Have to stop Azathioprine

[Shann07]

Ive been told to stop my aza and plaquenil immediately as my white cells are so low. My blood work will be repeated in 1 week. Has anyone experience of this and will I get to continue on aza as it was helping my symptoms alot?

[PMRpro]

It is difficult to say - the aza is obviously affecting your white cells badly and that puts you at a much higher risk of infection. If they recover and go higher again the doctor may be willing to try you with the aza again but he may not - you will have to ask him. It could be either or the combination that is causing the problem so they will need to work that out. I'm sure if you don't get to go back onto aza they will try something else instead.

[Shann07 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. I will try not to worry too much.

[Bronagh2015]

Hi Shann07, the same thing happened me and I wasn't allowed to have Aza again. My prednisolone was increased and I was started on Mycophenolate Mofetil, then after a few months the Pred was decreased slowly. The side effects were quite bad for a while but it has worked well for me overall. 😊 Bronagh

[Shann07 in reply to Bronagh2015]

Thanks Bronagh thats very reassuring 🤗

[misty14]

Hi Shann

I too had to come off Azathioprine because it affected my blood cell counts. Tough as it has helped you but I'm sure they will put you on something else like Mycophenolate that seems to be tolerated better.Good luck for your bloods in a weeks time, hope they've improved . Keep us posted. X

[Shann07 in reply to misty14]

Thanks Misty 🤗

[favour6]

Hi Shannon

It has happened to me when aza affected my liver. I was then prescribed mycophenolate. You will be fine if given myco.

[Shann07 in reply to favour6]

Its great to hear from you all that have had this experience too, so reassuring favour6!

[Shan_lupu]

Hello! Same thing happened to me. They lowered my doses and kept an eye on me for a while and my white blood count is now at an acceptable range. It was down to a 1.2. Pretty low.

[Shann07 in reply to Shan_lupu]

Hi Shan-lupu, Yes Rheummy phoned me to say will repeat bloods next week and if improved might be able to restart on lower dose so fingers crossed!

[Jess_doyle]

Same thing is happening to me as well for the past 2 years but they really don't want to take me off it nd put me on anything stronger, guess it's just trying to keep a good balance annoying as it is, and all the blood tests... hopefully something new will appear it's come along way.