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Have you ever taken Remicde + Imuran?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/17/2017 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

This is a longwinded question, so please bear with me.

I've been taking Remicade for many years. Recently, my doctor added Imuran to boost the effectiveness of the Remicade. My crohn's symptoms are stable (yay) but now I'm dealing with immense fatigue and depression. I've spoken to my doctor about it and he says it's not the Imuran that's causing this.

Of course, our doctors are not always right, are they? Has anyone else experienced what I described above?

Thank you in advance.
Posted 9/17/2017 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't taken Remicade, but I did try imuran - and it made me really tired & nauseous. So I don't think it's a stretch that it could be affecting you.

As you may know, it's not a good idea to start and stop Remicade - you increase your risk of developing antibodies.

But there's no issue with starting and stopping imuran. So if I were you, I'd talk to the doctor about stopping the imuran for a few weeks and see how you feel. If you feel a lot better, it might be the Imuran. Then you could try it again. If you start feeling bad again, you'd have pretty good evidence its' the Imuran. If not, you'll know it's not the imuran.

By the way, how much imuran are you taking?
Posted 9/18/2017 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Adding another immuno like Imuran while on biologics is a very common approach now. Combination therapy was introduced, as evidence showed that it reduced the likelihood of developing antibodies.

As beave already asked, how much Imuran are you taking?

This might be the confusing part. I'm not sure our GI's know how much Imuran you should take in combination therapy, as opposed to a lone therapy. Many on Imuran alone are taking 100-200mgs per day.

I would agree with beave though, you could always stop the Imuran for a week or so, and see if anything changes.
Posted 9/18/2017 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am on both Remicade and Imuran. While it has given me a lot of my life back, I am tired a lot. I usually have to take at least a 2 hour nap each day. I retired early at 60 years old because I could not make it through the day. I worked on my feet all day. But to answer your question, I was tired before both the Remicade and Imuran were given together. I have had CD for 25 years and have only been on the 2 for about 3 years.
Posted 9/18/2017 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I take Remicade but not Imuran. What dosage of Imuran are you on? Perhaps you could step down the dosage and see if that helps - meet your doctor in the middle so to speak.
Posted 9/19/2017 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard some say fatigue is associated with Imuran. It might be more of an initial symptom than a sustained symptoms for some. You could try waiting a few months and see if the fatigue goes away.

Maybe suggest replacing Imuran with Methotrexate if it persists?
Posted 9/19/2017 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Imuran for at least ten years, maybe even 15. I never associated it with fatigue, even when they had me on Remicade as well. Have you had your blood work done lately? Maybe your lacking iron or another vitamin or mineral?
Posted 9/20/2017 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Following this as I just added Imuran to my treatment plan as of yesterday. Currently on Humira but switching to Stelara...anyone on that combo?

We're starting me at a lower dose of Imuran to assess any potential side effects and I have to have blood work done about 10 days in before increasing to my (expected) therapeutic dose (100mg).
Posted 9/20/2017 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Back many years ago when on Remicade my dr added Imuran to the mix. He said it gave the Remicade a little boost. When I had to switch to Humira he continued the Imuran. I have been on it many, many years with no issues.
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