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How safe is Imuran and Humira? Surgery Alternative?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/29/2011 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
I have Crohn's and I've been on Imuran (100mg) for 5 months + 4 weeks of entocort lately. My symptoms have actually gotten worse during the past couple of months so the doctor suggested moving from Imuran to Humira, and wean off the Imuran while starting the Humira. I've read through the pages at nih.gov about Imuran and Humira:

  • Imuran: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000602/
  • Humira: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000219/

It appears to me that there is a large risk factor in taking either of these, especially in conjunction with each other.

Has anyone here experiences serious side effects from any of these medications?

The FDA goes as far in one of the warnings to suggest Crohns and UC patients use alternatives (such as surgery?). Is it more safe to have surgery or to take these medications? The genetic tests I took said that I have a very high risk factor.
Posted 12/29/2011 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Eight days into starting Imuran in August I developed a sore throat, stiff neck, fever, shaking, joint pain, and dry heaves. Went to the ER, my WBC was above 4000. got antibiotics went home. Four days passed fever would occasionally break, but I'd still have a case of dry heaves. I stopped eating, only drank ensure and Gatorades, had nothing but watery D. Passed out trying to get out of bed beause of another dry heave spell. later that day I finally came downstairs, sat at my computer... and passed out again. Went back to the ER... had dangerously low blood pressure, kidney failure. Turns out I had sepsis. I was in the ICU for 2 days, 5 days total. Fearing that this was a reaction to the Imuran I asked if they could contact my GI. But for whatever reason I didn't get to see him. On my last day there I saw another GI from his office and said to continue the Imuran.

Three days later I was back in the ER with some nasty chest pain and still low BP. Now I had pancreatitis and a UTI. A definite sign the Imuran was causing it. I stopped the med immediately and after another 4 days in the hospital I went home.

I am a rare case, pancreatitis occurs (if i remember right) in 3 percent of patients, and it happens quickly so you'll know if you can't tolerate it. I'll never really know if the sepsis was also caused by it but considering I've never been so sick in my life I tend to think so.
Posted 12/29/2011 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
I take 200mg a day of Imuran and Humira once every 10 days. So far all I've experienced after taking both together are hives. What do you mean by surgery alternative? Even if you have surgery you'd have to take medicine to prevent other problems. When I first started taking Humira the possible side effects were really scary but I have learned not to worry too much about that. You may get one of the extreme side effects but they aren't the norm. The chances of you getting Lymphoma, Skin Cancer,etc are slim.
Posted 1/3/2012 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have had a bad experience with Imuran but not with Humira. Can not take Imuran due to severe allergic reaction. I have been on Humira for a while now and I have been in remission for quite some time. Imuran gave me severe joint pain that sent me to the hospital for 3 days. I had to take morphine to take away the pain. I could not walk without help and no one could touch me without me feeling tremendous pain. The doctors said that I have an allergy to Imuran and I can never take that med again. I take humira 40mg. everyone 14 days. It helps to keep me in remisson and also helps with joint pains. in my elbows, knees and hips.
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