Ulceritive Colitis and Positive APF Test

Hi J., call me please, you need to talk to a lady I know,she even had to have sergery and suffered much. I will connect you with Marla, she can tell you details.
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Hello J.. I don't know anything about ulcerative colitis, but I do know that it is very common to get false positive AFP results. Just ask your doc. And Im sure he/she will tell you the same thing. My sis had false positive AFP with both of her kids, and they are perfectly healthy. I've also had other friends with the same problem. It turned out that they were worried for nothing. Im sure your little one will be just fine. My sis decided not to do any further testing (amniocentisis) because of the risk to the baby, and the fact that she was young (26) and healthy. They would have kept the baby anyway, regardless of the baby's condition, so they didn't want to take any risks. I know that there are times when dangerous testing like that is necessary, but most of the time its not. Please don't worry yourself sick over this. I'm sure your little one will be just fine.

I'm not quite sure what ulceritive colitis is, but I can tell you I did have a positive AFP test with my 1st born (who is now 12). I was 31 when I had a positive AFP test. Being a first time mom, I of course, was terrified and did everything I was told to do, including an amnio test. What the doctors failed to tell me was that an AFP has a high rate of a "false positive". At that time an AFP was optional. Had I known that most results come back a "false Positive" I would have never taken the test thus of course resulting an amnio test. Over 30, I was told that the amnio could do more harm than good. The result of the amnio of course concluded that the AFP was in fact a false positive and I had nothing to worry about. I had 3 more babies after my 1st one and never took the AFP test again. I don't know if this helps, but wanted to share my input on the AFP. Take care and good luck. I am a SAHM of 1 girl and 3 boys, ages 12, 11, 7 & 5.

J., I am so sorry you ate going through this! I have no idea about the ulcerative colitis, but I can tell you that AFP tests give false positives all the time. Every woman I know who has had a positive AFP and then a follow-up amnio has had nothing wrong with the baby. Hang in there and stay positive!

I don't have experience with ulceritive Colitis, but just need to agree with everyone about the AFP test. Mine (and many of my friends) came back postive and everything turned out fine...although it did turn my world upside down for a couple of weeks. It is still important to see the specialist to find out for sure, but just be assured that many people have false postives.

I haven't had the Colitis, but I do know that AFP tests have a HIGH rate of false positives. Both of mine said my boys would have Downs Syndrome and after the Amnio's neither one of them did.

I also have a friend who's son tested positive on both the AFP AND the Fish test for having the Chromosome 18 defect, and when the amnio was done there was nothing.

I know it's hard not to worry, but the chances it's wrong are high.

Good luck and I have put a good wish prayer out there for you.

K.

J.,

I can't speak to the colitis, but the positive afp test-I can. I took the test with my first child and the results came back positive- they were worried that my child had some genetic defects and really got me panicked. I went for several ultrasounds- and decided to not do the amnio. Since my husband and I wouldn't have terminated, we didn't feel the amnio was worth the risk or that it mattered. We loved our son no matter what. When he was born, he was completely normal- nothing wrong with him. So the test can be wrong. With this pregnancy, we decided not to do any testing and let me tell you- it has been a much better experience with less stress. I wouldn't worry too much about your results- if you can, get the level 3 ultrasound for peace of mind.

Take good care,

Molly

My dad and a friend had ulcerative colitis. They started drinking boiled ginger root tea (cut several pieces of fresh ginger root up and boil in water for 20 minutes) and their symptoms cleared up. My dad is no longer on any medication. My friend who is a nurse calls it the "miracle tea". Hope this helps.

Sorry to hear you are going through this. I have ulcerative colitis, although mine disappeared during pregnancy, my dr said that was very normal because of high hormones.
I would suggest you by the book eating right for a bad gut.
As for the AFP test, the blood test came back abnormal and we found two small spots on my baby at 16 weeks on the brain stem and the heart. We were terrified. I was 35 at the time with my first, my husband worried the entire pregnancy. I spoke with a nurse and she told me how aften these tests give "false positives". My baby was perfectly healthy. I hope you have great news too. I do not know how often these tests are wrong and I am not a dr, but unless there is conclusive evidence, I would try to have a positive outlook, read the book and adjust your diet to try and control the colitis without meds, and say lots of prayers!
Good luck. K.

I just wanted to encourage you about the AFP test. This test is notoriously inaccurate. When I was pregnant the accuracy of the AFP was at about 50%! We opted not to have the AFP since we thought it could cause a lot of stress for potentially nothing. All this to say, try not to worry too much. That test often has false positive results.

