HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

On Remicade, Dr wants me on Imuran Too! Thoughts?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/4/2012 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
The only reason I am against this combo is a slightly raised chance of lymphoma. Most likely I wouldn't get it, but I am a younger male... which most of the patients were that got this lymphoma.

Apparently the imuran would be used to both alleviate more symptoms as well as help the Remicade to keep working.

Has anyone here been able to stay on Remicade long term without imuran or 6mp?

Thoughts overall?

The Remicade is helping, but it is no sliver bullet. I had a flex sig last week and I'm down to mild UC, as far as the inflammation goes.

Thanks!
Posted 4/4/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor? I am on 6mp with Remicade, however I am out of that danger zone of increased chance of lymphoma since I am 42. But my GI said that I have to stay on 6mp with the Remi to help prevent building antibodies against it. Especially so now since I get serum sickness with each infusion (tho it's better now since premedicating with solumedrol and Benedryl).

Not exactly an answer to your question but I just wanted to throw that many of us are on both an immune suppressor and Remi.
Posted 4/4/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
i was on both for about 6 months and haven't gotten cancer... yet. i am still nervous about it because the medications are still in my system. but i know some people at my infusions were just taking remicade without 6mp or humira. this one guy has been on remicade for 11 years by itself.
Posted 4/4/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately. My doctor is personally really against combining the two due to the cancer risk. However, although I am also in the "young male" category I still don't think the risk is very high. I was on Humira for about 5 months, it helped quite a bit but lost its effectiveness. So far i've done 2 remicade infusions and am doing pretty well (considering when I started I was in the hospital for a week on IV steroids and still having problems). I am worried that the remicade will also lose its effectiveness. Also, I don't know if remicade will ever get me back to "100%" and maybe adding 6mp/imuran could help with that. I don't have many drugs left to try if remicade fails.. maybe Cimzia? I'm curious what others have to say.
Posted 4/4/2012 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I think there are quite a few people on this combo on the Crohn's forum - maybe you could post there for more advice/info? Unfortunately it's a real risk but like you said a very very unlikely one. If you want to avoid surgery at all costs then this might be your only bet? Good luck, it's a terrible decision, like most imposed on us by this stupid disease.
Have you tried Humira?
Posted 4/4/2012 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was on both for 6 months and then just the remi, been almost a year. I think the imuran is supposed to help your body not reject remicade at first.
Posted 4/4/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
If conventional meds are not working for you then IMO you have nothing to lose by trying some alternative treatments. Diet modification can be as simple as avoiding gluten foods for a week or two. Many here have been able to control their flares with rectal meds. And of course there is LDN. Adding probiotics might help too. Your doctor might scoff but many here have found success with alternatives.

I would exhaust all my options before trying to decide whether to take Remicade with Imuran.
Posted 4/5/2012 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies, guys.

Babe: I have done many alternatives. My disease is relentless. I've tried starting the SCD twice, but it's too much for me. I get very stressed at trying to prepare so many meals, and I feel like I'm starving. I don't drink pop or eat much other crap food. I take probiotics with limited success. I also do L-glutamine, NAG, turmeric powder and aloe vera juice.

I trust my doctor about this decision, but it's my life I'm gambling with. I just wonder if I should try lifestyle changes such as only working three days a week instead of five, and letting my business decline some. Recently I read one of the regular members on here that had withdrawn from her stressful lifestyle and was living very peacefully, and in love. Her UC was all but gone it sounded like. That sounds so positive.

Anyways, just bouncing ideas off of you guys. Thanks.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply