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How much is too much fever with Azathioprine?

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Posted 3/19/2014 3:37 PM (GMT -5)
I just started Azathioprine 6 days ago and am due to get my first blood work tomorrow.Today I have a 99.5F slight fever, runny nose and slight sore throat from the sinus drip. I am pretty tired, more than usual today. I put in a message to my GI but wondered what is acceptable side effects of this drug? I haven't taken todays 50mg pill yet because I figured I would try to wait until the Dr. returned my call.

Is a slight fever normal?

Posted 3/19/2014 4:34 PM (GMT -5)
I was getting those low grade fevers while on it too. My doctor didn't seem to concerned about it. But then again you know how my story ended up with it. Hopefully your doctor will get back to you soon!
Posted 3/19/2014 4:45 PM (GMT -5)
I have been on Imuran for a year now. I always have a half grade or a grade higher than my norm but this does not annoy my GI. Sinusitis could be the cause of the slight fever increase if there is infection. It always happens to me and I run a fever of 38.5.
Posted 3/19/2014 4:47 PM (GMT -5)
Jenn, how long were you on it and what dose when you got the pancreatitis?

I am so tired of all the meds and side effects. Not much I can do about it but hope and pray something works without killing me first...
Posted 3/19/2014 4:56 PM (GMT -5)
I only made it about a week at 50 mg when the pancreatitis symptoms started in. I was just about to up it to 100mg the next day I was admitted to the hospital. So glad I didn't do that! I'm so sick of the side effects of these drugs too. I was the same way, had to give it a try and see if it worked. What else can we do? But it sure can be a steep price to pay when it doesn't work and we get these side effects!

Just keep an eye on it, look for any upper abdominal pain and nausea. I think catching it early really can help.
Posted 3/19/2014 5:04 PM (GMT -5)
I think they generally consider anything over 100.4 high enough for infection. So, unfortunately what you have is just enough to make you feel crappy, but not significant enough for them to worry that you're experiencing complications.

Your fever is probably just due to your upper respiratory issue and weakened physical state. Hopefully it goes away and you feel better soon! Hang in there!
Posted 3/19/2014 5:34 PM (GMT -5)
Minnie- thanks! What dose are you on? Did you have a hard time adjusting?

Jenn- I have decided if I pass the blood test, I am going to slowly increase to 100 by 25 mg a week rather than jump from 50 to 100 like my GI wants me to do. I am worried about pancreatitis. I have had before and know just how miserable that was! I am glad you are doing better! What medications are you taking now?

Stef- thank you!! It does have me miserable...and paranoid. Oh, the joys of CD!
Posted 3/19/2014 5:42 PM (GMT -5)
Good idea going up slowly! It was odd for me, the first time I was admitted my numbers were in normal range for my pancreas. They think it was just getting started and not showing yet. The second time I was admitted (two days later) they were 3 times as high. Really have to watch those numbers I suppose! I'm doing some what better, made the mistake of eating a pickle last night and had some pain this morning from it. Low fat doesn't always mean no pain I guess. :(

Right now I'm just on my Cimzia, trying it a shot every two weeks though. I think that might help since the last two weeks before my shots were always worse.
Posted 3/19/2014 5:50 PM (GMT -5)
Jenn, the four different times I was on Cimzia, it worked great but this time it is not helping at all, which stinks. I had to get off the Cimzia each time for all my seperate bone surgeries that were needed thanks to Prednisone. My track record with medications is not good either. I am hoping you find remission with Cimzia. I loved it and didn't have any side effects from it. I wish it would help me again!
Here's to wishing you a solid remission! I am sending positive vibes and prayers your way!
Posted 3/19/2014 7:18 PM (GMT -5)
Pmedic, I started off at 50 mg, then it was upped to 100 mg a month later. The month after, my GI upped the dose to 175 mg. Two months later, I had a stomach flare up and he decreased the dose to 150 mg. Since then, I have been on 150 mg.
I used to suffer from nausea when I took Imuran 3 times/day after each meal and so I started skipping doses. However, a number of fellow Crohnies advised me to take the 3 tablets as a single dose before bedtime and since then things went on well w the nausea isssue (keeping my fingers crossed).
Take care :)
Posted 3/19/2014 7:24 PM (GMT -5)
What is your normal body temp like? For me, 99.5 is a bit because I'm usually about 96.8 or 97.1.

I also got pancreatitis on Imuran, only a 50 mg dose. This was in 2012, and it took from May to Sep with several hospitalization and even an NG tube for a month to get my lipase to stop jumping up ridiculously high.

We thought that'd be the end of it since I never drink, had gall bladder removed (no stones present), and I had stopped the meds immediately. But last month I had another pancreatitis attack that was really just out of nowhere.
Posted 3/19/2014 7:32 PM (GMT -5)
I have been taking my temperature almost daily the past month and normal for me is 98.6F. So my temp is low grade but since I rarely run even a bit over my normal and with the sinus symptoms, I am panicking.

Oh, wow! Pancreatitis for all those months! How horrible for you! Since I had pancreatitis before, I am really worried of getting it again.

Please keep me in your prayers! We need and deserve a long remission after everything we have been thru!
Posted 3/19/2014 7:51 PM (GMT -5)
I most definitely will! Prayers for you and for all of us to have a respite from the pain and the sickness.
Posted 3/19/2014 8:32 PM (GMT -5)
I didn't get pancreatitis, but I did get elevated liver enzymes from 6MP and had to discontinue it. Make sure your doc does regular blood work on you to monitor it.
Posted 3/20/2014 7:34 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the prayers Scifi!
Gumby- I have labs scheduled every couple weeks for the next few weeks and today my GP( the awesome NP in the office) ordered bloodwork, abdominal CAT scan and pelvis with contrast due to my 25-30 lb weight loss the past couple months. I am having problems getting above 50 mg. If I take th whole pill, I get a major runny nose and sore throat so I am splitting the pill but was supposed to go up to 100 today. That can't happen as long as I am ha ing issues at 50:(
Posted 3/20/2014 10:09 PM (GMT -5)
Holy crap Scifigal, that is down right scary. I'm taking more blood work on Monday, but so far my numbers were back to normal before I even left the hospital. Maybe I got lucky that I was only on it for a week and half, so maybe mine won't be so severe. I sure hope they stay in normal range, eating this bland diet is killing me! I ate a pickle the other night, thinking low fat, owe nope! Woke up in pain, thankfully pain killer knocked it out. I'm wondering if we are just at a higher risk for it anyway. I never drink either, so what else could that be.

What's interesting to me is how they say it's so rare (3% they say), but I've talked to so many with the same experiences. Seems like the numbers are pretty high for us Crohnies. I'm glad they are keeping a close eye on you pmedic, terrible that we have so much more to worry about then just the disease itself!
Posted 3/21/2014 10:45 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Jenn!
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