I haven't been exactly in your shoes but I had ulcerative colitis before I was pregnant, and even with the steroids my son still turned out perfect, althugh they are definately for short term use only. I never took an AFP test during my pregnancy so I really can't relate there but I wanted to let you know you aren't alone. Also, I belong to a group for people with ulcerative colitis or crohns disease. This group also has great posts about pregnancy and they also talk about other aspects of the disease. I'm sure this will not be your last question about uc so give it a shot. These people are how I got through my pregnancy, by providing support and a few good laughs. You can also message me anytime too. Good Luck, God Bless!

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Crohns/?v=1&t=se...

I don't have any experience with the AFP test but would love to share with you what I have learned about Ulcerative Colitis and other gastro problems. There are foods that can be removed from the diet to help the condition. UC is closely linked to celiac disease or gluten intolerance and many, many people have improved by removing gluten from the diet. There are tests the doctors can do but, honestly, they aren't really up to speed on this topic. It can be a difficult condition to diagnose. Doctors think it is rare but it isn't. It is complicated! I hate to see this diagnosis missed in people becasue it can cause so many problems.

I know people don't like to restrict their diets but pregnany women will usually do anything to help themselves and their babies! It's a mom thing! It is important to know if you have this condition as it can affect your unborn child. You could be low on vitamins such as B12 and folate due to problems with your digestion.

I'm don't have a business and I don't sell anything...I promise! I'm just a mom like you who ended up with an autoimmune disorder at 39 and I wish I would have known then what I know now. The doctors didn't recognize it in me which is unfortunate.

Please reply if you would like some info. or recommendations for books on the topic. I'd love to talk to you aobut some other symptoms you might have to hopefully point you in the right direction. it would be great to talk to your doctor about a blood test but the blood test doesn't always pick up celiac disease. You can also look up "gluten ulcerative colitis" or "celiac symptoms ulcerative colitis" on line. A little reading will give you lots of info.

Here are a couple of article from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness website. There are many more out there but I don't want to overwhelm you. Please read them! It could change your life!

http://www.celiaccentral.org/About-Celiac-Disease/Personal-
Stories/Stomachaches/Personal-Stories-Stomachaches/140/vobId__601/

http://www.celiaccentral.org/About-Celiac-Disease/Persona...

Pregnant woman story: http://www.celiaccentral.org/About-Celiac-Disease/Persona...

~L.

HI J.~
It seems like you have had a lot of responses but I'll just add to it...You mentioned being worried about prednisone....I have terrible asthma and had gone off my meds (without my dr knowing it when trying to get prego)...well, I ended up with a major lung infection from a cold just after my first trimester ended...and with that came antibiotics and prednisone. (I had to go on prednisone again in December at ~7 months prego-another cold that went into my chest). My baby is a perfectly healthy 2 yr old now and never appeared to have any side effects (except maybe a tendency towards yeast infections - maybe from the antiobiotics while in utero). Anyway, hope that helps ease your mind about that. On another note, someone mentioned aloe vera for your GI and I have been taking products for years (15+) from a company called Mannatech. Their big claim to fame used to be that they included aloe vera as a base to all the products (supplements, skincare,etc.) They have come a long way and have even more to offer since then and have some good science behind their products- worth checking into. I did become an associate, to receive the discount on their products, but if you do happen to like what you see...you can sign in under me 99330 is my associate #. Let me also say this, I am not trying to sell you anything..if it appeals to you, great but I really am just all about sharing something that I have found to be excellent and used their products through my pregnancy and still use a variety of things from them. They even have gummy bear vitamins for kids :-).
OK, that was long...I hope that everything turns out just perfectly...I had a weird scare while pregnant too (they thought my baby stopped growing and she ran out of room/fluid at ~8 months- BUT, after more ultrasounds, etc.- all was well- sure was stressful though so I feel for ya!).
Take care!
M.

Hi,
I don't have any info on Colitis, but I had a positive AFP test with my 1st daughter and she turned out perfectly healthy. I know tons of people that also had false positives tests and the doctor warned me that this happens a lot. It is still scary, but just know that the test is not a very accurate test.

You can totally correct that through natural solutions. Aloe Vera juice is a great natural anti-inflammatory and has many health benefits, including regulation the GI tract and colon. And will not interfere with medication. Good luck!

M. S.

Hello, I'am a part of the Birth Network of monterey county. We have a nutrtioanalist who had the same problem with her last pregnancy. She has been in remision from the spaecial diet plan she has to offer as a meal service or recipe help. Just go to our web-site www.birthnetworkmontereycounty.com browse through the resource guide to find her. My last patient on Bed rest had great success with her.
M.
Twice The Love

Hi J.,

Aloe vera is juice is safe for you and your baby. It will help to heal, sooth, and calm your tissues/body. You can check out Aloe Plus and Genesis on my website or call me. (Go to to Local Business Reviews/Victorious Living with Symmetry Direct for the web address0.

Victorious Living to you,
D. Hendon
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