### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
I have Hashimoto Encephalopathy of the brain and I am on 120 mg of prednisone each Sunday (which is push therapy.) but the nuerologist is thinking of redusing the prednisone and adding azathriprone . I was just wondering with the AZA drug would you be able to tan. I love the sun and live in Arkansas and was just wondering. I also have a colostomy bag (4 years now) permanent and also MS and also take phenebarbitol for a seizure disorder but have not had one in over 20 years. The nuero I have had heard on HE but had never met anyone that had it until he met me so does not know a lot about it so we are doing trial and error and we have a facebook page and he has me print things off when I see him every three months. I know that the prednisone is not good for me so was just thinking of something else to tell him. It will be 2 years this Sept since I have been on prednisone every week.

### output:

Hello, I read carefully your question. Hashimoto encephalopathy is an autoimmune disease which is associated with thyroiditis. Patients with this condition respond most of the time very well to the corticosteroid therapy, and that's why the condition is also known as steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. In the cases that the steroid therapy isn't successful, immunosuppresses are used like azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or even plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulins. When taking azathioprine, like any other immunosuppress, one must be very careful about the skin, because the risk of suffering from skin cancer is greater during this kind of treatment. You have to use very high sun protection (over 30 UV factors), avoid sunbathing especially the midday hours (11am-3pm). Also, even if you're getting good care of your skin you have to control frequently, every week) if there are changes in your ski, and you have to report any skin lesion or new scars to your doctor and the dermatologist. I hope I've been of help. You can contact me again for further questions, I would be pleased to assist you.