Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Pregnant With Either Pancreatic Insufficiency Or Colitis- Help!

willabec

By willabec
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

willabec Contributor
willabec
Posted

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!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Wolicki Enthusiast
Wolicki
Posted

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

NicoleAJ Enthusiast
NicoleAJ
Posted

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 Contributor
willabec
Posted
  • Author
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 Enthusiast
NicoleAJ
Posted

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 Contributor
willabec
Posted
  • Author
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 Contributor
willabec
Posted
  • Author
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??

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


NicoleAJ Enthusiast
NicoleAJ
Posted

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.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.