Treatment Options?

[tblightning]

Several months ago I was diagnosed with moderate CD. My doctor put me on Pentasa to try and get me in remission, but it didn't work, so she then had me go on Prednisone. I was under the impression that after finishing Prednisone I would remain on Pentasa to maintain the remission. Now, however, she believes I would be better off on 6-MP (or Humira or Remicade, possibly a few others) rather than Pentasa to maintain my remission given that my CD is not mild.

Has anyone here with moderate CD taken Prednisone and then maintained their remission with Pentasa? I just don't see the logic behind using the harder stuff without giving Pentasa a chance. The stronger treatments seem to have some potentially terrible side-effects.

I've read some of the entries here on Humira and Remicade (haven't found much on 6-MP). Can anyone who has used these treatments tell me why they would choose 6-MP over Remicade, or vice versa? What has your experience been with these drugs? How concerned should I be about the side-effects that may occur?

Thanks for taking the time to lend your advice.

 

[Jeff D.]

Some doctors don't want to risk you getting another flareup so they will put you on the harder stuff to kind of keep you in remission. They don't always work either but your doctor must have felt that if pentasa did not put you into remission then it won't keep you in remission now, if that makese sense.

 

[worried mom]

Recommended treatments

Hello,

This is my first post, I've been searching for info on perianal crohn's disease and haven't found too much out there until this forum.

My 17 year old son has had a fistula in his buttock for the past 3 months. This is the 2nd one he has had, the previous one was 4 years ago and required surgery, he was fine until 3 months ago.

He has had endoscopy, colonoscopy, MRI, and the pill camera which have all had normal results, no sign if Crohn's Disease.

Recommended treatment this time was again Cipro until he developed joint problems. Switched to another antibiotic, Clarithomycin but no improvement. Now the doctor would like to put him on 6 MP. I asked about steroids and was told that it would not work to heal the fistula. I'm thinking it is too soon for 6MP and would like another opinion but not sure how to choose a doctor.

Would anyone have any info/suggestions to locate specialists in the New England area?

Thanks,

worried mom

 

[Jeff D.]

Where in New England my old GI is in Hartford if you could make the drive. He is the best pediatric GI in Connecticut. Good luck, 6mp didn't do much for me. It wasn't until I started Remicade that I actually got better

 

[worried mom]

Thanks very much Jeff, we're in NH and have been travelling into Boston - CT could be an option unless we are able to find someone a little closer.

How long have you been taking Remicade?

 

[Jeff D.]

I started Rem last Feb. but I moved and wasn't able to take it for a few months. I'm now getting my sixth infusion in two weeks. The doctors name is Jeffrey Hyams.

 

[AmandaC]

Hi tblightning. I was put on 6-mp when mesasal and pred were not putting me into remission. It did nothing for me and my GI has just taken me off it as I had extreme fatigue which was so debilitating. I'm into my 6th week on Humira but have seen no improvements yet. Good luck with it all. Hope things are working out.