Confused

[NancyHany]

Hello all,

I'd like to have some opinions to my current situation, My current flare up soon to be a year long, I tried Pentasa, Entocort (horrible side effects), Flagyl , alot of anti-biotics and a lot of things I cant even remember. My diagnosis is Crohn's in the ileum and UC in the sigmoid. My colon is divided by a knot basically. Within this year I was diagnosed with arthritis and I have terrible skin rash.

My doctor in my last appointment gave me the ultimatum of either a surgery or taking immunity suppressant. He said everything he gave me failed and he really doesnt want to put me through the surgery and if you were ever a resident in a hospital in Egypt you would understand why he want to save me from it.

Immunity suppressant are not all available in Egypt we only have Prograf and Imuran in very small supplies, anything else like Remicade have to be ordered from abroad for a very expensive price and of course my insurance won't handle it. I know Prograf is used mainly for post organ transplant, not for Crohn's, so I don't know how effective it will be with Crohn's. I don't know anything about Imuran neither I know anyone that takes it.

I might be able to finance Remicade in few months, so my question is it worth it to try the Prograf or Imuran? or I should wait till I get the Remicade?

I just want to feel better even for a little while, I cant sleep from the pain currently and I didn't for the past two days. I need some relief before I lose it.

Thank you for reading and replies, I highly appreciate it.

 

[Catherine]

My daughter takes azathioprine/imuran, we are still to new to crohn to know whether it is working. I do know that regular blood tests required with this medicine.

 

[NancyHany]

My daughter takes azathioprine/imuran, we are still to new to crohn to know whether it is working. I do know that regular blood tests required with this medicine.

Thank you for your reply. Yeah I done some blood work and my doctor mentioned he will need me to do more blood work on the next appointment.

If you don't mind me asking, is there's any side effects so far from the Imuran?

 

[Trysha]

Hi Nancy,
If it was me in your position I would definitely opt for the Remicade if you are able to afford it.
It is usually given every six weeks as an infusion.
The drug company may provide it for free if approached but can't speak for Egypt, worth a try though.
Current treatment trends are the "top' down approach and that means the GI specialists here are opting for treatment with Remicade and Humira without first going through the other drugs like imuran .
They feel the results are better.
You will find a remicade and humira section on the forum if you would like to see how crohnies on the forum feel about it all.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[NancyHany]

Hello Trysha,

I've been reading a lot about Remicade and my cousin who has CD as well but lives in Germany takes it and its working for her.I just want to decide if trying Prograf or Imuran is worth it at least till those months pass and I can afford Remicade or relocate. The GI specialists here have their hands tied by the lack of availability of medicine for Crohn's and Colitis in Egypt. The usual routine here that they keep you on Pentasa and just up the dosage mixed with heavy antibiotic for each relapse till you reach the point where you need an emergency surgery to save your life. I'm still hopeful and I won't give up!
thank you so much for your reply

 

[Catherine]

Hi
no side effects so far from aza.

Sarah is still on pred taper. Hopefully somone more experience with aza will response soon.