Imuran

Hi Guys, Just another "quick" one from me to you!

Have any of you told your bosses/co workers that you are on immunosuppresants?

Im starting Imuran and am concerned i could pick up something in the work place without knowing.

Some of my co-workers are always coming into work with colds and flus and never going to get antibiotics for them. Its horrible when they start spluttering and coughing etc!!

Should i tell them if they are ill not to come near me?

Or am i being a worry wort? Should i say nothing and just try to stay away from these people?

Has anyone actually picked up things more easily on imuran?

Roxette, I have been on Imuran for 4 years. One of the theories about autoimmune diseases like Crohn's is that the immune system is sort of on overdrive. Think of it as hyperactive - going after our bodies instead of just going after foreign things like viruses and bacteria. So giving immunosuppressants actually makes the immune system "more" normal. One problem with immunosuppressants is they can lower the white cells too much which then can put you very much at risk. Your doctor is hopefully testing your blood periodically to keep and eye on that and other effects of Imuran.

I personally have fewer colds than I did prior to Imuran. I think alot of that is being more aware of the possibility of picking up something. My suggestion is to get a good hand sanitizer to keep at your desk. Be "stingy" about letting people use your pen. If they have to use your phone, keep sanitizing wipes to clean the handle and mouth piece. I would have no problems telling others BUT your work environment could be less "receptive" than those lovewtoleaugh deals with. Hopefully others will have other suggestions on how to aboid the office sneezers and coughers.

Great thanks for all the re-assurance guys. I had a feeling i was being a bit of a worry wort!
Im paranoid about the imuran. I know there are some great stories out there about it and also some crappy ones. Im hoping i dont get too many of the side effects.
Ive just started back on prednisolone and started the imuran also. Last night i got 4hrs sleep and my tummy was very out of sorts the whole night. Feel fine today though;im not even tired! Strange!
I hate having this disease; if you are not coping with the effects of it we are trying to cope with side effects of the meds!
Suppose it could be a lot worse though.
Keep well everyone

Hi there, I've been on Imuran (125mg) for just under 10 years. I do get infections very easily, and I keep hand sanitizer at my desk, in my purse, etc. I am pretty open at work about the risk of infection and people generally take it seriously and stay away from me when they are sick. I guess I'm taking my chances being in a large office during flu season, but I think this is the least of my worries on Imuran :)

I try to avoid food cooked by other people (maybe I just have a complex about food poisoning) and I use the "dry" cycle in my dishwasher to sterilize my dishes. My doctor has also advised me to avoid pregnancy because of potential risk to a baby, although there seems to be a wide variety of opinions on this. Avoid kids with chicken pox... I had this when I was young but got it again while on Imuran and it wasn't fun. I also had to take antibiotics as a precaution after dental work because of the increased chance of infection, not sure how common this is but I guess you should tell your dentist you're taking it and let them decide.