Can't tolerate any of these medicines

Hi everyone. I've been on Azathioprine for almost two months now, and today my doctor called me in and said that my latest blood test showed my liver function was abnormal and quite worrying (Alk phos was 140 and ALT was 82). I have another blood test tomorrow, and depending on those results he thinks I may have to reduce the dose (currently on 100mg) or stop altogether.

There are so many annoying things about this. Mainly that I am allergic to mesalazine, so if it turns out I can't have azathioprine either I don't know what's going to happen, the next step up is the really really dangerous drugs. I've also just come off my second course of steroids since October, and they didn't work very well this time, so they probably can't give me that again.

I also feel annoyed because I barely drink any alcohol, when my friends are getting wasted and having fun I'm often just the sober one in the corner because I WANT to take care of my liver and health. It's not fair that my liver should be failing because of this medicine when I try so hard to look after it.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of not being able to tolerate azathioprine, and what the doctors did for you next? If they offer some really strong drug is it actually worth it, or should I just try to carry on drug free? My doctors are always so hesitant about the drugs they give me because I'm young and they don't like ruining my body, but every time they just run out of options, and I don't know what the next option is.

Doing the right thing doesn't always foster good fortune. Things that are beyond your control won't be affected by your good behavior. Bad things happen, worse things happen, but what's going on right now isn't indicative of the rest of your life. I always tell myself, I have a serious condition......the how and why don't matter......it has to be dealt with, so do what needs to be done.

I try to have thay mindset too... doesnt mean I dont rant and rave sometime tho. Haha. Ugh...

I got this disease after quitting smoking and despite eating clean and healthy foods for the last 5 years... so I get the frustration.
Also... I cant drink at all... my UC hates it.


I would start reading about the biologicals. And get yourself familiar and comfortable with them.

I take fish oil and probiotics... but always in conjunction with proper medication. I don't know how well they work by themselves and I'm scared to try.

Are the biologicals safe?

malaika,

Welcome to the forum.

Are biologics safe? It depends who you ask IMO.

Here is my advice on alternatives:

As a newbie to the forum, I think it's important for you to know that you have options, which your doc probably won't tell you about. So let me share with you what's worked for me in the hopes it might help you too.

Some meds work for some and not for others.
IMO, it isn't one size fits all, and you have to find what works for you, and it may be a combination of things like diet, meds, supplements, etc...

For me, the traditional meds failed me and the mesalamines I became intolerant of.
And when the doc gave me a choice of surgery or remicade, I balked and had to find my own way.

He also told me diet has nothing to do with UC, but I found that it has a great deal to do with exacerbating its symptoms!

I found that by taking certain proactive steps, it put me in full remission.
My steps to remission included: diet modification, various supplements, probiotics, and LDN, low lose naltrexone..

If any of this interests you, there are things IMO that you can control, which will have a direct impact on your disease, the symptoms you experience and their severity.

For more info on the protocol which has put me into remission, please go to this link: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1666318 , and look at the 11th post.

I hope you feel better and let us know how we can help you.

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's been helpful. It's confusing when doctors tell you one thing but everyone else says something different - I've been told that diet has nothing to do with UC but clearly it's important.

I guess I will just have to wait until Thursday and see if they they really will have to stop the aza. But I think I'm far too scared to go medicine free and risk flaring because that's what happened wwhen they took me off mesalazine.

I'm glad some of your symptoms have got a bit better at least.

If I'm honest, I really don't want to try any serious diet modification. My eating disorder used to control my life, and it was such a struggle to get better and now I'm finally at a place where I can eat what I want and not care. It's silly, but I'm proud of myself for that and I don't want to get back into those obsessive habits of avoiding certain foods... even if it is for a good reason this time. But maybe I don't have a choice.