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Remicade and azathiprine as combination therapy? Anyone doing this?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/21/2012 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I am scheduled to receive a small bowel resection in May (second surgery), and afterwards my GI wants to treat me aggressively. He suggested we do Remicade (which I am currently on) and azathioprine and allopurinol together. I have been on azathioprine and allopurinol together without the remicade and I developed lucopenia(sp?) Also needed a blood transfusion b/c blood count dropped to 5.9 It was scarey. In 2008 when I had the first resection I was not on any meds afterwards. Six months later my GI scoped me and saw that the disease was back with a vengeance right at the reconnection site. This time he doesn't want to take any chances and he suggested to do combination therapy. Any thoughts? Anyone here on combination therapy and how do you feel? Do you get sicker easier? I'm terrified that I'm going to get a life threatening infection or worse cancer. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again in advance :-)
Posted 3/22/2012 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!
I'm so sorry your feeling like this especially about your second surgery.
I haven't gone through any surgary so I can not comment on that. But I have done remicade and azathiorprine (I guess your in Canada?!) I didn't get sick at all. Actually being on remicade and or humira I never ever get sick!!! It's soooo odd I know and everyone reacts differently but for some reason the combo made me feel better so up my imune system.
I didn't have any horrible side effects with the combo besides sometimes dizzyness so I'd take it at night right before bed time to sleep most of the side effects off. Always works!

But it all stop working for me in the end and had to turn to methotrexate. I really hope the combo works for you for as long as possible. Good luck, feel better and try to keep us posted!!!

Posted 3/23/2012 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi RA&CD132010. Thanks for your input. Why do you think I am in Canada? I'm not btw lol Anyway, I am currently on remicade but it's not enough. I still am flaring card core on it. I was on azathioprine and allopurinol together about a year ago and things just went horribly wrong after we tried to increase the dose to a theraputic level. Unfortunately my body does not do well at a high dose of those drugs. If we did remicade together with those two the dose would be low. I was on Humira, Cimzia, methotrexate, asacol, 6mp, remicade 5 years before now, and steroids numerous times. I am considered a medical failure. I don't respond to any Crohn's drugs. So the doctor said we have to get me on a combo of drugs. I feel generally fine after a remicade infusion just a little sleepy b/c I get premeds of coricosteroids, benadryl, and tylenol before the infusion. When I was on the other drugs I was fine too. Prednisone kicks my butt everytime and methotrexate was a nightmare. I literally felt like I had the flu after the injection. It was horrible. Thank you for your insight as to what to expect possibly on the cocktail. Feel well :-)
Posted 3/23/2012 6:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am currently on Remicade every 8 weeks, tapering down on azothiaprine that I have been on for several months after a big flare, also on prednisone for Crohn's / Colitis related arthritis. I am doing well so far; no flu this flu season, a few minor colds, and no other infections. The prednisone has a habit of jacking up my blood sugar, I try to increase my exercise to cope with that... All in all not too bad. Hope it works as well for you.

Sierra
Posted 3/23/2012 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks snivler. I am on remicade every 6 weeks and so far (knocking on wood) i didn't catch the flu and like you said only few minor colds. Thanks for the input, just worrying myself. Feel well :-)
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