experiences with azathioprine, special diets and giraffes

OK, so I was dx'd about six yrs ago w/crohn's colitis which turns out to be UC. Fought this vile creature off with a combination of Asacol on both ends (I ride the white tiger!), a gluten-free and dairy-free diet, numerous vits and supplements (probiotics, robert's formula, querceten, etc) and mean-spirited stubbornness.

Sadly, this combo appears to have "pooped-out" (there, I said it!) about 18 months ago. At that time I became rather lax as regards my diet and within a few months was back in a flare. At the time I wanted to kick myself for my poor dietary discipline, however I have since then wondered if the Asacol simply is no longer effective for me. In any case, I have been basically flaring (bleeding, increased frequency, cramping) since that time with periodic breaks resulting from 2 rounds of steroids (pred and ento).

In early Dec 09, I was gifted with the stomach flu and that seems to have kicked me back into the flare. I have tightened my diet, dramatically increased my intake of Slippery Elm and probiotics. Within a week I could see some significant improvement (bleeding seemed to stop, frequency decreased). However, I have found that I am still bleeding periodically and cramping, especially during or right after meals.

So, I'm thinking this might be it. I have wanted to avoid immuno modulators and have been successful up until now. Butt, (that's right...."butt") my doc (whom I trust) (mostly) wants to put me on Azathioprine. At this point, a big part of me just wants to say, "why not, just take the pills, get monitored, drop the diet (unless a specific food causes me clear trouble) and live as normal a life as I can." But then there's this other part of me that says, "Oh yeah, if you go on that stuff, you'll grow to be 19-feet tall, develop a tail, have a long, curly tongue, grow hooves, develop spots, cultivate severe halitosis and...oh yeah, get cancer.

Sure, I know the first part of this sounds like I'm afraid that I'll become a giraffe, and maybe that's not too realistic, but that skin cancer and lymphoma bit is very sticky for me.

Can anyone tell me that they have had good long term experiences and did not turn into a giraffe while on this medication?

I am very sincere about my concerns.

Thanks.

I have recently been debating the Azathioprine issue with my GP and GI.  My fears were cancer as well, along with other side effects.  Have to say though that becoming a giraffe wasn't one of them.  LOL. I have done so much reading on the subject and am also fortunate to have a very good friend who is a Pharmachy Tech so I have picked her brain dry, too.  Here is the conclusion I have come to....... the risk of cancer is mostly linked to extremely high doses of Aza (used in transplants) and the dose that is used for UC, Lupus, etc is a lot less.  As with any drug, the list of potential side effects have to be listed but it does not mean that everyone will experience them.  However, with that being said, I have read numerous posts on the internet where people claim that they developed cancer from the drug on low doses.  I guess we have to weigh benefits vs risks.  Being in a constant flare also increases your risk for cancer does it not? 

Good luck with your decision. 

PS. I came across a study done in Britain regarding the azathioprine/cancer link but I forget where it was.  If I find it again, I will post the link for you.