Category Archives: Treatment
Liver Testing
Liver function tests are laboratory blood tests meant to show details about the condition of the patient’s liver. Tests may be associated with functionality, cellulary integrity, or biliary tract condition. Many liver diseases are initially without symptoms (asymptomatic) or present … Continue reading
Lab Results
If you’ve had laboratory tests performed, you may have been given a copy of the report by the lab or your health care provider. Once you get your report, however, it may not be easy for you to read … Continue reading
Filed under Diagnosis, Family, Lab Results, Treatment
What Now?
So you finally have a diagnosis but what do I do now? Where do I go from here? We have tried to give you some concepts of how to start learning to deal with your disease and start you down … Continue reading
Liver Enzymes
Liver Functions The Liver is the biggest and the most complex organ in the body with more than 500 functions. It is referred to as an “incredible chemical factory,” producing many important chemical compounds needed to survive, such as bile, albumin, … Continue reading
Other medications
During the course of treating Wegener’s granulomatosis, doctors often give their patients other medicines to prevent medicine-related side effects. These include Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (also called bactrim or septra) is given three times a week to prevent Pneumocystis carinii infection (a lung … Continue reading
Filed under Treatment
Azathioprine
Azathioprine (also called Imuran) is used primarily to maintain remission in people who have initially been treated and gone into remission with cyclophosphamide. It is taken once a day by mouth. Similar to methotrexate, it is usually given for 1 … Continue reading
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Methotrexate
Methotrexate has been studied at NIH for the treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis since 1990. In people with active, but not immediately life threatening, Wegener’s granulomatosis, methotrexate has been used in combination with prednisone to bring about remission. It also is … Continue reading
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Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is the most commonly used cytotoxic drug used to treat Wegener’s granulomatosis. People take cyclophosphamide once a day by mouth and must take the drug all at once in the morning followed by drinking a large amount of … Continue reading
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Prednisone
Prednisone is the most common glucocorticoid that doctors use. Prednisone is similar to cortisol, the natural glucocorticoid hormone produced by the body. It is chemically different from the anabolic steroids that have been used by athletes and is given in … Continue reading
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Treatment Overview
In most cases, treatment consists of a combination of a glucocorticoid (a steroid) and a cytotoxic medicine. Although these medicines are helpful in treating Wegener’s granulomatosis, people and their doctors should be aware that they potentially have serious side effects. … Continue reading
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