New Member :) + Imuran/Azasan?

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say hi as I am new here, and am hoping to learn a lot through healingwell.
I am a 21 year old female, and was only diagnosed with Crohn's in Sept/2010 but have been having a pretty rough go.

I started with Prednisone and Salofalk for a few months with no real relief. The doctors now want to start me on Imuran, put me back on Prednisone and see how things go before trying anything like Humira.

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with Imuran as I am a little nervous with some of the side effects.

Thanks :)

* I am from Canada and Azathioprine in known by the name Imuran, but I think it may be called Azasan in the US.

I had some bad side effects from immuran, noticeably, back pain, kidney pain, thin skin, bruise easily and if I cut my hand I would bleed and tear my skin like it was paper thin. gi took me off within 30 days, when i started complaining about kidney pain, he stopped and I went to rem, withpain med's

I started to have a hypersensitivity to the cold on Imuran, and I could not stay warm.
I was on a high dose, 200mg per day, that may have had something to do with it.

I figured out it was Imuran doing this, told my g.i. and he said for me to stop taking it.
This cold problem is now gone, after a week or so with no Imuran.
I was also having really bad muscle cramps in my legs, and I exercise alot, rarely get sore, these were not normal.
They are now gone too.

I will be back on Imuran in a month or so, neither one of these problems really worried me, and my g.i. told me I was not in any danger, it would just be very uncomfortable.

One thing that could of helped me here, is the bloodwork, I slacked off, and didn't get it done like I should have, which is my own fault.

Take Care

Hey thanks everyone for the advice! Much appreciated!
I will for sure keep up on my bloodwork and will hope for the best.

Vuz/crohnielass- good to hear about minimal symptoms. Prednisone is really kicking my butt with some nasty side effects, will be nice (hopefully) to start something different!

homeboy- sorry to hear about your rough time on the Imuran, hope it goes better this time! and I work in the lab here so I think for sure it will help if you keep up on your blood work!

artistguy- true about the fruit! a little tougher now since anything raw seems to really bother me, but if the Imuran starts to help perhaps delicious raw fruit again!