Bye Azathioprine!

Anything I said in yesterdays post about not having any pain I take back! Last night was a horrible experience. The pain all over my chest and shoulders meant I couldn't sleep, it was like someone pricking my skin constantly and then putting salt on it. It got to about 4am and I decided enough was enough, took 2 paracetamol and codeine tablets and was knocked out for the rest of the night! Today I decided to go into town and stock up on B vitamins which are meant to be good for Crohns and the immune system and also some calamine to sooth the rash. I hope it will go as soon as possible with these and the medication! My doctor has decided to take me off the Azathioprine for the week while I am on the other tablets. He didn't explain why but I have seen a lot of things online about the risks for people will low immune systems and shingles. I hope it will give my body a chance to fight back a bit better! 

Side effects of Azathioprine?

Today has been one of the worst days in a long time! It started off fine, I took my medication with breakfast like normal and decided to go to the car boot sale with some of the girls despite having a bit of a stomach ache. Walking round I started to feel a bit sick and the pain in my stomach was getting worse.  As we headed back to the car we stopped to get a bottle of water but I couldn't even stand in the shop I had to walk round the corner down an alleyway where there was a bin and throw up. Not one of my best moments (didn't even have the excuse of being hungover!) but at least it was outside M&S so I could maintain some class! I managed to get home thanks to my friend driving me back and have spent the rest of the day in bed being sick and having a massive tummy ache. There is no point in paracetamol or other pain relief as I would just sick it up so all I can do is ride it out with my hot water bottle!
The hospital recommended I go straight to A&E and be transferred to the gastro ward where they had a bed waiting for me but the thought of spending New Years in hospital is horrible. If this feeling is because of the medication then I know I should go, but if it is just a bug then going to the hospital will make it worse for me and everyone else on the ward. Has anyone else had side effects like this on Azathioprine? Very confusing! 

Azathioprine and Prednisolone

This week I had my first post-hospital check up with my Doctor. I first saw the nurse who took my weight (I've finally managed to put on some!) and my height (I've grown 1/4 inch, i'm now a massive 5"2 1/4! I then saw a specialist Crohns nurse who my doctor had asked me to see. She was the most helpful person I have spoke to so far and gave me so much information. The blood test from a couple of days before showed I still had high inflammation and low protein. I have come off the steroids I was on as my symptoms had got worse and she suggested the dosage wasn't high enough so I have been put on another 6 week course which decreases my one tablet each week, this is called Prednisolone. I have also been put on Azathioprine which is an immunosuppressant to stop the cells in my immune system attacking my body and causing inflammation. These can take up to 6 weeks to start making a difference so as the steroids decrease these should kick in and start to work. 2/3 people are fine on this but the other third can suffer from side effects such as flu symptoms and joint pain which I need to be aware of. It also says a 'very common' side effect is anorexia which I cant understand! I will need to have blood tests weekly to check my liver function  and anaemia which start this Friday. I also had several questions to ask which she answered fully such as Can I give blood? Nope, I need it! Can I take paracetamol and codeine? Yes, anything but ibuprofen is fine. Can I drink alcohol? Yes, in moderation. My original doctor came in to visit during the appointment and said some words that have really helped. He said its up to me now I really need to own it and if I want to be better they will do everything they can to help like giving me the medication I need but its up to me to take it and look after myself and focus on getting better. It has made me realise that this needs to be priority now and everything else like University and other things can wait. He said that if the medicine starts to work I should be able to go back but if they don't then I wont be able to go on the Cologne trip so fingers crossed!