Good blood test/ Imuran ?

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BJ - 25 Mar 2004 21:23 GMT

I got a copy of my monthly blood work. It is the best result I have had in
years. The greatest part is that my red and white counts have entered the
low normal range. Up until this test, they have always been very low. I have
been on 150mgs of Imuran for years now. I got off the prednisone on my own
and against the advice of my doctors. I am now thinking that maybe I don't
need the Imuran anymore either. I would like to try going off it too. The
only problem is that, unlike pred, it takes a long time to work. I am not
sure if it would be wise to ditch it or not. Maybe I am in complete
remission. If I am, why couldn't I be drug free? I am looking for opinions,
please.
BJ-Sk. Canada

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NW - 25 Mar 2004 22:13 GMT

> I got a copy of my monthly blood work. It is the best result I have had in
> years. The greatest part is that my red and white counts have entered the
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> please.
> BJ-Sk. Canada

Hi BJ,

Sounds like good news!

There are two types of remissions, natural and medicated. I don't know how
common natural remissions are, but I think they are much less common then
medicated remissions. If you are in a medicated remission, everything will
come back after you quit Imuran, so please be careful, because things can
backfire. You might need Imuran long-term in order to keep things under
control. I understand quitting pred, though. Also, if you get off Imuran and
get sick again, you probably have to start pred in order to get things under
control.

I went into medicated remission once with Methotrexate and Remicade, but had
to have a treatment break from Remicade. It didn't take long for everything
to return and I had to start pred again. Not only did everything return, but
worse than ever. I had to stay on pred for a long time after that, but
finally managed to get off it last year.

Hope I didn't sound like I was preaching. I do understand you, and thought
the same thing when I was in remission.

Nina

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Beverley - 26 Mar 2004 04:17 GMT

Wish I could help but I have no clue.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))
Bev

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herbwormwood - 01 Apr 2004 11:11 GMT

Hi,
I forgot to take imuran for a few days while on holiday.
I had a lot of pain coming back. I could hardly walk. When I got home I
realised what I had done. After taking it again, the pain went away after
a few days.
I am resigned to being on imuran for a lengthy time now. I am trying to
get of prednisolone and making some progress there.
Maybe you could try reducing the dose and see how you feel. Maybe you are
in a "chemical remission". I think I am.
You could arrange to have blood tests after lowering the dose. I think
you should tell your doctor what you decide to do. There are 25 mg tablets
you can take. Imuran is not "addictive" in the way prednisolone is so
stopping or reducing the dose should not have withdrawal symptoms like
that of prednisolone. If you stop taking it and you feel ill, it probably
means you *are* ill, so do something about it straight away! I expect your
doc will advise gainst it, but it is your decision.

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J - 01 Apr 2004 11:32 GMT

> Hi,
> I forgot to take imuran for a few days while on holiday.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I am resigned to being on imuran for a lengthy time now. I am trying to
> get of prednisolone and making some progress there.

Glad you're improving Lynn and making some headway with the Pred weaning.
Hugs
J

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Gretchen - 02 Apr 2004 09:24 GMT

I'm with you, BJ. I'd love to get off Imuran, too. Talk to you
doctor, first, though. He/she might want to give you a few more
months of good bloodwork to make sure you really are in remission
before even considering it. It'd be a shame to be this close, only to
lose ground.

Gretchen

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