Tapering Cytoxan

[NicShaf]

Thanks everyone, I feel better about my rheumy's decision now...I just have this urge to second guess things sometimes

Phil, I'm on 17.5mg of Pred now, and going to 15 in two weeks. I'll be at 15mg until I see my Rheumy in late July and we discuss my next step.

I was comfortable with the 6 months of Ctx, it seemed pretty standard for sinus and lung involvement, my original Rheumy was talking at least a year, that's why I switched doctors shortly after starting my treatment. I don't see a "specialist" per say, but my Rheumy is very seasoned and knowledgeable in Wegs, he is one of the best in the So Cal area.
Kaiser in So Cal also has this neat thing they call a Wegener's clinic. I see ALL the Rheumatologists in So Cal Kaiser every 6 months or so. They meet with me in the ENT department and all go over my case and check me out, stick their camera up my nose, so on and so forth...it's a little weird at first, but I enjoy hearing all the doctors opinions and having them all discuss my course of treatment while I'm in the room.

[Sangye]

I think people who get IV ctx might be able to get away with 3 months of ctx more often because they're getting the full dose of ctx right away. When you go on the oral form you taper onto it over the course of 2-3 weeks to make sure you can tolerate it.

But like you said Nicole, it probably mostly depends on the severity of disease.

[drz]

I think people who get IV ctx might be able to get away with 3 months of ctx more often because they're getting the full dose of ctx right away. When you go on the oral form you taper onto it over the course of 2-3 weeks to make sure you can tolerate it.

But like you said Nicole, it probably mostly depends on the severity of disease.

I agree that severity is big issue as well as response to treatment. I had RTX IV, CTX IV and oral CTX for 9 months before switch to azathioprine, but they described my GPA as an extremely nasty version. They now consider me in a drug induced state of remission.

[renidrag]

I did not taper CTX just stopped and I remember the day June 30, 2010. Wow! I have been drug free for almost twelve months!!!! Maybe I will celebrate with a parade this Saturday in Boston with Lord Stanley's Cup.
Dale

[Sangye]

That's awesome, Dale. I hope you do celebrate it!

[NicShaf]

Happy (almost) One Year Anniversary, Dale!