Worried

[gracifer]

Hi. I have crohns of my Terminal Illiem allegedly. Currently trying to taper of Pred, but always find when I reach 5/6mg that its not strong enough to hold, as my very gurgly stomach/pain in my side/front when I pee comes back. I'm not sure however if this is because i'm stressed with needing to finish my dissertation.
However, the doctor wants to put me on Imuran, however, having read the stuff he gave me it doesn't sound very nice, and the concept of having blood tests every week scare me slightly. Have others found it easy to go on to? Does it work quickly and effectively? (Ive been on Pred now for 6 months and just really want to get off them now!) and are the side - effects horrible, or are they something and nothing? It probably sounds very dim just I feel so hesistant moving on other to these, however, I just want my life back and feel that maybe it could be the drug i'm looking for to help me into remission..

 

[Artificial]

Hi Gracifer,

This is pretty much what I was going to post today to! I've been on Pred for a month or so which hasn't helped at all and my doctor wants to start me on Imuran to...pretty worried by the side effects!

Rachel

 

[Grumbletum]

Hey there
I've been on it for a month now. It takes about 3 months, in most cases, for it to kick in.
Try not to worry too much about side effects: remember they are possibles and not everyone will get them. Also, you are monitored very closely.
I had slight nausea and headaches when I got to the higher dose, but was advised here to split the dose and that really helped.

 

[ErikaHouston]

It is working for me. Blood tests are every 3-4 months. Lost hair at first which since stopped, also frequent yeast imfections which are now managed. Consequences of Crohn's complications are much greater than minute chance of serious risks from this drug. Even lymphoma is a highly cureable cancer; the scariest risk in my opinion.

 

[corgiforlife]

I haven't had any problems with Imuran and I've been on it for 4 months. It takes a little while to start working but it's way better than throwing up my pills, which I did when I was on Pentasa and Asacol. Good luck

 

[mallenfaye]

Hi there,

Please dont worry about this drug too much! I too was diagnosed with Crohns in my TI back in Feb. Since then I have been on Budesonide (steroid) then Prednisolone now back on to the Budesonide to wean me off the steroids completely! I started Azathioprine in June, started on 100mg per day and now up to 150mg and I havent had any side effects whatsoever, and I am being totally honest. I am even starting to feel better re my crohns symptoms. I am about to go down to lowest steroid dose so far to date so fingers crossed pain etc will stay away and I can come off them completely.

Good luck and keep us posted.

F x