Azathioprine (Imuran) for MS?

[agate]

Has anyone ever taken Azathioprine (Imuran) for MS? I ran across an article about why people stay with the various MS drugs, and azathioprine was one of the drugs listed.

It's an immunosuppressant according to several Websites I looked at, and it's mainly used in the US to prevent transplant rejection in kidney transplants. In other countries, apparently, is is used for MS.

The study was done in Germany.

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[SalpalSally]

I've heard of it but don't remember who used it?

[agate]

Same here, Sally. It definitely rings a bell. It is one of the least-used drugs on the list in this German study but it's a drug that is never mentioned in other studies listing MS drugs, but those may be US-based studies.

[Jeanie Z]

:) I do everything I can to boost my immune system. I take a lot of antioxidants and LDN. LDN boosts the immune system. I firmly believe that our immune systems are not strong enough to protect our myelin.

Boosting the immune system is why IVIG works. I took it when I had insurance in the early nineties. I went to a doctor I had worked with in the MICU when I was nursing and he put me on it. He is an oncologist and hematologist. Jeanie :)

[Lazarus]

It is one of the older drugs people have taken. Popular years ago or when people are not responding to other meds.. I had 2 friends who used Imuran many years ago. Can't remember now the exact details but they moved on to other meds.

[Virginia]

Jeanie are you saying you took Imuran or IVIg? Whatever you took how did it work for you back then?

[Jeanie Z]

:) I took IVIG back then. It did help with energy and I felt less weak. I also keep my system alkaline. That helps the immune system. I chew two Tums in the morning and at night. Another advantage to that is I don't get cavities as they only occur when your mouth is acidic.

Andy was just here and picked some mangoes and cut up about 6 containers for me. Jeanie :)

[Parsi]

It was the first drug I took for MS. Prescribed because Betaseron was unaffordable. The doctor was trying to bring down my white blood cell count. Monthly (?) blood draws. He kept upping the dosage but I don't think it worked. Then we learned how to get the Betaseron with insurance, making it affordable.

[SalpalSally]

You were the one Parsi....lol