My grandma needs your help

[missmelis]

my grandma needs your help

hi my name is melissa ...my gma has been battling crohns for over 30 years now...she is 64 ...had a resection about 15 years ago leaving her her with just enuf colon left so she doesnt hav a bag....(please dont mind my terminology or spelling im not the best) n e way she has ben in and out of hospital with sever pain since last summer...in a nut shell she has colon strictures and they want to start using imurin ...ive read the side effects ...horrible yes...but im sooo sik of seeing my best friend and my grandmother suffer n e more.. has n e body else delt with this probblem??? if so what other suggestions do u have medication wise....f.y.i. she is under the care of doctors associated with penn u in philly.....this is my first time seeking guidence on the web hopefully u guys will imbrace me trying to find hope that my gma can get help...somewhere some how

 

[Jennifer]

I've never taken Imuran but I do take 6MP (Mercaptopurine/Purinethol) which is also an immunosuppressive drug. I take 6MP to keep my Crohn's at bay and it also helps with other symptoms I have and helps reduce inflammtion. It's common to be on maintenance drugs even after a resection or while in remission. Avoiding flares is key.

Strictures are caused by inflammation and may be scar tissue from constant inflammation of could simply be inflammation or both so Imuran would help in reducing the inflammation which could reduce the narrowing that's occurring.

All of the drugs we take have horrible sounding side effects yet with proper monitoring (seeing your GI and getting blood work done regularly) the drugs are VERY helpful and for many of us on here have saved us from needing a bag or have even saved our lives.

Write down questions/concerns for your grandma for her to ask the doctor like when should she call the doctor if she's having a bad reaction to the drug or would 6MP work just as well (as in why Imuran and not another drug like it), if she doesn't take it or something like it soon what would happen (my guess would be another surgery to remove the narrowed areas because they can cause blockages which can be deadly) etc.

There are some people on this forum who have dealt with strictures (I have not) or who have taken Imuran (I have not) but my grandpa is very dear to me and I'd be doing the same as you trying to seek help from others. More people will respond soon I'm sure. Keep your chin up and don't worry about the spelling.

I just wish I could have been more help. You're welcome to stay and post on the forum as there are many family members on here who aren't affected by IBD themselves. So welcome to the forum!

Edit: Meant to post this link for information on strictures. http://www.medicinenet.com/inflammatory_bowel_disease_intestinal_problems/page4.htm