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6mp and fatigue

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/13/2009 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone else extremely tired on this medicine? I'm at 100mg of it.. and totally exhausted with no energy? ahhh.
Posted 7/13/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! I'm so glad (but not really) to hear you say this...I have been taking it 4 months now, and SO tired constantly. I thought the tiredness was due to my extreme anemia, but I've been doing iron IV infusions and my blood level is normal for the first time in months, but yet I still need 10-12 hours of sleep per day to even function. I'm also on 100 mg of the 6-MP -- the main side effects I notice are fatigue, hair loss, and metallic taste in my mouth.
Posted 7/13/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, majorly tired alot of the time. I suffered with fatigue from the Colitis anyway before I started taking any medications but the Imuran makes it alot worse.
Posted 7/13/2009 8:52 PM (GMT 0)

I took 6 MP - both 50 mg. and 75 mg. and never noticed it making me tired but always took it before bed.  Also, took prednisone at same time which gives one energy.  Right now off 6 MP (and feel MUCH better).  It did not work for my UC.  Tapering prednisone - now at 5 mg. every other day.  VERY TIRED today - hope my body adjusts soon!

ElaineNY

Posted 7/13/2009 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 100mg of 6mp but had to cut back to 50mg becuase I couldnt handle the nausea, fatigue and tiredness.

Posted 7/13/2009 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Does the 50 mg. work for you? Blood tests showed that at that level it was not therapeutic so no use staying on it. Doctor said I would need to be on at least 75 or 100 mg. and I had side effects as you did!
ElaineNY
Posted 7/13/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, yes and a double yes! I am ALWAYS tired it seems. After being on 6mp for almost 3 years, I have found a way to manage my fatigue or overrule it. I found that plenty of rest, lots of water and sometimes supplementing B-12 can help counteract the fatigue.
Posted 7/14/2009 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Red - seems everyone, nearly ,here can "handle" side effects, etc. I just can't! I would rather have a flare - although I have not had a very serious problem YET! The worst part of my UC is blood and mucous - scares me. At my worst, I had maybe 5 BM's a day - occasional diarrhea and left-sided discomfort (not really pain). But, why should I take something that makes me feel worse than UC? To each his own and of course - age does make a difference, I think!
ElaineNY
Posted 7/14/2009 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
So tired...so so so tired.. SOOOO tired... (seriously am not thinking anything else)

Every part of my body is saying Kara, go back to sleep. I have to work with 14 to 20 month olds... i'm exhausted.

Taking the 6mp tonight for the first time because I can't do this anymore.
Posted 7/14/2009 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
100mgs might be too much for you. Have you ever tried reducing your dosage?
Posted 7/14/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
i started at 50mg...and doc just upped my dosage on friday
Posted 7/14/2009 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
I started taking the 6-MP at night based on suggestions I've read on here...while it has helped with the nasty taste it leaves in my mouth, still all I want to do is sleep, sleep, sleep. I just can't get enough sleep.
Posted 7/14/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! Sooooo soooooo tired (on AZA, but its the same thing). Luckily I have a job where I can 'work from home' (i.e. sleep) a day a week to keep everything under control.

I'm trying to come off it because I've never tried to maintain remission without it so want to give it a go. I've halved my dose and am going to keep on this level for a couple of months before stopping altogether. I have probably now reached a level where the drug is ineffective at sufficiently lowering my white blood count, but the idea of not going to zero straightaway is that if I have problems it'll be quicker to get back to the full dose actually working.
Posted 7/15/2009 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Why did he increase it to 100mgs? If your fatigue is really bad, maybe you can call your doctor to see if you can lower it to 75mgs until you get used to it.
Posted 7/15/2009 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
well i have no idea really if he's just going to drop the 6mp after i get my infusion...

he's out of the office for the week and i go on a cruise on friday.
I'm exhausted again today even though I got 8 hours of sleep

if it doesnt stop ill just do it myself
Posted 7/17/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
On higher doses of 6mp I felt like a zombie! Between that and the anemia I could hardly function. Doc cut mine down to 25mgs and it really, really helped. No longer felt so tired and run down. I've heard folks here on the forum compare it to "flu-like" symptoms. Kind of how it was with me. But at the time I didn't realize it was actually the medication and not the disease. Now I'm really skeptical about meds! I want to know what something is before I will take it, and I don't trust Docs to give me that info - I want to research it myself.

Universal Colitis since 2003
Asacol 6 tablets per day
Mercaptopurine 1/2 tablets per day
hydrocortisone enema as needed (try not to use unless really, really needed)
Probiotic (lots!)
Fish Oil
Folic Acid (a must on 6-mp)
Iron (Solgar gentle iron - gentle on your tummy)
Multi Vitamin
Biotin
Lots of toasted french bread (especially when its actin up!)
Quiet time everyday to d-stress
Posted 7/17/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)

Since I found out that a blood test (Prometheus) can tell is the 6 MP at the level I was using was working, I ask about other medication.  I took 6 MP for four months hoping to feel better, etc.  It may have worked a little but blood tests showed I could not take high enough doseage to be therapeutic and no use subjecting my body to medications that won't work.

ElaineNY

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