I have just started on my 3rd week of Azathioprine, I am...

I would personally say that it was the prednisolone which is more likely to cause your symptoms, even reducing the dose can cause side-effects.:?

[i:718fd98159]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:718fd98159]

i think you shouldnt ignore the problem or put it down to the prednisoline as this is a side effect of azathioprine also.Contact your doctor and see what they have to say.

Hi,

I've just spent two weeks in hospital. Just over a week on intravenous hydrocortisone for severe ulcerative colitis,and then 50 mg Prednisolone. I'm awaiting an appointment with the Gasteroenterologist to assess how things are going. Befor I left hospital he gave me the choice of continuing with the steroids and trying to taper them down or going on Aziothiaprine. He aslo explained about regular blood tests and the possibilities of infection ect. I chose to try the steroids with the option of imunosurpressants later if this does not work. So far I have lost two and a half stone. I was probably slightly overweight beforehand but am still loosing weightand am still having problems in the mornings. I am concerned about going on Aziothiaprine due to the possibility of infections and lowered immune systems. I work at a University and so there are always loads of tudents with one bug or another around. Also the regular blood tests and monitoring required as work have not been all that helpfull and in some ways are giving me quite a lot of stress which is not helping, even thoughI have registered my condition with the OT department. Please can you tell me of your experiences with Aziothiaprine and how much monitoring is involved and any other usefull information that may help to allay my concerns.

Thanks for your help.

Corny

I've been taking azathioprine for around 7 years now (100mg) and have hardly been ill during this period. I don't seem to get colds as often as I used to but when I do they're quite bad. I used to take a large dosage of prednisolone and slowly reduced this and introduced azathioprine. Of course I'd rather not take anything but azathioprine has less side-effects (for me) than steriods. In fact I don't feel I suffer any side-effects at all but blood tests show some irregular readings but that is normal (if that makes sense)

Regarding blood tests, when going onto azathioprine at first I had weekly blood tests, then onto monthly and now a couple of times a year.

I'd rather this routine than being ill.

Ive joined this forum tonight as im due to start taking Azathioprine pretty soon, i am absolutely petrified of all the side affects, the cancers, and low immunity is worrying me sick... i have two young children and know i need to do whatever i can for them as well as myself, i dont want them to have a poorly mummy who is feeling sick and achy all the time...

My crohns is in my terminal illeum and is active following a sample result showing inflammation levels of 448 (normal is 1-60) so im guessing mine is pretty high.

I feel 100% fine in myself which is why im so scared to take something when i feel 'normal'

I'm at 5 weeks on 100 mg AZA. I experience anxiety, shortness of breath, chest pain, rash, hives, lumps on arms and legs, upper abdomen pain that radiates to my back. I am also taking methylprednisolone 12mg since 7/15. I have Igg4 inflammatory process.