Community Forum

I have been on Azathioprine since January of this year and I keep getting sick. I just got over bronchitis, which I've never had before and now I'm sick again with a bad cold and a cold sore for the second time in two months (I usually only get one once every two years or so). I realize Azathioprine (6MP) is an immune-suppressant, but I was wondering if there is something I can do to keep me from getting sick all of the time. I have two small children in daycare, so germs are not easily avoided. Any ideas? Diet perhaps?

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

Alan
Judge people much?    

Geez, this forum is supposed to be helpful and supportive.  People sharing their own experiences and asking for support from others that have fought the battle personally.
I get tired of someone WHO DOES NOT HAVE IBD  telling people on the forum that they and their doctors are wrong with their choices and their lives will be changed and no sickness anymore   if they just do what you tell them to.
I agree people should learn to be their own best advocate.  Grow a backbone, not settle.  Constantly learn and search out new information.

I feel that you are pushing your own agenda and scaring people away from medicines and treatments that yes have some < balanced by extensive research and proven minimal> risks, and yes SAVE LIVES.  And are given under the care and treatment of doctors - not over the internet, unregulated, and diets that are not right for everyone, encouraging people to ignore the Specialist and choose a path that may keep information away from their medical providers.

But you should stop pushing your agenda upon others when you don't have IBD.

 Reply posted for LizV.

I'm going through the exact same thing! I've been on azathioprine for only a month and have had the worst cold/lung infection most of that time. Although my flare up is over and my digestive health is doing better. Has anyone been able to keep their immune system in check on this drug? Not having the flare ups is amazing but not sure it's worth the side effects. I have a very severe case of UC and haven't been able to control it with diet alone.

 Reply posted for LizV.

I had to get off 6MP after a year because I was sick from colds and the flu every 10 days.  This winter was the worst I ever had in my life. I eat a healthy diet of mostly vegetables & whole grains. I have used the probiotic VSL#3, now I use Renew Life 80 Billion, multivitamin, zinc, vitamin C and oil of oregano (to kill the bad microorganisms). I use other supplements to control my UC and have been feeling great! I use maitake mushroom drops to boost my immune system when I feel that I am getting a cold. I am NOT using any RX drugs and hope to avoid them for as long as possible.

 Reply posted for LizV.

My daughter (diagnosed with UC 4 years ago at 16 years old) was on Azathioprine also.  First she was on 3 1/2 tablets per day then reduced to 2 1/2 then reduced to 1 1/2 and she just went off of it completely in December after being on it for almost 3 years.  She was getting sick too.  She went away to college and got 5 weeks of off and on strep/tonsilitis and at 20 years old got her tonsils out in December.  Her doctor agreed to take her off.  Instead she takes 2 probiotics Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion one in the morning and one in the evening but still takes 4 Lialda per day.   As you already know Azathioprine is an immune suppressor and being around kids like you are isn't going to help but frequent hand washing (even making sure the kids wash their hands so they don't spread their germs around), eating right and getting rest, drinking lots of water, take multi vitamins (Women's One a Day and also calcium, Oscal), take probiotics also.   My daughter really didn't get that sick until she went to college.  The doctors said it's a breeding ground for germs with all the thousands of kids going in and out of the classrooms.  It's hard to fight off virus' on immune suppressors.

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

Thanks for the tip Alan. Unfortunately, the diet you suggest will not work for me since I am a vegetarian. The 6MP is relatively new for me and I was is really rough shape a few months ago, so I'd like to stick with it for a little while and try to figure out how I might live with it using a complementary method.