New to forum

[Tina80]

Hi everyone. Please bare with me as this is the first time I've ever posted in a forum and hope I'm putting this in right place! I thought I would share my story and see if anyone can help me with a query.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2003 following years of perianal fistulas and abscess's starting from the age of 17. It took a few years before the disease showed up in the terminal illeum and eventually I had to have a resection 3 years ago. I was well for about a year after that but gradually my symptoms returned. I continue to have problems with fistulas and urgency which is the issue I'm having the most difficulty dealing with. I'm also trying to start a family but have been told I may have issues due to adhesions from the surgery. If anyone has any experience of this I would love to get your advice.
I have been on Azathioprine 150mg, however I have had issues with my liver so I have been told to reduce it to 25mg and prescribed Allopurinol. Does anyone have any experience of this drug as I did the usual and googled it only to find worrying things about taking it with Azathioprine. I'm really concerned about starting back on aza as my mum has liver damage caused by methotrexate. I'm always a bit wary of taking new medication although I assume the doctors must know what they're doing

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to th forum

I have previously been on the Aza twice but both times it gave me problems in other areas, I have therefore been put on 6-mp which from my understanding behaves in the same manner but you may be less likely to have issues with it. To find out more about this med and to see if others have had similar issues with the Aza then do check out our treatment forum: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16. You can also see here other meds that it might be worth asking your doc about.......

With regards to the ongoing problems with fistulas we also have a sub forum for these tbat is worth looking at to have a chat witb the folks here on what has worked for them/how they deal with these: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76.

With regards to pregnancy are the the adhesions you mentioned a result from your resection? If so how was op done, was it key hole or 'open'? I had a resection last year via key hole and whilst there is a bit of scarring inside I was told by my surgeon this shouldn't cause issues and I am now in fact coming up 15wks pregnant. I did make sure my tum was fully settled before we started trying so as to try and avoid having issues during the pregnancy.

I hope this has helped some.

AB
xx

 

[Tina80]

Hi Angrybird thanks for the welcome. I'll check out the other forums you mentioned, it is good to read other peoples experiences and how they'e dealing with it.

With regards to the medication I think 6mp was mentioned but that it would also cause problems with my liver. I've so far managed to avoid another course of steroids but I know it may be on the cards if I want to be at my healthiest for conceiving.

My surgery was done openly, I was never offered the option of key hole at the time. I'm hoping I don't have too much scarring but have been panicking a bit since this was mentioned as my surgeon never brought this up with me prior to it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy xx

 

[Angrybird]

Thanks hun. Hopefully things inside scar wise are not too bad, I will certainly be keeping fingers crossed for you. Please keep us updated on how you are getting on.

 

[David]

Hi Tina and welcome

There is a lot of misinformation about Allopurinol and Azathioprine out there because they "interact" which is all most of the websites out there say. "INTERACTION DANGER!" Now, this is true but it can be used in a beneficial manner like your doctor is doing where the dose of Azathioprine is lowered and the Allopurinol is added.

However, if you're having problems with Fistulae again, you may want to discuss the idea of a biologic with your consultant. Remicade or Humira with Remicade being my first choice. It has a pretty good track record compared to most medicines with closing fistulae. Another thing to look into would be enteral nutrition.

Again, welcome