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azathioprine?????

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Posted 5/15/2010 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hello All,

I saw my doctor yesterday, I'm moving onto azathioprine. Feels as though this is the obvious next step and lots of people on here seem to have been through the meds cycle.

The oral pred not touching this flare, the IV pred seems not to have had any impact.

I'm to stay on the pred, messavant, colifac, colifoam and start on 100mg of aza asap.

I understand the immune system bits, the regular blood counts but would really value some REAL expereinces of any side effects I have to look forward to......................?? and should I take all the meds together at the same time of day?

Thank you

Debbie :)    

Posted 5/15/2010 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Imuran (azathioprine) for almost 1 1/2 years now. I still have mild flares (it's impossible to get rid of the ones that go with my menstrual cycle =/ ).

I wouldn't take all your pills at once...take the azathioprine by itself, preferably at night, so you don't feel side effects (if any at all) during your waking life. In the beginning, it would make me so tired that I would end up sleeping for a half hour after taking it. I then moved it to take closer to my bedtime and it solved the problem.

Also, it might take a minimum of a month/6 months for it to work. I was in a BAD flare at the start of taking it, and I felt better within 2 weeks time. I am technically in remission with little blips along the way, but it's all very tolerable. I can function now, and that's the one thing I wanted to get back!

Good luck, and don't be afraid.
Posted 5/15/2010 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
The same thing happened to me.  After a while the oral prednisone did nothing for my flare and my UC was out of control.  It had spread to my whole colon, pan colitis.  The asacol didn't do it for me.  I was put on 200 mg of Azathioprine a little more than one year ago.  It kicked in about one month for me.  I could tell because my CBC showed my wbc drop into the normal range very quickly.  The wbc was elevated for a while.  I had a colonoscopy after being on the AZA for 6 months and 90% of my colon was healed.  I also got out of the flare and felt much better.  I have no side effects from the Azathioprine.  I don't even feel like I am taking any meds.  I have some occasional dry eyes and some slight arthritic pain but nothing too bad.  I would go on the Aza without hesitation.  My liver function tests have always come back completely normal as well.  We are here for you.  All the best.

MyUC

Posted 5/15/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
My side effects were extreme fatigue and bruising on legs and arms. Make sure you drink a lot of water, more than you think necessary, the drug seems to make your body use water a lot.
Posted 5/15/2010 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
I also wanted to add one more thing.  When I saw my GI doc in April I asked him specifically how many patients were on azathioprine and was side effects was he seeing.  My doc is at one of the most prestigious teaching hospitals in the country and the GI clinic has about 20 GI docs.  They have about 1500 patients on azathioprine and he said he couldn't really come up with any side effects that has come up, no lymphomas, skin cancer, etc....  I said to think hard and he said the only thing he noticed was some very few people got a wart, only a handful.  I hope this helps.   My doc also informed me that if the aza doesn't work for those few those people will know it very early in the treatment but for those that can use it, it works great for them.  A different GI doc I know has had his daughter taking it for about 12 years now with no problems. 

MyUC

Posted 5/15/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Azathioprine for about 2 years now and haven't had any of the symptoms mentioned by another posters in this thread. I take all my meds together and have no issues..

Make sure that your blood tests are done VERY regularly, unless you get blood test results and have been approved by your GI, don't step up the dose.

REMEMBER, Azathioprine is NOT to control your flare, its to keep your immune system suppressed. Its action are not much useful alone (I guess) it needs other medications as well. This is my experiment on myself (This DIY is not recommended to anyone)

imagardener2 said...
My side effects were extreme fatigue and bruising on legs and arms. Make sure you drink a lot of water, more than you think necessary, the drug seems to make your body use water a lot.


I was just wondering where did you get this information. If its your own knowledge, what made you conclude this?
Posted 5/15/2010 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still staring at my bottle of imuran. I really don't want to start taking it. I have enough trouble getting rid of a common cold. I'm not getting any results from my ASA's I've tried, and the steroids, oral and enema. I think its time I move on to Jpouch surgery. I have left sided UC.
Posted 5/15/2010 10:07 PM (GMT 0)

Chef Patrick said...
I'm still staring at my bottle of imuran. I really don't want to start taking it. I have enough trouble getting rid of a common cold. I'm not getting any results from my ASA's I've tried, and the steroids, oral and enema. I think its time I move on to Jpouch surgery. I have left sided UC.

Patrick..
I have been on Aza (Imuran) for around 18months.. I haven't been sick at ALL during this time, No flu, cold anything. It may work for you, would you not rather give it a go, before going to the surgery root??

Each to their own fella, .. good luck in whatever choice you decide.
Posted 5/16/2010 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Imuran irritates my gallbladder a little. Well, we think that's what that right sided pain is because my enzyme levels have always come back normal. Finally fixed that by splitting my dose. I take 100mg at night and 50mg in the morning. It used to knock me out but now it only makes me a little drowsy. I also had a drippy nose for the first month or so but that cleared up. Very important to take it with food. I take mine with dinner and breakfast. For you, I'd try taking it with dinner. Other than that I haven't noticed side effects. Not sure how well it's working though I'm having a really hard time getting off pred. Could be that it just hasn't kicked in yet, not 100% sure... I'm hoping it will kick in and I won't have to go on Remicade to get off pred!
Posted 5/16/2010 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
I started Imuran in February, so far all my bloodwork is fine and no side effects except maybe a little fatigue, but it's hard to tell with me. I take mine in the morning, I forget if I try to take it at night. Didn't notice a difference between taking it at different times anyway. Had a little nausea the first couple of days but it went away and might have been the flare (it was a terrible one).
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