Newly diagnosed

[Psilant]

Hello all. I'm a 32 yo wife and mother of 2. I have had stomach problems all of my life. I had a colonoscopy when I was about 21 and they found and removed polyps. I was young and didn't pay attention to the type they were. At that time, the doctor said I had IBS and that I should eat more fiber. He recommended another c-scope after 10 years. Since then, we have moved twice (hubby is AF)

During those 10 years, I was having seesaw constipation/diarrhea. I very rarely had 'normal' BMs. I finally had enough with all the pain and rushing to the bathroom during date nights with my hubby. I made an appointment and they ordered a CT with contrast. (The barium is so vile!!!!) CT showed inflammation near the ileum. I was then referred to a GI.

Had my c-scope this morning (this whole time I was scared it was more polyps or cancer). Luckily, Thank God, I had no polyps this time. My doc took a few biopsies. I have officially been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I am to take Bentyl, Asacol, and Purinethol.

I'm not completely familiar with these. I know Bentyl is a smooth muscle relaxant, and Asacol is 'aspirin for the intestines'. Purinethol is confusing me though. On my sheet it says it's for ALL (leukemia) as well as IBD. My question is... will this affect my immune system? I'm a nursing student and have less than 2 months until my graduation. I don't want to be dismissed because I can't be around my patients?!!!!

Anyway, I am glad I found this forum. I don't know anyone personally that has CD or any other GI problems. Thanks!!

 

[Dustin]

Hello Psilant, and welcome. I did a quick search on the Purinethol uses and side effects, and came up with the following under side effects:

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.


Seeing as Crohn's is your immune system attacking your digestive track, that is the reason your doctor is putting you on this drug most likely. I have taken Asacol before, but neither of the other ones. Hopefully they work for you and get things under control quickly.

Good health and best of luck.

 

[InkyStinky]

Hi!:welcome:

This forum is a great place, isn't it? Where else do people understand the utter grossness of choking down cups of barium?:tongue:

6mp/mercaptopurine (generic name for purinethol if I have it the right way around!) has been very effective at keeping my Crohn's in check. My husband is a nursing student, so when I had to start the 6mp again last fall I was really concerned about constantly getting sick from stuff he's exposed to - but according to my GI doc, the dosages used to treat IBD are a lot smaller than the ones used in cancer patients, so the risk of us "catching everything" is smaller, too. (I'd check with your GI about this, though, and see if there are ways you can minimise your risk of getting sick from your patients).

Anyway, I'm glad you have a diagnosis so the docs can get around to figuring out the treatment that works best for you!!!!

 

[imisspopcorn]

:welcome: Psilant......I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis.....I was on Imuran for a long time.(Similar class of med as purinethol) I am also a nurse. I currently don't work, but am around small kids. I never noticed an increase in illnesses while I was on it.....I would just let your instructors know during clinical that you are on this med. You may want to pass on taking care of patients with TB. As long as you practice standard precautions for infectious diseases you should have nothing to be worried about....Welcome and congratulations on your future career as a nurse. It is an awesome profession.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

My question is... will this affect my immune system? I'm a nursing student and have less than 2 months until my graduation. I don't want to be dismissed because I can't be around my patients?!!!!

Hi Psilant, glad you found us! It's great to know that there are other people in your similar situation, huh?

In my case, I have been on either Humira, prednisone, Imuran, or Remicade for 2 years now, and I have not noticed one single bit of a lacking immune system.
I do work in a school, so it's possible that I have built up my immunity, but you shouldn't have to lose a position just because of a medication that you are taking.
I do wash my hands a LOT at work, so I'm sure that helps.

Welcome to the forum!
MBH

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Psilant... Welcome to a place where you can find anything you wanted to know about Crohns and drugs and side effects. We all are different in the disease and areas so the drugs will affect us all differently. I had been on Imuran and Mercaptopurine and it made me ill, it was affecting my liver so I had to go another route at that time. Some people do amazing on it and keeps them in remission. You just have to be more aware of being in clinics, hospitals and anyone sick. Avoid them if possible. Washing your hands or antibactial wipes or gels help when you are in public. I have been on the sister drug, Pentasa and Salofalk, both are for mild to moderate. Imuran keeps your body from fighting itself and lets the other drugs work. Glad you found us. Lots of great people on here to help you!

 

[Jennjenn]

Welcome

 

[alexandros8]

Hello! I took purinethol (6mp) for many years between the ages of 19-25, and I'm likely to go back on it. I believe it does suppress your immune system, bot as much as the biologics such as humira and remicaid. However, I don't feel that I got sick more often than the normal person on the drug.... but I was also not around patients for a living.

The drug can really help with CD symptoms and keep the condition in remission. I hope that it does not affect your work!

 

[Psilant]

Thank you for all of your responses. I am feeling much more at ease now. I did call my doc this morning and asked if he could write a letter to my school saying that I am oked for patient care. He said it wasn't a problem and I can probably pick up the letter tomorrow or Friday.

I took all of my meds this morning for the first time. I feel ok so far. No nausea or vomiting or anything like that.

The nurse was quite concerned when she spoke with me this morning. Apparently I stopped breathing on them and they had to work to bring me around. I noticed a bruise on my foot and asked if I had kicked at them. She said that the doc had to bring me around using 'painful stimuli'. Like the scope wouldn't have been painful enough?! Hehe. In all seriousness though, I am looking at today in a new light and thankful that it didn't get any worse than my breathing.

Cross your fingers that these meds work. I'm sure I'll be bugging you guys a lot until I get use to what is going on with me. Take care and God Bless!

 

[pcbgirl227]

Welcome Psilant! I recently joined this site and it really is great!!! I have been on 6mp for over 2yrs now. I do not work in the medical field, but rather am a call center supervisor with over 700 employess crammed in one building who bring in everything. I truly never suffered anymore then anyone else at work except maybe during winter. It seems that I might have a cold that would immediately develop into bronchitis or pnuemonia if I wasn't careful. Good Luck with everything and hopefully they get everything under control!

 

[Astra]

Hi Psilant
and welcome!
Good luck with your new meds