Now, with renal dialysis, one can save a person from the kidney failure. If treatment is started quickly, the kidney failure can often be turned around, and the person doesn't have to continue with dialysis. Treatment with prednisone is usually tapered after six months or so, but the cyclophosphamide is continued for one to two years. For the few people who can't tolerate cyclophosphamide, other immune-suppressing drugs have also been used. So with a little bit of luck, our writer's friend will be off dialysis and in remission in six months to a year.
Relapses can occur, but are usually responsive to a second course of treatment.
I hope that all of you out there who are having green, bloody nasal discharges and cough from the flu that has been going around will not write in worried that you have Wegener's. It is a very uncommon disease. This is one doctor who makes housecalls. Shop O2 . All Rights Reserved.