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Azathioprine and low white blood count
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Apr 14 6:43pm | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
I actually think hour Dr’s suggestion is reasonable. A WBC count of 4000 is not too bad and as long as it doesn’t go lower, you’re probably fine. Since low WBC is a side effect of azathioprine, cutting the dose in half will keep the WBC from dropping further without taking you off it completely. The risk/reward ratio of these immunosuppressants is complicated and managing the illness is often difficult. Fortunately there are lots of drugs effective for UC. Are you in a remote area where GI specialists are scarce? Now with virtual medical visits, you could have a specialist as long as UC can be managed with discussion and physical exam is not required. Good luck with the delicate balance and I hope your UC remains in remission!
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Thank you. The “simpler” drugs for UC didn’t work for me (I have pancolitis). Azathioprine worked well. After current gi doc took me off azathioprine (he called it “a bad drug”), I came out of remission and he switched me to Entyvio. That worked for a couple of years but then gradually stopped working (antibodies, I assume). The azathioprine now is working again. Besides ulcerative colitis, I have several other autoimmune conditions and the azathioprine works for some of those as well (Entyvio didn’t).
There are no IBD specialists where I currently live. I had a telehealth consult with my previous specialist about a year ago. We are on the same wavelength but doc here (who I like) got his back up a bit so I’m trying to manage while attempting to avoid riling up my current doc.