I don't post very often and when I do it's usually because I've failed on yet another drug. I'm on my seventh now and that's not looking good either.

So far I've failed on Sulfasalazine (severe allergy), Methotrexate (no effect/toxic reaction), Plaquenil (severe allergic reaction), Leflunomide (severe allergic reaction), Humira (severe allergic reaction), Enbrel (side effects/additional health problems). I'm diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis.

I'm now taking Azathioprine which, apart from some occasional stomach problems, I tolerate quite well. However over the last few months I've deteriorated and felt the disease had become more active. My dose was upped to 150mg. After an initial short period of improved symptoms I seemed to deteriorate further with bizarre 'aching itch' pains in forearms and finger tendons (knuckle to wrist). These got progressively worse and spread to hips, shoulders, wrists, neck and back. I saw my rheumy on Tuesday and he suggested:-

Upping the dose again to 175 mg, or
Mixing with Cyclosporine, or
Moving on to Infliximab.

Based on past experience I tried the cautious first option. Now my aches and pains are even worse! I noted a side effect is muscle pain (serious allergy) but I have no other symptoms of allergy. I stopped taking it yesterday and feel better already.
I'm going to stay off it for a few days to see if it's just coincidence.

Has anyone else had muscle/tendon pain when taking Azathioprine?