Taking Azathioprine with a positive mind

[bettyboop12]

Due to start taking Aza on Monday. Starting off with 100mg per day.

I have read some of the side affects that can happen but as with all meds, it doesn't necessarily mean im going to get them.

Looking forward to being well again (hopefully by Christmas!) and what ever side affects I do have, heres hoping I can push on through them!

 

[Catherine]

Hopefully aza is the treatment for you and get you in a long remission. The most important thing with aza is to have regular blood tests which most people here seem have weekly a first.

Good luck

 

[Danico85]

hi there.
ive been taking aza for about 5 years and never had any side effects.
i wish you well

 

[bettyboop12]

Thank you both for your support. I plan to have weekly blood tests at the doctors every week so that will closely monitor any potential problems.

Im considering taking some kind of supplement for my hair as thats one thing I don't want to lose.

Thinking of starting my yoga DVD's too to help me relax and keep stress levels down. I hope that I get some result by Christmas and start to feel better for my Christmas dinner! I know it can take a while to kick in but heres hoping!

 

[hawkeye]

I have been taking it since 1991 with great results. I credit it with a long remission (albeit with a few recent flares)

 

[Beach bum]

Good luck,
Touch wood I don't seem to have suffered any bad effects, my hair was thinning at one point, but I think that was a side effect of generally being unwell or maybe to do with steroids, but it is back to normal now .
I am on aza and Remicade.

I only have my bloods done about every other week now.
How often do you guys who have been on it for years get checked?

 

[bettyboop12]

Thank you all.

I started on the Aza today. Feel okay, well apart from a cold I started with over night and bad pain in chest and back (thats another thread!).

Don't know if I was expecting something to happen when I took the pills straight away, but nothing did anyhow!

So apart from a recovering ear infection (currently being treated by nasal spray), pain in chest, snotty nose, im okay so far so good! Oh, doc said I was looking pale (not surpised as I was not wearing makeup!) so he gave me iron tablets to take.

First blood test next Wed. Weekly for 4 weeks, then every other week for a month, then monthly.

 

[gillmc]

Hello

New to the forum. I was diagnosed with Crohns 2 years ago but had symptoms for 5 years, incorrectly diagnosed as IBS at first. I was on Azathioprine for a few weeks and having blood tests every week until it was discovered it was affecting my liver quite badly so had to cease immediately. Been on Entocort and Mercaptopurine in the past too without success. Currently going through a flare up without meds, another barium is being arranged, bloods taken and waiting for another appt at gastro clinic......pretty miserable just now

 

[Danico85]

Hi Gill

Can i ask why your off your meds?? im guessing the doctor hasnt taken you off them?

Nicky

 

[bettyboop12]

Hi gillmc

Sorry your going through rough time at the moment. I know for me at least, when the GI's suggest a medication I think great! Lets try it right now and let it make me better!

Unfortunately, no one can predict how the medications will take affect in your body and it is disappointing to have your hopes swashed when your body rejects it.

It is not a pleasant thing to go through a flare and be waiting for test results too before they can give you anything.

Do you know how long you have to wait for your barium? Have you had one before?

 

[blessedwithfour]

Hey there. Been on aza for 6 months with Entocort. No side effects at all. I go every 30 days for blood work an always been normal. Good luck

 

[gillmc]

Hi Gill

Can i ask why your off your meds?? im guessing the doctor hasnt taken you off them?

Nicky

Hi Nicky

I finished the course of Entocort and stayed on Mercaptopurine for a further month or so but I found they were not helping so I stopped. I haven't been on anything since and that was around May I stopped the Mercaptopurine. I was ok for a few months but have in the past 6 weeks been having a flare. My GI took bloods and will wait for the results before deciding on the next course of action.

I have had a barium before, meal and enema :runaway: I have also had 3 colonoscopies, a sigmoidoscopy, 2 gastroscopies, and a partridge in a pear tree!!!

If I need to have part of my ileium removed then so be it, anything to be semi 'normal' again

Gill

 

[kh216]

Gillmc,
Perhaps a biologic medication will work for you, such as Remicade, Humira or Cimzia. I think you felt well from May until 6 weeks ago was that the 6mp was still in your system. However, it does become a problem when the medication affects your liver. Hope you feel better soon.