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Imuran and common cold

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/31/2020 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question for all you aza experts out there. All day I have felt a little bit crummy and I am sure now that I am getting a run of the mill cold. This is the first time I have gotten sick since I started taking imuran and I can’t remember what my gi said to do if I get sick while taking it. IS there some special rule about taking an immunosuppressant or not when sick? Thanks!
Posted 2/1/2020 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
No, there's nothing special you need to do.
Posted 2/1/2020 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I was afraid I would have to stop taking it and it is working so well for me. Oddly I have had only one cold in the year I have been in it, when in the past I would get them all the time.
Posted 2/1/2020 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe check with your doctor if you think he told you something but I've never been told to do anything. Hope your cold gets better soon. That's great you haven't had many.
Posted 2/1/2020 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
There's nothing special to do for a cold. Do continue taking your meds as prescribed.

Expect cold symptoms to hit fast and be more severe, and last a couple days longer than your normal. Any over the counter cold remedies are fine, assuming they do not contain NSAIDs. NyQuil as an example contains Tylenol which is fine for us.

I had a cold late fall season. Average about 1 per year.
Posted 2/3/2020 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 6mp since Sept 2013. I do get cold more often than I used to but don't think you have to do anything different.
I would suggest to take flu and pneumonia vaccines and if you feel that it is getting worse see your primary care. Hope you feel better soon
Posted 2/4/2020 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I always get a flu shot, as does everyone in my house.
Thankfully after 24 hours of feeling just a bit crummy and I am pretty much back to normal. Just a bit of sinus congestion but nothing terrible.
I have never been one to recover quickly from a cold, but it seems like my body is happier with Imuran. I used to get every illness my kids brought home or my students (college) had, but I have hardly been sick since I started taking Imuran. go figure!
Posted 2/4/2020 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
That's great! I haven't gotten sick any more frequently since starting on biologics last summer either (knock on wood). And the couple times I did get a cold, it was quite bad for a day or two but then it went away really fast.
Posted 2/13/2020 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Mesalamine products aren't working for me right now. All other options are SO expensive (with my high-deductible plan). Imuran is cheap!

I see there are serious side-effects.
What's the general consensus on using Imuran when mesalamine (all forms) fails?
Posted 2/13/2020 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten all sorts of weird infections in my 10+ years on azathioprine. I get at least one weird infection per year. Colds that take forever to go away, yes, but also stuff like shingles, staph infections, and food poisoning.

But the azathioprine keeps me from flaring so I keep taking it.
Posted 2/13/2020 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
You can go on azathiopurine (generic), 6-mercaptopurine (generic) or Imuran (brandnamed). I've been on 6-MP for a long time with no issues, and none of those scary side effects. I am not any more sick than my normal, and I've never had an infection since starting these meds.
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