What is better for kids with UC -- Remicade or 6MP as far as side effects?
My daughter was diagnosed with UC in May 2008. She is 11 years old, in 6th grade. We're going through the process of weaning off prednisone - yesterday she took her last dosage. Her CRP levels this past week increased from 0.11 (last month) to 2.67 (last week). Dr. says this is still OK and continue weaning. Though he says he may have to put her back on steroids if symptoms increase -- to my dismay. He also said something about starting her on 6MP. I am terrified as this presents a larger issue with her contacting other illnesses. This is all new to me.
First I want to know what is better for achieving remission in a child - Remicade or 6MP. Second I want to know if it is possible that her CRP level rose because she was having her period when they did the labs. Thanks.
Hi Sandy,
These are hard decisions to make, especially when they concern our children. I'm not a doctor so I can't tell you what the best course of treatment for your daughter will be. My suggestion is to speak with your doctor candidly, perhaps without your daughter present, so that you can get all of your various questions and concerns out on the table and answered. YOu can research the various types of meds. available on this site as well as on the ccfa.org site to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. Did you mention to your doctor that your daughter was having her period when the last lab tests were done? If not, always be sure to let them know these kinds of things so they are well informed.
Good luck,
Elizabeth
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C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are both nonspecific markers of infllammation somewhere in the body.
Most of the time, the ESR does not change as rapidly as does the CRP, either at the start of inflammation, or as it goes away. Because the CRP is not affected by as many factors as is the ESR, it is usually considered to be a more reliable marker of inflammation. (But, the ESR is cheaper and quicker to perform, so many doctors still use the ESR first, when they suspect that a patient has inflammation.)
Menstruation and pregnancy can cause slight, temporary elevations and flucuations of both ESR and CRP levels. As a matter of fact, the low normal ESR level for females is higher than is the low normal level for males.
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