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Scared to take imuran/azathioprine

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/16/2012 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
New to this forum so not really sure how it works :-)
I have ulcerative colitis and have been told the next med to try will be azathioprine.
I am terrified to take this as the side effects are nausea and vomiting and I have a phobia of vomiting. I am also very concerned about picking up infections.
Does anyone have any positive experience with this medication?
Posted 11/16/2012 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healingwell :) If you have any questions on how the forum works, don't hesitate to contact a moderator.

As for the Imuran, we have many people on here that have had great success with this med. Just because some of the side effects include nausea or vomiting doesn't mean you will get it. The most important thing is to start slow and get frequent bloodwork while on this med. But if in the event you do start getting nauseous, ask your doc for an anti-nausea med before you start to experience vomiting (if you do at all). This might help with the fear you have.
Posted 11/16/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
You should read up on this disease and it's treatments and decide what you want to do. Just because the doctor tells you to go jump in a lake doesn't mean you have to. Imuran is probably a better drug than many but there are still risks and side effects. This is your life and your body and you should be part of the decision making process. If you don't want to do it then you shouldn't have to but then you would have to be able to tell the doctor what it is you want to do. The doctors don't have any magic bullets. They do not know which treatment will work in which patients so you should learn all of the pros and cons to each treatment and be part of the decision.
Posted 11/16/2012 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum!

Those side-effects are fairly rare and arent as bad as they sound. You may get light nausea and an even lower chance if vomiting. Lots of people here are on it we can help.
Posted 11/16/2012 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
     I was on 6MP for seven years.  It only kept me in remission for the first two years I was on it, then I started flaring more and more frequently.  Anyway, everyone is different with this disease.  No one is a fan of vomiting but 6MP never gave me nausea.  I suppose it depends on the dose though.  My doctor had me on 50 mgm.  He monitored my liver and pancreatic enzyme levels carefully.  My bilirubin was ALWAYS twice the norm but he never seemed concerned about that.  When I was hospitalized in 08 my pancreatic enzyme levels were off the charts and that was when he did get concerned and took me off the 6MP for a few weeks.  My levels returned to normal and I was placed back on the drug.  When my UP symptoms worsened in 09 my doctor tried increasing my dose of 6MP to 100 mgm...ugh...that made me sick as a dog!  Terrible flu like symptoms, so he cut it back down to 50 mgm.   I had surgery in 2010.  No more pills..lol.
Posted 11/16/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum.

I can't help you with imuran questions, sorry.

But i do agree with Gary, read up on UC and all its treatments, and ask tons of questions of your doc.

Are you taking any probiotics, supplements?

Any diet modification?

 

Posted 11/16/2012 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doc and do some google searches on imuran, there's not really much to be afraid of...
Posted 11/17/2012 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
ive been on imuran since july and no side effects whatsoever. ive been in remission ever since!!! :)
Posted 11/17/2012 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking Azathioprine since May and I don't notice any side effects. I say be aware of the side effects, but don't freak out about them... this mentality is something I'm working on atm.

I'm thinking about taking prednisone and I don't recall hearing people not mentioning side effects when they take/took prednisone? Is it accurate to say if you take prednisone, then you are moon-faced?
Posted 11/17/2012 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
I felt the same way as you. My GI Dr prescribed a high dose immediately of Imuran and I went home and researched it. My research scared the crap out of me because of all the possible side effects. I read lots of reviews both good and bad. I finally figured its better to try it and it work than not try it at all. If you get bad side effects, you can always stop and try something else. Needless to say I have been on Imuran for over 2 months (along with Apriso and Prednisone) and have had not side effects at all. Good luck!
Posted 11/17/2012 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Been on it for 2 years, put me in remission. Lowered my wbc, had to be taken off.

