Imuran

[mark squire]

Hi there everyone,

Im a little new to this sort of thing. I was diagnosed with Crohns in Feb 1999 when i had a flare up, this was treated with a dose of steroids in hospital, after that i was not on anything, i had a flare up 11 years later and again was treated with steroids and Imuran. I just had another flare up 3 weeks ago and have just had an operation to remove part of my small bowel. I have again been prescribed Imuran. I am really concerned about taking it due to the increased risk of cancer. My reason for this is because of a lot of cancer history in my family. Not sure what to do or if anyone else has the same feelings. Any advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks Mark

 

[Zalanicht]

I was put on Imuran right after my surgery just because of how severe it was. It still seems kind of strange that I'm taking this drug even though I'm healthy right now. My GI specialist told me all the % of everything and it seems like a good idea to stay on it. How many mg are you on of Aza? I'm on 150mg.

 

[seaofdreams]

Hi Mark. All medications have their risks and side effects and we have to weigh them up against the benefits of what they can do for our Crohn's.

I was on Azathioprine (Imuran) for almost a year up until very recently and I did very well on it. I was nervous to start with after reading the long list of health risks but I'm so glad I went through with it because it helped restore some normality back to my life for almost a year.

Best of luck with what you decide on and keep us posted I'm happy to give you some more information on my experience with Aza if you would like too

 

[mark squire]

Hi guys thanks for your feed back. I know all meds do have side effects, but another concern is that my wife and i are planning on trying for kids at the end of the year and it says it can cause problems with the pregnancy, not sure if anyone has experienced problems with this. Im currently on 100mg per day. I was on 50mg before my op. I did think i would be taken off this and put onto something different, several of my friends are on Salofalk.

Again thanks for your comments

 

[Dexky]

Welcome Mark!! Were you not on any meds for the entire 11 yr remission? With the last year you've had, you clearly need some kind of maintenance drug now.

Do you have a GI that you see regularly? If so, have you expressed these concerns with him/her? Maybe, with the family history, they will want to run blood work more often than would normally be the case.

Hope you get it figured out!! Good luck!!

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Mark and :welcome:

I think most people have those feelings Mark. I was scared s***less when Roo was prescribed Imuran following her bowel resection and it was then she was diagnosed. We went from not knowing what was wrong one day to a diagnosis closely followed by Imuran a few weeks later. That was 4 years ago and she has been in remission ever since with no complications. David has posted an article about men and IBD meds prior to conceiving..........................................

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=12492

This is a great place with loads of info and support so I hope you stick around. Welcome aboard!

Take care,
Dusty

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Mark, :welcome: I know you are concerned about Imuran, but many do well on here being on it..every med has risks, but they have to post all side effects and many are on the uncommon list. It is a hard decision. Some have had pregnancies whilst on Humira and the babies turned out fine. Trying for a family makes it more difficult not bein on drugs but, the numbe one thing is YOUR health, and your pain. Ask your doctor for other meds in his opinion which is the safest. Salofalk is inmy case alot stronger of the ASA's. Hope you find something you all can live with. Glad you found us.:wink:

 

[Lucem_fero]

Hi there everyone,

Im a little new to this sort of thing. I was diagnosed with Crohns in Feb 1999 when i had a flare up, this was treated with a dose of steroids in hospital, after that i was not on anything, i had a flare up 11 years later and again was treated with steroids and Imuran. I just had another flare up 3 weeks ago and have just had an operation to remove part of my small bowel. I have again been prescribed Imuran. I am really concerned about taking it due to the increased risk of cancer. My reason for this is because of a lot of cancer history in my family. Not sure what to do or if anyone else has the same feelings. Any advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks Mark

From what I've heard about Imuran, the risk of certain types of cancer depends a lot on the dosage. According to my GI doctor, the dosages that they usually use to treat IBD don't have a significant risk, it's when you are treated for things like Lupus and Leukemia that it is given in very large amounts that it is dangerous. I have only really ever heard about it being associated with skin cancer, if that helps any.

 

[goofyrn2]

I have not been on Imuran but on a boat load of other drugs. Wish I could help you out.

 

[gringo43]

Hi Mark

Welcome, I hope you find the answers you need here....lot of good people here to learn from...I'm starting aza today {was supposed to start last friday} and am scared s***less because I'm TPMT deficient.

I hope things work out for you and the prospects of expanding your family..Good Luck!

Jerry

 

[mark squire]

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for all your comments, its amazing what you learn by reading everyones posts. Im going to my specialist in a couple of weeks so im going to go through it with him and make sure im happy before I leave.
I will keep you all posted.
Again thanks for your thoughts

Mark