Imuran

[humdinger27]

Hello
I am 25 years old and just diagnosed with Crohns in January. I started taking Imuran while decreasing my Prednisone. I take 150 mg of Imuran and am now down to 5 mg of Prednisone... I am starting to feel better finally after months of weightloss and sickness. I just came from my doctor today and I no longer need to take the Predinsone which is great because now my moon face can go away! However he told me I will need to take the Imuran for 5 years?! He said that if I stop before then I will end up back where I started... I am by no means a "medicine" type girl.. I hate taking any forms of medications let alone an immuno-suppressant. I am wondering what other peoples thoughts? Have anyone ever seen a holistic doctor and working on diet and exercise? I am just looking at other alternatives because A) I don't enjoy nor want to continue taking pills for up to 5 more years B) I don't think I can afford to do that for 5 more years not being on a health plan.

 

[KWalker]

Welcome from St. Catharines!

 

[humdinger27]

So did you just stop when you felt better? what did you do? I find it very defeating/depressing knowing I will potentially be stuck on these pills...

 

[rygon]

welcome to the forum

Wow im suprised your doc said that!! As you most probably know crohnss is incurable at the moment so saying you only have to take it for 5yrs is strange. I'd rather say take it until it stops working

Like you i hated taking medicine (paracetamols etc) and would either "man up" or take nutrients.

Unfortunately Crohns is very serious. People have shown you can do it via diet but it can be restricting and i think its ok if you have the disease under control.

Personally i would rely on the drugs to start off with, learn about the disease and adjust diet accordingly. From this, when you have it under control stop taking the drugs and see how it goes (make sure the docs know what you are doing so they can monitor it)

Most importantly (and 99% of the ppl on here can agree with) dont listen to miracle cures. Internet is full of "natural" quick fixes, they do more harm than good.

 

[KWalker]

What do you mean humdinger? I was never on Imuran.. Doctor wants me too but I said no. Yes I did stop medicine when I felt better. It was sometime late 2010 and I feel better than ever. My doctor/colonoscopy says different but meh. lol I'll go back to medicine if things get bad but for now I'm going to enjoy it.


And yes, like rygon said..especially with crohns it's really hard to listen to other's advice as we're like snowflakes. No two cases are the same. What works for some, is a death trap for others. I personally think it's all about trial and error with finding what works for you.