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starting entecort friday

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Posted 10/18/2007 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there, i was taken off of asecol because of the side effects i was having(made my flares worse), so my GI is starting me on entecort, i pick up my rx on friday(3mg) then after a month of that i start imuran, is this going to help me i have crohns of the TI, what should i be looking for for side effects, i know they give me a paper at the pharmacy about the side effects and what to watch for, i just want this pain to go away so i can function normaly, i am worried to start imuran, but i want something that will help me, i am also on omega 3's 2000mg a day and i want to start on aloe vera juice, my GI is okay with this, he says it will not hurt me and it may do me some good as well........hum....its definatly cheaper then the drugs, but i will try anything that is not toxic to me to see if it gives me any added benifit.........
Posted 10/18/2007 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on asacol for a few years now and just started on entocort a couple weeks ago. It has helped me a lot. But I am taking the asacol along with it...as well as an Antiobiotic for now. I am taking 9mg of the entocort a day. It has definitely helped me. My doctor is concerned though that I won't have a long remission with the entocort alone..so I am weaning off entocort in a couple weeks and then in 6 weeks or so will start 6mp or remicade or something of that ilk.
Posted 10/18/2007 10:58 PM (GMT 0)

Entocort is perfect for people with Crohn's of the TI, like you and my daughter. She has been on Entocort and in remission since July 2006.

The beauty of Entocort is because like prednisone, it is powerful, but unlike pred, most of it is released only where you need it, in the terminal ileum. So not much of it gets to the rest of the body. Prednisone, on the other hand, is really bad news because it affects the entire body.

In May she dropped down to only one Entocort pill and is still in remission. No side effects whatsoever.

We chose not to use Imuran for a lot of reasons. The plan is to use Entocort until more effective yet safer meds come along. She is sticking with Entocort, with the blessing of her Mt. Sinai GI.

It might take Entocort a few weeks to reach full potency. Imuran takes a few months to kick in...which is why your GI is using the Entocort, first. 

Posted 10/18/2007 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Wait a minute...only 3 mg?? This is not enough to induce remission.

The recommended dose of Entocort to induce remission is 9 mg (3 pills with 3 mg each) taken once daily, in the morning, for up to 8 weeks.

After that, the recommended maintenance regime is 6 mg (2pills) once daily for up to 12 weeks.

My daughter did 9 mg for 8 weeks, 6 mg for six months, and is now on 3 mg (five months so far).
Posted 10/18/2007 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lady, I have been on Entocort for over a year. I take the max 9mg a day which is 3 pills. 95% of the Entocort is released directly into the bowels so we don't get those nasty side effects like Prednisone. I have been on Imuran almost 5 yrs and I have not had any problems with it. I may have a bit of a headache the 1st week. Take your Imuran at bedtime to avoid an upset stomach, per my gi's orders. It takes the Imuran a good 3 months to get in your system, so do not expect anything for awhile. I also took Remicade for 3 1/2 yrs along with the Imuran. My gi says the Imuran enhances the effect of the of the Remicade. While on both of these drugs, I had less sinus infections and bronchitis. So, don't panic thinking you will catch everything coming down the pike. Good luck......Susie
Posted 10/19/2007 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
sorry didn't explain properly......3mg x 3......one at each meal......so 9mg altogether
Posted 10/19/2007 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
njmom

Question I also have been on Entcort Maintenance for some time but recently have been contemplainting going on Imuran. I have some differnet people sayingf this si a beter long term drug what are your thought . It sounds like you have heard otherwise.
Posted 10/19/2007 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
smurf  

I have been on Entocort since March 06 when I was diagnosed with CD. My GI has tried twice to wean me off but each time I flared and he had to put me back on, it's the only thing that's ever worked for my inflammation. The only side effect I have had with the Entocort is the mood swings, they sneak up on me from out of nowhere and I have no control over them, luckily it's not every day. So just be prepared (and prep the people around you) that this medication can (and probably will) affect your mood. Take care of yourself!

Posted 10/19/2007 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
hum ok then i will take all three pills in the am after breakfast as it seems that you all here are doing that, im not sure why my rx says 1tab 3x a day but it seems to be better if its taken all in the am, so thats what i will try then. this is my first day taking then, and im hoping for very little sid effects, but im also hoping that the pain goes away soon.......
Posted 10/19/2007 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
You might not have to wait until after breakfast to take them. My daughter takes them at 9 AM with water and if it's on a weekend, goes right back to sleep.
Posted 10/19/2007 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Lady my gi says to take all three capsules first thing in the AM every day. Susie
Jumper I am having some brain fog today, are you wanting off of Entocorte so you can take Imuran? If that is right, first of all it takes 3 months for the Imuran to start doing its job, so you would need the Entocort those 3 months.
I am on both. What does your dr say about switching? Susie
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