New to the forum

[Steve M.]

Hello everyone/anyone. I'm new on here, just joined. I needed to reach out as things are getting worse for me. I was diagnosed with Chrohn's around 6 years ago. I've only had to take pred for 2 moderate flare ups in that time period. I've been on Lialda for about 5 years for the lesser issues. I have a very stressful job and married with 3 kids. I'm 35 yrs old. My 2 flare ups were around the holidays (stress induced?) the pred took care of last years flare but isn't doing anything now. Im bleeding and havent had a regular bm in about 2 months. My GI specialist wants to discuss imuran as an option. After reading some posts on here, I'm kind of freaking out. I don't normally freak out. Also my mother had non-hodgkins lymphoma....so I already have a risk factor for that side effect. Anyone have any nuggets of info to pass along? Thanks

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[Crohn's 35]

HI Steve welcome :bigwave: Yes, stress is a culprit for sure!! You have to find a way to make it lesser. Being the breadmaker, you are finding is challenging and 3 kids are stress enough as well. Some people do well on Imuran, it helps suppress the immune system but there are the biologics, like Remicade. Hopefully you have insurance!

All side effects have to be listed and not everyone is affected by it. Prednisone does help but it is the worst of any drug. I know I have just about done with it tomorrow. It is a bone robber and most men (not picking on you) do not take enough calcium or/and vitamin D3.

We are here to help if we can, we are not doctors but we know how you are feeling. Take care, keep us posted!

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Steve and :welcome: Stress can definetly contribute to flares and so can a bad diet, have you ever needed to look at this or do you just eat 'normally'? I have just been re-started on Imuran (aza) and I am hopeful as for the most part it did really well for me last time. Does the doc know about your mum, if so I doubt he would have suggested this med if he thought is would be a problem (well more of a problem than anything else). Are you taking a calcium supplement with the steroids? You really must if you are not as this is to help keep bone density good and to avoid the risk of osteoporosis in the future. I hope you find this forum as helpful and wonderful as I have and let us know how you get on.

 

[David]

Hi Steve and welcome

As the others mentioned above about vitamin D, I suggest strongly that you get your levels checked as in addition to stress, holidays also happen to fall around the winter months when our vitamin D levels are lowest. Vitamin D supplementation when deficient can make ENORMOUS quality of life improvements in people with IBD.

Share your fears about Imuran in the Imuran support forum. You'll get direct insight from others on it which may help.

I wish you all the best and hope you stick around the community.