Chicken Pox and immunosuppresants?

Some here are familiar with my daughters recent Hospitalization and dilemmas. Now we have another problem to try to figure out as well. Hoping to hear from anyone who has faced this one, but I think it's extremely unlikely. 

She is into her 3rd week of Prednisone and they wanted her to start on Imuran by now, but because she hasn't had the Chicken Pox, she is unable to start it. She can't just go and get the vaccine either, because once immunosuppressed, (as a result of the Prednisone), a serious reaction to the vaccine could result. Out GI said that they have never had an IBD patient that hasn't had the Chicken Pox, so is not sure how to proceed.  

If she contracts the Chicken Pox while on Prednisone, it would likely be extemely severe, and could even cause death. There are 2 documented cases. Sounds dramatic, but it's not.

If she waits several months to have the vaccine, the effectiveness of the Imuran could be reduced.

So right now, they want her to continue tapering the Prednisone, and go back on Pentasa. I don't think the Pentasa ever worked, considering how inflamed and with an abscess before going into the Hospital. 

Hi Rider,

I didn't mean to imply that our GI wouldn't use Imuran because there are 2 deaths recorded, and by the way, that was out of 7 known cases, so it's pretty high.

The concerns are well documented. If you read any of the drug pamphlets, you will see that the drug companies emphasis the warnings. Particularly with Imuran. 

I have to commend our GI for not taking this lightly.

As far as white blood cell counts and response to infection, I really don't know a thing about that, and will ask her next time in. 

Thanks for your imput.

We're in the same boat. If it's any consolation. This is the second time my daughter has taken Prednisone, and she didn't contract the Chicken Pox the first time, even considering she was in elementary school at the time with hundreds of kids, and likely exposed to it constantly. 

One more thing though. My daughter was tested for immunity to Chickent Pox, as our GI said that some kids get it so young and with such few symptoms that they never even knew they had it. Unfortunately for us, she wasn't immune, so hasn't had it. In your case, get a blood test and find out. 

I did read that of the 7, they were all taking immunosuppressants for differing conditions. So therefore, could have been on a varied dosage. Of the 2, I not even sure if they died from complications from their disease, and that it might just be coincidental. I doesn't change the fact that it's still a serious issue. There is no doubt that one could get quite ill.

I too, live in Canada, (Southern Ontario), and we are starting to hear about more and more about being vaccinated. It seems to be getting popular here, but just since the last couple of years. 

Hi EMom,

First of all, it's great to see that you are having success  with a more natural approach to treating the disease. I have done quite abit of checking into dietary changes to improve things. I'm sure you've heard this before, but, most of these diets seem to be very demanding to say the least. The other problem being, my daughter has always been an awesome kid, never caused a problem for anyone, always co-operative, helpful etc. the works. Until it comes to food. Even pre-crohn's she was a fussy eater. Just couldn't stomach the taste of certain things. I recently bought some liquid calcium for her, one tbsp. and she threw up, and that was the berry flavor.  

 Thank-You so much for offering your suggestions and prayers. Much appreciated. Good luck to your son as well. 

Tom.

RightOutStraight02 said...
Hello there friend,
I can't tell you what to do with your situation, but I just wanted to share with you that I, too, was diagnosed at the age of 13 with Crohn's in the terminal ileum and have used prednisone on various occasions. From your sig, I'm guessing your daughter is between 14-15 years old, and I saw here someone said that teens are perhaps less likely to catch something like chicken pox, which I am sure is a fair guess. However, I caught the chicken pox when I was 14 years old and had a very, very hard time with the whole experience, and that wasn't even while I was on Prednisone. I am sure that the likelihood of the same thing happening for your daughter is low, but as my luck with this whole disease hasn't been too great lately, I think it would be fair to consider staying on the 'better-safe-than-sorry' side of this one.

Hi Gail,(Nanners),

Getting the Chicken Pox is certainly a concern for us. I don't know what else they could use other than Prednisone, as the same problem exists with any immunosuppressant.

The only other thing that might be a possibility would be LDN, which I've only read about here. In fact here in Canada, I don't believe they are prescribing it for Crohn's yet, as it hasn't been appoved. 

Tom.