HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Taking Imuran while working in a hospital?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/10/2016 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have UC and have been in the hospital with pancreatitus twice due to Apriso. I'm out of options and have to take Imuran now. I'm aware of the side effects (specifically the loss in my immune system) and know that a lot of people have had success with Imuran, but am terrified because I work as a nurse in a hospital. Has anyone else who works in a hospital (or in other situations that put you at high risk for exposure to diseases) been on Imuran? If so did you have to switch jobs? Or have any other advice about other options?
Posted 1/10/2016 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
There are some medical professionals on here who do work in the hospital.
Hopefully they will come along and give some god advise.
From what I hear it's ok to work in a hospital while on imuran but you would need to be cautious
Posted 1/10/2016 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! I volunteer at a hospital and spend a lot of time with patients. Currently on 6mp (same idea as imuran) and thank Gd I'm fine. I also work as a medical assistant and I'm surrounded by sick kids all the time so far so good. My GI said its fine just wash your hands often and you should be good.
Posted 1/10/2016 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
seems like more on-point advice would be available at work than from strangers here
Posted 1/10/2016 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have never heard of pancreatitis from apriso, u will be likely to get it from 6mp then.
Posted 1/10/2016 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello I'm a ward based pharmacist that has close patient care. Do not be phased with having azathioprine. When monitored it has a really good safety profile and in the majority the drug is extremely effective. Also ensure that whilst on this drug that you are not offered any live vaccines through your hospital.
Posted 1/10/2016 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
I am also probably going to be on imuran soon and am a primary care physician- I see lots of sick people daily. I hate the idea of taking an immunosuppressant. I took prednisone though and that suppresses your immune system plus a whole host of other horrible side effects. I did not get really sick while taking it- just normal winter cough/cold. (I did get anxiety, insomnia, moon face, weight gain and I worry about prediabetes/diabetes, osteoporosis and avascular necrosis of the joints though). Immunosuppression worries me too, but the only other treatment is colectomy and no one will remove your colon unless you are sick and have failed other options. Unfortunately UC is something we have to deal with, the treatments are not great but we have to use what is available- that is what I tell myself anyway. There is a doctor who writes columns in the New York Times. He is a pediatrician and takes imuran and is very happy with it. I forgot his name unfortunately.
Posted 1/10/2016 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
While on immunosuppressive medications, you're just more vigilant on hand washing and other preventive steps to reduce your odds of getting sick. Wash your hands after shaking someone's hand or touching door handles as they are another common vector for spreading disease. Many pathogens are transmitted that way, and then must make it to your mouth, eyes, face, etc (when you eat, rub your eyes, etc). If they never make it there, you're fine. If you have any habits where you often touch your chin, lips, or rub your eyes, or something similar, then it'd try to break those habits.
Posted 1/10/2016 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I'm going to disagree - don't wash your hands after shaking someone's hand. Jeez you'd seem really unsocial! Imuran is low grade immuno ... Take it and get on with life. Be sensible. Don't be obsessive...
Posted 1/10/2016 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
You'll be fine. I'm in medical school and I have several colleagues who take immunosuppressants for chronic illnesses. John is right about maintaining good hygiene (and no, it's not poor manners to wash your hands after shaking hands *sigh*). The other thing I do, which I started back when I was on immunosuppressants, is change into clean clothes as soon as I get home (if not at the hospital).

As a nurse I assume you're up to date on your immunizations, but if not I recommend rectifying that before you start Imuran as live attenuated vaccines aren't recommended once you're on it (e.g. pneumovax, shingles, etc).
Posted 1/11/2016 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
this is the article by Dr. Aaron Carroll who also has ulcerative colitis and sounds like he is on imuran

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/upshot/trapped-in-the-system-a-sick-doctors-story.html
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply