I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis almost twenty years years ago. I have been quite fortunate that I have had almost perfect health throughout my time with this disease, and lucky for me, I was never sick at the time of diagnosis. The doctors discovered something was amiss in my blood work, which led to tests, more tests, and even more tests... and finally... a diagnosis. I have been writing a series of articles to talk about my experience with different medications, because I have certainly been on a few different ones over the years. This article is to tell you my personal experience taking Imuran over a number of years, which was one of many efforts to try and get me off prednisone.
Imuran was the first drug my hepatologist prescribed to me once my blood work was stabilized. For the first number of years, Imuran was an absolute dream. I am not entirely sure how long I took the drug, but I am inclined to guess, about ten years. I had no physical side effects at all. I was eventually able to transition completely off prednisone, and enjoyed good health and really, no awareness of my chronic condition in terms of how I felt.
However, the dark side of Imuran, is that it is an immune system suppressive, which made me more susceptible to viruses. I have been pretty hearty, and did not catch every cold or flu going around. Matter of fact, I was rarely sick at all. However, in my mid thirties, I was plagued with mononucleosis. I have no idea where I picked it up (I can guarantee it was not the "fun" way), but it resulted in almost two months off work, and 11 days in the hospital.
Once I got back on my feet, and mono was behind me a few months, I got one more surprise - my hair fell out. Not all of it, but about half of it. I looked like I had been through chemotherapy, and it took about two years before my hair looked normal again.
Once my hair fell out, my hepatologist took me off Imuran and I have been on other medications, such as 6MP and CellCept, along with prednisone ever since.
Imuran was the first drug my hepatologist prescribed to me once my blood work was stabilized. For the first number of years, Imuran was an absolute dream. I am not entirely sure how long I took the drug, but I am inclined to guess, about ten years. I had no physical side effects at all. I was eventually able to transition completely off prednisone, and enjoyed good health and really, no awareness of my chronic condition in terms of how I felt.
However, the dark side of Imuran, is that it is an immune system suppressive, which made me more susceptible to viruses. I have been pretty hearty, and did not catch every cold or flu going around. Matter of fact, I was rarely sick at all. However, in my mid thirties, I was plagued with mononucleosis. I have no idea where I picked it up (I can guarantee it was not the "fun" way), but it resulted in almost two months off work, and 11 days in the hospital.
Once I got back on my feet, and mono was behind me a few months, I got one more surprise - my hair fell out. Not all of it, but about half of it. I looked like I had been through chemotherapy, and it took about two years before my hair looked normal again.
Once my hair fell out, my hepatologist took me off Imuran and I have been on other medications, such as 6MP and CellCept, along with prednisone ever since.
Comments
steve
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/11/2009
Yep this prednisone sucks. I am one of very few men diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and it really sucks. I am on Immuran too but the risk of skin cancer goes up 7 x. I love being outside in the sun but now need to stay covered and the prednisone has eaten away most of my muscle mass and makes me very irritable.
S
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