Your experience with Imuran/Azathioprine

[Gra]

I've been taking Imuran now for nearly 2 weeks, and after the two weeks I'm supposed to double the dose from one tablet a day to 2 tablets (50mg) a day. This comes at a time when all of a sudden we are being plunged into the depths of winter here in Perth, with temperatures in the range of 2 to 4°C. And of course cold blustery winds. So I'm not exactly looking forward to commuting to and from work every day via draughty train stations and buses and crowds of people with all their germs. The more I read about Imuran the more worried I get about some kind of infection, and I know that right now I am way underweight and not getting all the vitamins and minerals I need out of my food. The last thing I need is to get an infection that drags me down, and possibly end up getting pneumonia.

I just thought I would take a quick survey of people who have experience with Imuran/Aza. If you can respond to the following questions it would help me a lot.

1. How long have you been/were you on Imuran?

2. What dose of Imuran are you / where you on?

3. Did you have any problems while on Imuran? I am primarily interested in infections and lowered resistance to colds and flu. (But feel free to add other symptoms if you wish.)

4.. Do you / did you have full-time employment when you were taking Imuran?

5. Did you commute daily to/from work during that time?

Thanks for your help, any and all additional information is welcome.
Gra

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I have been on aza before for about 3 weeks. I was on 75mg of it at the time. Didn't really notice any problems and it seemed to actually start working for me when I was taken off it. However, I was taken off it because it made my liver count go up. I work part time and I did commute/drive. However, at the time I was on the aza I went on vacation to see family in the mid west.

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Gra,

I am not on Imuran but both of my children so I will answer in relation to them.

1. How long have you been/were you on Imuran?

Sarah - Has been on Imuran for nearly 6 years.
Matt - Has been on Imuran for 18 months.

2. What dose of Imuran are you / where you on?

Sarah - Started at 50mg and this has never changed as she has not had a return of symptoms. At the time of diagnosis she was only 34kgs.
Matt - Started at 50mg and on return of a normal TPMT test he was moved to 100mg.

3. Did you have any problems while on Imuran? I am primarily interested in infections and lowered resistance to colds and flu. (But feel free to add other symptoms if you wish.)

Sarah - No side effects that I am aware of. Has not contracted more colds or flu than anyone else and has had no other infections.
Matt - No side effects that I am aware of. He also has not had more colds or flu than anyone else and has had no other infections.

4.. Do you / did you have full-time employment when you were taking Imuran?

Sarah - Attended school full time and had a part time job. Now attends university full time and has a part time job.
Matt - Attended school full time and now attends university full time with a part time job.

5. Did you commute daily to/from work during that time?

Sarah - Does not commute daily but does use public transport regularly. Also is in lecture theatres with up to 400 other people.
Matt - Commutes daily but drives. Also has daily exposure to large numbers of people.

Hope that helps!
Dusty. xxx

PS. Sarah is in Sydney. Matt is still at home and at present we are averaging in the minuses for morning temperatures.

 

[Gra]

Hi Gra,

I am not on Imuran but both of my children so I will answer in relation to them.
......

Hope that helps!
Dusty. xxx
PS. Sarah is in Sydney. Matt is still at home and at present we are averaging in the minuses for morning temperatures.

Thanks Dusty, yes, it helps. Weather-wise, I think NSW has been getting worse weather than we have experienced so far this year in Perth. Hope you and the kids are well,
Gra in Perth

 

[Catherine]

My Sarah started treatment with pred and aza in Februay. Sarah has no colds\flu since starting meds if anything her nose problems and asthma cough have improved.

She is a full time student travels by bus, and spends a lot of time a public swimming pools.

 

[Gra]

My Sarah started treatment with pred and aza in Februay. Sarah has no colds\flu since starting meds if anything her nose problems and asthma cough have improved.

She is a full time student travels by bus, and spends a lot of time a public swimming pools.

Thanks Catherine, I really appreciate your help.

Gra