New to Azathioprine

[patty77]

Hi,

Apologies it people have mentioned side effects in previous threads but I am wondering if anyone suffers what i seem to be since i have been on them.

Just over 3 weeks i have been on an initial 6 week course of 50mg till that's changed and although i physically feel fine, no sickness etc.. its at night where i am struggling big time.

Every night i am suffering from hot sweats, restlessness and getting cramp in my legs, any ideas if this is common and any help would be appreciated as this is starting to seriously annoy me now

Thanks

Mike

 

[hawkeye]

It might be due to active disease that is not quite under control yet. I had these symptoms when first diagnosed.

 

[archaeodani]

My daughter (just diagnosed and began treatment on August 17), has the same problems

we just had a followup today, and the doc wants to know if she experiences JOINT cramping/pain - general achiness isn't an issue that needs to be monitored

My doc is OK with my daughter taking melatonin to help sleep - and it's working on the nighttime issues that you are describing.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Are you on steroids as well? It could most likely explain the restlessness and some of the sweating and aches.

Still being in a flare could explain the sweating and aches as well.

You are just starting this medication so I agree with hawkeye who says that it takes time for Azathioprine to treat your flare. It is more likely than not that you are still experiencing a flare as these types of meds typically take about 3 months to become fully effective. Which is why docs tend to put you on steroids to try and help tame your symptoms while you wait for Aza to fully kick in.

 

[James48]

Are you on steroids as well? It could most likely explain the restlessness and some of the sweating and aches.

Still being in a flare could explain the sweating and aches as well.

You are just starting this medication so I agree with hawkeye who says that it takes time for Azathioprine to treat your flare. It is more likely than not that you are still experiencing a flare as these types of meds typically take about 3 months to become fully effective. Which is why docs tend to put you on steroids to try and help tame your symptoms while you wait for Aza to fully kick in.

I haven't had those side effects with Aza but if you're still on steroids I did get it with them so it would make sense. I hope the side effects wear off soon

 

[maz36]

Hi there ive beeon the azathioprine for 2weeks now and had the sweats, which made me concerned and now i have a pain in my side of back, which is gradually getting worse, im going to contact my gp to get this checked as i read up on side effects and this these are the ones. Hope your sweats calm down as mine have not yet.

 

[Catherine]

Maz36 a visit to the gp sounds like a good idea. Best of luck.

 

[carla_marie]

I was also started on 50mg of aza and then after 2 weeks my doc had me jump up to 150mg. After about 1 week on that dose, I had 2 very horrible nights of sweats, chills, shaking, muscle aches (my entire body), my skin hurt to touch, nausea and vomitting. I contacted my nurse practitioner and she recommended going back down to 50mg and increasing by 25mg each week. A slower increase has helped my body get used to the meds. Since then, I've been fine. Contact your doc and see what they might suggest. Also, it's very important to have your bloodwork done on a weekly/bi-weekly basis at first, have you been doing that?