Treatment using Imuran Tablets

[kaza]

I have recently just been diagnosed with crohns i started taking 25mg prednisone steroids only 2 weeks ago and feel 100% already. the crohns is in the small intestine illium only i visited the GI today and he is pleased i have great results on the steriod he is now weaning me off them to take Imuran for what he informs will be the rest of my life.
After filling out the script and leaning from the print out and the talk the pharmisist gave me i am very nervous about taking this drug for the rest of my life. I had no idea crohns would be treated with a drug that alters your immune system in such a way to make you susceptible to viral, fungal and bacterial infections not to mention the vulnability of you skin in the sun whilst on this drug apparently i must always wear sunsceen and hat in the sun. I must say that is the biggest downer for me as i am a big outdoor water loving person and have olive complexion and rarely ever wear sun screen except on my face.
This drug can also cause birth defects if take by either male or female at time of conception i am not having any more children but it sounds like a really serious drug
Please someone tell me there is a better alternative to medicating this horrible disease without so many side affects.:depressed:

 

[beth]

Hmm. It is a serious drug for a serious disease. But your GP/Doc's should be monitoring you closely with frequent blood tests for a while, and it's well known about. Read as much as you can about it, and then just get on with your life. Education, I think, is very important, so too is not getting too scared about these things. After all you could be run over by a bus tomorrow! - if you know what I mean.
Both my GI and surgeon said azathioprine is a "Good Drug" for helping to heal fistulas and maintain remission. One of them said "it's okay, you'll be alright" because basically I was bricking it. As it turned out I was one of those few percent who don't tolerate it and it's metabolites.
The alternatives to not taking it: diet and hope for the best. Then I think the 5asa drugs like mesalazine, then Imuran/aza/6mp, and on up the scale is methotrexate before you hit the biologics.

 

[Guest]

hi Kaza & welcome

glad to hear you're feeling better than before. i think, with any drug we're advised to take, we have to make an informed decision, and think very carefully about our quality of life. if Imuran is the best thing for you right now to give you that, then i would say don't worry too much about the possible side effects... just because they're listed doesn't mean they happen to everyone... and in any case it may be well that some other drug comes along in the future which you could switch to, or another doctor may take over your case at some point who has different ideas.

 

[katiesue1506]

Hey there! I'm currently on Imuran and Humira together. I was on prednisone with these too, but I've recently tapered off.

Don't worry too much about the side effects, be aware of them... but don't WORRY about them. I ditto everything Ding said... "and think very carefully about our quality of life. if Imuran is the best thing for you right now to give you that, then i would say don't worry too much about the possible side effects... just because they're listed doesn't mean they happen to everyone"

Good advice.

 

[kaza]

thanks to you all for your helpful advise. I have just been feeling very vulnerable since being diagnosed as i am now at the mercy of the specialist to take whatever they perscribe me to treat this horrible disease. I have never taken regular medication before and am afraid of the long term side affects. can any one tell me whether taking a drug such as imuran will it make me more susceptible to catching anything going around as in sickness should i be more careful if travelling overseas should i avoid visiting sick people in hospital. as i understand this drug is breaking down my immune system?

 

[GirlFriday]

Hi kaza - welcome! Glad you found this place. I know how scary it is when you first get prescribed a drug like Imuran (I freaked out too) but I think you just have to decide to trust your GI. They are aware of all the rare side effects and they will moniter you closley. Of course, at the end of the day it is your body and it's up to you to decide how you want to treat this disease..