Signs Of Improvement ?

[Shryock86]

Hi. I am now going on my 3rd week of Imuran 50mg a day. With my weight at 335 lbs I feel I should be at least on 100 mg a day. But that is besides the point.

I was wondering how long were you on Imuran before your Doctor did an increase if any ?

What made your Doctor increase it ?

How long from when you started did you get better or go into Remission ? I know it could take up to 3 months, but have heard people getting better quicker.

My Doctor told me that she would like to know if the Imuran will be Therapeutic and not harmful to me before she does an increase. But like all of us, I am very eager to get into remission.

The only side effect that I believe I am having is the last two days I have had small headaches. But nothing else.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi there. I'm 55 kg and on 100mg. GP started me on 25mg and worked up 25mg to the 100 which is my target dose. Have your blood counts been OK?
I was starting to despair a bit a few weeks into the treatment as it didn't seem to be helping, but eight weeks in, I suddenly saw a dramatic improvement - almost no pain
I believe it can take around 3 months to become fully therapeutic and the length of time it takes can depend on your weight. Hang on in there, and let us know how you get on.

 

[Sbailey]

I started Imuran in May at 100mg. Things were a little better after a few months but still not great, I was still having some pain. In the beginning of July, it was increased to 125 mg and a recent blood test shows I am therapeutic. I started feeling MUCH better the beginning of August. I had another CT and colonoscopy done a few weeks ago and I go for the results tomorrow, so we will see exactly how much it has helped then. Good Luck to you!

 

[Grumbletum]

Sbailey, will be very interested to hear what the results of your tests are. Good news I hope

 

[Shryock86]

Sbailey, definitely let us know what happens with the results. I did 1 blood test after the first week and then get my next one done 3 weeks after that (2 more to go now)

What blood test shows if it is therapeutic or not ?

 

[littlemissh]

Hi,
I started on imuran at 43kg(94 lbs) and at 25mg, increased after 3 days to 50mg then to 75mg after a few weeks when my weight increased a little. Never had anything much in the way of side effects other than a mild headache at times.

I did improve after about 4 weeks-ish but worsened after my pred was reduced so had it upped to 100mg (weight 48kg / 105lbs then). I felt really well on that but my white cell count dropped and I developed an infection so had it reduced to 75mg again. I have not been well since the dose reduction so my gastro wants to try and increase it again and hope my white count stays ok.

So it does work really well for me, I am unlucky to have a very sensitive bone marrow though !! perhaps I should get it some counselling, hah!

Good luck with your imuran journey, it works really well for many! Just takes a little time to get going. The usual dose range is 2-2.5mg/kg.

@shyrock - there is no test to see if it is therapeutic...just if you feel better. The tests are to make sure your body can tolerate it really.