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6-mercaptipurine (spelling?)

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/11/2009 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here tried this? Does it help? I believe it's a chemotherapy drug.  Dr. suggesting it as a follow up option for my nine year old girl. I'm very very hesitant to even think about putting her on a chemo med.  Will her hair fall out?  Other side effects? YIKES. Advice please!
Posted 9/11/2009 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I took this a few years ago for my Crohn's. My doctor was hesitant to put me on it because it takes about 3 months before you feel any effects from the drug. I didn't have any weird side effects. It helped maintain my Crohn's for awhile, but my doctor switched me to Remicade when I began to develop fistulas (from the Crohn's).

I took it again last June and stayed on it for a few months, but went off all meds when hubby and I were trying to get pregnant. After 4 months of being off meds, I had to take Cimzia because my Crohn's had gotton worse and I couldn't wait three months for meds to kick in.

Both times I never noticed any side effects, and I still have a lot of hair.  :)

You could always try it, and if you notice unusual or unpleasant side effects, you can stop. I know different meds have different effects on different people.

Hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

 

Posted 9/11/2009 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Try looking at the meds link in my sig - can't remember how much 6mp info is there, but it might help answer one or two of your questions.
Posted 9/11/2009 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I took 6mp for a few years with no major problems. I did experience some stiff joints in my
ankles but it wasn't horrible enough for me to stop taking it. I loved being on it and yes it does
take a few months to start working too. I wish doc would let me take it again but because I
have a lot of joint pain as it is he said not a good idea.
Posted 9/11/2009 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
6mp and its first cousin imuran are very widely used drugs in Crohns and have been for several decades, with minimal side effects for most people and excellent results in maintaining remission long term. You will find many people on this forum who have had good results with this medication, and a few who had difficulties. When used in treatiing Crohns it is administered at a dosage level far below its use as a chemotherpy agent in treating leukemia. I would suggest scanning some of the past posts and doing some research on it, using keywords purinethol and 6-mercaptopurine.

Posted 9/11/2009 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for your replies. A friend had warned me off it for my daughter, saying its chemo and she's going to be toxic and lose all her hair. My daughter's so young...I'm hesitant to try any of these major meds. Wish there was a more natural way to go, other than SCD.
Posted 9/11/2009 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
MoobyDoo your friend is wrong. The doses we use 6mp/Imuran are not even close to what the chemo people use. Many crohnies have been successfully maintained on these meds for years. I would recommend you give them a try, you could get your daughter put into remission and able to get on with her life. There is some hair shedding, but all her hair WILL NOT fall out. You can help to avoid some of this shedding by adding folic acid and Biotin into her diet. Good luck!
Posted 9/11/2009 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken 6MP for about 5 years now and I have had no problems or side effects with it. It has been my wonder drug to keep my guts happy and me off the operating table. I take 75 mg (small amount). My mom has CD too and she just started it, on 50mg, with no problems. My hair does come out some - BUT a lot of that I contribute to stress in general and hair loss is a side effect of the CD itself, so I cannot tell it is any worse after I started the 6MP. It is not huges bunches of hair like you think with a chemo med - really not much more than in your normal hairbrush. I have my bloodwork done every three months to make sure my blood count is within normal range (it is always low, but still normal). Once a year they check my liver enzymes.
Posted 9/11/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Nanners, Meshice: Thanks. I'm feeling more hopeful.
Posted 9/11/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
My dd is 11-diagnosed at 9. She has been on Remicade,Humira and now we are on 6mp.Shes only been on 3 weeks so no effect yet.These medicines are scary but the alternative is scarier. I dont always rest easy at night wondering if we are doing the right thing.You do the best you can.  So far I have heard good things about the 6mp once it kicks. Heres hoping it puts both our kids in remission for years to come.
Posted 9/11/2009 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Din't agree with me at all. hair loss bruising loads of nasty side effects they didn't seem bothered about, after nearly going head first through my bedroom window one morning I bined the lot and have kept my balance ever since. I try to manage this disease in a more natural way now which suits me much better.
GK
Posted 9/11/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
6mp was a big help for me...
I couldn't tolerate Imuran.
Been on 6mp for many years.
No side effects for me.
Posted 9/11/2009 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6MP for five years, with almost no side effects. It's been instrumental in keeping my inflammation down and keeping me from having additional abdominal surgery. I take no other meds (except a monthly B-12 shot). Pentasa did nothing for me, and I was very ill and scared to death. 6MP may not work for everyone, but it's been a lifesaver for me. I'm on a very minimal dose. Don't be afraid of it.
Posted 9/12/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
i have been on 6mp for 2 years and am currently in remission after several increases. it did take 6-8 months for me to really feeling it's full effect but it's worked wonders. the only thing i am not a huge fan of is the thinning of my hair. i have about half as much as i used to have. i had really thick hair but i am certainly not even close to bald so, don't worry about that too much!

good luck :)
Posted 9/19/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first diagnosed, I was put on Prednisone, Pentasa, and 6mp. My inflammation was so severe, though, that I could not take the oral meds without major complications. My GI took me off the Pentasa, weened me off Prednisone, but kept me on the 6mp. After several months it was helping, but not enough, so I was put on Remicade 3 years ago. The only side effect I had from the 6mp was hair loss - but not significant.

I know every case differs, but I had no severe reactions with the 6mp. Good luck to you and your daughter - may you find the "right" formula soon!
Posted 9/21/2009 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Be careful- I was put on 6MP after my 3rd resection, and after 3 weeks, developed pain in my upper abdomin - it got worse as the day wore on and

was radiating to my back - felt like a heart attack.  I looked up the side effects of 6MP and was rushed to the hospital because, sure enough, I

had pancreatitis from the 6MP.  If I hadn't gone to the hospital and kept taking the med, it would have been a disaster.  Too bad my doctor didn't

warn me.

I also know a 21 year old man who has been taking it successfully for a year. 

 If you go that route, just be sure you know the warning signs and

don't be afraid to take your daughter in if she complains of even mild upper abdominal pain. 

Posted 9/22/2009 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'm one that couldn't tolerate it. Ended up with bone-marrow suppression, but there is a blood test that can help determine if you child can tolerate it. I believe it's a Promethus test. I'd recommend your doctor doing that first.
Posted 9/22/2009 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Vicky. I'll definitely mention that test to her doc.  Lots of D yesterday, her Crohn's is def. flaring. I hate this!
Posted 9/22/2009 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6MP for over a decade. It is one of the drugs that have kept me out of the hospital and off the operating table. I have had no major side effects. The only thing, and I don't know it at all, is that my liver test come back slightly elevated. Have always come back that way since I started. So you do need to make sure you keep up with the blood tests. If my tests were to change I might have to stop taking it, but since they are consistent, my doctors feel things are ok. I've even had a liver biopsy just to be sure and everything was fine.
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