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Getting worse on Imuran?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/9/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
confused I wrote last week to ask about feeling extremely jittery with an Imuran increase from 75 mg to 100 mg. Thanks to the replies which all seemed to point to the prednisone. I split Imuran dose 50/50 morning and afternoon. A lot better. However, this week has been the worse symptoms week I have had in months. Much more blood and mucous. Increased stools from 3/4 to 8/10. Last night was the first time I have gotten up to go to the bathroom in several months. Can Imuran increase make things worse temporarily? It has been 6 days on 100mg. Do I ride this out for a few more days or call GI nurse. Doc out of office for month of July! Thanks for input. MIZBEE
Posted 7/9/2013 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran takes a while until it's working.

Are you still on Pred?
Posted 7/9/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran takes several months to have a noticeable effect on your system -- 6 days isn't enough time to notice it. In the mean time, your uc flare could be getting worse. And if your symptoms are getting worse you need to be in contact with your GI office.

Even if you GI is out of office, there should be another on-call GI who can help you and answer your questions. I wouldn't be afraid to call and ask them any questions you have -- that's what they are there for.
Posted 7/9/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Imuran for ten weeks. 4 @ 50 mg, 5@ 75 mg, and now this week @ 100 mg. I am still taking 13.5 mg prednisone. Maybe not enough to control the flare, but I am not able to increase. Prednisone was/is making me lose my mind. I am taking klonopin and BuSpar (anti-anxiety meds) to help me with this taper. If Imuran is not going to work then I will move on to Remicade. I can't face prednisone again. Calling doc office is good idea. Just want to know if several more weeks will turn the tide (so to speak).
Posted 7/9/2013 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was on azathioprine and it never really worked for me.
Posted 7/9/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
When you are changing dosages it will take a while for it to build up in your system. I am surprised you are on such a low dose of pred right now; that would be the culprit for your symptoms. If you can't stand pred, perhaps you should instead be on Uceris or an enema-based steroid -- there are other options.

I started at 50mgs of 6mp (very similar to your Imuran just metabolized a slightly different way in the body) and 40mgs of pred in January of this year. I tapered down to 15mgs of pred in March and had an in-office endoscope in early April, and things looked terrible. So, I was bumped back up to 30mgs of pred, and he increased my 6mp to 75mgs a day. It took till the end of June until my GI said things 'looked better and I am healing' in another endoscope. I've been tapering off of the pred very slowly now, by 5mg every two weeks, and I am not getting worse symptom-wise. My fingers are crossed that things continue to go well on this taper...
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