Hey Guys,
I new here. My story is well I pretty much had UC since I was around 21, Im now 30. Initially it was pretty aggressive and I had to be alway on prednisone all the time, so they put me on Imuran which worked like a charm, I was on 150mgs ever since. I only had the occasional rough week or two couple times of year but just by watching my diet, resting and using Betnesol I was ok.
This year has been rough, Ive been in a flare pretty much 4-5 months straight and it seems that the Imuran is no longer as effective. So the GI gave me a few choices to ponder over in perhaps the folliwng order of importance.
1) Use a new trial drug called vedolizumab
2)Remicade
3)Surgery
My UC only effects part of my colon but it would have to be removed if we opt for the surgery. Right now Im exploring with VSL #3, its been almost two weeks and I dont feel much difference. So I have to make a decision soon because my quality of life has gone down the drain. The most frustrating thing is Im a fitness freak, so I see my shape and hard earned muscles all go to waste. So I spend hours a each day at the gym exercising and doing cardio as well as spending almost $1000 a month on eating healthy, natural, organic food.....and its all going to waste....as for nothing. Also I will be staring Grad school in January so I hope to find something half decent in time that works.
I guess my question is, is it normal for Imuran to stop working? Also would increasing the dosage be effective? Its stll working I feel but not as effectively as it was for 10 years.. If that is not feasible then Im leaning towards Vedolizumab. What are your thoughts?
I new here. My story is well I pretty much had UC since I was around 21, Im now 30. Initially it was pretty aggressive and I had to be alway on prednisone all the time, so they put me on Imuran which worked like a charm, I was on 150mgs ever since. I only had the occasional rough week or two couple times of year but just by watching my diet, resting and using Betnesol I was ok.
This year has been rough, Ive been in a flare pretty much 4-5 months straight and it seems that the Imuran is no longer as effective. So the GI gave me a few choices to ponder over in perhaps the folliwng order of importance.
1) Use a new trial drug called vedolizumab
2)Remicade
3)Surgery
My UC only effects part of my colon but it would have to be removed if we opt for the surgery. Right now Im exploring with VSL #3, its been almost two weeks and I dont feel much difference. So I have to make a decision soon because my quality of life has gone down the drain. The most frustrating thing is Im a fitness freak, so I see my shape and hard earned muscles all go to waste. So I spend hours a each day at the gym exercising and doing cardio as well as spending almost $1000 a month on eating healthy, natural, organic food.....and its all going to waste....as for nothing. Also I will be staring Grad school in January so I hope to find something half decent in time that works.
I guess my question is, is it normal for Imuran to stop working? Also would increasing the dosage be effective? Its stll working I feel but not as effectively as it was for 10 years.. If that is not feasible then Im leaning towards Vedolizumab. What are your thoughts?