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Can Immune System Go Back To It S Normal State After An Immune Disease?
Question: Can your immune system be turned around once it as turned on you as in auto immune diseases.
I was hoping for an article in the newsletter addressing this topic.
I am in good health otherwise. I am very active (square dance, tai chi, weight lifting, etc.) and work on my diet faithfully. At this point the prednisone is at 3 mg daily and the metho is at 7.5 weekly. I've been ordered to stay out of the sun and work at that as well.
I was hoping for an article in the newsletter addressing this topic.
I am in good health otherwise. I am very active (square dance, tai chi, weight lifting, etc.) and work on my diet faithfully. At this point the prednisone is at 3 mg daily and the metho is at 7.5 weekly. I've been ordered to stay out of the sun and work at that as well.
Brief Answer:
dermatomyositis
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam. Thank you for writing on healthcare magic.
Going through your history, I believe that you have been diagnosed as dermatomyositis.
Your physician is right in saying it is risky. But as I see you are already on the lowest dose of the drugs.
Coming to your question, yes it is true that the immune system does go back to it s normal state once controlled with medications. But It differs from individual to individual. Some patients don't respond to even higher dose of medications, some respond quite well to even minor doses. We normally observe a patient over the course of time. If even on minimum doses they do good for a period of 6 months to an year, we can give it a chance on stopping it. But as I said it s a chance. Patients are warned here of the symptoms and to report back if they see any.
The only problem is if the disease comes back, you will need a higher dose medications to control it again.
I haven't examined you but you are on a very low dose of steroid. That much amount is produced by your body as well. You can discuss with your physician on making prednisolone to alternate day , so if the symptoms occur on the days you are not taking prednisolone , it will give you an idea that you can or cant stop the drug.
Methotrexate can go off later
It is always worth a chance but yes if the disease comes back again, then the 2nd time you can never stop the medications.
Hope The information was useful. Do let me know for further queries
dermatomyositis
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam. Thank you for writing on healthcare magic.
Going through your history, I believe that you have been diagnosed as dermatomyositis.
Your physician is right in saying it is risky. But as I see you are already on the lowest dose of the drugs.
Coming to your question, yes it is true that the immune system does go back to it s normal state once controlled with medications. But It differs from individual to individual. Some patients don't respond to even higher dose of medications, some respond quite well to even minor doses. We normally observe a patient over the course of time. If even on minimum doses they do good for a period of 6 months to an year, we can give it a chance on stopping it. But as I said it s a chance. Patients are warned here of the symptoms and to report back if they see any.
The only problem is if the disease comes back, you will need a higher dose medications to control it again.
I haven't examined you but you are on a very low dose of steroid. That much amount is produced by your body as well. You can discuss with your physician on making prednisolone to alternate day , so if the symptoms occur on the days you are not taking prednisolone , it will give you an idea that you can or cant stop the drug.
Methotrexate can go off later
It is always worth a chance but yes if the disease comes back again, then the 2nd time you can never stop the medications.
Hope The information was useful. Do let me know for further queries
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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