Azathioprine fatigue ??

[minnietoty]

azathioprine fatigue ??

Hi again,
I have a question regarding fatigue related to azathioprine. I take 2 tablets 50 mg in the morning and one tablet at night. Also, I take 20 mg pred twice per day, Nexuim 80, Xanax, Stablon, a multivitamin and Vitamin A. Every morning, I find it very difficult to get out of bed. I started a flare up last week and I'm still suffering. I've been absent from work for more than 5 days now. In addition, I'm always dizzy and sometimes faint. Does anyone experience this?This was normal when I was suffering from D and was sent to hospital to have fluids. But now, with severe C, how come am I dizzy. I don't know what to do regarding this fatigue? I restricted my food to rice and proteins. I have no problems with very minimal diary intake. I don't eat any fruits or vegetables except for potatoes. How can I fight this fatigue? I contacted my boss to take a sick leave but she said we have to reconsider it. The doctor at work gave me a 5 day sick leave but I have a lot of work to do and can't stay at home. The problem is that I have previous experiences of fainiting anywhere and it is not safe. Any idea about what I shall do to be in good shape? Thanx
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Previous meds: a variety of antibiotics for a year.
Pentasa and then Salofalk 500, 4 x 2 for a year and a half.
Had in 2009 many flare ups for which I took antibiotic injections.
Suffer from Vitamins A and E deficiency
anal fissures and rashes, fatigue [/[/I]SIZE]

 

[CDDad]

You didn't say how long you've been on azathioprine. Your doc should be doing frequent blood tests to make sure your counts are ok on this med. If you've been on for a while and still flaring and feeling terrible, I would say it is not working for you. Call your doc and see about getting off of it and if you start to feel better than you'll know for sure. If it's new, your doc will want to give it time to work.

When I was on it years ago, I felt lousy on it and eventually switched docs to get off. My doc at the time did not want to prescribe Pred, but I was feeling like you, so went to a more caring doc.

You are on a good dose of Pred - have you been on higher? 40 usually did the trick for me.

 

[Rebecca85]

I had problems with extreme fatigue, turns out I was anaemic due to iron deficiency. Ask them to check your ferritin levels. While they are at it, it is probably a good idea to check b12, folate, thyroid function and diabetes, just to rule out any other potential problems. Out of interest, why are you splitting your pred dose? It is more usual to take it all first thing in the morning, to prevent it affecting your sleep.

 

[Sandy]

Hi there,
As Rebecca said -- and I suggest you get your blood pressure checked as well. Your dizziness may be due to low blood pressure. Just a wild guess.

Good luck feeling better!
Sandy

 

[taff564]

Hi,
I was prescribed azathioprine and to be honest, It didn't do a lot for me at all. I would say I felt worse taking it. My doctor said I was like a car running on empty. I'm in the British Army serving in Germany and azathioprine made my urine bright yellow, which didn't help as we have regular drug tests!!! I stopped taking it 6 months ago and touch wood have had only mild stomach cramps. At the moment I take pantoprazole (40mg per day) for acid reflux and levythyroxine (Non - Crohns related) for a thing called Hashimotos disease which means I have an inactive Thyroid gland.

 

[littlemissh]

Getting your blood count checked is important on aza but I presume your doc has checked some bloods when he/she arranged the sick leave note. The most likely culprits are low Hb or low blood pressure but also as Rebecca says it may be high sugars on that dose of pred.(presuming you were on it before your fatigue started). Have you had any fevers or weight loss?

 

[littlemissh]

Just noted oldish thread so hopefully you are all sorted now!