- Location
- Los Angeles
Hello,
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the summer of 2011. Since then I have been battling bleeding, and flares that come once a year, well since my diagnoses. I started on Asacol (Mesalamine), and did fine for almost a year. Then during my second bad bleeding flare, I went on Prednisone for a few months and was placed on azathioprine 100mg a day then 150. Then felt almost normal again for a year. Now, in December of last year 2012, a week after thanksgiving, I had my third bad flare. Of course again, bleeding is my main symptom, along with mucus and frequent urges, and diarrhea. Went back on Pred upped my azathioprine to 200mg ( my body weight is 215 because I'm tall), and now not having urges, but still bleeding a small amount with semi formed stools...which is totally depressing. My main question is...what is considered long term use of azathioprine? I keep hearing and reading about the cancer risks for young men. I am 30, and I just feel depressed as it is, and now I am not wanting to take Azo anyway, because it feels like its not working. I am very glad I became a member of this site. I don't have anyone to learn from, and unfortunately, my doctor is almost top secret about anything I ask him. I don't want things to get worse on this immune suppressant. Someone with any knowledge please in-lighten me. Thank you.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the summer of 2011. Since then I have been battling bleeding, and flares that come once a year, well since my diagnoses. I started on Asacol (Mesalamine), and did fine for almost a year. Then during my second bad bleeding flare, I went on Prednisone for a few months and was placed on azathioprine 100mg a day then 150. Then felt almost normal again for a year. Now, in December of last year 2012, a week after thanksgiving, I had my third bad flare. Of course again, bleeding is my main symptom, along with mucus and frequent urges, and diarrhea. Went back on Pred upped my azathioprine to 200mg ( my body weight is 215 because I'm tall), and now not having urges, but still bleeding a small amount with semi formed stools...which is totally depressing. My main question is...what is considered long term use of azathioprine? I keep hearing and reading about the cancer risks for young men. I am 30, and I just feel depressed as it is, and now I am not wanting to take Azo anyway, because it feels like its not working. I am very glad I became a member of this site. I don't have anyone to learn from, and unfortunately, my doctor is almost top secret about anything I ask him. I don't want things to get worse on this immune suppressant. Someone with any knowledge please in-lighten me. Thank you.