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Reducing Imuran / Continuing Salofalk

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/16/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone ever had success in reducing their imuran dosage?
I know I am not on a very low dose (100mg); I was wondering if it is possible to go down to 50mg?
Anyone have experience with this? I ask because I have been having constant nausea with the new drug (imuran)... been on it for a month. My GE said I might have nausea for about a month, but I have also read it takes some people three months to get used to the medication and have the nausea subside.
But the imruan seems to be working very well. I might even venture at saying that I am now in remission, however without having been scoped since my new found relief it is tough to say. But my diarrhea and blood is all gone, and I have 1-2 formed bowel movements daily, which is a nice change.
Also my GE stated that it is up to me if I want to continue taking Salofalk at a reduced dose (~1-2g daily). She said she would continue taking the salofalk because it might reduce my chances of acquiring colon cancer- that is, if money for the prescriptions is not an issue. What is everyone's thoughts on that subject?
I have been super tired lately, almost to the point of sleeping all day. I went into the walk-in clinic to get some bloodwork done (Iron, Mono, Hematology, Thyroid). Hopefully that will yield some answers. Anyone experienced this? I have never been this tired before in my life. It is slowly going away which is encouraging, so I think I may have battled through it. Just curious what others may think the culprit was.
I may have over exerted myself in a squash tournament that consequently rocked my body and took me a few weeks to get over.

Hope everyone is healthy and happy! Merry spring time!

Jameson
Posted 4/16/2011 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there, 100mg Imuran is not a high dose I don't think. I've heard of a lot of people taking 150mg or more. I think 100mg is a high dose for 6mp but depending on how your body handles it, it's not too high. I think you did the right thing by going to get your blood checked. I was doing great on 6mp and recently my blood counts dropped very low and now they are dangerously low and I have to stop the medication for a few weeks to try to get things back to normal. I've been feeling extremely tired and I get winded very easily. I am sure this is not your situation, as it is quite rare, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I am still taking Asacol (same as salofalk), I take 3200mg a day and I also use rectal meds as needed but I haven't needed them lately. I would like to decrease the dose or even stop if possible but I am worried I will flare. RIght now it's not an option because I am too unstable with all of the other changes in my medicine and the problems with 6mp. It's a decision you will have to make when you feel comfortable. I prefer to take as little medicine as possible but if a low dose of salofalk is protecting the colon, it's probably not a bad idea to continue with it.
Posted 4/16/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
JamesonM:

To answer your queston right on, the answer is yes.  People have been known to lower their Imuran dosage with no issues.  I originally started at 200 mg and asked me doc to lower my dosage just because deep down I want to get off of it IF I can handle my colitis with no Imuran.  With my docs permission I lowered my dosage to 150 mg with no problems what so ever.  I had a colonscopy pre Imuran and post Imuran and my colon was about 95% healed.  There was still a little patch of inflammation in my rectum so my doc added canasa.  I asked about lowering my Imuran to 100 mg.  He said that if I can get my rectum healed with the Canasa that he would approve that.  So I have been on Canasa for about 6 months.  He plans on doing a flex sigmoid, if healed then down the Imuran dosage.  My goal would be just to use Canasa and no Imuran.  My understanding is that if you can keep the rectum under control then your colitis will be in check.  He said he has heard of people getting on Imuran because they had to and then eventually getting off it.  He said it's rare but he has heard of this.

MyUC

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