Hi there

If anyone can help doctor wants to put me on azathioprine but my bloods came back low in an enzyme in my imume system does anyone else have this problem and what does it mean if they still put me on the drug. It is also my first post and the doctors say that I have moderately servere ulcerative colitis I am also on Pentasa and prednisone and I have no appetite and am nauseous and have been nauseous for months before I got diagnosed is this usual with colitis?

Just wanted to say Bizbee and for you with the journey you have been on and the dx you have had.

I came to this thread as my DS has Crohn's. I cannot answer you re the nausea and lack of appetite specific to UC, but as UC and Crohn's are both IBD's, I would say this is quite common.

DS suffers with nausea and poor appetite most days.

The steroids should increase your appetite, but drug regimes can knock you around, and everyone's metabolism reacts differently.

Someone else here will hopefully be able to answer you more specifically in relation to UC and you other questions re blood enzymes, immune responses and azathiaprine.

Hi Bizbee - sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with UC. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago after years of troubles. When I have a bad flare up I have no appetite and bad nausea so I think it would be normal.
The enzyme that is low I believe would be TPMT enzyme which helps your liver break down the azathioprine. If it is too low they wouldn't put you on the meds at all. Once you start them you may find that you have weekly tests to check how everything is going and then go to weekly to monthly to 6 monthly.
Since I started azathioprine I have been really good, it changed my whole life - except for when I became pregnant recently then I had another flare up after being in remission for 2 years.

I myself found that diet had no impact on my UC either. I currently take Asacol as Pentasa was no good for me and I have steriods when I flare up. Also take 150mg Azathiprine once daily and when things are bad Pentasa suppositries - hate these but they make a difference.

Good luck with your journey. There is a wealth of knowledge here. Sadly there are so many people suffering with UC and Crohns but that means you are not alone.

Take care

Thanks for the replies I have found this site very useful already. Sorry to hear about your flare up hope you remain well. I have tried going dairy free and am gluten free because I found that dairy products upset my stomach so do sugary drinks and food with vinegar in them I am not sure if this is only during a flare up or will have to be a permenant thing for me as I am very newly diagnosed.
Thanks for also reassuring me about the nausea because I was starting to get really worried.

You are welocme Bizbee

I too found the site useful when DS was diagnosed. Dx of a life long chronic illness is one of lifes big curve balls, and it can be very isolating. I hope you find this to be a place you can come for information, comfort and companionship. No one can understand and offer you empathy unless they have walked the same path.

It's a great place too just to go ....about your frustrations or otherwise with your condition, or indeed, your life !

Once again,

Another question they are dropping my prednisone and for three days after each decrease I get symptoms like before I went to hospital then they go away is this okay? Has this happened to anyone else?

The enzyme that is low I believe would be TPMT enzyme which helps your liver break down the azathioprine. If it is too low they wouldn't put you on the meds at all. Once you start them you may find that you have weekly tests to check how everything is going and then go to weekly to monthly to 6 monthly.