some general thoughts about Imuran
 

My neurologist thinks that I will go into remission in a year or two just on Imuran. I am not so optimistic. Still, I am glad to be on the drug, because I can't help wondering what's down the road for me: which autoimmune disease I'm going to get next. Rheumatoid arthritis? MS? Imuran might not be strong enough to take away my MG symptoms, but maybe it's what I need to prevent something worse. Almost everyone here has more than one autoimmune disease. I have MG and Graves already.

My other vague thought is that Imuran is a pretty weak or slow-acting drug, because there are TEN kids in my house with a horrible messy cold (my five, plus five little ones my teens have been baby-sitting in the evenings). And I don't have it. That's how I've always been--really resistant to viruses--but I thought the Imuran would change that. Probably it will, but not just yet (I've only been on it a month or so). I'm certainly not complaining! Just noticing.

Abby

Hi Abby
I started Imuran about the first of Dec. no results so far. I started my second round of IVIG today. As for the Imuran I have lost about 15 pounds since I started it, which they are concerned with. I'm now having a round of tests with the Gastro. Today when they were poking me with needles hunting a vein my blood pressure was 100/60 now my wife is concerned with that. Anyway my Neuro wants to try IVIG to hold me over until the Imuran kicks in. So far nothing has worked.
Mike

Hi, Mike. So you haven't had IVIG yet? My neurologist said the same thing, that we would try it to hold me over until the Imuran starts to help, which he said would be six months to a year.

Abby

Hi Abby
I had my first IVIG the same time you got yours. My first did NOTHING. My neuro wants to try it one more time then it's plasmapheresis. I had my first dose yesterday, I get my second dose tomorrow. They space mine out over 3 weeks due to my age.
Mike

Right, sorry, I remember now. You and I are at the same stage of this thing. You got no results at all from the IVIG--how very disappointing! I got two wonderful weeks, but since it took me a week to get the transfusions and a week to recover from them, I don't think I'll agree to another course of IVIG unless I get dangerously sick.

I'm interested to hear that the doctor thinks you should try another course. I hope you get some really radical improvements from it this time.... Please do let us know. I am glad your doctor is considering plasmapheresis if the IVIG doesn't work again, because I have heard that it helps some people who aren't helped by IVIG.

As for the Imuran...well, it's early for both of us. I have lost some weight on it, but only because I was trying to lose a few pounds and the Imuran takes the edge off my appetite. I am sorry It's a problem for you. The low blood-pressure (especially under stress!) is concerning, too. You must be exhausted.

Here's hoping for happy endings to both of our myasthenia stories...

Abby