Plasmapheresis for Crohn's?

[catnap]

I would like to know if anyone here has had plasmapheresis as a treatment for their Crohn's?

I had a CT in May that showed 17cm of inflamed small bowel at jejunum/ileum. I had two rounds of plasmapheresis over two weeks to treat myasthenia gravis prior to surgery. One week later the surgeon found no inflammation. The surgeon and my GI were both very perplexed. Two weeks after surgery another CT showed more inflammation this time at beginning of jejunum.

I started researching today and found these Pub Med articles:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2058101

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/478200

I suspect now I know why the inflammation was gone. I am thankful because I avoided a resection.

I'm very interested to know if anyone else has had this treatment or Crohn's or has heard of it being used for Crohn's.
Thanks,
Cathi

 

[Crohn2357]

Unfortunately no experience. May I ask, did you need vein catheter? How was the procedure? Here some more info:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=65506

 

[catnap]

Thank you for your response and for the additional links Crohn2357!

I have had plasmapheresis maybe 30 times in the last 4 years as treatment for myasthenia gravis. It works very well. The first time I had a quinton catheter in my neck and had one exchange every other day for two weeks before a major surgery. Since then I have one large IV in each arm and it works great. Now I only go in for exchanges as needed, not very often. I have this done as an outpatient at a large teaching hospital. The apheresis unit has very comfortable beds and the process takes about 3 hours. I'm tired that day and see results within about 24 hours.

I am very excited plasmapheresis could be the answer for me. My GI doctor and surgeon are afraid to put me on more immunosuppressants. The surgeon freely admitted he didn't know anything about plasmapheresis for Crohn's. I already take Rituxan. I am hopeful.

I have posted this question on several Crohn's forums and you are the first to respond. I don't think this is widely used. I so agree with the last sentence from the post you linked:
This approach must get more attention by IBD community.

Thank you again,
Cathi

 

[Crohn2357]

Cathi, I thank you too. This is my copy thread in another helpful forum:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3136488
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Here another topics and posts about apheresis and IBD:
http://www.healingwell.com/sitesear...unity/default.aspx?f=38&ref=&ss=1581j478579j9
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partne...u=404418#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=adacolumn&gsc.page=1
http://www.healingwell.com/sitesear...unity/default.aspx?f=38&ref=&ss=1067j211699j9
Regards.

 

[catnap]

Thank you. The link isn't working but I will try again later.
Cathi