Thioprine useage

[Impunity]

I had surgery in December last year.
My gastroenterologist told me to have Thioprine tablet only when symptoms were bad.
Has anyone else been given these same instructions by their doc?

He's said it several times, on two occasions.

After posting in the My story thread, it seems this is something that normally isn't said by a doc and was wondering if I was the only one with such instructions?

 

[DustyKat]

I have never ever heard that and it doesn't make sense.

So are you saying that he said...only take a tablet when you need one? If that is the case...

It takes at least 3 months for Thiopurine levels to become therapeutic so taking Thiopurines as a 'when necessary' tablet is useless.

Or is he saying...start taking Thiopurines when symptoms reappear?

There is conflicting advice given by GI's. Some will not proceed with maintenance medication following surgery whereas others will. My own children have had ileocaecal resections and both are on Imuran as a maintenance medication to maintain remission.

Has it made a difference? I don't know that anyone can reliably say but both are in remission...my daughter will be 7 years in July and my son 2 years this month.

Dusty. xxx

 

[xSophiexx]

My GI and all i have read online says that Thiuprines are maintenance drugs i.e you take them to maintain remission.
i would seek a second opinion!

 

[kh216]

I agree with DustyKat and xSophiexx. In the past, it used to be that you didn't take medicine after surgery for Crohn's. However, that has changed, because doctors now realize that Crohn's often comes back after surgery. Therefore, doctors will select a Crohn's medicine for the patient after surgery to maintain remission. Azathioprine can be a good maintenance medicine as long as the patient takes it right after surgery and takes it as prescribed.