Azathioprine Side Effects

@gmg35
I’m seen twice a year plus if I find something suspicious. I’m never out in the sun now.

Good! Same here except I do get out but wear sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and pants. Along with sunscreen😂 ( I live in the south)

I don’t take any. I get ivig treatment every four weeks and plasmapheresis every eight weeks. I got well enough that I didn’t need to continue the immunosuppressant drugs.

@q5z Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We’re so glad that you found us!
What made the doctors suspect autoimmune hepatitis? Were you sick for awhile before diagnosis?
If I may ask, how did you find Connect?

Thanks for sharing all your experiences. I’m getting IVIg every 2 weeks currently. I have the choice of starting Imuran as we space the infusions out with the hope that I’ll be able to stop the infusions completely in the future. My blood test to see if it’s safe for me to take was good. Am considering the risk versus the benefit of both.

No, I was not sick at all...in fact I had just gone to the doctor in March 2021 for my physical and my blood work was perfect. Then in June 2021, upon using the bathroom, I saw that my urine was dark brown, and my stool was white. I was also jaundice but didn't even notice it. Blood work followed and the results were off the charts, my AST and ALT was over 2000. I was admitted to the hospital for 9 days, and as a result of tests I was given the diagnosis autoimmune hepatitis. No reason was given as to why my immune system had attacked my liver.

With regard to Connect, I found it on the Internet, and because of my confidence and respect for the Mayo Clinic, I signed up. Thank you...

I live in the South too. I’m sure my sun exposure hasn’t helped things!

I have Autoimmune Hepatitis, I am stage 2/4 liver cirrhosis, and I have Fibromyalgia. I also have Hyperparathyroidism and about to get a Parathyroidectomy. I was on Budesonide and Azathioprine and both had to be stopped after 2 weeks. I could barely walk, I could not raise my arms, the bodily pain was excruciating, I could not eat more than a kids meal. Months later I was back on Azathioprine and had the same side effects, I am unable to handle this medication due to being unable to move and with severe pain.

@mydiamondsx8 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m glad you found this site. I’m sure the members will chime in with help and support for you. Your experience with Azathioprine sounds terrible. Was this the first medication that the doctors had you try? Have they given you other suggestions of medications to try?
Can you sit and come up with possible questions that you would be able to ask the doctors that would make them evaluate all of your diseases and medications and maybe find a better solution for you?

There are similar medications that work, think it is generally well tolerated and used to treat many "inflammatory" symptoms / diseases. Again, talk to your rheum about this - there should be another medication that has the same purpose, but that you can tolerate.
I am up to two pills a day to my knowledge no side effects.