I have received the results from my Fecal Calprotectin. The Fecal Calprotectin came back abnormal with 366 mcg/g when the healthy range is noted as under 160 mcg/g. I can feel my health slipping the last few days, constant diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting and constant burping.
This is consistent with a Crohn's flare that would be mild to moderate inflammation in the small intestine.
Silly me, mad at my hormones for the last few weeks when the real culprit was Crohn's.
The Doctor has not called me with the results yet, only sent them through the online portal so I am not sure what her plans are. I told her nurse that I was still trying to conceive and would continue this until I hear otherwise, even with a slight flare.
I had grown up knowing that I had Crohn's Disease and that one of the common ways to get back into remission is to fall pregnant as your body turning down your immune system is beneficial to get your white blood cells to stop attacking your digestive tract.
I have taken Imuran and Humira for 6 years and their purpose has been to turn off my immune system.
I went off of my Imuran in February in an effort to conceive a healthy baby and to breastfeed after their birth. I have now taken the pills the last 3 days again, I have also done my biweekly Humira shot.
The causes for a Crohn's flare up after long standing remission is noted as disruption in medications among many other possible causes and even though I felt really confident in my choice to take myself off of Imuran, that mixed with all of my hormone changes likely caused my flare.
I am sad about this flare but I caught myself, I have looked into if the flare contributed to my miscarriage. Fortunately, unfortunately, it looks like I have the same risk of miscarriage with or without active Crohn's. Studies have shown that 50-75% more miscarriages happen in women who have been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease whether it is active or in remission.
My Crohn's was not bad when I was pregnant, yes I suffered mouth sores, gas and bloating but these are all common symptoms of pregnancy so that is what I was contributing the cause to. I did not have diarrhea until after the D & C. I was not suffering any vitamin deficiencies and am still not suffering any vitamin deficiencies.
1/3 of women end up falling out of remission in the first trimester of pregnancy and then as the hormones regulate a little more later into the second trimester it usually improves and you are are usually able to achieve remission again.
Conceiving during a flare
That is what I am trying to stay on top of, eating healthy, small portions, drinking A LOT of water, making sure I get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day and trying to still get good rest. I am taking a lot of vitamins and spending time in the sun to help with my low Vitamin D.
I think I would be fine, healthy and happy to conceive while in a Crohn's flare, but it is a little harder since your body is working to deal with the inflammation and usually your body is not getting adequate vitamins for your body to do the work of ovulation and implantation. We will see what my body does.
1/3 of women who conceive when going through a flare go into remission, 1/3 the symptoms continue throughout the pregnancy and for the last third the symptoms worsen.
Chances I am willing to take, if I am able to, because I have already waited a very long time to try to conceive. I am 28, will be 29 in November and I refuse to go back on to birth control unless that is the only thing to help me achieve remission after we have tried our hand at natural conception.
I will update further as I talk with my Doctor and come up with new plans of action and how she interprets the results of the test.
Comments