Aza

[mnijihc]

I was started on Imuran today and I am always a bit skeptical of doctors and what they give me because everyone has a different idea of what should be done. We know Pred isn't working so I was taking off that and put on Entocort, Imuran and doxycycline. I was put on 70mg/day and just started me right at that dosing. I took it tonight and for the last hour or so I have had some serious nausea and cramping. I started the doxy tonight too but I take that a lot and it doesn't normally mess with me. I can't sleep though because I am so nauseous. This is not fun!

Will this last the whole time or just for an adjustment period?

 

[Grumbletum]

Hey there. It's quite a common side effect for people starting Aza and should pass. But if it goes on for more than a few weeks or you start vomiting, I would put a call in to the doc. Things that can help are taking it with a big glass of water, with or after food. Also splitting the dose, tho you're on quite a low one at the moment. Are they going to slowly increase it? Your therapeutic dose is usually calculated based on your weight.
I had nausea and severe headaches once I got above 100mg but splitting the dose solved the problem.

 

[mnijihc]

I am not sure what she is doing dose wise. She said it is normally 1.5mg per kilo and then asked me my weight. I told her 155lbs and the. She went to figure out what that is in kilos, which is 70 and then she put me on 70mg. She never mentioned increasing it. I'm on 9mg if Entocort too and she gave me a 6 month supply of that and only two of the imuran. My pharmacist said she will call the GI and look into it and I have made a note to ask when I follow up on the 17th.

Assuming I go off the Entocort in 6months it will have meant 7 months on steroids too which I am a bit scared about. Everyone has told me Entocort is way better than the prednisone though and as long as that is the case I think I can deal with it but I am worried about the long term effects of steroids though.

I'm extremely sensitive to medication so that may be why it is a lower dose? I don't tolerate things well at all.

 

[mnijihc]

I am not sure what she is doing dose wise. She said it is normally 1.5mg per kilo and then asked me my weight. I told her 155lbs and the. She went to figure out what that is in kilos, which is 70 and then she put me on 70mg. She never mentioned increasing it. I'm on 9mg if Entocort too and she gave me a 6 month supply of that and only two of the imuran. My pharmacist said she will call the GI and look into it and I have made a note to ask when I follow up on the 17th.

Assuming I go off the Entocort in 6months it will have meant 7 months on steroids too which I am a bit scared about. Everyone has told me Entocort is way better than the prednisone though and as long as that is the case I think I can deal with it but I am worried about the long term effects of steroids though.

I'm extremely sensitive to medication so that may be why it is a lower dose? I don't tolerate things well at all.

 

[Grumbletum]

Yes, I guess that might be the reason. I know what you mean about the steroids. I was on Pred for 6 months, but I believe Entocort has fewer side effects. Imuran/Azathioprine is usually prescribed so that you can get off the steroids. Your pharmacist sounds on the ball. Are you going to be having regular blood tests for the Imuran? I had to have them once a week for the first 8 weeks, then monthly and now I have one every two months.

 

[cecilialynn]

Hello i too am on Imuran for the last month. Not much of side effects, i did notice i have a small lump in my armpit. I get headaches every now and then but just minor. I go for blood work every week ,next wk is my last one then its every 2 wks for a mth then every month. I see my G I doc on monday . They want to put me on Remicade,im feeling so much better than the last 2 mths so i am hoping we can forgo the Remicaed for now. I hope you all feel better sooner than not

 

[mnijihc]

I do have a blood requisition to get a baseline for my liver/kidney function, electrolytes and another CRP. She only gave me the one requisition and said nothing about weekly labs. She did say I would have to be monitored regularly but that was it. Blood work doesn't bother me at all so I don't really care if she gives me a bunch more requisitions for weekly draws.

She did say the AZA was to get me off the steroids in the long run.

I just took for the first dose of Entocort. I much appreciated the 3 pills instead of the 7 I had to take for the pred! I don't mind swallowing pills and I can do it easily but psychologically 3 vs. 7 just does something ;-)

 

[Grumbletum]

Absolutely. At one point mid-flare, had to take 20 a day. I'd never been on regular meds before so had to buy one of those pill organiser boxes to remember when to take em all. Thankfully, only on my 3 Aza tabs now

 

[mnijihc]

Right now I am at 16-20 depending on the pain and the day. I have taken daily medication my entire life so it isn't that huge of an adjustment but the side effects are kind of new. I haven't left my bed all day. I feel horrible right now.

 

[Grumbletum]

I guess the best thing you can do is rest up while your body adjusts to the new meds :-( But keep a close eye on your symptoms and check them against the info for Aza. But you know all that
Hoping it's just a passing phase.

 

[mnijihc]

I am incredibly weak today. I am not entirely sure how I even made breakfast (which was soup I put in the microwave). I have resumed my position on my sofa for the day. Pain is pretty bad too but I don't like to take pain meds during the day because I am worried about obstruction so I try to limit them. I just need to make it through today and then tomorrow is Monday and doctors offices are open and I can go from there.