teenager with crohns

Hi and welcome to the forum. It can really be scary when reading the side effects of 6MP, but keep in mind that Crohn's patients take a lower dose of it than when it's used for leukemia treatment. The GI would also be ordering tests regularly to watch for toxicity. I was on it for several years combined with other medications. You're right about prednisone being a short term treatment, as it can get things under control but eventually it needs to be reduced while other treatments are introduced. I would recommend the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's website, ccfa.org, to read about available treatments and about the disease itself. There are a lot of meds being used these days, especially the biologics like Remicade, Humira, and Cimzia. I hope your son responds well to treatment.

35 years now with crohn's , educate yourself and others and follow your GI 's advice. Tell your son that he will be ok and there is many options for treatment. Be positive and hopeful. It can be frustrating for sure but you must encourage him to do the things he wants to do. Cliche but "it could be much worse". Hang tough!

I took 6mp for years without too many side effects. I was in remission which was nice :) Anything is better than long-term steroids, especially when a higher dose is required to keep symptoms at bay.