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Posted 3/20/2017 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hello-I was newly diagnosed with a Crohn's about a 6 weeks ago. Prior to the diagnosis I had a perinatal abscess I&D, then 3 fistulas found and 3 setons placed. Dr started me on tapered dose of Prednisone and 50 mg 6MP about 4 weeks ago. Had no issues for about 2 weeks. Then 6MP made me vomit about 4 hours after taking it. This happened twice. Was then hospitalized for a tear in my bowel for 6 days. Vomited every time they have gave me 6MP in hospital. Dr told me to give it a few days and start again after I was discharged. Discharged from hospital, and same. It always happens the same-4 hours after taking 6MP, I get severe chills and vomit for a few hours. I have tried taking it right before bed but that has not helped.
Is this normal? Does it take some time to adjust to 6MP? I find it odd that I took it for 2 weeks with no problem and now get ill when I take it. This is all so new to me. I'm feeling very overwhelmed and scared. Any advice or thoughts you could give me would be very appreciated.
Thank you!
Posted 3/20/2017 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jen, Im sorry you are going through this. I started both remicade and 6mp a year ago. Several weeks in I also developed severe nausea and could not tolerate any food. A stricture was partly to blame but once that was fixed it was obvious that it was the medication causing the continued intolerance of food and several repulsion towards things i once enjoyed eating. My doctor cut the dose in half and it went away. I was only able to cut the dose back though because i am also on remicade ( anything below 50mg will not be strong enough to fix crohns). Some people do have trouble with it and others are able to adjust. Have you tried changing the time that you take it? I have found shifting from morning to late night sometimes helps. You should discuss this with your doctor. 6mp might not be the best medication for you. The reason why it took 2 weeks to start feeling ill from it is because it slowly builds up in your system. 2 weeks was about how long it took for me to start feeling better once it was cut back.
Posted 3/20/2017 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I used to take 6mp (50mg) about 5 years ago when I needed to decrease inflammation so I could have diltation on a rectal stricture secondary to Crohn's disease. Like all cytotoxic medication, the intial weeks are full of horrible side effects. But it's worth remembering they are only side effects and not making your disease any worse! Having said that, if after 3-4 weeks your side effects are still intolerable, I would switch to another drug as there's other options out there such as azathioprine and methotrexate. Take care.
Posted 3/20/2017 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am EXTREMELY surprised your doctor prescribed 6mp when you have fistulae. 6mp on its own is not the most effective drug for fistulizing Crohn's. You should be on a biologic, preferably Remicade, to treat your Crohn's. I would find another GI and get a second opinion.
Posted 3/20/2017 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jen, did the doctor order blood tests for TPMT before starting you on 6mp?

The nausea you describe is, unfortunately, fairly common for people with Crohn's who start this medication. For some it goes away after a few weeks and they tolerate 6mp ok from then on. For others, they just can't tolerate 6mp (or imuran). Miss Kitty's advice is good.

I also agree with scifigal2k that if you have fistulae, you need to consider Remicade. The evidence for using 6mp to treat fistulizing Crohn's disease is pretty weak, while Remicade has the strongest evidence for helping (still not 100%, but much better than other types of medications).
Posted 3/21/2017 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I take 6 mp w/ Humira and it has restored my quality of life. Thankfully I don't have any bad symptoms but I've noticed I've had a couple of panic attacks in the last 12 months. Not sure if its the medication or loss of my job etc.

Are you taking Humira?
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