Do your research, and get blood tests monthly. It's your body, your choice.
Posted 11/17/2012 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
I felt the same way! Took me a whole year to agree to try Imuran...probably should have started it sooner to reduce inflammation. I literally started crying in the doctor's office when he told me about Imuran. Pretty messed up. Imuran made me severely nauseous (didn't vomit though), but 6MP has not. Just ask for Zofran if you have anxiety over vomiting. You will be fine. Just stop the medicine if you think it's not working.
Posted 11/17/2012 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum!! (im new as well so no worries)

i have taken imuran in the past for a period of a year and i was absolutley fine, zero side effects ton report on.

i am now on it again but for a much longer period.

what i suggest is to take it before bed after you have had your evening meal, usually it will not induce any nausea if done this way.

as others have said i would initially be checked every 2 weeks and then monthly.

side effects only really occur in those who have had organ transplants so really we should consider ourselves super lucky as i think this is a fantastic drug to put you in remission without the horror that pred puts you through.

would be great to know how you get on, all the best and good luck!!

Posted 11/17/2012 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for all your replies :-)

Think if I decide to go on it I'll definitely get some anti-nausea medication just in case!

Currently on a low fibre diet. Have tried culturelle probiotics with no effect good or bad. Tried to get a prescription for Vsl but couldn't and can't really afford to buy it. Haven't tried any diets as I don't feel ready to if that makes sense. Think I would find it too restrictive. When I'm in remission I seem to be able to eat what I want so not sure if diet plays a part for me.

Think I have over researched it as I've really scared myself!

Thanks for all your suggestions, they've been a big help :-)
Posted 11/17/2012 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. Google is a scary scary place! I'm not sure what you read about Imuran, but a lot of the info online about this med is designed for people that have had organ transplants and they take a much higher dose then we do so the side effects are greater.
Posted 11/17/2012 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, sorry, my advice to Google Imuran was not he best.
Regular blood work is essential and as you can see by many here, this drug can be highly effective with UC.
It seems to me that inflammation is the enemy and anything that works to reduce it is always better than what the inflammation can cause over the long term.
Best of luck and welcome to our forum!
Posted 11/17/2012 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
hello,

i am currently on imuran and it helps me. i'm on 150mg and hope to decrease my dosage after about 6 months when (hopefully) i am in remission for that long. we'll see.

in the end, you have to consider: are the side effects better or worse than the disease and what you're willing to live with.

take care.
Posted 11/18/2012 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Of course everyone is different, but...

I have been taking Azathioprine for 10 years and the worst symptom I have ever felt is a lack of energy. As it is an immunosuppressant, it is necessary to have blood work done every 3-4 months. Also, it may make it easier for you to become sick if you're exposed to sickness and if you do get sick it might take you a little extra time to recover.

You mentioned a fear of vomiting, so I would highly suggest you do not take Azathioprine with water if you end up taking this pill. It is a soluble pill - meaning it dissolves in water. It does not taste good when that happens. Trust me. After experiencing the metallic taste of the dissolving pill (gag...literally) a couple of times I learned quickly not to do that. I either take it with juice, sports drink, hot chocolate, or a coke if I don't have access to anything else. I'm not the type of person who can swallow a pill dry, but I wouldn't recommend that either as that metallic taste is just awful.

Before you decide anything be sure to do your research and know how this drug could affect you.
Posted 11/18/2012 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
It is indeed! It's very reassuring to read all your positive experiences with this med :-)

Thanks, I'll make sure I take it with something other than just plain water!

I have had all the blood work done and have been told I would be ok to take it so think I'll just have to go for it.

I'm already very paranoid about getting ill (i have ocd and anxiety) so worried that I will be 10x worse on this med!

I've also been prescribed sulfasalazine but unsure whether to take this as I am intolerant to mesalamine.
Posted 11/19/2012 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I was scared also but after 4 weeks I have had no side effects yet. Not sure if it is going to work since i am still on Pred but I am tapering down on that so I should know in a few weeks. I am taking 50 mg of Imuran daily at the moment.
Posted 11/19/2012 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have been doing great on 6mp. I am exhausted but I was prior to taking the medication. I don't notice any side effects.
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