Newbie

[Sangye]

Barbara, I've also heard Wegs specialists say that many vasculitides require the same treatment and it doesn't matter too much if they can't pin down the exact diagnosis.

[Daggar]

Good to hear that you're doing better! Prednisolone is the iv-pulse (liquid) vs. the oral pill form - prednisone.

There were a few replies on the other site to the fellow I mentioned -- it appears pANCA vasculitis is more common than first thought and there are a few that have had nearly "complete" recovery!

Kidney function with auto-immune disorders is a tough thing to determine. The Nephrologists told us that Holly's damage appeared to be substantial but she has surprised them so if you're at 39% now it could level off there or could show further improvement if the treatments have stopped any inflammation. It's such a tough thing to determine.

As Sangaye said... although the vasculitis disorders are different the treatments are interchangeable for the most part minus side effect complications.

Let us know how you do on the azathioprine....

[Barbara H]

that's odd1 I am taking prendisolone in pill form! Not to worry, maybe terminlolgy is a bit different in the UK from in America. I will let you know how I go on, I have only just started them today. I also heard of a 15 year old boy, his mum said the vasculitis has completely gone a few years ago, and his kidney function is almost back to normal. Here's hoping!

[Daggar]

sorry barbara i got false info online.... imagine that!!

I guess this is the correct comparison from the doctors:

Though prednisone and prednisolone are used in the same manner and equally as effective, they should not be confused with each other. Prednisone is activated by the liver into prednisolone. For this reason and because it is more easily absorbed, prednisolone is the drug of choice when hepatic disease or insufficiency is present.

Both prednisone and prednisolone are readily absorbed and distributed into muscle, liver, intestines, and kidneys. They are both metabolized in the liver, and excreted in the urine.