Azathioprine: Hi All, I am starting azathioprine... - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK
24,542 members • 19,981 posts

Azathioprine

AmyKG
AmyKG
•15 Replies

Hi All,

I am starting azathioprine on Thursday and have been suspended from work while I am on them as they are immunosuppressants and I work in a lab.

Does anyone know what sort of time frame I am likely to be on immunosuppressants e.g forever or will I be taken off them when my flare has passed and my blood results look better?

Read more about...
15 Replies
oldest • newest
Melirm
Melirm

Hi AmyKG, my understanding is the azathioprine is a long term medication. It takes. While for it to take full effect. Best to ask your Dr what your medication plan is as they all seems to have a different idea about it!

Good luck.

1 like
Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to Melirm

Thanks for your reply Melirm, I will ask on Thursday. Hope you're well x

1 like
Reply
soootired
soootired

Unless it disagrees with you, you'll be on it long-term. It takes a good 3 months to even do anything, to give you an idea of time scales.

1 like
Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to soootired

Thanks for the reply soootired, if that's the case then I've lost my job unfortunately. Really hope they have an alternative now!

Reply
soootired
soootired

I'm sorry to hear that, but your health is important and needs to be sorted out - they must have put you on it for a reason. I really hope it begins to work for you soon. 😊

1 like
Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to soootired

Thank you, I hope so too. Hope you're well x

1 like
Reply
Joy_1
Joy_1

Hi

I was on Aza. As every one says you're no doubt in it for the long haul.

On the plus side I found Aza to be 'a walk in the park' ie no side effects at all. It was a shame it did not do the trick for me. I am on MTX now which has some side effects for me but it's been my magic bullet.

So I hope Aza works it's magic for you.

You may need to think laterally job-wise if you can no longer work in a lab.

I am a scientist but office based.

good luck

Joy

1 like
Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to Joy_1

Thanks Joy, I appreciate your comment. I was thinking more of an office-based job if that is the case. Going to discuss other options with the rheumatologist tomorrow to see if there is literally any other treatment except immunosuppressants but will accept a career change if there are no options. Hope you're well x

Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to Joy_1

Hi Joy,

What is it you do as a job, if you don't mind me asking? x

Reply
Joy_1
Joy_1
in reply to AmyKG

Food Science.

1 like
Reply
Emily00
Emily00

Hi Amy,

Who said you cannot work in the lab? I am also on Azathioprine, Plaquenil and low dose steroids and have recently have rituximab and I work everyday in a PC2 lab. I haven't actually had any problems yet..... Maybe it depends on your bloods?

1 like
Reply
AmyKG
AmyKG
in reply to Emily00

Hi Emily,

I'm doing a PhD studying blood and bone marrow cancers. The University have said I can't work in the lab as I work with patient samples that aren't screened. I also work in a multi-user lab where people are working with viruses and bacteria and therefore the university can't limit what I'm exposed to and have completely refused my access to the labs. The rheumatologist said as long as I was careful then I was okay but I don't think she considered that I was working with unscreened blood samples x

Reply
Emily00
Emily00
in reply to AmyKG

Yes, I guess university is worried about their liabiltiy if you do get a bad infection..... but I don't think you would need a full career change! you just might need to choose areas that have less risk for you... and as others have said, you may be on aza for a while so you might need to modify your research project for your PhD. Good Luck!

1 like
Reply
Lorska1
Lorska1

I have not come across anyone that has used Azathioprine as a short term medicine. Your employer need to look at reasonable adjustments that will allow you to stay in your current area of work. Wishing you well xx

1 like
Reply
Becky228
Becky228

Hi I know this post was started last year but I’m just curious by it. I’m a nurse so am regularly in contact with unknown virus’s, contagious diseases, untested blood, risk of needle stick injury etc but it has never affected my work. My consultant also knows my job. I also know there are many nurses working on Aza.

What was the outcome regarding your job?

Best wishes Becky

Reply

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Related Posts

Supporting the community

Paul_Howard
Paul_HowardAdministrator
Chanpreet_Walia
Chanpreet_WaliaAdministrator

Top community tags

Popular Posts

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.