Hi just had a check up today. Dr says I'm not doing good at all. He havee wants me to go in and have 5 more plasma. The prednisone isn't working so he is putting me on azathioprine. Anyone else have any experiance with this drug? If so what was your outcome on this. Its Scary. I just want to know what others are going through.

I've been on azathioprine for about two years. It might be keeping me from getting worse--it's hard to say. The last three times he upped the dose (I'm up to 250 mg now) I had good spells that lasted a couple of months.

My doctor told me it would take at least three months to start working, but probably six months--or even up to a year.

Some people can't metabolize azathioprine, and it's toxic for those people. Most neuros will give you a blood test before you start taking it to make sure you're not a slow metabolizer.

I have not had any side effects from azathioprine at all.

Abby

Well that's good news and thanks for the warning. I was in the hospital for 4 weeks, they probably checked me for the slow motablism but I will call my doctor tomorrow before I begin taking it. Cuz toxic is usually death and I like living. Lol. Isn't aza the same thing as immutable? Read it nonlinear somewhere. Do you still have as many symptoms?

Thanks
Lisa

Lisa, You absolutely have to have the blood test. It is called TPMT. Your doctor should be aware of this already.

I'm sorry you're doing so badly. Imuran/Azathioprine can take some time to kick in, so you might still need other treatments if you get worse.

Sometimes Imuran works and sometimes not. Some people do better with Cellcept. It all depends. Imuran has been around much longer and is the more "tried and true" immunosuppressant.

I hope it works for you! Take it easy. You don't need to get worse.


Annie

Hi, thanks for telling me. Called my doctor or had my mom call because I have a hard time talking. They did the TPMT blood test and I was good. I am going to start my azapriothin in the morning. He started me on 100 Mg in the morning and 50 Mg at night. I just want to feel at least a little normal like all of us with myasthenia do. Having 5 more plasmas due to my weak swallowing and the doc saying your not good that prenisone may not be working the way they all thought it would. Thanks.

Lisa

QUOTE=AnnieB3;977515]Lisa, You absolutely have to have the blood test. It is called TPMT. Your doctor should be aware of this already.

I'm sorry you're doing so badly. Imuran/Azathioprine can take some time to kick in, so you might still need other treatments if you get worse.

Sometimes Imuran works and sometimes not. Some people do better with Cellcept. It all depends. Imuran has been around much longer and is the more "tried and true" immunosuppressant.

I hope it works for you! Take it easy. You don't need to get worse.


Annie[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]
I was on it for a long time before I had problems with it I also can't tolerate prednisone to many side effects to list but needless to say I am not taking anything that requires 10 other drugs to combat the Side effects I hope u do well with this have u tried ivig. I have had great results with it