Azathioprine

i have been living with ulcerative colitis for over 12 years and i take Azathioprine regularly. it affects my bones marow,and possibly my muscles?

it also affects my immune system leaving me open to what infections maybe going ROUND. I KNOW THAT THERE MAYBE OTHER SIDE AFFECTS, BUT UNLESS I KEEP TAKING IT, i knw that i will have worse flare ups and this will leave me stuck at home with ,bleeding, dehydration and feeling generally wiped out. so for me not taking azathioprine is not to be considered

Hi, I was previously taking azathioprine for just over a year. My immune system was reduced, so I was more cautious about catching infections, I did steer clear of family or friends when they were poorly.  There is very good reason for the medic ine lowering your immune system, the medicine is designed to stop your immune system attacking your bowels, that is what happens with colitis. 

I did not suffer with any side effects at all. Azathioprine was the first medicine to ever stop my ulcerative colitis, in over 20 years. Had to stop taking it when I moved to different area. I have tried recently to go back on it but my liver reacted badly to it. You would be closely supervised whilst on it, with regular blood tests.

I would definitely give it a try again, give it a try, good luck. Xx

For me azathioprine is one of 2 drugs that keeps my colitis under control, the other is Mezavant and i take a large dosage of this. i have had about 5 flare ups since my first diagnosis in 2003. and these can last several months, my last flare up was in 2013/14 and lasted 8 months. if i have a big flare up, i also end up taking several medications including steroids and suppositories and this really takes it out of me, because i am fighting my flare up, and also the medications which really make life very hard and tiring. i do not knowwhat to advise you want to do , except to say speak to the Gasteroenterologist or I.B.D nurse and discuss everything until you are satisfied, that you can make a decision that completely satisfies you?

i have recently been researching about Colitis and medications including Azathioprine  and found that some of my other health issues are affected. this includes my heart disease, spondelosis and muscles particularly in my legs, hips and lower spine.

so i wish you well in working out what to decide about taking Azathioprine and that your colitis settles down for many years, because there at present is no cure, we simply go into remission for various periods of time