Good Dr. Visit

Last Thursday I went to the doctor and got an x-ray and blood work done. Everything looks great. She said I am doing great and am successful so far on the 50mg of Imuran. I feel good, just tired from the lack of sleep the other night. I'm walking at least 2 times a week and am going to start watching my calorie intake. I have a new cookbook to help me with that! I see her again in 3 months. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!! HOPEFULLY!! I have felt that before and then it comes back.... Just pray that it doesn't.

No News is Good News

Hello my fellow followers! I'm feeling fine. I thought I was getting sick last week, but it was just a little cough that has gone away. Still on the same medicine and have a doctor's appointment in January for a follow up. Just waiting patiently for July so I can get off the Imuran and see what happens. Merry Christmas!

Listed!

I received a call from my doctor's office last week that I was on the list to receive the N1H1 Flu shot. I got it yesterday. Didn't hurt and my arm isn't sore. I couldn't lift my arm last year from the regular flu shot! Now I have to find out if I should get the "regular" flu shot! I hope not. I don't like needles! :)

Medication is working

I went to get a second opinion in September. He tested me for all kinds of autoimmune diseases. I tested negative. So, all I have is BOOP. He said to stay on the immuran until July. The doctors took me off steroids again. I am only taking 50mg of immuran. That makes me happy. I'm feeling fine, but am always getting cold sores!!!

requested up date

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I am now on 5mg of prednisone and 100mg of imuran. I am getting a second opinion this month. I will let all you know what he says. I feel fine. I've gained weight, but I haven't felt exhausted like I was feeling earlier this summer. Last time I went to see the doctor, I had an x-ray and my lungs are clear. I'm hoping that the doctor I go and see may want to try something new and can help me loose weight. I'll post more when I come back from the doctor.

Update

The blood work came back and everything is fine, so I am now at 100mg of Imuran and we are lowering the prednisone to 15mg. I still get tired easily and take naps. I feel fine and am riding my bike 3 times a week.

not too much...yet

So just a quick update. I had blood work done today and will find out tomorrow. They are checking to see how my body is handling the Imuran. This is a routine check up. Over all I feel fine. I just get tired a little easier!

Was searching the net and found some more information on Imuran.

http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/3468/suppress.html

Azathioprine (Imuran), an ImmunoSuppressive agent, commonly used in ChemoTherapeutic regimens for Cancer patients and to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, has also been evaluated as a treatment for MS to stabilize the patient's clinical course.

Imuran is a medication which suppresses the Immune System. It is given orally to patients whose MS is progressing slowly and is sometimes given in combination with Solu-Medrol treatment.

It is not recommended for women who plan to have children. Imuran can cause Liver problems and Nausea - Long-term use of the drug may also result in an increased risk of Leukemia and Lymphoma.

There have been numerous clinical trials of Azathioprine as a treatment for MS over the past 20 years both in the US and abroad. The results have not been uniform, and the use of this agent as a treatment for MS remains controversial.

One reason for this is that the potential Side-Effects of Azathioprine include Severe Anemia or Leukopenia (shortage of White Blood Cells), Liver Damage, or long-term increased risk of developing malignancies such as Leukemia or Lymphoma. Some patients have not been able to take Azathioprine because of severe Nausea.

A summary of the results of 20 different trials of Azathioprine over the past 20 years using different patient populations, different doses and different protocols, yields mixed results. Some benefit, as noted by slowed progression or fewer relapses, was noted in 60% of the trials. There was no apparent benefit in the other trials.

The decision to use Azathioprine is a complicated one, and should be made by the physician and the patient together, after a discussion of the potential risks and benefits.