Azathioprine/Imuran & nausea

[JamieG]

Diagnosed with UC Feb 2012.

I have been taking Azathioprine since May 2012 however have only been on a 'therapeutic dose' of 200mg since September 2012. I completely stopped taking Prednisolone in November 2012. Although my bowel movements are generally settled (Only going once or twice a day), it is rare that I go a day without feeling nauseous.
The strange thing about the Nausea though is that at first it used to occur about two hours after taking the Aza, but in the last 3 months or so it happens after mealtimes. As a result I take domperidone, which helps to some extent (much better than if I don't take it), and also Ranitidine which helps reduce stomach acid. But in the last couple of days I have started feeling sick a couple of hours after taking the Aza again.
Blood tests have shown that my white blood cell count has recently dropped to under 4 (3.8), and the doctor has said that we will have to drop my Azathioprine dose to 175 or 150mg if it drops again.
A few months ago when things were improving I felt as though by this time I would be back to feeling completely myself again, but this nausea just doesn't seem to be going away even though my consultant said it would.
Does anyone else suffer from this? And does anyone have any suggestions as to why the nausea sets in after mealtimes?

Much appreciated,

Jamie

 

[Catherine]

Is the nausea happening after all meals all just the meal you take aza with. Sarah only seems to get nausea if she doesnot eat enough when taking her aza and when gets into a car to soon after taking it eg travel sickness.

 

[JamieG]

It seems to be quite random. A few months ago I felt like there were certain things that made me feel sick such as Cheese and sweet things such as chocolate or puddings (which is probably because the pred had narrowed my stomach lining) and those foods can be harder to digest. But now there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern. I take 100mg of Azathioprine with my evening meal and the other 100 just before bedtime. Sometimes I feel nauseous in the evening after I've taken the Aza, but I also do after lunch occasionally when I don't take it.
I am considering taking all 200mg before bed, because I very rarely have problems sleeping due to being kept awake by the nausea. Although this is slightly daunting as I've never taken more than 150mg in one go. Having said that there is a good chance I might be on 150mg soon due to my low White Blood cell count.

 

[Johnnysmom]

We were told to take it without food and right before bed so if there is any nausea that my son would sleep through it.

When my son was having nausea it was because his dose was too high. Our GI said if your dose is right you really shouldn't have those side effects. My son's White blood cell count got too low so they lowered the dose. Maybe you are just due to have your dose adjusted?

 

[rollinstone]

I went up from 50 to 100 Monday last week, and the nausea has only really happened the past 4 days, I'm hoping my body gets used to it soon : (

 

[Jim (POPS)]

I started Imuran 2 months ago. the first months was ok but the 2nd i had nausea almost every day. Not all day, just from time to time. Now it is all ok with no nausea. It did get better for me. Nausea is no fun at all.

 

[rollinstone]

All my bloods have come back good, so I'm hoping it's gonna pass soon

 

[rollinstone]

I started Imuran 2 months ago. the first months was ok but the 2nd i had nausea almost every day. Not all day, just from time to time. Now it is all ok with no nausea. It did get better for me. Nausea is no fun at all.

Did you increase your dose the 2nd month?

 

[Aura]

I got nausea for a while, now I take it before bed as it makes me sleepy. I'm not nauseous like I was and I am sleeping well

 

[rollinstone]

I've still got the nausea... It sucks, I'm gonna ask if I can swap to 6mp hopefully that will be better