Can anyone recommend a tolerable treatment?

[CrohnsGrl212]

I have been on Etocort for the last year. My Dr. says I have to start thinking about a different medication. All the side effects scare me i.e. Remicade, Humira. I am a mild to moderate case of Crohns disease. I also suffer from high blood pressure. Can anyone recommend a new medication for me to try? The research is overwhelming and depressing

 

[PsychoJane]

Often, before moving to the biological agents (Remicade- humira - cimzia -etc), it is not rare that CD patient will try some antimetabolite immunosuppressants drugs like Purinethol (active compound is mercaptopurine, also known as 6-MP), Imuran (azathioprine, AZA) or methotrexate (MTX).

These treatments have been used for a long time (especially the first two) for the treatment of CD. They are considered safe even though if you read about them, they come with a long list of side effects (biological agents, corticosteroid do to). When they provide you satisfying results, they can be taken on a long basis without being of too much concerns (provided you do your follow-up properly which consist mostly in CBC).

Those are the most common approaches regarding CD management. There is also the ASA class but these are less prone to be efficient in crohn treatment compared to the two previous classes (biological agents and immunosuppressant drugs).

 

[SarahBear]

Have you tried any medications other than Entocort to treat your Crohn's?

PsychoJane is right - you don't need to jump straight into the biologics. In your situation, I would start with one of the above listed medications (6-MP / Imuran / Azathioprine, or methotrexate). I'm personally not familiar with the effects of these medications on blood pressure, if there are any effects at all. However, you can read about them in their sections on the forum, here: Imuran/azathioprine/6-MP and Methotrexate. It's important to note that biologics aren't all bad, either. Don't focus so much on the side effects. Keep in mind that these are possible side effects and many of them are very, very rare. You're unlikely to experience more than a few at most, and most side effects go away completely as your body adjusts to the medication.

I hope things go well for you!

 

[Kev]

Research LDN (low dose Naltrexone) and weigh your options. I have used it for 6 years to keep my IBD (I have both Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis) in check. Aside from some vivid dreams in the early stages, I have experienced no other side effects. Pretty good record.

 

[CrohnsGrl212]

Thank you everyone I appreciate it. I will discuss this with my Dr. and see which one works best. In the meantime, my blood work came back ok and I am scheduled for another abdominal and pelvic MRi in the beginning of Dec.

My Dr. wants to see if the swelling has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same. I will continue to be on the Entocort until the results of the MRI.

Have a Wonderful weekend and thank you again so much