Hello and Help

[Dennis J.]

Hello and thanks for taking me in!
My name is Dennis I am a 44 year old farther of 3, ages 6, 3 and 3, living on Long Island N.Y. I was diagnosed with Weg’s back in February 2011. I have been on Prednisone, Prilosec and Bactrim since then. I had a kidney biopsy in March and started a 6 months Cytoxan treatment. I just finished the Cytoxan and am feeling really good. Then I started the Azathioprine on October 12. I’m a big boy (over 350 lbs.) so I was given 400mg daily. On October 21 I was in the hospital with a high fever and joint pain. All my test came back negative for infections. So on November 5 I started the Azathioprine again at 200 mg daily. That afternoon I had a high fever and joint pain again. I’m now off of the Azathioprine and starting Methotrexate this coming up Monday starting at 10 mg once a week. Also 5 mg of folic acid the next day and continuing once a week. My question is; has anyone else had the same experience with Azathioprine and if they were switched to Methotrexate how did they do? Any help you could give will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dennis

[Dirty Don]

Hey Dennis, welcome to the most supportive forum on this stuff we've got! Anyway, have never been on Azath, but am on mtx...was taking it one massive dosage once a week, made me terribly lethargic and kind of sick to my stomach for about 3 days afterwards. Doc told me to split the dosage into twice on same day, half & half, 12 hours apart...it seems to have made a difference with the ingestion of the mtx and I feel better too! Best to you, ask all sorts of questions, you'll get all sorts of answers!! But, for me anyway, this site has been invaluable! Take care, be persistent!

[Dennis J.]

Thanks I've been reading through the posts and everyone seems very supportive and that they actually care for each other. I think this is going to help. Thanks again

[Al]

Welcome to our exclusive little club, Dennis! Here is my experience with azathioprine: I started with it about a year ago, but then had a relapse, so obviously it didn't do any good in the short term. Now, after another course of cytoxan, I'm on the stuff again, in the attempt to prevent another flare. Digestive problems are, they say, not uncommon with azathioprine. So far, I've done okay, though there have been a couple of times that I just couldn't face some specific food, even though I usually like the cuisine in question. This is totally out of character for me, so maybe it is the drug. The other med I take is, of course, prednisone. Fortunately, the level is down a ways from full-out. I can't take MTX because of severe kidney involvement.

That's my story; keep us informed about your progress!

Al

[Chris G]

Thanks I've been reading through the posts and everyone seems very supportive and that they actually care for each other. I think this is going to help. Thanks again

We don't really like each other at all. LOL

That's the strangest thing about the aza! Did they say that the aza was CAUSING the fever & pain? Did it cease when you stopped taking it? Some sort of allergic reaction or something?

What dose of mtx will you be on?

[Red]

400 mg aza seems high i am 300lbs and dr. stated me on150mg aza 2 months ago no problems good luck with metho.

[Chris G]

400 mg aza seems high i am 300lbs and dr. stated me on150mg aza 2 months ago no problems

Yeah, that IS high. Come to think of it.......when they TRIED me on aza, I started out at 50 mg. I couldn't tolerate even that low a dose. So that little experiment was short lived.

[Al]

We don't really like each other at all. LOL

Dennis--pay no attention to Chris. She's just paranoid. She thinks everybody is mean to her. Just because she deserves it....

[RudiK]

Hello Dennis: Welcome to this group. I have been on 150mg Azathioprine (3 x 50 mg daily) for the past two months and so far no problems, except my blood pressure has gone way up to about 175 over 80. My docs are trying to fight the high BP with 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide, I'm due for a review next week. I'm also on 7.5 mg Prednisone. I weigh about 190 lbs.

[Chris G]

Dennis--pay no attention to Chris. She's just paranoid. She thinks everybody is mean to her. Just because she deserves it....

Nope not me .... you must have me confused with someone else