HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

new too forum....cellcept for kidney disease

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/13/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am new to this forum.  I have lupus and have been blessed to be in remission for 10 years, but have recently had a kidney biopsy and it shows some inflammation.  I have been off all medication except plaquenil at 200mg. 

My doctor recently started my on Cell cept.  I have a low WBC so we started at 500Mg x one week.  My blood count was it's normal 2.0.  He increased the dose to 1000mg and my WBC count went up to 3.6....a count I have not had since I was a teenager...now 47 years old. Now he wants me to increase to 2000mg but also take 40 Mg of prednisone.

I really do not want to do that.  I have been off of prednisone for 10 years.  Has anyone ever been on cellcept and not prednisone.  Did your WBC count drop?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

K.

Posted 2/13/2009 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hey K... Last month I was diagnosed with lupus nephritus. I was in the hospital getting IV's of Solu-Medrol and other treatments. Once I got out my renal doctor put me on 1000 mg of Cell-Cept. He said that cell-cept has shown great results in treating Kidneys from Lupus attacking them. I go on Tuesday to find out how well it is working. I am also on 60 mg of prednisone until the cell-cept shows signs of working and then the plan is too slowly decrease the prednisone until I can get down to 5-20 mg. If it doesnt work then I will have to start Cytoxan. I am hoping it works...I'll let you know what the doc says on Tuesday. I have researched it and it seems to do the trick. I wish you luck and keep us updated!!
Posted 2/17/2009 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Well I went to the Renal doctor and yes my white blood count dropped. I am now on some medication to help raise it. He also increased my Cell-Cept from 1000 mg to 2000 mg every day and he lowered my prednisone to 50 mg a day. Are things going okay with you?
Posted 2/18/2009 4:41 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Amy,

I'm doing well, thanks.  I am currently taking 1500mg Cell Cept.  I'm to increase to 2000mg tomorrow also. I have had no ill effects from the medication which is nice.  My WBC actually has increased on the Cell Cept so far.   I am not on any prednisone...my doctor wanted to start it but I requested we wait.  I'm doing a 24 hour urine tomorrow, and I get weekly blood tests because I have a WBC that usually runs between 1500 and 2000.  I have been off of prednisone for 10 years and I am somewhat hesitant to go back on it.  I'm hoping that the Cell Cept alone will stop the attack on my kidneys.  My inflammation this time is not as diffuse as it has been in the past years.  I think this is probably due to the intensive treatment I underwent 10 years ago.   I have always had high anti DNA levels and low C3 (65) and C 4 (4)...and been clinically in remission until recently.

Keep me posted on how your doing and I'll do the same.   If I can be of any help regarding questions/concerns you may have please don't hesitate to ask.

Take Care

Kathy

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply