Imuran interruption

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Dec 21, 2011
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Hello my name is Clara and my daughter has recently been diagnosed with Crohns disease. Two months ago she started modulen liquids and today she is starting to eat solids. She also was put on Immuran, but I got a phone call this afternoon from the IBD clinic telling me that her blood test show some kind of enzyme in her pancreas, she has to stop the medication, and on Friday she will need to go for an ultrasound. I am a little concerned about what is happening and I would like to know if any one experienced this kind of situation.
 
Welcome Clara! I'm sorry I can't help with your question. I just want to say hello and good luck!

How old is your daughter?
 
Clarab - they check for an enzyme called TPMT. If your child doesnt have enough, the imuran can harm more than help. I would guess - only a guess - that her TPMT wasn't sufficient so they will help you find a new strategy. Does that sound familiar???

Welcome :)

J.
 
Hi Clarab and :welcome:

I'm sorry to hear about Clara hun...:hug:

Pancreatitis can be side effect of Imuran and I would say that is what has shown up in the blood test, it is normally diagnosed via elevated pancreatic enzymes, Lipase and Amylase. The way to treat, in this case, it is to stop the drug.

As J has asked, did your daughter have a TPMT test before commencing the drug?
It tests for the presence of an enzyme in the liver that helps metabolise Imuran and if there are normal levels present it is more unlikely that you will develop side effects like pancreatitis.

Was it only the blood test that alerted them to this or did your daughter have symptoms?

Dusty. xxx
 
Hi, I agree it does sound like her levels of amylase ( a pancreatic enzyme)are elevated which could indicate irritation of the pancreas. This is a side effect of imuran but there are other causes and I would imagine this is why they want an ultrasound.
 
My daughter who is also in the forum ( cbonhomme ) had to stop the medication. The enzyme was too elevated. Now the clinic at the hospital closed so doctors are not available so I put her on modulen again until January 2. Thanks to God that her pancreas is allright but they stopped the medication. They are going to try another medication in January . Doctors cannot give her steroids because she is 14 but has not grown much and looks 11 years old. I will let you know if there is any other question. Thanks to all of you who responded.
 
Thanks for the update Clarab.

Yes! Thank goodness all is well. :)

As to the steroids, well I can see what the docs are saying and I know it's not ideal but I don't think a short burst, as in 8 weeks, will make much of a difference to contributing to her delayed development. The thing is, it is chronic inflammation that is delaying her growth now and until that is dealt nothing will change.

Good luck and I hope things are sorted soon!

Dusty. xxx
 
Have the docs given any indication what they want to try next? I suppose as long as they mean early January, it isn't too long to wait.
 
Hello Clarab,

How are you going? I hope the modulen is going OK until you get in to see the docs again, is that jan 2nd? I'm sure they will then discuss the next plan of action. Is her symptoms going OK in the meantime? And i hope you are goingOK too.

Take care,
LilyRose
 
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