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Susan
Member
Username: Sm2621a
Post Number: 7
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 03:50 pm: | 
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Has anyone switched from imuran to steroids and know what dosage of steroids equals the same immunosuppression as imuran? I am currently on 125 mgs of Imuran now. Would I need to take 5 mgs or 500 mgs of steroids to have the same degree of immunosupression? I know this is not an exact science- since everyone is different. I just need an approximation. I am totally clueless on this.
Also, I know drs. switch up drugs all the time. In fact, I was on 1500 mgs of cellcept and then switched to the 125 mgs of imuran- with no problems. So there is a way they know what dosage to substitute.
There has to be some sort of pharmacological formula or chart out there on the internet that could help me find the answer!
PS. I know this is a strange question to ask. But, there is a good reason for it, and I can't just call up my transplant team every time I have a question or they would kill me even though that might effect their stats:-)
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Jo
Member
Username: Oxygirl
Post Number: 189
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 03:43 pm: |
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I wish I had an answer, Susan, but I am just 4 weeks out and am taking both Imuran 100mg and Prednisone 20 mg. I haven't been told about any of these changing any time soon. I'll be interested to hear what you find out. Good luck! Watching these meds seems like a full-time job!
Dx with BOOP/IPF Nov 2004
Listed Dbl Lung Tx Jan 13 2010
Double Lung tx Sept. 17, 2010
Emory Hospital Atlanta
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Susan
Member
Username: Sm2621a
Post Number: 8
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 - 01:21 pm: |
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Thanks Jo, Yes, at one point I was also 4 weeks out and taking cellcept (imuran equivalent) and 30 mgs of prednisone! I was lucky enough to be weaned offed the prednisone completely within the first 8 months. Then I switched to imuran after a year because of GI issues with the cellcept (very common). Now, I'm on maintenance dosing, and taking my meds is easy and second nature....it just takes some time. The only reason I need to change my dosage is because I'm gonna try to get pregnant (with my doctor's consent, of course). I'm just doing research about what drugs are ok to taking during which semester ect.
Anyway, I remember how hard it was my first year- even my second year. However, I finally got all my meds figured out and all my other health issues addressed and I've been perfectly healthy for a full year now. (I'm 3 years out).
Just get through the next couple of months! Don't eat too much on the prednisone! Oh god I was hungry all the time. And don't freak out if you get a reject episode or even two in the next few months. It's all totally normal. In 3 years you'll be feeling awesome. Good Luck!
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Meagan
Forum Leader
Username: Newheart14
Post Number: 1388
Registered: 01-2009
| | Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 - 01:51 pm: |
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Hi Susan,
Along with prograf, I take imuran and prednisone. I feel the same way as you when I call in but that's what they're there for. We have what they call "Easy Call" at my hospital. We all have pin numbers and we have voice mail set up at the hospital where we can leave messages, and vice-versa. They call back the same day and either talk to us in person, or leave a message. I am not sure if all the transplant hospitals in the U.S. has this system but it's really cool. I hope things work out for you with your desire to have a baby.
I hear you about the steroids. I was in the hospital last week and they had to put me on another steroid in addition to my prednisone and I could have eaten my hospital bed. I even told the nurses to stand back ... lol.  Thank goodness I'm off them now.
Good luck with your future plans.
Meagan
Forum Leader
Heart-Liver Transplant - February 14, 2008
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 1991 and CHF
- Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept trying when there seemed to be no hope at all - Dale Carnegie
- Bumps in the road can sometimes be mountains, so I have learned to climb mountains - Meagan
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Karen R.
Forum Leader
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 4950
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Friday, October 22, 2010 - 10:07 pm: |
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Susan:
What a great question. I just don't know the answer. I am not sure there is an exact equivalent between the meds. Some of the dosages are based on weight - especially the prednisone. I don't know about Imuran or Cellcept. I am on Prograf and Medrol. My transplant team looks at my blood levels before changing any of my dosages. My first 6 months post transplant my Prograf dosage changed a lot.
I am now almost 11 months out and my Prograf dosage is stable. I was just told that I could lower my Medrol last month to 4 mg (which is equal to 5 mg of Pred).
That's all I know about the drugs.  If you find out more, please share it with us!
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Double lung transplant on Dec. 1st, 2009
Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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