Re: Imuran - See question, please

[Guest guest]

Imuran seems to be far less likely to cause discomfort than Prednisone, and it isn't associated with weight gain, bone loss, etc. Pancreatitis is the main thing to watch out for, according to my GI. He says pancreatitis usually kicks in immediately or not at all. (However, I had a major, life-threatening attack four years after I began; he doesn't know if it was connected with Imuran or not.) From what I've read, and what my doctor says, the risks of cancer, etc. exist but are very low. He's often commented on his being glad that Imuran exists, speaking of "the bad old days" before he had it to work with.

Imuran IS associated with candida, which you say you've had. So, that's certainly something to think about.

QUESTION: I've been "talking" to a young woman in South Africa whose access to doctors isn't all that one could wish. She has pretty high liver function numbers, she is taking Prednisone and Imuran, and she is vomiting a great deal -- apparently she's one of that 10%. She is miserable, tempted to stop taking Imuran but aware she needs all the pharmaceutical help she can get. She is afraid that the continuous vomiting may outweigh the Imuran's contributions.

What can any of you tell me about alternatives to Imuran (she may or may not have a choice) and what can help reduce the nausea if she must continue Imuran? I've been doing some reading, but I'd like to know what you have found and experienced.

Harper

In a message dated 7/17/2004 11:49:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Harper, what is your view on Imuran vs prednisone. What probable side effects could Imuran hold for me? I have made my move to Atlanta now to take care of my aunt who so recently cared for me. I am also starting at a new high school - a new facility looking to begin a theatre and speech and debate program. I guess I worry also how an additional med could derail my work performance.Harper, thats for always being there for us to answer our questions.

[Guest guest]

Harper, I started with Imuran and I was so sick with it that the doctor

switched me to Cellcept. I was able to handle the Cellcept for a longer

period, BUT that also made me sick. So, the doctor switched me to 6MP and

that is what I have been on for 2 years without any problem. I don’t

take prednisone now, and that is good. My levels are hanging in steady,

although somewhat elevated, but nothing drastic.

I had the nausea too, and gosh, I think it was a suppository that I was

given to help with that, although it made me sleepy, so I had to stop unless I

got really sick. I wish your friend the best, but perhaps she should try

6MP. The only trouble with Cellcept, is that it is a “close”

relative to Immuran.

Debby

Re: [ ]

Imuran - See question, please

Imuran seems to be far less likely

to cause discomfort than Prednisone, and it isn't associated with weight gain,

bone loss, etc. Pancreatitis is the main thing to watch out for,

according to my GI. He says pancreatitis usually kicks in immediately or

not at all. (However, I had a major, life-threatening attack four years

after I began; he doesn't know if it was connected with Imuran or not.)

From what I've read, and what my doctor says, the risks of cancer, etc. exist

but are very low. He's often commented on his being glad that Imuran

exists, speaking of " the bad old days " before he had it to work

with.

Imuran IS associated with candida,

which you say you've had. So, that's certainly something to think about.

QUESTION: I've been

" talking " to a young woman in South Africa whose access to

doctors isn't all that one could wish. She has pretty high liver

function numbers, she is taking Prednisone and Imuran, and she is vomiting

a great deal -- apparently she's one of that 10%. She is miserable,

tempted to stop taking Imuran but aware she needs all the pharmaceutical help

she can get. She is afraid that the continuous vomiting may outweigh the

Imuran's contributions.

What can any of you tell me about

alternatives to Imuran (she may or may not have a choice) and what can help

reduce the nausea if she must continue Imuran? I've been doing some

reading, but I'd like to know what you have found and experienced.

Harper

In a message dated 7/17/2004

11:49:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Harper, what is your view on Imuran

vs prednisone. What probable side

effects could Imuran hold for me? I have made my move to Atlanta now to

take care

of my aunt who so recently cared for me. I am also starting at a new high

school - a new facility looking to begin a theatre and speech and debate

program.

I guess I worry also how an additional med could derail my work performance.

Harper, thats for always being there for us to answer our questions.

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[Guest guest]

Harper...RE: Imuran....we all know that prednisone is by far more

hurtful in the long run than Imuran... and in fact they serve two

different purposes

Remember prednisone is first prescribed as an ANTI-INFLAMATORY rather

than an immunosuppresant in the case of AIH, the whole idea is to

quickly bring down the inflamation but long term prednisone is

undesirable, hence the imuran and the effort to wean the prednisone.

Imuran keeps the proliferation of those nasty cell attacking other cells

down.

I personally don't take imuran and only use 5 mg of prednisone/day. This

because I take Prograf every day...

I suppose there are other immuno-suppressants also ...cyclosporine comes

to mind as does 6-MP, methrexate and Cellcept all of which has been

taken by various members of this group if memory serves.

There should be no question of which drug ...imuran vs. prednisone..

they are essentially used for different purposes and prednisone risks

far out-weigh imuran's. If imuran is a problem there are alternatives as

mentioned above. I suspect imuran is used first because of its relative

safety

love jerry.

Imuran seems to be far less likely to cause discomfort than Prednisone, and it isn't associated with weight gain, bone loss, etc. Pancreatitis is the main thing to watch out for, according to my GI. He says pancreatitis usually kicks in immediately or not at all. (However, I had a major, life-threatening attack four years after I began; he doesn't know if it was connected with Imuran or not.) From what I've read, and what my doctor says, the risks of cancer, etc. exist but are very low. He's often commented on his being glad that Imuran exists, speaking of "the bad old days" before he had it to work with.

Imuran IS associated with candida, which you say you've had. So, that's certainly something to think about.

QUESTION: I've been "talking" to a young woman in South Africa whose access to doctors isn't all that one could wish. She has pretty high liver function numbers, she is taking Prednisone and Imuran, and she is vomiting a great deal -- apparently she's one of that 10%. She is miserable, tempted to stop taking Imuran but aware she needs all the pharmaceutical help she can get. She is afraid that the continuous vomiting may outweigh the Imuran's contributions.

What can any of you tell me about alternatives to Imuran (she may or may not have a choice) and what can help reduce the nausea if she must continue Imuran? I've been doing some reading, but I'd like to know what you have found and experienced.

Harper

In a message dated 7/17/2004 11:49:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, writes:

Harper, what is your view on Imuran vs prednisone. What probable side effects could Imuran hold for me? I have made my move to Atlanta now to take care of my aunt who so recently cared for me. I am also starting at a new high school - a new facility looking to begin a theatre and speech and debate program. I guess I worry also how an additional med could derail my work performance.Harper, thats for always being there for us to answer our questions.

[Guest guest]

Harper,

I have never been on immuran, so have no info there, and I can't

compare it with anything else.

I have been on 6mp since Feb 2001 - very few problems once I got

used to it. Initial nausea, which returned each time the dosage was

increased. But that always passed rather quickly, and have not had

any major problems with it - more like minor irritations. Some

muscle cramp and spasms. The doctor told me then he personally

preferred 6mp over immuran as he felt he could " fine tune " the

dosage better, and believed the unpleasant side effects were a

little less. The good thing about 6mp NOW is that the generic

version is available - as Martha would say, " It's a good

thing. " Disadvantage is the only way to be sure one is getting the

optimum dosage is a blood test (metabolic) that only Prometheus labs

do..and that is a rather pricey one.

The liver doc added cyclosporine to the mix last year, another

immunosuppressant - in the effort to get me off prednisone. Side

effects with that have been more cosmetic - although there are long

term adverse affects that the liver doc said are a matter of when,

not if they will occur.

Hope that helps.

nne