I cannot believe this :(

[Shryock86]

I have been taking 50mg of Imuran (generic) for 5 weeks now. My "Doctor" who is a physician assistant said for me to stay on the 50mg for the remaining two months to see if it will work for me. I got a hold of a Doctor I saw a few months back at a University Medical Center and she said that with my weight, I should have started out on at least 150mg of the Imuran. So in a way I have wasted 5 weeks of this because I was on such a low dose. I weigh 339lbs, so 50mg is not much for my body type. The University Doctor told me that I will probably not achieve remission on such a low dose. So it will be increased to 150mg as of Monday, however I started it today with the prescription that I currently have until I get the new one Monday.

 

[muppet]

In my experience, if you are flaring, Imuran/6MP will not induce a remission no matter how much you take. Imuran/6MP are drugs that maintain an existing remission, not induce one. To induce a remission you need at least Lialda, possibly prednisone or even solumedrol (IV) depending on your acuity.

 

[Shryock86]

Well I am also on 2000mg a day of Pentasa along with the Imuran.

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Shyrock,

Muppet is right, Imuran is not designed to put into remission but to maintain it once you are there or getting there at least.

You are right 50mg for your weight is nothing, even 150mg is conservative but I imagine they will tritate that dose. The normal calculation is 2-2.5mg per kilo and 339lbs puts you at 153kilos.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Shryock86]

That's scary to know, I have had two Doctors tell me that with Pentasa and Imuran I can achieve remission.

 

[muppet]

A high enough dose of Pentasa might do it. If you're not getting results after a couple of weeks, or getting worse, I'd ask about prednisone.

 

[DustyKat]

Oh okay, I didn't realise you were on Pentasa.

The docs still have to be objective though, if it looks as though the Pentasa isn't working they should move you to Prednisone before moving back to a maintenance dose of Pentasa.

Dusty.

 

[Shryock86]

I meant I am on 4000mg of Pentasa a day, and soon to be on 150mg of Imuran. But nonetheless, symptoms have improved slightly since being on Pentasa, and they told me that the Imuran is the next step to try and get into remission.

 

[Lydia]

I had imuran induce remission for me once a few years ago, and I think it will work this time too. The pred is to make you comfortable while you wait for it to kick in.

 

[stratford]

Three years ago i was given imuran(Azathioprine).
I had active Crohn's which Pentasa was not controlling.I started on 75mg(12 weeks)100mg(4 weeks) then onto 150mg.It took 20 weeks to gain remission.So for myself it did induce remission.
When i got to this stage my white blood cell count fell very quickly.
Due to this and other side affects my Dr's told me to stop taking imuran.
Within just a few days i was going to the WC far too much as the drug wore off & the Crohn's was not being suppressed.