When did you change from Prednisone to Immuran

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I've been watching everyone's discussion on the issue of prednisone

dosage with a lot of interest...my pcp and I have discussed the

possibility of putting me on immuran because I am " steroid-

dependent. " I've been on 20 mg of prednisone for what seems like

forever, and she thinks that we should try immuran. But my

rheumatologist thinks I should simply reduce my prednisone and

significantly change my lifestyle.... A few years ago I was in so

much pain and my fatigue was so bad, I almost could do nothing. I

don't want to go back to that. The prednisone, plus vicodin and

neurontin, have given me my life back!!!!!!! I now have a job, am

enjoying activities with my kids again, and am happier with my life

and my marriage than I have been in 15 years. I am taking

supplemental calcium and just had a bone density (was at 107%!).

Although I just had a hysterectomy, I am on hormone replacement, to

really fight the bone wasting issues.

So, when do you know that you need to be on immuran? Is my PCP

correct, or my rheumatologist? I look forward to hearing from you,

cause you all probably know best!

Take care to all,

[Guest guest]

, for many years I was on both prednisone and imuran. I don't know if

there is one answer to your questions. For example, a person who takes

prednisone for severe asthma could not possibly change it for imuran.

The bottom line I think, is what works better in your case. You can try

lowering prednisone while starting imuran and being slowly weened off the

prednisone. That way you will know how you feel with lower dosages of

prednisone. If it works fine, but if it doesn't than maybe prednisone is

better for you. We all hate being on medication and try to choose the

" lesser evil " , but we can't do it if it means compromising our health or the

way we feel. When I was first diagnosed with Lupus 17 years ago, I couldn't

even dress myself. Forget about holding up a cup, doing my hair. Prednisone

took care of all that and I was " up and about " in a week after suffering

from pain for about two months. I hate prednisone, but I thank God for its

existence.

Both your doctors need to know what you feel about this. If you are afraid

of risking getting off the prednisone then don't, and tell them that. It is

your choice.

Mojo

When did you change from Prednisone to Immuran

> Hi everyone,

>

> I've been watching everyone's discussion on the issue of prednisone

> dosage with a lot of interest...my pcp and I have discussed the

> possibility of putting me on immuran because I am " steroid-

> dependent. " I've been on 20 mg of prednisone for what seems like

> forever, and she thinks that we should try immuran. But my

> rheumatologist thinks I should simply reduce my prednisone and

> significantly change my lifestyle.... A few years ago I was in so

> much pain and my fatigue was so bad, I almost could do nothing. I

> don't want to go back to that. The prednisone, plus vicodin and

> neurontin, have given me my life back!!!!!!! I now have a job, am

> enjoying activities with my kids again, and am happier with my life

> and my marriage than I have been in 15 years. I am taking

> supplemental calcium and just had a bone density (was at 107%!).

> Although I just had a hysterectomy, I am on hormone replacement, to

> really fight the bone wasting issues.

>

> So, when do you know that you need to be on immuran? Is my PCP

> correct, or my rheumatologist? I look forward to hearing from you,

> cause you all probably know best!

>

> Take care to all,

>

>

>

>

>

> " The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store...

> http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies

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>

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> Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...

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>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mojo,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I really am afraid to upset the

applecart. As I wrote to Barb, the stew that works now took a long

time to blend...I couldn't brush my hair because I couldn't raise my

hands above my head, I had to rest every few steps coming up the

stairs to my bedroom because of the pain and fatigue, my mouth and

nose were filled with sores, I had so many cognitive problems I

regularly got lost on my way home, and I couldn't work for the last

twelve years because of Lupus. Now, I am doing relatively well. I'm

not quite sure why my rheumatologist is so hesitant to try imuran to

give my body a break from the prednisone...I know imuran has some

very significant side effects. Sometimes, I think about seeing a

different rheumatologist for a consult, but then I'll have just one

more medical opinion to sort through. In the end, you're right, its

my body and my health and I have to make the decision about what is

right for me. I guess I just wonder if fourteen years of prednisone

is going to eventually catch up with me. On the other hand, I guess

I would rather die a few years early from the side effects of

prednisone than go back to what I had before.

Thanks for the comments. I'm sure in time I will feel what the right

choice is. Perhaps for now the choice is to stay on

prednisone...when I start having problems with it, I can always try

imuran then.

Take care,

> , for many years I was on both prednisone and imuran. I don't

know if

> there is one answer to your questions. For example, a person who

takes

> prednisone for severe asthma could not possibly change it for

imuran.

>

> The bottom line I think, is what works better in your case. You

can try

> lowering prednisone while starting imuran and being slowly weened

off the

> prednisone. That way you will know how you feel with lower dosages

of

> prednisone. If it works fine, but if it doesn't than maybe

prednisone is

> better for you. We all hate being on medication and try to choose

the

> " lesser evil " , but we can't do it if it means compromising our

health or the

> way we feel. When I was first diagnosed with Lupus 17 years ago, I

couldn't

> even dress myself. Forget about holding up a cup, doing my hair.

Prednisone

> took care of all that and I was " up and about " in a week after

suffering

> from pain for about two months. I hate prednisone, but I thank God

for its

> existence.

>

> Both your doctors need to know what you feel about this. If you

are afraid

> of risking getting off the prednisone then don't, and tell them

that. It is

> your choice.

>

> Mojo

>

> When did you change from Prednisone to Immuran

>

>

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I've been watching everyone's discussion on the issue of

prednisone

> > dosage with a lot of interest...my pcp and I have discussed the

> > possibility of putting me on immuran because I am " steroid-

> > dependent. " I've been on 20 mg of prednisone for what seems

like

> > forever, and she thinks that we should try immuran. But my

> > rheumatologist thinks I should simply reduce my prednisone and

> > significantly change my lifestyle.... A few years ago I was in

so

> > much pain and my fatigue was so bad, I almost could do

nothing. I

> > don't want to go back to that. The prednisone, plus vicodin and

> > neurontin, have given me my life back!!!!!!! I now have a job,

am

> > enjoying activities with my kids again, and am happier with my

life

> > and my marriage than I have been in 15 years. I am taking

> > supplemental calcium and just had a bone density (was at 107%!).

> > Although I just had a hysterectomy, I am on hormone

replacement, to

> > really fight the bone wasting issues.

> >

> > So, when do you know that you need to be on immuran? Is my PCP

> > correct, or my rheumatologist? I look forward to hearing from

you,

> > cause you all probably know best!

> >

> > Take care to all,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > " The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store...

> > http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies

> >

> > " The LUPIES Web Page "

> > http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html

> >

> > " The LUPIES online photo albums! "

> > Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...

> > http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

> >