Hi Nancy,
I've been on imuran for about 8 months now and I'm very happy with it.
I had been warned that I could have some issues with nausea to begin with but was well advised to start with a small dose and work up slowly rather than take the whole 150mg (in my case) straight away. I have to say I was lucky not to have any nausea at all and was able to go 50mg for two days, then 100mg for two, then 150mg - obviously that might be a bit fast for some people.
I noticed a difference about 4 weeks later and then an even bigger one 6-8 weeks later. It made a huge difference and has also really helped issues like brain fog, not to mention getting my bloods back to nearly normal.
Unfortunately for me, when the rheumy tried dropping my prednisolone I had breathing issues (more likely related to myositis than lupus) and have had to go back up to 12.5mg pred.
I don't know what she plans now for the long term. Everyone (lung doc, GP...) seems to be saying that the pred will be a long term thing as the thing that helps myositis the most (along with physio) is pred. I guess we'll see.
I'm glad your rheumy has decided to up your meds. It sounds like it was clearly time to do so.
As to how you personally will react and respond to it, well, again we'll have to wait and see. As you know it's all so individual.
all the best of luck with it,
Katharine