Elevating treatment biologics chest X-ray confused ??

[Leed2713]

Hi all the hospital rang and let me know that my sons faecal calprotectin came back and it's over 1800. He is currently on azathioprine 75mg a day. They said the levels in the blood metabolic something is elevated and so have asked that I give him 50mg one day then 75mg the next and keep up this pattern until we go for next appointment she said he will be getting a chest X-ray and other blood tests done not sure what for I didn't ask as she said elevating treatment involving biologic infusions. The appointment is not for another week and a half. She said the MRI and scopes need to be done before change treatment. Does this mean the aza has failed ? What drugs are biologics infusions ? Anyone any experience with these ? Also why does he need a chest X-ray and what are the other bloods involved ? His crp and esr are also steadily rising. Thanking everyone in advance xo

 

[Pilgrim]

It sounds like they are doing the preliminary tests that are required before starting Remicade. The chest xray is to rule out tuberculosis.

 

[Leed2713]

How often are infusions ? Somewhere someone mentioned something about bone density is this what MRI us for ?

 

[Leed2713]

Do u know what the other blood tests are for ?

 

[Maya142]

For Remicade, the loading doses are at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. After that, your son will have infusions every 4-8 weeks, depending on how often he needs them. Most kids need them every 6-8 weeks or so.

The chest x-ray and bloodwork are standard before starting biologics.

A DEXA scan would be used to check bone density, not an MRI. A MRI or MRE is usually used to check the small bowel for disease. Since your son's FC is so high, they probably want baseline scopes and an MRI to check where his disease is and how bad it looks before they start Remicade. That way, when they do scopes again in the future, they will know if he has improved with the Remicade.

 

[pdx]

Do u know what the other blood tests are for ?

Blood tests could be a lot of different things. Beyond the usual, they might be testing for vaccine titers (looking for antibodies to know if your child's vaccines are up to date), because you can't get live vaccines while you're on biologics. Now that I say that, though, I don't think that you can have live vaccines while on aza either, so your son might have already been checked for that.

My daughter has been on Remicade infusions for a year and a half, and it's really helped her. Hope that it helps your son too.

 

[Leed2713]

For Remicade, the loading doses are at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. After that, your son will have infusions every 4-8 weeks, depending on how often he needs them. Most kids need them every 6-8 weeks or so.

The chest x-ray and bloodwork are standard before starting biologics.

A DEXA scan would be used to check bone density, not an MRI. A MRI or MRE is usually used to check the small bowel for disease. Since your son's FC is so high, they probably want baseline scopes and an MRI to check where his disease is and how bad it looks before they start Remicade. That way, when they do scopes again in the future, they will know if he has improved with the Remicade.

Why would they want too check bone density ? Thank u so much for getting back to me obviously I am just freaking out initially. This forum really is the best for helping to calm me down. I need to be grateful that there are treatments available.

 

[Leed2713]

Blood tests could be a lot of different things. Beyond the usual, they might be testing for vaccine titers (looking for antibodies to know if your child's vaccines are up to date), because you can't get live vaccines while you're on biologics. Now that I say that, though, I don't think that you can have live vaccines while on aza either, so your son might have already been checked for that.

My daughter has been on Remicade infusions for a year and a half, and it's really helped her. Hope that it helps your son too.

Thank u pdx its so good to hear of successes and the drug working for other kids. Ofcourse I have been doing the whole dr google thing and scaring the life out of myself. I need to calm down and wait to see what the consultant has to say on the 13th june. Fingers crossed we have scopes and mri done before that and can get him starting to feel better. I would imagine his levels will push us up the list a little quicker.

 

[Tesscorm]

The dexa scan is to check if there have been any developmental delays. I don't know your son's age but, lack of nutrition absorption (inflamed areas cannot absorb nutrition) may have slowed down his growth. The dexa scan will indicate his 'bone age'. But, once on treatment and absorbing nutrients, many kids will catch up on their development.

And, it's definitely okay to be overwhelmed and scared! I remember my first year or so, I was filled with questions and then the answers terrified! But, as you learn, the questions will lessen and the more you understand, the less you'll fear. It does get easier. And, once treatments begin to work, that will take away alot of the worry! :ghug:

 

[Leed2713]

The dexa scan is to check if there have been any developmental delays. I don't know your son's age but, lack of nutrition absorption (inflamed areas cannot absorb nutrition) may have slowed down his growth. The dexa scan will indicate his 'bone age'. But, once on treatment and absorbing nutrients, many kids will catch up on their development.

And, it's definitely okay to be overwhelmed and scared! I remember my first year or so, I was filled with questions and then the answers terrified! But, as you learn, the questions will lessen and the more you understand, the less you'll fear. It does get easier. And, once treatments begin to work, that will take away alot of the worry! :ghug:

Hi tesscorm yeah it really is both overwhelming and scary. The waiting is really hard but I suppose it is a good thing as if they were looking him down straightaway and not in 10 days time would be more concerning. I need to think positively he needs this treatment and it is going to help him. He actually has been in quite good form today too which is a good thing.

 

[dodie74]

My son had chest X-ray and bloods just a fortnight ago and he started his first infliximab infusion last Friday. Next one is a fortnight after then 4 weeks then every 8 weeks after. I'm hoping it does the trick and hope it will too for your son. Xx

 

[Leed2713]

My son had chest X-ray and bloods just a fortnight ago and he started his first infliximab infusion last Friday. Next one is a fortnight after then 4 weeks then every 8 weeks after. I'm hoping it does the trick and hope it will too for your son. Xx

Did it take long to get the chest xray ? how long between xray and getting infusion. I hope so much it helps your son xoxo

 

[dodie74]

X-ray itself took no more than 5 mins then we were at the hospital the following week for his first infusion xx

 

[Maya142]

A dexa scan shows bone density -- some kids have low bone density because of either malabsorption or repeated use of steroids. My daughter has osteopenia -- not quite osteoporosis, but low bone density.

 

[Leed2713]

X-ray itself took no more than 5 mins then we were at the hospital the following week for his first infusion xx

It didn't take long to get the ball rolling then. Great to hear that all is going well for your son. It is nerve wrecking but there does seem to be more good stories about the infusions as scary as the sound at the beginning xo

 

[Leed2713]

A dexa scan shows bone density -- some kids have low bone density because of either malabsorption or repeated use of steroids. My daughter has osteopenia -- not quite osteoporosis, but low bone density.

He had grown in height but we have never had any bone density checked before. I suppose it's another test they need to check. I'm sorry to hear your daughter has low bone density. What treatment is she on ? Xo