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Humira vs Imuran

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/23/2014 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
My doc is insisting in going forward to the next step of treatment, since I was hospitalized with major inflammation two weeks ago. He wants to try Imuran, because he says it has been out in the market longer than Humira.
I'm supposed to start on 100 mg per day, and have blood tests every 15 weeks to check everything. I bought the med, but when I read the side effects, I put it back. Scary stuff...
I told him to try Humira, and I don't understand why he is so skeptical about it. I know it has also many side effects, but I have this feeling they are not so serious, plus it's easier to take?

I really don't know what to decide, for the time being I'm on 50 mg of pred, plus Flagyl, just finished my Cipro, my guts are still very sore, and I'm still sad that Crohns remembered me after almost 4 years.

Any input on Humira vs Imuran would be highly appreciated.

Also another question: Does pred make you bloated? I have this horrible feeling of trapped gas, and I have to walk, do yoga exercises etc, to get them out of my system...

Thanks so much,
Christina
Posted 5/23/2014 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm on Imuran and can relate to your fears. Three years ago, when I was first put on Imuran, I read the pamphlet too and got scared. Then, may be of my fears, I got a severe flare up and insisted on stopping it though my GI was not convinced.
More than a year ago, when I exhausted all meds, my GI insisted on putting me on Imuran again and told me to give it another chance. I accepted reluctantly. I started off at 50 mg and after a month had blood work. Blood tests are done every 3 or 4 weeks at the beginning of the treatment and not 15 weeks which is almost 4 months. When the blood work results came out normal, the dose was upped to 100 mg and a month after to 175 mg. Subsequent tests made my GI lower the dose to 150 mg. I have been on this dose for more than a year now.
Usually, you won't feel the effect of Imuran before 4 months. As I understand, doctors know it kicked in when the WBCs are lowered.
My GI is still keeping biologics till things become more complicated. Others have a lot of experience w Humira and will fill you in.
Take care :)
Posted 5/23/2014 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I meant 15 days not weeks! pred talking...
Posted 5/23/2014 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran gave me a hepatitis sickness, I became very ill. Humira gave me Lupus, Psoriasis, Migraines, Growth surgically removed, grew back (in adenoid), Liver Damage. These two drugs for me are like the worse of two evils. Oh and I tested positive for Latent TB while on it. Are there any other options for you? The best thing I did for myself is drastically change my diet. It wasn't easy and took a very long time but it was worth it. I would say if you choose to take either drug, make sure you are being monitored very closely. My doctor didn't on both and it was a path I don't want anyone else going down. Lupus is as bad as Crohns for me.
Posted 5/23/2014 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Reading the side effects are scary. But sometimes the benefit outweighs the risk.

After being diagnosed and beginning a Pred Taper I was put on Imuran 150mg, and it almost killed me a week later. Septic Shock put me in ICU for one week but despite my insistence my GI wasn't contacted because they didn't think the Imuran was to blame. Go back home, resume the med, back in the hospital 3 days later with Pancreatitis. One more week in the hospital, I got my GI that time, he apologized and said yeah that med is no good.

I'll stop and say (from what I read) having pancreatitis as a side effect is maybe 3%, and if you get it you get it fast, I was only on Imuran 8 days. But I was allergic to it.

My next step was Remicade. My GI's reluctance with Humira is that you have to worry about getting it delivered on time and refrigerated properly, and self-injections can be painful, less effective etc.

Biologics are just as scary and they are considered a step above. I was very anxious when I started, but I've been on Remicade 2.5 years with zero side effects, and my Crohn's symptoms are kept in check for awhile. I'm actually increasing the dosage because the symptoms are coming back too soon.
Posted 5/23/2014 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
My last GI tried to put m on imuran. He prescribed half the dose for a week to see if I could tolerate it before progressing to the full dose. My joints and muscles reacted to it so badly that I couldn't even lay quietly without being in intense pain. It was horrible. After that he put me on salofalk.

Since then I have changed GIs and my current one put me on remicaide 1.5 years ago since the salofalk was doing nothing for me. I've never felt better and just had a routine checkup scope and things are looking better than pre-remicaide days.
Posted 5/24/2014 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Imuran about 5 years ago. Side effects were worse than the disease so I stopped taking it. Didn't consult with my dr and went med free for 1 1/2 years. Ended up with an obstruction. 27" bowel removed. Went on methotrexate after surgery. Mtx stopped working in November. Now on methotrexate and Humira. Side effects from mtx are headaches and nausea for day of injection, side effects from Humira are itchy crazy itchy for about 12 hours and excruciating sore feet for a day. So I just moan every 2nd weds and still think it's better than Imuran because for the first time in 20 years I'm in remission.
Posted 5/24/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'd rather try Humira. Imuran gave me pancreatitis at 50mg after only being on it for a week! Was in the hospital for 4 days, and when I got out my liver counts were very high from it also. Took another month for that to stabilize. I've heard too many similar stories from people with that drug, to think it's a "rare" side effect. Pancreatitis is VERY painful, worse then my gallbladder attacks I used to have. Really worse then most things I've ever had!

Humira did give me bad headaches and didn't work too well. I'm on Cimzia now and it seems to finally be helping. I'd rather try the biologics any day over Imuran or 6mp. They are on my allergy list now.
Posted 5/25/2014 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your replies I think you confirmed what I already had in mind not to try Imuran. I'm just upset that inflammation still causes moe some pain after 15 days but I hope it just takes time for the body to heal. It has been 4 years since my last major flare so maybe I should be a little more patient before trying the next step. I will bring humira up though to my gi on Monday. As I see pancreatitis is a common side effect of Imuran and it's the last thing I wanna have right now...
Posted 5/26/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Humira since February of this year (I know it's not a very long time now) no side effects so far, but still waiting for full remission too...seeing my GI today actually.
Posted 5/26/2014 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi well i'm on both Imuran and Humira and i'm MORE THAN HAPPY :) .They both work really great together at least with me.I take 40 mlgrams of Humira every 2 weeks.The injections hurt me but i don't have any nausea or sore legs.I take one pill of Imuran every night after dinner.I NEVER had any side effects using Imuran.But i developted Herpes Zoster from Humira.But now i'm okay smurf i sugesst you to consult more than just one doctor.The drugs have diffrent effects on every organism.I hope i helped. :-) :-) :-) :-)
Posted 5/27/2014 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
I tried Imuran and it really hammered my Liver. I had to get off it and find a new GI since mine did not believe it was the Imuran. Once off of it I was back to normal. Now I am on Humira and Methotrexate weekly. I have no real side effects except a little tird the day after my shots. Been on this combo about 6 months. Not 100 % better but able to go back to work and function. Just waiting to try Vedolizumab (trade name Entyvio) when it is available to me
Posted 6/14/2014 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I currently am on both meds and working great for me
Posted 6/28/2014 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
yeah funkyvicca i'm the same and without problems
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