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Posted 10/8/2009 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
To make a long story short.... I  have been having issues so my GI has been trying new meds. I have been on  Asacol (8 years), prednisone, and Entocort combination  for the last month or so. Now he wants me to take Imuran and wean me off the Entocort and Prednisone. My question is,  he said that it may take 8 months for the Imuran to kick in. Anyone have quicker results??

Elizabeth

Posted 10/8/2009 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard it takes 4-6 mos to reach full efficacy. I think most start feeling its full effects by about 4 months.
Posted 10/8/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Irishmom - current on 6MP, which is what Imuran will be metabolized to when you take it. I am at 3 months and 1 week. Only last week did I have a day without bleeding and with a semi-normal BM. However the blood returned the following day, now seems to be decreasing again. My improvements seem to be in the "two steps forward, one step back" model. Hoping to see something real tangible in the next several weeks. Other than the bleeding and loose BMs, I feel pretty good. I have 4-6 BMs a day presently.

I am on 100mg which is supposed to be in the therapuetic range for my weight (77kg). I have not noticed any side effects - no hair loss, nausea, fatigue, etc. All my blood work has been fine - no elevated liver enzymes or depressed white blood cell count. Good Luck!
Posted 10/8/2009 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Usually takes 4-6 months. Take it at night or you will be exhausted beyond belief! I did experience some hair loss but it was only for a couple of weeks. Be sure your dr. does the prometheus propredict metabolite blood test to get you in your theraputic level without toxicity. Also if he is keeping you on the asacol you need to be careful...my dr. explained that asacol can open the receptors or something like that...making the imuran "stronger"...I know I'm not explaining that very well...It's been a while and I'm no longer on those 2 drugs. Bottom line is to be sure that you are getting regular labs and you won't have any issues...if something does come up, it will be caught with the labs. Good luck.
Posted 10/8/2009 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing all your experiences with Imuran. I am getting the lab work done at 1, 2 and 4 weeks as instructed. I am a little worried because I have polycystic kidney disease and have cysts on my kidneys and liver. I hope the meds don't mess with my liver and kidney fuctions.

Thanks Again,
Elizabeth
Posted 10/9/2009 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
When I was (finally) diagnosed, I was put on prednisone and Imuran. After I did the standard pred taper I needed a couple of increases in my Imuran dose to get me feeling well. After around 6 months I was feeling decent, and Imuran kept me in remission for over a year. But I kept getting worse and worse, was in the hospital 3 times in 2 months so I progressed to Remicade, which is finally helping (I think).

about the PKD and other cysts - I'd bring those issues up to your GI and, if you have another doc who is involved with them, inform them of the drugs you're taking for your CD.
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