Imuran starting 10th Jan / Side effects of Acute Myloid Leukemia

[ROWAN]

Hi
I have been recently diagnosed and have a few questions about the imuran drug that my doctor is putting me on starting Jan 10th my main concern is that I have read on the list of side effects int the warnings that there has been rare cases of acute myloid leukemia now my real worry is my dad died of this exact kind of cancer suddenly 3 years ago at age 61 and I am worried that I may be pre disposition to it etc and whether this drug would bring it on earlier then it may otherwise do if at all. Any experience or ideas on this please post as I need to decide by 10th Jan whether I go in this drug.
Kind Regards
Rowan

 

[lifesover]

Hi, I'm new on Imuran and I am having a really hard time with it. I have put a post under support.

I would say try it and see how you goes, Some are fine others are ill.
I was ok for the first 4 days and then I started with alsorts of problems, i have been halving the dose and missing days, I have nearly every side effect that it says you can get with it and I have stopped taking it today after about 5 weeks.

Try it and tell the Dr your concerns I doubt cancer will come on over night.

 

[Astra]

Hi Rowan
and welcome

I'm sorry I can't help with this, I was severely allergic to Azathioprine (Imuran) within 2 months of going on it, so I stopped it.
I do know with this drug the docs have to check your bloods regularly cos of the damage it can/may do to the liver.
There are a lot of members who have had success with this drug tho.
They'll come along with advice soon!
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[ROWAN]

Hi guys - thanks to those who have answered but still no answers to my question any other responses would be greatly appreciated many thanks in advance.

 

[littlemissh]

As a general rule if you have only one family member affected by a disease then it would not be considered to be running in the family ie you do not have a genetic predisposition. The genetics departments say you should have 2 first degree relatives affected ie parent or sibling, or more than 2 2nd degree relative(aunts,uncles,grandparents).
So if you have no uncles, grandparenst, etc etc affected you are not likely to be at anymore risk. There are some exceptions to this rule but the leukaemias are not one of these as far as I am aware.

 

[crazycanuck]

Yeah I can imagine the fear of that but please keep in mind these are ultra rare side effects and Ive been on these boards a while now and not once read anyone with one of those side effects due to imuran. As astra said allergic reactions are possible as are imune suppresion beyond healthy levels but these are closely monitored.