Need some medication advice!

[tots]

I see my Dr on Thursday and need some advice.

I have been on Entocort for about nine weeks. I started on this when I was discharged from the hospital for my Crohns. I have since had another episode of bleeding and cramping etc,

I think I need to add another drug to help me get into remission. I see on these posts that alot of people take Entocort in conjunction with Imuran, Remicade (?)
etc... I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK ON PREDNISONE!

What have you taken thats helped and what can you suggest? I find my dr takes
me seriously when I talk to him with specific points.

Thanks in advance for the help!


Lauren

:Flower:

 

[Jessasha]

Hey Lauren,
I know the Prednisolone sucks really bad but it works very fast and thats why doctors like to put you on it to get you better real fast.. But I don't know what reactions or issues you've had with it in the past so I too will be in a desperate place before I go back on it. (That is when I can dam well get off it...) I asked my GP if there was a substitute yesterday and he said no cause everything else takes weeks or months to take effect.. Grrr I'm down to 5mg and have just started flareing again.
My GI told me Imuran can take 6 months to take full effect, I'm now on Methotrexate injections weekly and they can take up to 16 weeks to take full effect. So up the pred until things can all fall into place hopfully!!
Good luck I hope you feel better soon.
Sorry I can't help with the combination of Ento and Remi I have not been down that road.

 

[tots]

Jessasha-
I was on prednisone for about two years. Everytime I got to a really low dose I started to flare again. My Dr acted lie it was the strangest thing ever! Well, after reading some of the posts here- sounds like I wasnt the only one. I did ok on the prednisone for the most part. Biggest weight gain was the last 3-4 months. I took me forever to get rid of the weight.

Like everyone else- I want to feel healthy- I am sick of the pain- and would like a bit more energy! Thats not to much to ask for is it?


Lauren
:Flower:

 

[Mountaingem]

Hmmm, might give the Entocort a bit more of a chance, or take a Medrol pill pack-which is a short dose of methylprednisolone. I usually have a pretty strong reaction to pred but I do tolerate this with few side effects.

Methotrexate at a low dose may be an option, too.

 

[Jennifer]

During a flare I'd be taking Asacol, 6MP and Entocort. Steroids alone wont always get you back in remission.

 

[tots]

Thanks Crabby-
I am sitting in my Drs office right now. We will see what he
has to say. Blood work from my GP shows my WBC count
To still be elevated. That tells me the inflamitory process is
still active.

Thanks for the response!

Lauren

 

[Aura]

How did you get on Lauren?

I am on 40mg pred at moment, on Imuran and about to start Humira as soon as I am approved for it my our health dept. Pred sucks big time at 40 mg, jitters, shakes, short fuse at times, stuff all sleep - its hard to roll with it and accept it without getting mad and frustrated. When I wake up anywhere from 12 -4 I just say to myself - I'm awake now (cos my eyes are like possums in headlights) so I get up and make a hot drink and come on to the forum and watch tv. Sometimes I go back to sleep other times I dont. I try hard to say "it's ok, it's the drugs, I can sleep later." I can do this as with this latest flare I have had to quit work. That does my head in on another level, I love to work. Facing 5-6 months for remission to kick in is mentally tough. Sometimes its best to celebrate each day as a day closer to remission, try not to get too mad when things flare a little as we start to taper off the pred. I am planning a celebration when I get to shift from 40mg pred (I will bake some yummy white chocolate and cranberry cookies). Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[tots]

Aura

I talked to the Dr this morning. He said Remicade or Humira is the
next step. He did not reccomend one over the other. So while
I wait for all my lab work to come back I will make my decision I
Wonder how long it takes the Ins co to approve these treatments?

How did you make the decision for Humira?


Lauren

 

[Aura]

I didnt have a choice. Remicade has never been mentioned by my GI - I do wonder if it is avaliable in NZ for crohns - I am not sure - so its Humira or a drug trial - I took Humira option. For a while I will be on 40mg pred, 100 imuran, and humira till it settles and then we can taper

 

[tots]

Aura-

My Dr nixed the idea of prednisone due to the results of the two times I have taken it. I
don't taper from it very well. Always flared right back up making me sicker than before.

It sounds like I will go off the Entocort- he feels a taper isn't nessesary because it is not a systemic drug like prednisone. So we will see how it goes.

Remicade is 20% mouse protein and 80% human protein. If I start craving cheese I guess I am in trouble!!

Keep me updated and let me know how it goes for you. On my next day off I am going to call the drug company for Remicade- I am going to ask them about it being avalible in
New Zealand. It would be interesting to know.

I added you under my friends list so I can find you again so I can send you the Remicade answer.
Lauren
:thumright:

 

[Jennifer]

Ya I always stopped Entocort cold turkey without any problems yet for some people they can't handle it so hopefully you'll be fine too.