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Crohn's Disease Forum

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Mar 18, 2010
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Hello all. I'm new to the forum.

I started having symptoms in May 2009, two months after my baby was born. My symptoms began after taking amoxicillin for an infection related to giving birth. The antibiotics wreaked havoc with my stomach and my symptoms continued for 6 weeks, stopped for 6 weeks and then returned for 6 weeks. I was then symptom free for four months.

Had a colonoscopy in Oct 2009 which was clear. Then symptoms returned in January 2010 but they were more severe this time. D 5-7x/day, swelling and pain in feet and knees. sore eyes and erythema nodosum on legs.

Finally saw a GI who got me in for a CT scan and a 2nd colonoscopy quickly and voila, diagnosed with Crohns. I was not surprised I had it. Somehow I knew it already.

I started on 40mg of Prednisone and am already tapered to 25mg. Have tolerated it well. Just some insomnia.

I may be going on Imuran for a maintenance drug and would love to hear from others about their experience on it.

Cheers,
Beans
 
Hi Beans:

I am so sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with this terrible disease. You came to the right place, however, for support!

May I suggest that rather than go on Imuran, which will suppress your immune system and cause many more health problems, that you throughly investigate Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) first? It is a drug that will work to boost/correct your immune system so that it starts to fight the disease itself. A bunch of us on this forum are taking it. Click on the low-dose naltrexone forum in the drop down menu for more information.

Also, there are several google groups on Low-Dose Naltrexone that you can join. And finally, go to: http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/. This is a non-profit established to increase awareness about the drug and encourage more research.

I have been on it since October. And though not in remission, and heading in the direction. I don't regret starting this med and resisting my doctors' several-year-long efforts to put me on an immunosuppresant. It is proving to be life-changing.

Again, you need to make an informed decision for yourself, so do the research! And feel free to ask any additional questions.

Good luck,
Chris
 
Hi Beans, and welcome. Definitely research all of your options, but don't disregard Imuran right away. What works for one person, may not work for another. I have been on Imuran for about 15 years, and it does a decent job of keeping my Crohn's at a minimum. Granted, I've had a few set backs, and am on Remicade as well (at least for the last 10 years on and off). I hope whatever route you choose, you find success quickly and get better.

Good health and best of luck.
 
Hello Beans! Another Canadian! Welcome. I am on Prednisone too and whilst it dose help I hate it, cant wait to get off it. Me and Imuran will never be together again, it affected my liver almost asap, two separate times and even after 6Mp. Having said that, everyone reacts differently to meds. Some get some side effects and others dont. I am surprised your doc hasn't put you on Imuran now so that when the prednisone tapers it should kick in. Most people do great until the 20 mg hits. I am on Methotrexate again for a second try. Glad you found us. Sorry but I had to laugh of your name BEANS, cause they are nasty to people with Crohn's! LOL
 
Hi Beans, sorry cant eat you any more lol
and welcome

I'm on 20mg of monsterous Pred too, good but evil!
I was on Azathioprine (Imuran) but I had to come off because it gave me a terrible bleeding itchy rash on my thighs!
I'm hoping to go on Remicade next.
glad to have you here, take care
lotsa luv
Joan xx
 
May I suggest that rather than go on Imuran, which will suppress your immune system and cause many more health problems...

I'd be careful with a statement like this. Some people believe that since our immune systems are overactive, the imunnosuppressors simply level out our systems, not suppress it into a low state. Lots of different theories on that.

I've been on 3 immunosuppressors at the same time, and have not noticed any lacking immune system.

I was just on Imuran for 1 year, and the only problem that I had with it was photosensitivity (which it says right on the bottle from the pharmacy) and splotchy acne. You do have to get your blood levels checked regularly with Imuran. The biggest drawback is that it can take 3 months to start working.

I agree with Jettalady though - if you are going to start Imuran, you might want to do it while you are still on prednisone. I think it helps it work better, if your body is somewhat "repaired" when you start another drug.

Good luck with your decision and welcome to the forum!
MBH
 

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