Re: Re: Funny you mention rheumatology workups

[Guest guest]

Marcia,

I don't know. When I first started the Imuran a year ago, I had bloodwork weekly. After a few months it was twice a month, for the last 3 or 4 months it's been monthly.

If you've been on it for years chances are your liver is tolerating it fine but I don't honestly know the answer to how often things should be checked. I'll do some research and see what I can find out.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, November 7, 2009 2:50:58 AMSubject: Re: Funny you mention rheumatology workups

Should the blood be tested every month when on imuran. I have been on it for years and my PC only checks it about every 3 months. I had to suggest to the first dr that it should be tested. He said, "Oh yeah, we can do that." Some of these drs have no clue.

Marcia

[Guest guest]

Marcia, I have monthly bloodwork

due to the Prednisone and Imuran.

The people at the Quest office know me by my first name!

Z fibriotic NSIP/05

Z 65, fibriotic NSIP/05/PA

And

“mild” PH/10/07

No,

NSIP was not self-inflicted…I never smoked!

Potter,

reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah and Sara

“I’m

gonna be iron like a lion in Zion” Bob Marley

Vinca

Minor-periwinkle is my flower

Chatty_katt3@... wrote:

Should the blood be tested every month when on imuran. I

have been on it for years and my PC only checks it about every 3

months. I had to suggest to the first dr that it should be tested. He

said, "Oh yeah, we can do that." Some of these drs have no clue.

Marcia

[Guest guest]

Marcia, Get the shingles

vaccine...the vaccine is safe for us!!!

Shingles on the other hand is torture!!!

Z fibriotic NSIP/05

Z 65, fibriotic NSIP/05/PA

And

“mild” PH/10/07

No,

NSIP was not self-inflicted…I never smoked!

Potter,

reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah and Sara

“I’m

gonna be iron like a lion in Zion” Bob Marley

Vinca

Minor-periwinkle is my flower

Chatty_katt3@... wrote:

I don't think the first Dr. who put me on it, would have

tested at all, if I hadn't questioned it. I think it had been about 2

or 3 months. He didn't retest when he raised it either, but I changed

Drs about that time. He checked it more often. My present PC, Primary

Care , Doctor seems to check it about every 3 months.

I also was told to get the shingles vaccine, which of

course is a live vacine and I shouldn't get it because of all the

inmune suppressing drugs I am taking. She also wanted me to get

another vacine at the same time, which the shingles vacine says not to

take with another. Seems like you need to know these things yourself.

Thank goodness for all the people on this air family who

come up with these pearls of wisdom.

Marcia

[Guest guest]

Marcia,

You're scaring me girlfriend....why is your PC managing the Imuran? Do you have a rheumatologist or a pulmo? Who's writing the Rx for the Imuran. That's who should be following up with testing. If your pc is prescribing the Imuran....wow I would not be at all comfortable with that.

I hate being pushy but it just worries me. Imuran is a powerful drug. It's safe for most people but it does require monitoring, mostly for liver issues but for bone marrow problems also. You are correct in questioning the every three months. From what I've been able to fine monthly testing is the most common procedure for those on long term treatment with Imuran. You need someone to step up and take responsibility for this. You are going to have to push on someone hard. Be it your pulmo or your rheumy, don't let yourself slip through the cracks.

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sat, November 7, 2009 3:52:38 PMSubject: Re: Funny you mention rheumatology workups

I don't think the first Dr. who put me on it, would have tested at all, if I hadn't questioned it. I think it had been about 2 or 3 months. He didn't retest when he raised it either, but I changed Drs about that time. He checked it more often. My present PC, Primary Care , Doctor seems to check it about every 3 months.

I also was told to get the shingles vaccine, which of course is a live vacine and I shouldn't get it because of all the inmune suppressing drugs I am taking. She also wanted me to get another vacine at the same time, which the shingles vacine says not to take with another. Seems like you need to know these things yourself.

Thank goodness for all the people on this air family who come up with these pearls of wisdom.

Marcia