhea, you're probably absorbing more nutrients than you know--since your celiac panel showed that you're following the diet very well. It's always best to call the OB to check. I feel bad for those moms who can't keep any food down. My SIL was vomiting everyday all day until the doc put her on nightly Zofran. Yikes!

[willabec]

That's great that all your bloodwork checked out. You shouldn't need extra iron if you're not anemic. Luckily, the baby doesn't really require many calories in the first trimester and the prenatals should give you the nutrients you need. Even with diarrhea, you're probably absorbing more nutrients than you know--since your celiac panel showed that you're following the diet very well. It's always best to call the OB to check. I feel bad for those moms who can't keep any food down. My SIL was vomiting everyday all day until the doc put her on nightly Zofran. Yikes!

i am feeling a little positive, my only concern is that if i can't be on any meds and have to follow a somewhat low fat diet b/c of the pancreatic insufficiency, things i have read on the internet (yes, i know self diagnosing can get you into trouble), is that the baby needs fat from calories to develop. but i will go over all of my questions with my ob, so hopefully all will be good! thanks again!

[willabec]

i am feeling a little positive, my only concern is that if i can't be on any meds and have to follow a somewhat low fat diet b/c of the pancreatic insufficiency, things i have read on the internet (yes, i know self diagnosing can get you into trouble), is that the baby needs fat from calories to develop. but i will go over all of my questions with my ob, so hopefully all will be good! thanks again!

ok....i was feeling a little more positive, but today i had some very, i mean very light spotting, i hear that is normal, however, my stools are getting yucky!!! i am afraid to eat for fear that i will be needing a bathroom soon after! i asked my gi about taking pancreatic enzymes that are sold at health food stores. he said that they have not been tested on the pregnant women, but he was ok with me trying them if i was....not sure. will call ob/gyn tomorrow and see what she thinks. i have a feeling that she will tell me not to take them either! if this pregnancy makes it, it is going to be a LONG one! it already feels like forever and it has only been 2 weeks!! UGH. any thoughts or opinions on taking the pancreatic enzymes from the health food store??

[NicoleAJ]

Personally, I wouldn't take anything that could have a completely unanticipated effect on the baby. I know it can be really difficult. My stomach is just recovering today after about 5 days of almost constant D and feeling awful. You should be checked out for the spotting, even though it's probably nothing. You might have a touch of an infection, which could be irritated your cervix. You can also spot after sex or an internal exam though too.