HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

First flare (on Azathioprine Imuran) do I need pred?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/1/2009 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, not been on here for so long as I have been feeling great but here I am again the first thing I turn to when unwell!

I started Azathioprine in April 2008 and now in Sept (just) 2009 I am flaring pretty good going compared to prior to starting Azathioprine.  Anyway I have started morning and night predsol to try and get it under control but my question is if I do have to start on oral pred will it be a lower dose as I am taking Azathioprine.  Always started 40mg before aza drug but would hope that I shouldn't need as high a dose as my immune system is already supressed.

Any experience on this welcome.

Thank you.

Posted 9/1/2009 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
I would up the asacol dosage and add in rowasa or steroid enemas first.  If that doesn't seem to work then you can discuss prednisone.

Posted 9/1/2009 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on AZA for 8 years and in remission for most of that time. I've had a very severe flare these past 3 months... started pred at 40mg, recently went up to 60mg. So, my experience is that a lower pred dose isn't necessarily a given on AZA. Hope that helps.
Posted 9/2/2009 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
oh cr*p, I was hoping I wouldn't have to go on high dose pred.  I am using the pred enemas but don't think they reach high enough, whole colon has been affected before.  Speaking to my gastric nurse today so wait to see what is in store for me.  Hate this freakin disease!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 9/2/2009 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thats your GI to decide. If you notice in my signature, I am on AZA and on pred too since last 2 weeks.
Posted 9/2/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
While on Azathioprine, I have had some success treating flares with entocort (oral capsules containing a steroid but which have a far reduced systemic effect than pred) and with cortofoam (a steriod foam which has mostly a localized effect). What really helped put me into remission was an increase in the aza dose fro 75mg to 100 mg a day.
Posted 9/3/2009 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I am already on 100mg azathioprine which I think is a dosage determined by my weight so wouldn't want to increase it any further. 

I have spoken to the specialist nurse today who has told me to continue with enemas twice per day increase my asacol to 3600mg was previously taking 2400mg and I have to do usual stool sample to check for infection and get a CRP blood test (think thats what it's called) to check my inflammation markers but they have never risen before when in a flare up so think thats pointless but hey ho.  Appt scheduled for next wk to see if I require to start pred.  It kind of gets to me that it's another 6 days before I go for the appt and I know how much worse things can get in 6 days but again hey ho.  I am trying not to get stressed out about this.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply