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Azathioprine (Imuran) blood tests

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Posted 11/14/2007 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I've been going weekly to get these done next week I think will be my 5th week my white and red counts have been normal.  For the people that have been on this, how often do you do blood tests?  Is it just something in the begining or does it turn into monthly?  I will ask my Doc, but I was just thinking about this.

Thanks!

Posted 11/14/2007 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I had blood tests once a week for the first month then monthly after that. After three months I also had another prometheus test. I feel like a pin coushin.
Posted 11/14/2007 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
I only get it done every month or 2, from the beginning.  Probably because I don't have insurance, so it's all out of pocket for me.  I've been lucky enough not to have anything to far out of norm on the results.  But it should be done more often if you have insurance, or the funds.

Posted 11/14/2007 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
When I first started 6mp, I had to go weekly for about a month then it was every 2 weeks then every 4. Now I go every 3 months to have my blood drawn. I also had the initial Prometheus test, then the Prometheus metabolization test twice (it see's how you're metabolizing the med; whether or not your in the thereuputic range) . My first metabolization test showed I was on the low end of normal so my doc increased my dosage. 2nd one showed that I was metabolizing it just right after the increase.
Posted 11/14/2007 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
With me it is every other week - only because I had pancreatitus induced from the Immuran - so for my 6mp and remi it is every two weeks

pin cushion bob!

Posted 11/14/2007 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
lol, yes, I know the pin cushion feeling!!! I look like a heroin addict from my hospital stay last friday and had to get more blood drawn monday, I have 5 needle/iv marks.......good thing it's cold out and I can wear long sleeves comfortably.

I still can't get used to needles though, I am better than before, but I just cannot look and always gasp when they stick the needle in.
Posted 11/14/2007 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Every couple of months only. I just kicked it up to 150, though, and am a bit worried and would like the tests done more often. They cost me nothing, so I figure why not?
Posted 11/14/2007 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
When I first started Imuran in Aug I was at 50 mg.  I had blood work done weekly, then they bumped me up to 100.mg and the blood draws were every 2 weeks.   Yesterday I did the Prometheus (sp) test to see if I'm at optimal dosing and if they do increase it I will keep getting draws every two weeks for a while.  The GI said if they don't increase I can have draws every 2 months.  Yesterday when the tech was drawing blood it hurt more than usual she said she thought she felt scar tissue when she put the needle in. Gee I wonder why:)
Posted 11/14/2007 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
They increased my dose today so I am back to every two weeks and another promethus in three weeks. Hopefully my bruises from the last round will be healed by then!
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