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Weaning off 6 MP

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/21/2009 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have been coming off the 6mp for the last three weeks. I am so far doing okay except that my joints are really hurting. Not so bad I can't live with it but wondered if there is anything I can do for it.
smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/21/2009 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Just curious as to why you are weaning off of 6mp?
Posted 4/21/2009 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Are we supposed to wean from 6mp- I didnt. I just stopped taking it per the doctor and I didn't experience any side effects at all.
Posted 4/21/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
there's no need to wean off 6MP/Imuran- you can just stop taking the med. So unfortunately, your joint pain is probably not caused by that.

Posted 4/21/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am completely off it now. They diagnosed me with ulcerative proctitis back in June. It got really bad and it caused 3 fistulas. They had me on prednisone and 6mp. They took me off of the prednisone and left me on the 6mp. I had to have a illeostomy in Sept. They did rectal surgery to correct the fistulas. I am suppose to have the illeostomy reversed in June. I just don't have any energy and my joints are somewhat achy. I didn't know if it was because I am not taking the 6mp anymore. shocked
Posted 4/21/2009 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
So did you decide to take yourself off of the 6MP? It's interesting that they chose to use 6MP as a maintenance med off the bat instead of trying a 5-ASA instead.

Did your doctor discuss maintenance dosing with you? It's generally recommended that people with UC stay on a maintenance dose of medication to stay in remission. And yes, coming off of the 6MP could be causing your joint pain, as it's a fairly common symptom that people with UC have.
Posted 4/21/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I hated being on the 6mp and prednisone........They didn't think it was too bad and wanting to try to come off all meds.......I have Ulcerative Proctitis not colitis.....I have to go back to the doctor next week and hope to resolve some of my questions
Posted 4/21/2009 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

I am on both prednisone and 6MP.  I need knee replacement surgery and my gastro doc agreed that no problem after I go into remission to stop 6MP for a while to get my system back to "normal", having the surgery and then returning to 6MP at some point for maintenance of UC.  I will probably stay on small dose of prednisone while having surgery.  Time will tell.

ElaineNY

Posted 4/22/2009 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
     LP33, I also have ulcerative proctitis.  I would LOVE to be off the 6MP.  How did you manage to talk your GI doctor into that?  Mine is a regular pill pusher.  I lowered my dose from 75 mgm to 50 mgm one day and 25 the next for the reason my white count was down to 2.4 on the 75 mgm.  It is now 2.9.  I'm still not happy with that low of a white count but my doctor isn't concerned.  He said that is how he knows the 6MP is doing its job.  I've been on 6MP for over five years.  It really hasn't kept me out of flares either.  I also take Colazal.  The doctor said the Colazal and 6MP are keeping my colitis from "creeping up" further into my colon.  Back in 98 was when I was diagnosed and it still is confined to my rectum.  Right now enjoying remission since Nov 1st.
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