Azathioprine tiredness

[dkayuk]

Hi all
I am on Azathioprine 200mg a day (for the last 2 years) and I suffer from chronic tiredness. I am not on any other medication that could cause tiredness (i take vitamin d3, B16 injections and Questran).

The hospital doctor said that there is a possibility that Azathioprine is causing this problem.

Hypothetically speaking, if i were to stop Azathioprine and have something else, would the tiredness stop immediately? or in a few days? or would it take weeks?

It's driving me insane, I used to work out 3-4 times a week and do Krav Maga, now I just want to sleep!!

thx
DK

 

[DJW]

I understand where you're coming from. In theory i would think it would stop once it was out of your system...provided that was the only thing causing fatigue.

I started Remicade in September and reduced azathioprine from 200 mg/day to 100. I can go all day without a nap. I'm not running marathons but it is a lot better.

 

[SupportiveMom]

For the first time these last couple of months my kid stopped taking prednisone along with Imuran. I have noticed her a bit more tired, but then she is a teenager. It is hard to know what is meds & what is hormones.

It can take a few weeks to notice a difference in energy levels after stopping/starting a med. Have you checked your iron levels? It would also have an affect on energy, and that is a much easier fix if your iron levels are low.

 

[dkayuk]

many thanks for both your replies, my iron is fine however my vitamin d3 is on on the edge of "Normal", although I am already taking 2000 iu per day.
DK

 

[SupportiveMom]

I find these meds suck the nutrients out of you or maybe the gut just can't absorb like others. If you are on the border of acceptible levels I would increase the iron and see what happens. When I get low on iron I am not a happy camper. I am anemic & have learned how to pay attention to a drop in my levels by my body responses. When I start seeking everything beef I know I need to increase it pronto! Good luck.