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sinus issues from azathioprine

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/23/2014 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a good bit of sinus problems since starting the AZA. I have a runny nose, sinus drip and sometimes a very mild sore throat that goes and comes. I am only taking one 50 mg pill and a quarter of another pill but can't seem to get above that without increasing these miserable symptoms. I am supposed to be taking 100 mg but don't know if I will ever get there, even though I have been slowly increasing but now at a standstill.
Any suggestions?

I am also having problems with my blood sugar dropping. Is this a normal side effect of the drug? My fasting blood sugar is normally around 90 and after eating a meal usually 120, but now my blood sugar is dropping to 68 if I don't eat and 100 after eating.

I am starting to get a little relief of crohns/ post infectous c-diff symptoms so I really want to keep taking it but this is one of the most miserable drugs for me yet...

Post Edited (pmedic) : 3/23/2014 3:28:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/23/2014 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
huh. yknow, now that you mention it, my "allergies" havent been bothering me as much since i stopped aza.

interesting. anyway, when they WERE awful like that, taking the usual allergy meds helped. antihistamines, decongestants, etc. I take 10mg of Loratadine daily. Keeps my current allergy levels mostly under control, though my nose does still get clogged up with boogers (and scabs- stupid dry air). I just keep the kleenex box handy.
Posted 3/23/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Bane, I have never had allergies but you would never know it by looking at me now. I am carrying the Kleenex box everywhere :(.

I am so sick and disgusted from this disease and the crappy drugs they give us to treat it. It is almost as bad as the disease itself!
Posted 3/23/2014 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Is the weather getting nicer and icky weeds/grasses starting to grow by you? Maybe now you will have some allergy issues that you hadn't had before. I take an antihistamine at night plus a steroid nasal spray. I suffer a lot from hay fever though.
Posted 3/24/2014 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Jenn, yes everything is blooming here and has been for a few weeks (south Louisiana) but I have never had any allergies, ever but I guess this may be new normal on Aza. I was hoping this was just until I adjusted to the medication.

Blah!
Posted 3/24/2014 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have bee on Imuran for a year now. Starting last November, I began to have recurrent sore throat and nasal congestion. When I started losing my voice, my GI referred me to an ENT. The ENT mentioned that GERD was the reason. Imuran was never thought to be a culprit.
I can't sleep w/o taking an antihistamine "Aerius" and Nasonex before bed time and in the morning. I was supposed to take them for only 2 months but I'm continuing taking them.
Hope you can find a relief from the sinus problems since Imuran puts your Crohn's at bay.
Posted 3/24/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Minnie , I am very certain it is the Azathioprine causing my sinus issues. I am fine when I wake up in the morning but as soon as I take my pill at breakfast, two hours later I am sniffling and slight sore throat. I feel terrible for 6-8 hours after then I start feeling better in the evening. I take another 1/2 pill at night and within two hours I have the symptoms again but not as bad bc I am only taking a half a pill. I am so sensitive to medications so this is no surprise that I am having side effects. As long as I don't get the very worst side effect, I will tolerate it as long as possible.

I would bet your problem is related too. If you quit the Imuran, I would bet your symptoms would disappear but then we have to deal with the rotten effects of CD.

Posted 3/24/2014 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, perhaps the suppressing of your immune system with the Azathioprine is making some hay fever pop up that you can't suppress now. Wouldn't surprise me.
Posted 3/24/2014 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
decongestant might help. it's not really specific to allergies.
Posted 3/25/2014 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
IMO, it sounds like you have a mild allergy to the AZA. Are there alternative meds (maybe in the same class) you could try instead to see if you have a similar reaction? I mean, I guess you could wait and see if it goes away with time and take an antihistamine or decongestant in the meantime, but if it persists, I would certainly consider alternatives (if that's possible).
Posted 3/25/2014 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I took a benadryl yesterday and it did help. Today is worse than yesterday and I have this awful ringing in my ears. It is about to drive me bat crazy. I think it from all the fluid rolling around in my head. I think I am going to try lowering my dose tomorrow. I wish I could take something else but there is not much left for me except Methotrexate or 6 MP. I am hoping a lower dose will make things more tolerable but will still put me in remission.
Thanks again!
Posted 4/20/2014 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Have you thought about using g low dose naltrexone( ldn). I haven't myself so I can't comment on personal experience but I know a few people on the forum use it and compared to methotrextate and 6-mp it might give you some help with less side effects. Just thinking it might be something to ask your GI about. The more options you have the better the outlook I think. I was allergic to aza too it built up fluid in my lung over time I have just been lucky to have remicade work on its own
Posted 4/21/2014 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Jden- I had to stop the Azathioprine bc in addition to the sinus issues, I was also having pain when I would breath and think I was building fluid in my lungs too.

Do you know if LDN can be taken with Cimzia? I think the LDN is a great idea. I am not holding good enough on just the cimzia. I think I need a little something else to add to the regime. My GI will be a hard sell bc I attempted this about four years ago. I will try again. Maybe she will be more receptive this time.

Thanks so much for reminding me about LDN!
Posted 4/21/2014 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
No problem I dont have any info on ldn because I have been able to hold with just the remicade but I have come across it in the forum. If your GI won't go it then maybe your primary care doctor will? A lot of people doctors included forget about ldn
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