I am about to go on Azathioprine - has anyone had side effects with this drug?

[rafael]

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Dear Rafael,

Welcome and thanks for your question.

All medication have side effects and just because there are side effects does not mean you will have any problems. Your specialist should have spoken to you about azathiaprine which has proven to be a very effective drug for lupus. You will also have been told that you will need to have regular blood tests to make sure that taking azathiaprine is right for you.

If you are still concerned, then please return to your specialist or even your GP who are the best people to discuss why you have been prescribed azathiaprine.

There are people who take azathiaprine at the LuPUS Message Board. You can register or sign up for free here: lupus-support.org/LuPUSMB

If you decide to join, you will be asked your date of birth as we have a strict policy that minors should only use the LuPUSMB with the consult of their parent or guardian. The format is nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please note to use "-" and not anything else such as "/" to separate the numbers.

If you have any further questions, then either post again or email me here: roz [at] lupus-support [dot] org [dot] uk

Be well!

Ros

[rafael in reply to lupus-support1]

Hi Ros

I am trying to create an account on the Lupus site but I can't seem to find the correct format for my date of birth do you know?

Thanks

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

I'm sorry for the problem rafael.

If you were born on 4 April 1978, the format would be 04-04-1978

ie nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please note: you must use - to separate the numbers.

Be well!

Ros

[collette]

Hi rafael I have just started on Azathioprine, i have been taking it for just over a week and had my first bloods done yesterday. I will let you know how I get on with it. It looks like we are in the same boat .

[rafael in reply to collette]

Hi Collette

Going for 3rd blood test today. I started on a low dose of 50mg daily. Have been really wiped-out this week - sleeping a lot. Seeing my Dr this morning to up my meds. Will report back if things change.

Do you have lupus of rheumatoid arthritis? Unfortunately I am suffering from both for my sins !!

Speak soon

[collette]

Hi ya Rafael, i haven't been diagnosed yet but it looks like it is Lupus. I have started on 50mg, will be moving up to 100mg this week and then to 150mg. I have my second blood test tomorrow. will keep you updated. I always feel wiped out hopefully this med will suit me and it works fingers crossed. Speak soon take care x

[rafael in reply to collette]

Hi Collette

I am having a bad day today. My ankle and right hand are so painful they feel like they are badly sprained. Taken painkillers but they are not even touching the pain. How are you doing

[collette]

Hi rafael sorry for the late reply, I hope your pain has eased. What pain relief are you using? have you tried hand splints I have one for each hand and use them when my hands and wrists are painful. I find the support helps. I am feeling a lot better than I have in a couple of years. Still having to take pain killers but not as many. before I woke up in excruciating pain through out the night but am sleeping a lot better. Not sure if its the Aza meds or the steroids. however the steroids did not have this effect the last time I had the injection.

[rafael]

Hi Collette

You sound more probative - has your tiredness passed? I am now also on 150mgs (started on 150 Monday 24th) I have very painful muscle cramps and also not sleeping even with sleeping tablets. I had a steroid injection on 17th June and has yet to kick in - still hoping it will!

However, today I came back from town and had to go to bed as I was really tired and cold. Have you experienced any of these symptoms.

Take care

Rafael

[CyndyHP]

Hi. This was the first drug they tried on me. I took it for a week. Went for blood work. They immediately took me off it. Said my liver was shutting down. Now I take plaquenil. I am having a lot of problems with my eyes and vision.

[rafael]

This is also the first drug I have been given, and have been on it for 8 weeks. Apparently my blood work is fine. I am tired a lot of the time and not sure the drug is working. The last steroid injection I had did not work. Apparently the more steroid injections you have the less effect they have. I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis overlap. Do you have Lupus?

[collette]

Hi rafael how are you getting sorry it has been so long. are you still taking them?. No I haven't had the feeling of cold but tiredness yes, however that can also be the illness itself.

I have recently been told to stop them as I have had a major flare and they have not done anything for me. I was told by my specialist nurse to stop them and when I see my rhumy in two weeks he will discuss where we go from here. My GP has put me on Gabpatine fro nerve damage because the pain is horrendous at the moment. The pain relief is not even touching the pain so they have put me on morphine which is helping, thank god. Hope you are as well as you possibly be. x

[rafael in reply to collette]

Hi there

[rafael in reply to rafael]

I am still very tired but I think the drug is helping with the pain. I have been on gabapentin and it made me suicidal so i was taken of the drug. Don't know what's worth the pain or the medication. Take care