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Imuran? Mayo recommending - nervous

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/4/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone been on this? I'm a little worried about it because I have had issues with skin cancer and it runs in my family. I read that this med. can increase the risk of it. They also increased my Lialda to the max dose of 4 per day. I really don't know much about Imuran though. I posted the other day about how I have been on prednisone twice in the last 6 months and when I go offf of it, I seem to start having problems right away.
Posted 12/4/2009 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'd honestly try using rectal meds (specifically, mesalamine enemas) in combination with the lialda before using imuran, especially because of your skin cancer issues. You could also consider giving the pred another shot (in combinaiton with lialda and enemas) and do a really slow taper. However, do know that the dose of imuran that UC patients are on is MUCH lower than the dose transplant patients are on, and what most of the side effect information is written for.
Posted 12/4/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
The doses are not "MUCH" higher for transplant patients, and many uc patients do find themselves taking doses that meet or exceed those of transplant patients.  I'd be cautious in light of such a family history.
Posted 12/5/2009 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
what Dr. did you see? I will be seeing Sandborn again on 12/15. I am concerned about imurann too.
Posted 12/5/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I saw Dr. Kane and resident there with her named Dr. Ravi - I think. I don't know if he doesn't remember me telling him about why I have giant scars on my back and my family history of skin cancer or what. I called back and left a message. They did seem really good and really thorough, but this medicine makes me nervous.
Posted 12/5/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on Imuran at 100 mg a day. As long as you get regular blood work to check your liver function and WBC, you should be able to monitor the effects of the drug. Been on it for a month now and so far no complications. I am nervous on it, but I'm nervous on any pharmaceutical drug. I don't want to take it forever. I think the long term complications come a little later after taken for 6 months or more....
Posted 12/5/2009 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I just went on Imuran (or the generic Azathioprine). The statistics my GI gave me were about 5 out of 10,000 people that contract cancer. My goal is to get off the prednisone. Pred has many, many more bad side affects. I'll take the MP6 odds.
Posted 12/5/2009 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Imuran for around 6 years or so and have not seen any adverse affects.
I get my blood checked every three months and have not seen any changes in my liver
panel. My current dosage is 175 mg daily along with 2 Lialda once a day. I have been in
remission coming up on 4 years now. Good luck.


Later...
Posted 12/5/2009 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
     6MP stopped working for me...if it ever did work that  is.  Seven years ago, my doctor placed me on it.  I did enjoy a two year remission but after that starting flaring every year and had three bad flares within the last eighteen months, the first requiring a ten day hospitalization.  Off the 6MP and now on Remicade.  Wish I had started the Remicade a year ago.  Noticed improvement two days after first infusion.  Both doctor and I are cautiously optimistic as sometimes Remi stops working too.  Well, at 63 yrs of age I count my blessings and enjoy every "good" day the Lord gives me.
Posted 12/5/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

I was on it, generic, 150 mg., for about 3 weeks, and it was like a miracle for my UC.  Unfortunately, I'm one of those whose liver functions went sky high so the doctor took me off. That was about 2 weeks ago.  Most of my blood tests went back to normal but the alk phos is still high. 

The doc said they'd try again at a much lower dosage as soon as all my liver levels are normal, and I can't wait.  From what I've read, its a much better option than prednisone.  Read as much as you can about it, and try not to get caught up in the scarier sounding stuff.  Durango Kid is right, the incidence of negative side effects are actually pretty low.  

Can you check with a doctor who is familiar with your skin cancer issues?  If I understand correctly, you've had surgery for it.  The doctor who took care of you would hopefully have some knowledge.  

Good luck.    

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