I'm on both Imuran and Remicade. Definitely go with the Imuran first since Remicade should be considered your final option. Imuran is also less invasive since it's only pills. I never had any fatigue...
Same exact thing with me. Lots of hair loss when I started, but it has slowed way down. I'm still losing, but at a much slower rate. I also have thick hair so I'm not too affected....
The dozen or so sig-flex procedures I've had w/out meds were bad enough. There is no way I'd have a full scope with nothing. I was flaring so bad for my last one, that it was the first time I had...
about 3-4 infusions until it took hold for me. I went from over 40 BMs a day, stopping multiple time on the way to work (sometimes not making it!), to 0-1 times a day. I'm hoping for a long and...
I saw improvement right away, but quickly slipped back into a flare. The second infusion didn't improve much. On the 3rd infusion, they upped my dosage to 10mg and had me coming every 6 weeks. By the...
I've been on it for over a year straight and haven't suffered any side effects personally. It's true that there are not long term studies on it, but it saved me from surgery. I was in a horrible...
It's actually generally used for recent patients of a kidney transplant and attempts to stop their body from rejecting the new kidney,or arthritis patients. I have had the flu while on Imuran and...
How long of a span was it for you? Mine was probably 3-4 years. I doubt I could find any of that info though anyway....
There is nothing that I can't eat. Sure, certain things give me the runs, but nothing different from those that aren't colonically impaired....
I've been on it for 5 years and actually started off at 250mg, but eventually was lowered to 100mg, which is my current doseage. It was able to keep me in remission for 3 years, but now I get...
I take (5-4) twice a day, but there are several times that I forget and end up taking it all in one shot. Not recommended, but it happens. No chance I could stick to three times a day. Twice is hard...
A question unrelated to Imuran. It says in your signature that Remicade no longer works for you. Just curious, did it ever work for you? Or did you try the several infusion you mentioned with no...
Wow, you are stubborn! :) Now that you have been diagnosed, don't ignore the disease. I say this from experience. You will likely get back into remission, and when you do, keep up on any/all...
I have never had anything like that personally and am very thankful for that. My only swelling involved predinsone. I would be very careful, or make sure that you can live with those type of...
I'm on 100mg of Imuran and 10mg of Remi every 6 weeks. I was originally on 150mg of the Imuran and when I went into remission, my GI cut me down to my current dose. It doesn't seem that he's planning...
I've been going every 6 weeks (10mg) for over a year now. 8 weeks just wasn't holding me. I've been pred free for a year and have absolutely no symptoms. During my last flare I had constant urgency...
There are things you can do about[b] the rage and weight gain. Just be aware that these side effects will come and you can manage it a little better. The first time I was on pred, I wasn't told...
That's right. Benedryl is just a precaution. I'm always given Claritin before my infusions....
I originally went on Remicade about 6 years ago, went into Remission and then moved, changed jobs, and had an insurance lapse, which caused me to stop the infusions. After nearly 4 years of...
You mean cyclosporine? If so, my doctor mentioned that it was used a lot prior to Remicade. He told me that it is not recommended if you've already had Remicade infusions. Please don't hold me to...
Never had any grey stools. It's a good thing you're seeing the doctor to put your mind at ease. I wouldn't worry until then ... and pred sucks....
Good luck with the taper and getting off completely! That is a nasty drug. The only medication that has ever truly affected me. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you....
If I'm not mistaken, it takes a great deal of time (around a year) to make a vial of Remi. At least that's what they told me at my doctor's office. They told me it would mostly likely never be...
While I don't agree that stress causes UC (at all), it's definitely a "trigger" for me. I've stayed in remission through every season, I've flared in every season. I've changed my diet in several...
I was on Remi about six years ago. I went into full remission after 3 infusions and there was no sign of anything. I stayed on Imuran and Asacol, but went off the Remicade. I remained in Remission...
Yikes! Hang in there!...
You've been on pred for 6 years? Wow. So is the doctor hoping that the Remi will eventually replace the Imuran and you'll hopefully be pred free? That would be great. My next infusion (1 year) and...
I've been taking 150mg for almost 5 years and haven't been affected by the side effects very much. The risk of infection has not been an issue for me at all. I suffer illnesses like everyone else and...
Hang in there and give it at least a few days. I've been on it for a year. When I started, I was in a horrible flare. 3 days after the first infusion, things looked great. Then the flare returned....
I have been on the brink of surgery twice. The first was 5 years ago. I went on Remicade for 5 infusions and went completely into remission. Things were going so great that I actually stopped the...
I got the sweats big time when I started to taper off Pred, which I've been doing for months now. The sweating only occurs between 60mg and 40mg. I also had HUGE dizzy spells about 3 or 4 times a...
Mine took 3 infusions. But they also increased my dose, and now I get infusions every 6 weeks. It did the trick though. After the 2nd infusion I had a bad flare, which is why they increased it. It...
I agree with the previous poster in that you're not in remission until you've successfully tapered from the pred. I'm currently at 5mg (started at 60mg), and haven't had blood or urgency for 3...
I hope it went well! I can't imagine having no sedation during a flare. I had a full scope and the morning after prep is the worst I have ever felt. It really screwed up my system. I couldn't wait...
The worst part about it for me is that it lowers your immune system. When I get a cold, it lasts a little longer than normal, but it has done nothing but help me. It took me from a horrible flare...
I'm on both, and it is not temporary. The alternative for me would be surgery and I'm not ready for that. Taking the 2 together was the only way to get out of a huge flare, and ultimately off the...
My flares are completely stress related. I can attribute every flare since I was diagnosed to stressful times in my life. The seasons don't matter to me at all. I really pay attention now during...
What you have described has worked for me. I have had flares where the prednisone alone does not work. Then I went on Imuran and was able to get rid of the flare. It takes a while (3 months for me)...
I have never suffered any of your symptoms. In fact, after my infusions I feel perfectly normal. I go in the early mornings before work and it doesn't affect me at all. I wish you the best with your...
It's definitely okay to have an occasional drink. I drink every couple weeks and have no problem....
I'm currently coming out of a really bad flare and am starting to feel great. I just had my 5th Remicade infusion and I don't notice any fatigue at all. This is probably because I was so exhausted...
You should tell your doctor about the blood. I know you want to be off the Pred, but you can't ignore the signs that the taper isn't working. Perhaps he can slow down the taper eventually. For me,...
I'm fairly certain that your GI will increase your dosage once you tell him that you are bleeding and going upwards of 40 times a day. You definitely shouldn't be tapering down to 30mg. I usually...
Why did I click into this post?! I want sugar really bad now. Must ... not ... give ... in....
I'm on Azathioprine, and they do routine bloodwork. I'm surprised they didn't do that first. If the bloodwork looks good, many people can stay on the drug long term. I've been on it for 5 years now....
I've been on Asacol for 10 years and have had no problems with my kidneys....
I've been on Prednisone for 5 months now, and am currently working on my second taper (the first one didn't take). I was initially at 60 mg, and moving down to 40mg wasn't an issue. But the taper...
I've been taking Asacol for years and it has never single-handely managed to get me out of a flare. If you are having flare-like symptoms, I wouldn't wait on things. I'd call the doctor now before...
My doctor is having me alternate 40mg one day, 20 mg one day for 2 weeks. Then I'm supposed to drop down to 20mg a day. I decided to do slow the taper down myself. I'm doing 40mg one day and 30 mg...
Sorry to hear about your son's condition. I have a 9 year old and can't imagine him having to go through what I do. Although surgery might be in my future, Remicade has been working great for me so...