Imuran

[Serephina13]

After various coctails...I have been placed on Imuran (about 6 weeks ago) 100 MG a day with weekly bloodwork....as well as continuing Prednisone 30mg ....it seems so weird. I didn't think (denial) that this would ever happen..I was so hopeful for Asacol and Prednisone...but I never went in to remission...never have.

My question is for anyone who has been/is on Imuran.....well, I am scared....and I have noticed that my liver hurts....daily and my doctor seems concerned but wants me to continue. I am having a hard time rationalizing treating Chrohn's but possibly causing all sorts of unknown harms to my body....any insight would be so helpful!!!

 

[Lydia]

Imuran did great things for me many years ago. I took it for a year and went into remission. I stayed in remission for 3 years after that. You doctor is monitoring you, so if anything goes wrong, you will have help.

I am starting imuran again and on 30 mg of pred as well. I find being on pred much more difficult than imuran. I cant wait to get off of it. In about 3 more weeks I will start the taper.

I try not to worry about the harm I am doing, and just be proactive about what I can control. I eat a healthy whole foods diet, rich in antioxidants and probiotics. I stay hydrated because its good for the detox pathways. I am giving my body the tools it needs to keep healthy inspite of what I do. Whatever else happens is out of my control, and not worth worrying about.

Imuran can cause pancreatitis in some people. Are you sure its not your pancreas that hurts?

 

[Serephina13]

Thank you

Lydia...thank you! I am so ready to get off the Pred...the first time I was placed on it...it took away the symptoms that I had for years and so I absolutely loved it.....as soon as I was weaned off every symptom came back- with a vengance!! So....they put me BACK on it (currently) and it hasn't worked as well....and yes, I think you may be right.....I should see how my body reacts without the Pred before making judgements about the Imuran! I am VERY hopeful and positive.....

I would love to follow your footsteps regarding diet....I am not horrible but I do see the need for improvement and education!!!

Thank you again!!!

 

[Lydia]

I try to include a green smoothie in my diet about 3-4 times a week. I include greens like spring mix, spinach, and kale along with my favourite fruits. (some cant handle all the fiber so its a personal thing, but then juicing is also a good way to get nutrients) I also try to shop from the outside isles and cook from scratch whenever possible. Simple recipes and foods with out a long list of mystery chemicals. I drink lemon water or green tea. I still indulge in coffee when my bowels are ok, which on the pred they are.

I do indulge in some junk food here and there but overall we eat healthy. Its about progress and not perfection. Baby steps work best.

 

[Serephina13]

Thank you

I have always been a paradox to this whole thing....I am FORTUNATE to never have had severe pain and I am more constipated than anything else....however, I have been "told" that fiber is not my friend and I am learning to respect that....I am going to follow your steps on the juicing though...and I love the thought of lemon water and outside isle shopping!!!! You have been so helpful and I thank you!!!

 

[kllyeve]

Should we start a club for us "odd balls" ? I am also more constipated than anything and my CR is normal despite how much the disease is progressing as can be seen on colonoscopy.

I am also just starting Imuran and am worried about being so immunosupressed, and liver stress and nausea and ......... My GI really had to work hard to ensure me that this is really a necessary step. Hearing how so many have felt so much better on the Imuran is reasuring me somewhat.

 

[Lydia]

I have crohns in my large intestine. I find when I am flaring my stools are skinny and hard to pass from all the inflammation, so I feel constipated. I tolerate fiber alright when I am in remission or when the flare is minor. I think the symptoms just depend on the person and where their crohns in. I think people who have it in their small intestine tend to have more diarrhea and trips to the bathroom.

 

[Serephina13]

absolutely

You know, you're absolutely right...the more I learn about this lovely disease the more I realize that the symtoms as just so different with different people! It's so individualized. I am not sure if you read the article that was released yesterday about the increase in all IBD and autoimmune diseases? It was interesting if not outright frightening!
I was originally diagnosed with Chrohns (in large intestines as well) and then..."downgraded" to UC as the ulcers tend to extend severely for 15cm into my colon....but now I am back to Chrohns...mainly because I get canker sores.....uhh...it's so confusing.

 

[jonimas0151]

After various coctails...I have been placed on Imuran (about 6 weeks ago) 100 MG a day with weekly bloodwork....as well as continuing Prednisone 30mg ....it seems so weird. I didn't think (denial) that this would ever happen..I was so hopeful for Asacol and Prednisone...but I never went in to remission...never have.

My question is for anyone who has been/is on Imuran.....well, I am scared....and I have noticed that my liver hurts....daily and my doctor seems concerned but wants me to continue. I am having a hard time rationalizing treating Chrohn's but possibly causing all sorts of unknown harms to my body....any insight would be so helpful!!!

hi,
I have been on Imuran since May 2011, I am on 150mg they increased after 1 month cuz wasnt enough showing in blood. I have complete remission of my chrons now! I feel great. I can eat anything I want now. I have been putting on weight cuz it is so great to eat anything. Give it some time, I think it took at least 2 months to start feeling the change in my bowel.
I was scared at first too, you read all the terrible possible side effects.
but, now I feel pretty good about it cuz I feel so good. Not having any pains though? I would certainly keep in contact with doc on your liver hurting - not good sign if the drug is putting strain on your liver.
I hope this helps