Azathioprine and pregnancy? help please?

[vikkytoria]

hi
i was just wondering how long it takes for azathioprine to do what its suppose to do?
and what (if anyone has) happens if you take it and get pregnant as im having it as replacements for my steriods and would like to start to plan to have children with my fiance before my crohns gets too bad ( not so bad at the minute - touch wood-) it wont be until after chrostmas so well into 2008 but any comments or expieriences with azathioprine or pregnancy with crohns would be grately appriciated.
many thanks
vicky

 

[Kev]

Hey Vikkytoria.. Azathioprine (aka Imuran) is an immuno-suppressant, so it's use for auto-immune diseases like Crohns, etc., is to stop your bodies immune system from attempting to attack itself. It isn't like anti-biotics... So, when your doc prescribes it, his/her game plan is for you to take it from now on... either until it stops working, or your body reacts badly to it, or until a better treatment or cure for crohns occurs. In my case, my doc explained to me that I could expect to be on it for at least 5 years.
Unfortunately, I was allergic to it. My allergic reaction only lasted a few days after I stopped taking it, so that sort of confirms that it doesn't remain in the body for long AFTER you stop taking it. However, I seem to vaguely recall that expectant or nursing mothers need to avoid it for a longer period... but since I'm neither (male)
I didn't pay attention to that.. so I could be wrong. Perhaps there are some ladies on here who can give you more info. However, I'd suggest you talk to your doc, as there seems to be a breakdown in communications happening there. weren't you told the purpose & duration of azathioprine therapy? did you tell your doc you plan on starting a family? have you discussed the ramifications & implications that pregnancy/childbirth may have on your disease? Think you need to discuss it all...

 

[ruthymg]

Hi , I was taking Azathioprine when I became pregnant with my daughter nearly 4 years ago now. I was told by my Consultant that it wasn't advisable to stop the treatment of it as my crohns could flare, but after reading through various articles, I decided I was going to stop taking it anyway, as several of them said it can harm an unborn child. I began (under duress) taking it once my daughter was born but have now taken the decisiopn to stop taking it again (dreading telling my consultant) as I am sick to death of feeling like shit when I'm in remission. My theory is that whilst my crohns is behaving itself you should feel almost normal, as I have done in the past, not tired and drained and picking up all sorts of viruses due to the meds you are on. So I have made an executive decision, and so far so good!! I would still speak to your doc, but their advice is not always the best thing to do, but its certainly worth listening to. Good luck


Ruth

 

[vikkytoria]

thanks for your replies.
i got told i will be taking it as a substitute for my predisone but atm im feeling dizzy and nauseasted most of the time. dont no if its the azathiprine or not but im going to see my consultant on the 25th of septemeber so its a while yet. going to talk to him about planning a family etc.. see what he recommends. my theory is to have a baby whilst i think my crohns isnt too bad. as its a progressive disease and all i thought whilst it isnt really bad now to try but then i may be advised against it. i will have to wait and see i suppose. i think i might be in remisson at the minute as im feeling good apart from the constant dizzyness and sickly feeling which i dont really think its a sick feeling but thats the only way i can describe it really. hmmm i dont know. any way thank you for the replies but please keep them coming as id like to know as many of your expieriences as possibke before i decide anything.

Vicky

 

[ruthymg]

Hi Vicky, how long have you been taking it? its just that it can take approx 6 weeks to start having an effect and by then the nausea should start to settle down. Have you been having weekly bloods done?


Ruth

 

[vikkytoria]

well i vomited yesterday so i went to see my gp and he said that im not "bad" enough and he thinks im too young to be on them to be honest so ive been taken off of them and have bee given a new nausea tablet so hopefully that should work,
i have been having my weekly bloods done and i have my last one tomorrow now im off them. my white cells are currently 15.9 i think which hasnt gone down since i last new what they were (17.something) and that was when i was in hospital so i will see what last weeks were i think ( thats when i was feeling iller - dont know if iller is actually a word?)
ive also been boosted on my steriods which is what i didnt want but my doc described it as taking 5mg is like dipping a spoon in calpol and licking the back so im back up to 10mg and can go down in 2.5s if i wish.
im just scared my consultant is going to have ago for me been off the new tabs that he put me on but then its not my fault they didnt agree with me i suppose! ah well!
so, so far i havent got any nausea (touch wood) but it came in waves so i will have to wait and see i suppose!
i will keep all in formed (plus it helps me relieve some stress typing it all down )
vicky

 

[Ilysha]

Hi Vicky,

I went to a Crohn's seminar recently and they went over the effects of all of the major Crohn's meds and pregnancy. The biggest takeaway was that the most important thing is for you to be feeling good when you conceieve. If you can do that without strong meds, great. Otherwise, the docs that were Crohns and fertilitity experts said the risks of azathorporine, 6mp, pentasa, remicade, etc., are very small compared with the risks of being pregnant in the middle of a flare.