Crohn's Disease Support Group

Ok, so I'm always a worry wart anyway, but I was just prescribed Imuran and I'm a little concerned about the side effects and potential for cancer risks. I know there are risks with any medications, but what I'm reading on my script insert is scary.

Does anyone have any stories, good or bad, about taking Imuran? I'm tapering off of Entocort and will continue Pentasa for at least six months while on Imuran.

Also, I have strictures and narrowing near the ileum. Can anyone tell me what symptoms to watch for with these issues? I tend to have constipation more than diarrhea and I know that obstruction is a possibility, (or more likely an inevitable issue). I have pain in the side opposite the stricturing on a daily basis.

Thanks for your help!

I just had surgery for small bowel resection and 1st want to tell you I'm doing great and soooo glad I convinced the surgeon to do it! The only sure way they could tell if I was obstructed was by a CT scan. The first time it was confirmed, I too was put on Entocort for 6 weeks, did great until I came off and had another flare up 2 days off the meds. Repeat CT confirmed quite a bit of obstruction and time for the surgery. For me the symptoms was the usual, cramping (really bad, fever, poor bowel sounds). Before the surgery, I was on a very LOW fiber/low residue diet and at least I could eat something. Not very nutrious though. Stay in contact with your MD with anything new that concnerns you.

Murcgem I started out like you reading all the warnings and side effects from the meds I was taking. I've actually had a few battles with my GI over them. But you have to begin to listen to your body with crohns. If you are taking a med and it seems like its going nowhere speak with your GI. Don't continue taking it if its not working. We are all so different how we react with medications. I did Imuran when I was first diagnosed. It did not work for me. I now do monthly injections and believe me the side effects are enough to scare anyone. But I just know with this disease or any disease there is no guarantees and I want most of all to be healthy. Just be careful with any medication and educate yourself. With the Imuran you need to have blood work and keep your GI informed on how you are doing. Don't let all the side effects scare you. Lord knows I am the worse for reading every little thing I can get my hands on when I am prescribed something.

hi i take imuran and have done for over a year the only side effects ive had is tiredness although that could be the crohns itself i wouldnt worry to much as i have regular blood tests to monitor any adverse effects although my crohns is still active but probably not as bad as it would be without the med i also have trouble with strictures because of surgery and a blind loop and have been told to avoid fibre and vegetables that are hard to digest i suffer from bloating to which has also been put down to the strictures and blind loop good luck with the med

hello people, i also have to take Imuran tablets daily and have done so for the last 10 years. After that amount of time i think my Crohns has gone into remission, am still taking imuran tablets every morning. I too try to avoid foods that are hard to digest, recently discovered that carrot is one i should probably avoid eating because its hard to digest. i guess people are different. The constant need to have blood tests done when you're taking imuran can be painful, i've had so many i think i've lost count, but it comes with the territory. I think i'm actually becoming a bit needle phobic from the amount of blood tests i've had. anyway its better to be safe than sorry with these things. bye

Thanks for all the replies. I took my first dose this morning. The only thing I noticed was a little nausea and stomach cramping later in the day, but I really didn't eat much today either. (of course you all know why!) We'll have to wait and see if this one works for me!

BTW, I'm a little needle-phobic too! It never used to bother me, but recently I start to cringe and get a little anxious just before the stick!