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GI Presribed me 6MP

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/3/2009 6:49 PM (GMT 0)

Christine - do you ever have any symptoms from UC such as mucous, urgency, blood or pain?  Seems I will have to return to 50 mg. 6MP because of side effects.  I tried 75 mg. for a week at a time and gradually got pain in arms, sores, bruises, headaches, tingling, ear noises, etc. etc. but back to 50 I they are manageable.  Still waiting for results of my promethius tests - I called and no answer.  I am seriously considering finding a new doctor which will be difficult in this area.  I cannot get below 25mg. prednisone without seeing blood again - otherwise not too bad.

ElaineNY

Posted 5/3/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
     Sorry to hear that Elaine.  The only reason I cut myself down to 50 mgm one day and 25 the next is that I didn't feel comfortable with a white count of only 2.4.  My GI doctor wasn't concerned about it though.  My last white count was 2.9, so even dropping my dosage of the 6MP didn't affect the white count too much.  I really would like it around 3.5 at least.  Then I would know that I had SOME antibodies to fight off germs.

     I had no other adverse affects on the 75 mgm...no bruising, headaches or anything which you describe as having.  Could these be from some other med you are on?  The 6MP kicked in beautifully after 3 months.  I was on the prednisone for seven months.

     Since Nov 1st I have been off prednisone.  I thank GOD every day that I feel well.  I have no symptoms of UC at all..no diarrhea, no bleeding, no urgency.  If my rectum starts to feel a little "iffy" maybe for something I ate and shouldn't have, I just pop a Cort enema up there and the next day symptoms are gone.

     I know some people don't believe in prayer...but I do and I credit a lot of PRAYER and of course the meds helped me achieve remission.  Believe me, as sick as I was last year (I really didn't think I would make it out of the hospital), I appreciate every day I feel well.

     I don't blame you for looking for a new GI doctor.  I seriously considered changing mine as we bucked heads during my hospitalization, but cleared the air after I was discharged and seem to have a better than ever relationship now..strictly doctor and patient that is..lol.

Posted 5/3/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Christine!  I ASSUME, since I have not heard from blood tests that my white count is ok - it has been over 2 weeks - but my NP told me she would call about it and tell me what the doctor wanted me to do next.  I know he wants me off prednisone as soon as possible.  I am now nine weeks on 6MP at least 50 mg. I was on 75 for a week before he did blood tests.  I have been on the prednisone - at least 20 mg. (now 25 mg. to stop the bleeding) over 3 months.  I think I will be on it like you for more months to come.

Thanks for replying.  I need support someplace - I just hate having to "doctor" myself.  What if I did nto come here - I know nothing about blood counts, etc.  I guess that is what they are relying on - probably read the tests and sayd "oh, they are ok" and never bother to let me know.  Calling tomorrow again!

ElaineNY

Posted 5/3/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I tried it for about 3 weeks and stop because I keep having really really bad headaches and throwing up. I tried to used 6MP to help me get off prednisone. I tried 6 months and still couldn't get off prednisone. Then finally I got off it, I suffer for a very long time. If anyone want to get off prednisone tried to lower your dose very slowly.
Posted 5/4/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
     Elaine, I worked as a lab tech for many years.  Not up on the latest tests but do know quite a bit about CBC's and such.  Don't know whether that is a blessing or a curse.  I do know that some of the nurses didn't appreciate my questioning them when I was in the hospital.  Oh well...better a live nosy patient than a dead timid one.
Posted 5/4/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
 Oh well...better a live nosy patient than a dead timid one.

You are soooo right!  I like knowing what is going on.  When my husband is in the hospital I always question everything and help him if I can!

ElaineNY

Posted 5/4/2009 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to start the 6mp tonight...wish me luck!

Posted 5/5/2009 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Shadam! Please be patient and don't give up too early - unless your labwork comes back bad or your doctor tells you to quit or side effects become intolerable. You might not have yucky side effects at all. All the best and let us know occasionally how you feel and how you're faring on 6MP!

Posted 5/5/2009 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Definately try it ..it might just work for you..I have been on it for about 6-8 months and its not working any longer....tired 100mg and pred and asacol still not working .....been flaring for a long time now
Posted 5/5/2009 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Cfg

Ask you doctor, if he can put you on to sulphasalazine, instead of Asacol. At times because of long use of a medicine, the system becomes non-receptive and immune to that particular drug. So one has to go in for rotation. I had to do the same with Asacol, Sulphasalazine and Tidacol.
Posted 5/5/2009 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, I just started taking 50mg doses of 6mp today. It says don't drink alchohol at all while taking it. I'm wondering if anyone does anyway? I'm not a raging drunk or anything but I like to have drinks with friends on the weekends. But if it's something real serious then i'll have to give up the beer : (
Posted 5/5/2009 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
What is 6MP, I haven't heard of it before?
Posted 5/5/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)

Caddilac Lover, I was told to try and stay away from Alcohol as much as possible while on it but I can't drink anything at all now becuase of my diagnoses with PSC (liver disease).  I guess you have to bulge in to the booz at your own risk...

Drink something good if you do though!

Posted 5/5/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
top shelf it is! thanks hah.
Posted 5/10/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm definitley starting to feel the fatigue side affect to this treatment.  Both yesterday and today I sat down on the couch and before I knew it I was sleeping for a few hours...

I havent done that in forever!

Does the fatigue slowly go away?

Posted 5/11/2009 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
It's not the short term side effects that scare me from 6MP, it is the long term side effects. 6MP targets the DNA of your cells and can cause dangerous mutations. I know for some people it is no choice, but to me it just sounds very scary even if the GI says the low dose won't hurt.
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