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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/23/2010 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am new to this Forum but not to CD. I have been in remission for 12 years and on none of the CD drugs due to allergies. I am now in a flare and on 20 mg. of prednisone. They want me to try 6 MP. Should one take this at bedtime to avoid nausea? Any info on this drug would be appreciated!
Posted 5/23/2010 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 6MP for over 12 years along with an assortment of other CD meds thrown in for good measure. It has helped to keep me out of the hospital and more importantly out of the operating room! It is recommended that you take it at night so that if you do have any side effects you will likely sleep through them. Not all people have side effects, I never have, but some do, so its just a precaution. You do want to make sure that you keep up with your blood work to make sure that you are processing the medication effectively and that it isn't doing you more harm than good. It does take 3 - 4 months to reach its full potential so be patient.
Posted 5/23/2010 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
thanks so much for your info regarding when to take 6 MP. I have my fingers crossed that I will be able to tolerate it. I have had two resections but only the original one due to CD. The other was scar tissue. I also have had several kidney stones and some reflux so this is also a concern of mine with the 6 MP.
Posted 5/23/2010 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Take it at bedtime to avoid the worst of the nausea, yes.

Also, you should consider starting on a low dose (25-50mg) and working your way up, as if you start on the highest possible dose straight away you may feel pretty rotten. Side-effects like nausea and fatigue do go away after a few weeks; I never found them to be that severe anyway. If you do find that you're severely fatigued and it doesn't go away, then you're probably on a higher dose what your body can comfortably accommodate and should drop down to a lower dose.

6MP usually kicks in between 2-3 months but it can be longer - anything up to 6 months. It's unlikely it will take that long, though.

Hope it works for you. Good luck.
Posted 5/23/2010 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to ask your doctor for a prescription for Zofran or something for nausea. While some people don't get nauseated, it is the number one side effect of 6MP. I just started 6MP for the second time last week and the nausea is already getting to me. Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky few that doesn't experience this!
Posted 5/23/2010 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I take mine in the morning, and I've never had any noticeable side effects. It may depend on the dosage that your doctor puts you on--I'm on 50mg, probably the lowest effective dose. It's been pretty much a miracle drug for me. I still have symptoms and flares, but haven't had any strictures for the 6 years I've been on it, which is great for me. I hope it works as well for you!
Posted 5/24/2010 12:27 PM (GMT 0)

What nawlinsgate said . . .

The side effect ratio for 6mp is probably less than 10%, maybe as low as 5%. The response ratio is very high, and if it works in your case it can be the long term maintenance med that will keep you perking along without all the hassles of IVs and needles from drugs like Remicade and Humirs. I would wager that more people on this forum are on 6mp for their Crohns than any other drug.

Posted 5/24/2010 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
When I was on 6mp I found that I was really nauseous after taking it in the mornings. I switched to evenings and no more problems. Good luck!
Posted 5/24/2010 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Is 6MP an injection you give to yourself? Also, is 6MP a daily medication/how often does one take it?
Posted 5/24/2010 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Its a daily medication that you take, it's a pill.  I've been on it for years now, I think around 5-6 years.  It kept me in remission sometimes.  I never felt nausous or anything.  My only problem is that my bloodwork always comes back bad for my liver so then I can't up the dosage.  I think my crohns would be fine if my body could tolerate 75 or 100 mg like it used to but since my bloodwork always comes back screwy my doc will only let me take 50 mg. 

Good luck with it! :)

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