Imuran info?

Hey Donna!

I took Imuran for about a year at 150 mg. I didnt have any side effects from Imuran except towards the end my red blood cells fell to below 9, which we are thinking that came from kidney failure but one can never be too sure. I also don't think I had any bennifits from taking it. I can never be sure since I don't know what it would have been like without it but my rhuemy and I both agree we don't think it did much good for me. But saying this I was also on cellcept for about 7 months and it didnt do anything either except I had a lot of side effects from cellcept!

Good luck on the switch over!!

I took Imuran for about a year with no side effects -- but no good came of it either. I don't think there is any way to predict who it will help and who it won't, it seems to be somewhat random.

Good luck with it, it is a less expensive alternative than Cellcept for sure!

I have been on Imuran for quite a while but I take 150mg and was even on 200mg at one point for a few months. I would ask if there is a process to get a med approved that your insurance normally wouldn't cover if it is medically necessary and nothing else will do. Often times there is a way to do this but it would require your rheumy to participate in the process. Just a thought.

I have been taking Imuran for 5.5 years. I started on it for my Crohn's disease, but when I developed lupus they increased my dosage of Imuran to help with that.

Imuran can cause nausea. I find it most helpful taking it with food. Taking it at bedtime should decrease any nausea issues. In the beginning, I did feel some fatigue but it didn't last long. My blood needed to be monitored every two weeks for the first 2 months, then monthly for 3 or 4 months. I did have a big drop in my white blood count in the beginning which I was told happens sometimes. I stopped Imuran for a week, my WBC came back up and I went back on the Imuran and had no further problems.

If you drink alcohol, a word of caution. about 5 days after I started Imuran it was my daughter's 21 birthday. I had a glass of white wine with our appetitizers. I got about half way through with the glass of wine and suddenly felt as if I had consumed the entire bottle! I talked with others I know that take Imuran and several of them had an identical experience when they first began Imuran and drank alcohol. I know longer have that happen but just wanted to make you aware of the possibility.

Hi Python, I'm just wondering how you're finding being on the Imuran? I am starting it for the first time today...kinda nervous in a way, but excited too...just with the hopes of having my energy go up some. Anything would help..what did you experience when you first started it?

Thanks
-Ellie

Ladies, thank you so much for your replies. I have been on the Imuran for 5 days now and the only problems I am having is nausea and headaches. I do take it at bedtime but have to get up a couple times a night for "nature calls", and it can be a little difficult getting settled and back to sleep. My rheumy has appealed the cellcept decision 3 times and aetna medicare turned us down flat. Other than the tummy trouble and headaches, I seem to be tolerating the Imuran ok. No flares lately (knocks on wood).

I hope everyone is doing as well as can be.

Donna

Yeppers.. same deal... Cellcept was like 1200 a month for me. Lost my job and had to go on immuran. And I have tolerated it well. No probs for me.