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Remicade and Imuran together?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/17/2009 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have a 9 yer old daughter that after a year of Remicade treatments is not responding as well as when first administered.  Her GI is going to run lab work to see if she has built up antibodies to the Remicade.  But in the mean time he wants to put her back on Imuran along with the Remicade.  Everything I have read that is a big no, no because it increases risk factors for cancer.  Anyone taking both meds? 

Thank you.

 

Posted 7/17/2009 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I took both meds for a while and all my bloodwork came back fine. You just have to stay on top of it, your liver and your bloodwork will tell you if something is up. These two meds, basically a biologic and an immuno-modulator together are the best tandem going right now for treating crohns. That's what my gi just told me.

Terrible she's so young. I was showing symptoms when I was 13, and that was considered young then. Good luck.

I'm actually on 6-mp and Cimzia right now, which is just like what your doc is suggesting for your daughter, a TNF blocker and immuno-modulator.
Posted 7/17/2009 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I took both remicade and imuran, the GI just took me off Imuran after I asked if I really needed it. He indicated the that combo of remicade and imuran is most effective the first year of remicade.
Posted 7/17/2009 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Melnola, I don't think there's any harm in raising your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor should be aware of the cancer risk, and should be able to give you a better outline of his reasoning in recommending that your daughter take Imuran too.

All the best,

Ivy.
Posted 7/18/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
My doc took me off Imuran when I started remicade. But I have since built antibodies to the Remicade. She was willing to put me back on Imuran and take remicade. Like someone posted, keep her blood work up to date.Should be fine. Or do what my doc did. Took me off the remicade and has put me on Humira (just did my starter dosage today, 4 shots) I too lost the effectness of remicade. Most people who lose the effectness of remicade do switch to Humira and usualy in 3 months see a big difference.

Be careful of the anitbodies. I now suffer horrible arthritis type pain. It's crippling. I wouldn't want my worse enemy to have this pain let along a little 9 year old!

Good luck. Hope you sorted it out real soon. And she gets better.

Posted 7/18/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
i have been taking both meds now for 6 months ( 9 months for imuran) , no severe side effects have shown them selves as of yet
im on 100mg of imuran every night and about to start remicade every 8 weeks , though i have had it admistered 3 times already
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