Imuran vs. Pentasa?

[BenignNeglect]

New to this forum and also new to treatment. While I have had Crohn's(Ileitis) for over 40 years, except for initial treatment with high concentration of Prednisone over an extended time, I have not taken any medication. Recently had an incident and started with a new dr, who took a CRP test and based on the results of that, wants me to start on Imuran, 50 mg. Based on what I have read, I was thinking Pentasa may be better? My previous Crohn's dr. never took the CRP test, so although I had regular exams and Upper GI series, I have no idea what my "normal" level of CRP has been. The dr has me convinced that I should probably start treatment, although part of me wants to keep following my previous regimen of "Benign Neglect" as recommended by my previous dr.

I know compared to most, I have had a charmed existence with my Crohn's.

 

[theOcean]

Pentasa is a glorified anti-inflammatory, whereas Imuran is an immunosuppressant that's very successful at keeping you in remission.

So basically: Pentasa treats the symptoms, Imuran tries to actually treat the cause and keep your immune system from attacking itself in the first place.

 

[BenignNeglect]

Thanks a lot! That made a lot of sense.

 

[jonimas0151]

I have been on 150mg of Imuran for just about 3 years now. I have had zero symptoms since my doc got the dose correct for my body type. It has been wonderful! I was diagnosed 7 years ago and went thru years of symptoms even though I was taking Pentasa the whole time. I had to go on Predisone 3 times in those 3 years. Imuran has given me my normal like back. I know when you read on it, it seems scarey with the possible side effects, but I have found none of them. I hope this helps.

 

[jonimas0151]

forgot to tell you that you have to go thru getting your blood drawn every 3 months so they can check your blood counts and make sure you are ok. That's the only draw back of it. also, you only need to take it 1x per day instead of the Pentasa where you had to take that serveral times per day which was a pain.

 

[BenignNeglect]

Thanks for the info. I did start the Imuran. However, after only 4 days, I developed a high fever. So, after that I stopped the Imuran. Now, I am waiting to be approved for an mri enterology? After that I will figure out what my next step will be.

 

[theOcean]

Oh dear! That's unfortunate. I guess you could talk to your GI about immunomodulators other than Imuran? There's 6mp, methotrexate...

Good luck with your MRI in the meantime!

 

[texasagg02]

I would not give up on it yet. Same thing happened with me, I was on pentasa and it is just networking for me any more so I started 6-mp after 5 pills I got a fever, flu like symptoms, massive back pain. Stopped for 4 days to let my body recover. Started again and went through 2 weeks of feeling like I had morning sickness. Now I feel normal but it is still too early to see if it is working for me. The fever flu stuff is gone. =) Good luck!!!!

 

[Lam123]

Both of these drugs did great things for me. Pentasa put me in remission for 6 years (possibly even longer). Imuran was my next med and that put me in remission for just under 10 years.

Do u have any symptoms?

 

[texasagg02]

I am a weird case. I have only had a couple days total in the last year of normal crohn's symptoms. I get really bad abdominal pain (so bad I usually end up in the er to get pain meds). My usual symptom is bladder pain, I guess what the dr.'s determined is that part of my bowel has stuck itself to my bladder causing my bladder to become irritated. With all that said, The pentasa only worked for me for about 5 months now I am on Entocort with it and that seems to be good for me but not a long term solution. That is why we added the 6-mp to replace the pentasa (which I am still on for the time being). I have been fine symptom wise until yesterday, started having increased BM's and now today the bladder pain in back =( I know the 6-mp takes a good 3 months to build up in your system. It is also mid cycle for me which is when I would have the bladder pain before I was diagnosed. I think my dr will up the 6-mp dose if my next couple blood draws all look normal.

 

[chicky402]

My doctor wants to put me on pentasa but I read up on the side effects. Does anyone have any negative or positive experiences with pentasa?

 

[texasagg02]

I had headaches the first 4-5 days about 30 minutes after each dose and it would last about an hour. Once I adjusted to it I have no side effects from it. I am sad it stopped working for me! It brought down my inflammation level really quickly before it stopped working.

 

[Lam123]

Pentasa put me in remission for quite a long time with no side effects

 

[Ali29]

I have been on Pentasa for about 2 1/2 months - It has made a 50% improvement, blood tests have come back good. No other side effects. I too was very scared about the side effects but there are others out there with more several possible side effects.

Hope that helps!

 

[theOcean]

I was on Pentasa for two years with no side-effects. That said, my Crohn's was too severe for it to be effective which was why I was eventually taken off it and put on Imuran instead.

 

[chicky402]

I had headaches the first 4-5 days about 30 minutes after each dose and it would last about an hour. Once I adjusted to it I have no side effects from it. I am sad it stopped working for me! It brought down my inflammation level really quickly before it stopped working.

I am so sorry to hear this. Its amazing how a medication can work so well and then just stop. I hope they can find something else for you. I am a little scared to try pentasa.

 

[TwinkleToes]

I was on Pentasa for two years with no side-effects. That said, my Crohn's was too severe for it to be effective which was why I was eventually taken off it and put on Imuran instead.

This sounds like what I'm going through. Doc wants me on Imuran on top of humira and pentasa. I've had no issues with pentasa.

 

[texasagg02]

My body is adjusting to the 6-mp, they took me off pentasa. My last blood work came back with elevated alt levels. Went yesterday, if still elevated they will take me off 6-mp and switch me to humira. We will see!