6 MP and blood tests - need feedback

I have taking 6MP for about 5 years and had considerable improvement with my CD. My previous doctor (I moved) stressed how important it was for me to have regular blood tests because 6MP can be very hard on the liver. He started me getting checked every week, then two weeks, then three and then eventually every two months. I moved to Texas last summer and shortly thereafter ended up in the hospital with an obstruction. My liver enzymes were elevated in the hospital and they suggested that I have it tested when I saw my new doc. When I went to see my new doc, he didn't write me any scripts and I had to rely on what I had left of my 6MP. It was like pulling teeth to have him write an order for a blood test. I finally ran out of 6MP and scheduled an appt. with new doc. He wrote a script for 6MP and Asacol. I told him about my concern about going 6 months without a blood test. He wrote a standing order for the blood test and I went to the lab. I called the doc's office the next week and was told everything was fine. Now, I went to the lab on Friday and they had not kept my standing order on file and called the doc's office. They said he had only ordered a hemogram. I called the nurse today and she said that he said that only a hemogram is necessary and that was what was drawn in April too. So now I realize that my liver levels have not been checked since Oct. and that this doctor does not plan to check them. So, now I am confused. The old doctor thought it was extremely important to have my liver levels checked and the new doctor doesn't think they need checked at all. I need feedback from others about 6MP and whether your doc has your liver levels checked.

I was on 6mp for years and even at the end my GI never let me go more than 3mos w/o blood work. In the end the numbers were always the same, but I (and he) liked the reassurance of having it checked and knowing things were okay.

Personally, I would prefer a doc who is more proactive on these things. Does the new doc have much experience with CD and 6mp?

I have been on 6MP for about 6 years now with no problems and it works well for me.

I have my bloodwork done every 3 months and then my liver enzymes done yearly.  My Rx is set up for refills for 3 times and then my doc will not refill my Rx if my bloodwork isn't done.

If you have had elevated liver enzymes I would think that needs to be watched and I would insits and find a new doc if needed.  Maybe your old doc could call the new doc?????

When I first started 6mp, he was checking my liver enzymes once a month.  When I started the clinical trial for Cimzia about a year and a half ago, they checked them every 2 weeks, so my GI stopped.  Now that the trial is over, no one has checked them since April.  I think they would be more concerned if mine were still high, but they had come back down to normal in April.  I would tell your doctor that you'd like for him to check them every so many months and if he isn't willing to do that, tell him you will find another doctor who is. 

It doesn't take long when something goes wrong. I was so sick suddenly, and it turned out my white blood cells and platelets were wiped out (immuno-depressed) and I was diagnosed with medication induced hepatitis - all within a few weeks of starting 6-MP and a few days of feeling dreadfully ill. The emergency room doctor misdiagnosed me, and it was only 3 days later that they discovered how sick I was. By then a stay in the hospital was necessary Don't ignore any severe flu-like symptoms. I was getting regular blood-work, but it came on like wildfire.

Bev