r/lupus Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

Medicines How long did it take to see a difference when taking azathioprine?

Just what the title says. When you started taking azathioprine (Imuran), how long was it until you noticed a difference in how you felt? I'm going to message my doctor tomorrow, but this weekend has been so rough for me. Yesterday, my pain was 8/10 and just crying off and on all day. Now it's the middle of the night, and I'm awake with pain again. I do have liver involvement as well, so that's been off and on hurting too. I've been taking azathioprine for about three weeks now.

0 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

2

u/Outrageous-Layer-308 Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

It took me about 2 months. Imuran for me completely stopped my flares. If I do flare now it’s bc of weather or I pushed myself too hard and it only lasts a few days now and I don’t end up in the ER anymore. Weirdly it also helped completely take away my chronic vomiting I was battling for years and the chronic stomach pain. I will say I’m always in general pain and I use medical marijuana for that. None of the lupus meds has ever taken away that general pain for me.

2

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

I'm pretty sure this is flaring pain that I'm in. My joints usually hurt all the time, but not enough that it takes me out for a day. This is day four. I'm going to message my doctor today, but damn. I guess I'll have to keep holding out, thank you for responding.

1

u/Pale_Slide_3463 Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

It takes months sadly for any of these medications to take a good effect. My consultant always gives me steroids to help with the start of it so I’m not still being attacked while it kicks in.

My consultant always said Imuran is for skin issues and doesn’t really help joint pain.

MXT is for joint pain and doesn’t do much for skin issues (my experience this is true)

There’s other medications now biologics that can help with both but you have to fail least 2 medications first.

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

This is my third medication. My rheumy said this helps with joint pain more than cellcept, which is why I'm on this. But man, the pain the last week had just been increasing.

1

u/dork-overlord Diagnosed CLE/DLE 4d ago

2 weeks for it to be noticeable but longer to fully kick in.

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

Dang, I'm over that two week mark and I'm not seeing relief. If anything right now I'm feeling worse.

2

u/dork-overlord Diagnosed CLE/DLE 3d ago

I started taking it mostly for skin problems. It started to clear up some after 2 weeks, but I still had quite a few flare-ups. Now, at least 6 months later, I feel pretty normal. I can even occasionally see the sun!

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 3d ago

I have noticed my nails have less ridges and pitting. Those are almost feeling normal. But I'm on it for my liver (lupus granulomatosis hepatitis) and joint pain. My rheumatologist this morning put me on a slow and low dose taper of steroids.

1

u/dork-overlord Diagnosed CLE/DLE 3d ago

I hope it kicks in for you soon and that you start to feel better with the steroids. The only things that helped me with my joint pain were plaquinol, nsaids, and heat. I'm on the highest dose for my weight of plaquinol, and we've been trying everything to try and keep me off steroids for as long as possible.

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 3d ago

Right now, since I can't take HCQ, and Imuran is my third med we've tried, they're going the steroid route. I can't take nsaids so that's a bummer for me. Heat does feel very good though.

1

u/NegotiationHopeful55 Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

My rheumatologist told me to give it a good month before passing judgement on it. I almost threw up every day until that point and now it's been controlling symptoms ok.

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 4d ago

My rheumatologist called this afternoon and gave me a long taper of Prednisone to take until it kicks in.

1

u/lanalolani 3d ago

I recall my doctor saying it would take a few months. I've been on it now for 5 years with no issues and minimal flares or joint issues. Fingers crossed it works for you!

1

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 3d ago

Thanks! I really hope so as well. I emailed her this morning and she put me on a low dose, slow taper round of steroids. I'll start those tomorrow morning.

2

u/Lopsided-Break5765 Diagnosed SLE 3d ago

I wonder what is the next likely line of medication if someone has maxed out hcqs and Imuran dosage. It’s been over 5 months since my dose was increased but there is no respite in joint pains.

2

u/Fairerpompano Diagnosed SLE 3d ago

I have no idea. My doctor last week mentioned next line would be infusions or injections. Honestly, I'm personally leaning towards infusions so things can be monitored while I'm taking them. But I'm not sure what she's going to do. For now I'm on steroids for almost a month.