Hi everybody,
I have been trying to find a common thread for the cause of AIHA, and have just been informed by a specialist in pharmaceuticals that a drug called Chloramphenicol can cause AIHA. This is commonly used in eye drops to treat eye infections. it may be a coincidence, but just before I got the AIHA I had problems with my eyes and had been given drops for them to clear an infection. When I got the aneamia for the second time, I had just had problems with my eyes again. Can anybody elsy remember if they had eye drops before they got their AIHA?
My count has dropped again to 9.6 and the doctor has put me on a new medicine called Azathioprine 100 mg as she wants me off the prednisolone. Has anybody had any experience of this drug?

Dear All,

Thanks for the advice about Rituxan. I am lucky as here in the UK if the drug is on the National Health Service list I an get it from my doctor on prescription.

Japlopper,

You ask about signs that the AIHA is coming back, for me a get breathless and I get the whoosing sound in my left ear (always the left - Weard!!). I also go very pale and friends start asking if I am alright. Currently I am still going down on my blood count and still on both Pred and this azathioprine (Imuran). My Doctor says that it can take upto 2 months to be effective so I am not looking for a quick improvement.

Hi Folks,
I was diagnosed with idiopathic, Coombs negative AIHA three years ago. Initially, Prednisone and Danazol brought my red counts back to normal, then these steroids stopped working. I've tried Cyclosporin, Azathioprine, and had twelve Rituxan infusions, none of which worked at all. I'm in my third week of taking Cellcept, had blood work last week, and am happy to finally report that my counts are going up, from 7.4 to 8.6, and from 25.2 to 26.8... Baby steps but going up :) I'll keep you posted on future results. All the best to everyone dealing with this condition.
E