Drugs to stimulate immune system

Here is an article in which a doctor is using a drug to stimulate the immune system instead of suppressing it for Crohn's patients

http://www.wsaw.com/unclassified/215686.html

Sometimes I wonder if it's a good thing taking all these immunosuppressive medicines for Crohn's? There are lots of new studies now, saying that Crohn's is not due to an over reactive immune system but to a defficient immune system. Like the last study in which they used viagra... I guess that would be a strange drug for all us male patients :ycool:

"The drug, dubbed GM-CSF, which stands for granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, is also known by the brand name, Leukine. The drug stimulates the immune system and is administered by daily injection."

Hey! I think this is the same drug that my gastroenterologist is planning to put me on for my Crohns. I will find out on Feb 1st whether or not he wants to do so.

Hello, I don't know they keep telling us so many different things, you really don't know what to believe
~~~HUGS~~
ika:

I am supposed to be starting Methatrexate and Remicade, I see my GI on the 5th Feb and I'm gonna ask him about this. I have my doubts about the drugs he wants me to have as we still haven't completed our family and I have read reports that say you shouldn't take Methotrexate if you are planning children. Anyone have any more info on this?

Ruth

Hi Ruth. Regarding Methatrexate I'm sure it shouldn't be taken if you are planning children. I have a friend who has Rhuematid Arthiritis (also an auto immune disease) and he was taking Methatrexte, and his doctor told him that if he plans to have children he should stop it at least 3 months before trying. So check this with your doctor. Good Luck

Huh other studies I read about had a much lower success rate that used other immune boosting meds... This one seems to have a very good success rate granted it is also given as a daily injection rather than as a pill...

I just hope all of these studies lead to a better understanding of our illness because their is still way to much that is not known about CD and UC....