kidneys Rituxin or imuran

[keegan55]

I do realize I will have to have kidney biopsy oh my....
The UNC nephrologist as I have mentioned wants me to go on
Rituxin. She also mentioned imuran. So this is the question which is better and have any of you used one or the other

[Pete]

I am on mtx as my maintenance immunosuppressant. Last fall, when I was showing signs of kidney involvement, I had two rituximab infusions that fixed the kidney problem with no other ill effects. I can't take immuran.

[John]

Don't fret on the kidney bio. I had no problem with it, of course I have a great kidney dr. I have had both meds. and it has helped.

[mrtmeo]

I am on mtx as my maintenance immunosuppressant. Last fall, when I was showing signs of kidney involvement, I had two rituximab infusions that fixed the kidney problem with no other ill effects. I can't take immuran.

Hi Pete,
Did u ever try cellcept?

[Ruotsi1]

I just had 2 Rituxan infusions and now am on Imuran for maintenance. No change in kidney function (creatinine has been hanging out at 1.5).

[chris.wg]

I am on Rituxan and I have used Cytoxan. From what I have seen both are used to induce remission. Rituxan is a infusion but less harmful then Cytoxan as far as all research has currently shown. The bonus/ downside depending on who you are. Is its infusion so you do it and that is one less morning pill to take Cytoxan is pill. I figure we have all been poked enough that what's one more needle poke so that's why I consider it a bonus :P Imuran I personally can't tell you anything about. But I know there are others on the site who are on and have been on who I am sure you will hear chime in soon.

[sbeach78]

I am on Imuran, because my Renal specialist said it was not as harsh on my kidneys . My Rheumy agreed. However it makes more nausea for me then the cytoxicin did...

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[Pete]

Hi Pete,
Did u ever try cellcept?

Nope. I've tolerated everything (ctx and rtx) except immuran pretty well. Been on mtx for 2.5 years. Would like to get off it and then taper off pred.

[gilders]

Personally I'd say use rtx when WG is active and once in remission use Imuran as maintenance.
Rtx is more powerful than Imuran. I have read that the more Rtx infusions you have the less effective it is (much like many other drugs), therefore I'd try to save Rtx until/if you have a severe flare.
I've been on Imuran for about 15 of the last 19 years and also have renal failure. It is unlikely that I've had any adverse side effects from it. I say "unlikely" because I've developed a condition that is forcing my bone marrow to produce red blood cells too quickly. This is then forcing immature, irregular shaped blood cells in to my blood stream. My nephrologist (who's also my main WG Dr) thought it could be due to Imuran. But the blood specialists (who should know more about these matters) disagreed, although he never came up with any other answers.

[miracleshappen08]

Gilders, I have this blood issue too, but I'm in MTX and had only one RTX infusion. And my doctors have not come up with a reason either.

[gilders]

Gilders, I have this blood issue too, but I'm in MTX and had only one RTX infusion. And my doctors have not come up with a reason either.
Wow that's really interesting. I mentioned it on another thread months ago, but it seemed like it wasn't Wegener's or medication related as no one else seemed to have this blood disorder. Now I'm not so sure.
I've been discharged from the blood specialists so I'm unlikely to find out much more about this condition (causes and what damage, if any, it's doing). If you ever find out more information I'd love to hear. I've had Ctx and Imuran, so different drug regime to you. This makes me think it's not drug related like the blood specialists thought.
I also had a bone and a bone marrow biopsy which came back clear for blood cancers and leukemia.

[mrtmeo]

Personally I'd say use rtx when WG is active and once in remission use Imuran as maintenance.
Rtx is more powerful than Imuran. I have read that the more Rtx infusions you have the less effective it is (much like many other drugs), therefore I'd try to save Rtx until/if you have a severe flare.
I've been on Imuran for about 15 of the last 19 years and also have renal failure. It is unlikely that I've had any adverse side effects from it. I say "unlikely" because I've developed a condition that is forcing my bone marrow to produce red blood cells too quickly. This is then forcing immature, irregular shaped blood cells in to my blood stream. My nephrologist (who's also my main WG Dr) thought it could be due to Imuran. But the blood specialists (who should know more about these matters) disagreed, although he never came up with any other answers.

Hi gilders,
Do you get Epogen/procrit injections?

[gilders]

Hi gilders,
Do you get Epogen/procrit injections?

No I don't.
I don't think my anemia is severe enough. Perhaps when I'm on dialysis this may be considered.

[keegan55]

thanks for our reply. Does that worry you about the creatine.....ao what is tour gfr around 40 percent

[drz]

Wow that's really interesting. I mentioned it on another thread months ago, but it seemed like it wasn't Wegener's or medication related as no one else seemed to have this blood disorder. Now I'm not so sure.
I've been discharged from the blood specialists so I'm unlikely to find out much more about this condition (causes and what damage, if any, it's doing). If you ever find out more information I'd love to hear. I've had Ctx and Imuran, so different drug regime to you. This makes me think it's not drug related like the blood specialists thought.
I also had a bone and a bone marrow biopsy which came back clear for blood cancers and leukemia.

I had broken red blood cells when I was anemic and and on Dapasone briefly. It was stopped and the anemia and kidney function slowly improved after several months.