New member - in hospital - questions on Azathioprine and weight gain

After going for many years without any problems, last week I started passing some blood (very dark, very pungent odor), called GI doc, sent to ER, admitted to hospital.  Later that day, with 'intestinal bleeding' very noticeable, I passed out while sitting and was sent to ICU for three days.  There I was tested to find problem (upper GI, colonscopy, nuclear medicine blood trace, blood tests).  Finally the doc said it just appears that my treatment protocol (Pentasa) was not working.  Is this a normal 'flare-up'?  I did not have any pain or cramping prior the episode, just a lot of blood.  The doc is giving me IV steroids now, but a previous experience with Prednisone makes me very wary of side effects, especially weight gain.  He is considering Azathioprine.  Does this have a history of success (first priority) and/or weight gain (important also).  Any input would be appreciated.

Pigdoc

PS: I am amazed at the size of this website.

I have been on Imuran since 02. It takes it a good three months to really know if its going to help or not. I have not noticed any weight gain on Imuran. There are many drugs available once you taper off the Prednisone, but it sounds like you will be needing meds. W/o meds the crohns is silently working in a bad way on your innards. If your dr does in fact put you on Imuran, it can cause nausea, so therefore, take it at bedtime. My gi has all his Imuran peeps take it at bedtime because of this problem. Good luck, Susie

Yes the prednisone is designed for short term use and to rapidly reduce inflammation. The Imuran is long term to sustain remission and most patients do well on it.

None of those meds should pose any problem re traveling. What will is unrestrained D, bleeding, etc. Sounds to me that your GI is pursuing a prudent course of treatment, and if you do well on the immunosuppressant, you can likely look forward to a much better physical situation.

Azathioprine help put me into remission the first time. It worked really well for me, didn't have any problems from it. Actually lost my pred weight while on it. I hope this helps a little bit! Goodluck!