HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Humira or Imuran??

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/24/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I am still in my flare and remicade is only holding two to three weeks, so my dr asked what I wanted to try next humira or imuran. I want humira because the remi is working, just not as long as it should. My dr wants imuran. ANy exdperiences?? Please help?? I am feeling okay, but I go back to work full time in one week and I have to make a decision by then.

Thanks,

Kim

Posted 7/24/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
A lot of people report good long term results with imuran/6mp, and it has a much longer proven track record than the newer biologics. Since you can always step up to Humira if imuran does not work, I'd opt for the less intensive med and see.

Posted 7/24/2008 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Of course the Imuran may take 3 months to start working however.
Posted 7/24/2008 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
That is what I am afraid of. I feel like since remi is working, it would be easier to switch over to Humira. I don't know what to do. I can see pros and cons to both. I just want to get better. Remicade made me feel dramatically better. It was also suggested I go on something with remi to hold it longer, but my dr wasn't for that. I haven't reacted to remi at all (knock on wood). I am also afraid humira won't hold and I will never get out of this flare. AHHHHHH! It is so hard being sick. It has been great the last two months because I have been really ill, but I am on summer break so I was able to sleep a lot. Such a tough decision. 

Posted 7/24/2008 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
He might be suggesting that you go on Imuran before you stop the Rem so you don't build up antibodies to it.

Is that possible?
Posted 7/28/2008 7:46 PM (GMT 0)

This is a tough decision and one that I have recently faced.  I would be concerned about taking the imuran + Remicade together since there is a risk of a rare (but fatal) malignancy called hepatosplenic lymphoma.  I opted to go the 6MP route although I agree w/the previous post that it is slow to "kick in".  I would consider humira as a good back up plan.  Maybe you need a short "bump & taper" of prednisone while you are waiting for optimal effect of 6MP/imuran.  Anyway that would be my 2 cents

Happymils

Posted 7/28/2008 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I take both. The Imuran helps the cade last the entire 8 weeks.
Posted 7/28/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I took Immuran for 2 years before it quit working.  This all happened this past Thanksgiving.  I had no side effects whatsoever.  I loved it.  I took 100mg daily.  I still do.  I am now on Humira while tapering prednisone.  After I get off of that I will be able to taper the Immuran.  If I had your choice I would definitely go with the Immuran first.  You always have Humira for later if you need it.
Posted 7/29/2008 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I just started taking imuran. It will be 3 months the end of this month. I cant say for sure what I think of it as Im still weening off the prednisone. I will let you know how it goes.

I think MikeB was correct, and you should try and wait it out and see if the imuran works. Do you have any luck with prednisone? I had to stop taking methotrexate, and for this I went on prednisone to fill the 3 month gap for this stuff to work. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor about something similar. I wish you luck though. I know alllll about this!
Posted 7/29/2008 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
My biggest ahng up on the Imuran is the safety of prenancy. My dr said there are risks for birth defects and with my other two kids I wasn't on any meds. That is probably part of my problem, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I may never have any more kids, but I don't want it to be becasue I am on Imuran and I can't have anymore. Does that make sense? However, I do want to get better to raise my two beautiful blessings, so if that means Imuran then I'll do it. Has anyone here been on Imuran and after or during been pregnant? I am also tired. I'm tired of going to the dr, tired of fighting with my boss constantly, and tired of trying new meds. I think I want to try remi until Christmas and then evaluate my health again. Any thoughts????

Posted 7/29/2008 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I switched from Remi to Humira. Prior I had tried Imuran which made my live sick. Humira might be doing the same thing, but it's better than Remicade or Imuran.
Posted 7/29/2008 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
kgirlie - I too worry about the ability to reproduce. I am sneaking in on 30 and would like to have a baby in the near future, not near enough that I need to worry right now, though. I am pretty certain you can become pregnant once you have been off the medication for sometime, without and adverse effetcs. My plan is if and when it comes up to get off the imuran and go on prednisone? maybe. have to ask the doctor about that next month. I know where your coming from though. When I was on methotrexate they told me under no circumstance could I impregnate someone While on the medication. If the imuran doesn't work we are gonna get out the big guns (remicade and humara)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply