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Treatment options for Crohn's with history of Lymphoma

I've had Crohn's disease for 20 years, and was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma 13 years ago while on Azulfadine and Imuran. I'm having a major flare up now, but my oncologist and a top Crohn's doc at Mt. Sinai in NY told me I can't take any biologics or immunosuppressants because of the Lymphoma, but potentially could take Methotrexate. I've had luck with Entocort in the past, but it didn't work this time. Anybody have any experience with both Crohn's and Lymphoma? Any treatment options I might not be aware of?
 

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
I'd suggest taking a hard look at the clinical trial linked below in my signature or by clicking here. I don't see why as past diagnosis of lymphoma would exclude you and in my opinion, this is one of the most exciting potential treatment options for Crohn's disease to come along in years. Maybe ever.
 

nogutsnoglory

Moderator
In addition to the clinical trial David mentioned there are other novel treatments that you may be eligible for including LDN, medical marijuana, and clinical trials such as the whipworm trials all of which would not act as an immunosuppressant. Possibly stem cell treatments as well but I'm not sure if your body can handle that and you need to be in otherwise decent shape.
 
First, if entcort has worked for you in the past but nit niw, I am wondering why your GI isn't using prednisone to at least combat the initia flare.

The alternative treatments and new drugs mentined above may be something you could do, but I assume David's trial drug will be hard to get your hands on and LDN is a bit off a faith question. Marjuana is good as an add on, but I am not sure it works as a monotherapy.

My question would be to whether a history of lymphomia really exludes you for all biologics. Tb yes, other types of cancer, I don't really think so. In an event, MTX is a solid alternative you can try. There have been various calls in recent years that, depsite its side effects, it is heavily underused as an alternatie treatment for Cronh's even long term.
 
I am with David, contact qu biologics and try get into this trial, it's the most promising thing iv seen so far, also if you live anywhere where you can get medical marijuana I'd try get onto some ric Simpson oil, it's definitely strong enough to get you into remission, there is a medical marijuana sub forum on here with many users discussing their successes. Francis can chime in on this, or holistic joe
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
I know of another parent whose child had thyroid cancer -
I believe from NY as well.
I thought she had approval to use stelera since it worked differently .
I will tag her
Livilou

And try to find the thread
 

nogutsnoglory

Moderator
First, if entcort has worked for you in the past but nit niw, I am wondering why your GI isn't using prednisone to at least combat the initia flare.

The alternative treatments and new drugs mentined above may be something you could do, but I assume David's trial drug will be hard to get your hands on and LDN is a bit off a faith question. Marjuana is good as an add on, but I am not sure it works as a monotherapy.

My question would be to whether a history of lymphomia really exludes you for all biologics. Tb yes, other types of cancer, I don't really think so. In an event, MTX is a solid alternative you can try. There have been various calls in recent years that, depsite its side effects, it is heavily underused as an alternatie treatment for Cronh's even long term.
I wouldn't call LDN "faith" because we have had small trials indicating mucosal healing and lots of anecdotal evidence but it's still not widely used and we don't know enough about it.
 
Thank you all for the advice. I will definitely discuss these options with my doctor.

Regarding alex_chris comments, the doctor I saw at Mr. Sinai specifically said it was lymphoma that made biologics and immunosuppressants contraindicated. It would be okay for other types of cancer. And I wasn't started on prednisone because I actually got worse on Entocort, so he was concerned about an abscess. I had an MRI about a week and a half ago, and there was no abscess, but there seems to be something wrong with my liver. There were "innumerable small lesions" that the doctor cannot identify as infection, inflammation or something worse. I'm seeing a liver specialist this week and keeping my fingers crossed that this is not a big deal and I'm not headed down the cancer road again. On the bright side, I'm back on Flagyl and feeling better for right now.
 
Thank you all for the advice. I will definitely discuss these options with my doctor.

Regarding alex_chris comments, the doctor I saw at Mr. Sinai specifically said it was lymphoma that made biologics and immunosuppressants contraindicated. It would be okay for other types of cancer. And I wasn't started on prednisone because I actually got worse on Entocort, so he was concerned about an abscess. I had an MRI about a week and a half ago, and there was no abscess, but there seems to be something wrong with my liver. There were "innumerable small lesions" that the doctor cannot identify as infection, inflammation or something worse. I'm seeing a liver specialist this week and keeping my fingers crossed that this is not a big deal and I'm not headed down the cancer road again. On the bright side, I'm back on Flagyl and feeling better for right now.
I would still ask about MTX, after all, MTX is specifically used to combat cancer (and is also an immunosuppressive used to treat Crohn's).
 
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