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Imuran Side Effect

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/11/2007 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Doctor started me on Imuran after last flare up and was on it for 2 weeks then got some extreme abdominal pain. Was unable to take the pain so I went to the ER (wife had to drive me in, was barely able to walk). Had cat scan and ultra sound done on me and they determined that my Pancreas was inflammed caused by the Imuran.  Painful experience but at least they figured it out. Needless to say im not taking Imuran any longer and will be going back to Asacol starting next week.
Posted 12/11/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Oh no! How scary! Can you take 6mp? Or do they think it would cause the same thing?
Posted 12/11/2007 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
i would think that 6mp would cause the same reaction since they are similar drugs. I can't take Imuran because my pancreas became inflammed from 6mp. its a nasty hurt, glad your ok!
Posted 12/11/2007 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Oh scary! I've been having bad vomiting and aches and they thought it was pancreas, today my bloodwork comes back and it turns out it's my liver, inflamed by the Imuran, so I'm off that as well!
Posted 12/11/2007 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
These stories scare the crap outta me. I just started Imuran about a month and a half ago, and I was/am sooooo cautious about it. I started feeling very very slight twinges of something in my upper left abdomen that I hadn't had before...It wasn't sudden or severe. It wasn't even bothersome, except that I noticed "something" no matter how slight. So I called my doc, and he had me go in for a full blood panel and thankfully everything came back ok. I know pancreatitis comes on very suddenly and severely, but still I was just paranoid about this med. For what it's worth, it seems to be helping. I just hope I don't run into the same problems that you good folks have. What a nightmare!! I'm still a little freaked about bein on this med!
Posted 12/11/2007 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
I had a number of questions for the doctor at Mayo recently and he knew that they were motivated by my concern about the imuran my husband is on. He told us to please not be so overly concerned about that particular drug - he said it is a safe drug if you are not experiencing any ill effects from it and he requires a blood test (3 different ones) every single month before he will write a prescription for another 30 days.

He is monitoring and watching very closely for the first year. As long as things are going as they have been then after the year then maybe the blood work is every 3,4 or 6 months??? Didn't ask about that as we have a good 10 more months to go on the monthly monitoring.

That being said - if that drug is helping you and you are being monitored then it is obviously something that works and helps you. But for those above who had such a bad reaction to the drug that is a real shame you had to go through that. Hopefully the next drug will work much better and offer some relief.
Posted 12/11/2007 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Let me echo what Another UC wife has said. Reading the side effects and even hearing that this drug is an immunosuppressive scares the crap (sorry for the pun) out of folks. I wish they would relabel it, call it something different, and not scare folks so much about it. I was so afraid to go on this drug, but I've noticed no side effects and my colitis is kept in such great control with it (except for minor flares, which are easily brought under control with enemas).

I've been on this drug for six years. It's been a wonder drug for me. Please don't imagine problems. It's always good to be safe, but don't worry so much about it, is my advice!

Mitz
Posted 12/11/2007 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm feeling like Imuran is more my friend every day. Esp since the mild hairloss side-effect is starting to go away too (the least of my concerns).. I think that my body is starting to adapt to it.

Posted 12/11/2007 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Bm's how long were you on Imuran for?

I worry about the side effects too. My next step is remicade if Imuran fails and then I fear what if I can't take that for some reason.....etc. (I know it's not good to think like that but it's hard not to).
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