Just had surgery

[eve]

just had surgery

I was diagnosed with Crohns 3 years ago. I had a blockage recently and ended up having surgery. They took a bit of my small and large bowel and did a resection. I am at home recovering from the ordeal. Now I have to make the decision whether to continue with Pentasa (which I don't really mind, I don't have side affects from it) and the doctors now want me to go on azathioprine(sp?) for at least a year. I have done a bit of research on this drug and it sounds scary. Just wondering if anyone had advice or suggestions for me.
Thanks
Amelia

 

[Jeff D.]

Welcome to the forum. I wish you a quick and speedy recovery. I took 6-mp which is what aza truns into in the body for four years and never really had a problem. It didn't seem to help me much either. If they want you on it I wouldn't be too worried. Just make sure to keep up to date on your blood tests and you should be fine. Let them know right away if you have any side effects.

Best of luck

 

[Guest]

hi Amelia - welcome to the forum

i'm glad to hear the surgery is behind you, as it were, and you can now concentrate on recovering and getting your life back in order. i'm afraid i'm not really qualified to advise on the meds issue, as i haven't been on either drug, but i would agree with Jeff in that, if the doctors are recommending a certain one, then they would do so with a reason in mind, and i'd be tempted to trust them and go with their advice. however, there is no harm in asking them exactly why they have chosen this particular treatment for you, over the other. plus - tell them your findings and your anxieties about it.

 

[elp888]

Hi eve,

I had similar resection surgery about 3 weeks ago and like you are at home recovering at the moment.
I was taking Pentasa for about 14 years until this March when i switched doctors/hospitals. My new doctor feels Pentasa doesn't really do anything for Crohns and I started taking Azathioprine (125mg a day). I agree that the side effects sound pretty scary, but my doctor did say that these are based on the research done for the drug's original use (transplants) and are based on a much higher dose...
It still too early to really say anything about it, but so far I haven't been troubled by any side effects.

Good luck!
e.

 

[FruitLoop]

Hi - I had a re-section 3 years ago and no meds afterwards.

My consultant says that the current thinking is to take Aza after a re-section for a year and also have a colonoscopy 9 months later.

He thinks if i had done this i would not be flaring now.

Personally I would go with what the Dr advises.

Hope you recover quickly - I felt amaing after my re-section as I was symptom free !!