6mp

Hi all
I saw my doc the other day and hes decided i need to go onto 6-merceptapurine, I just had my blood test for TPMT so just waiting on the results till i can start the drugs.

Just wondered how others got on with this drug ??

thanks xxx

     I was on 6MP for seven years.  The doctor put me on it while still taking prednisone because it usually takes about three months to "kick in".  It did help me attain remission at first.  I enjoyed two years of remission.  Then I started flaring yearly and within the last eighteen months suffered three flares which were long and pretty bad.  Your doctor has to monitor your white blood count carefully while you are on 6MP.  When I took 50 mgm mine registered 3.5 - 3.9 which is where the doctor liked it.  However, when my flares became more frequent and severe he increased the 6MP to 100 mgm.  This significantly lowered my white count to 1.6....didn't like that at all.  I am now off the 6MP as of two weeks before starting the Remicade, of which I had my first infusion on Wednesday.  Keeping my fingers crossed that Remicade will turn the tide.  I already see a significant improvement.  One formed bowel movement a day and no blood.  However, I am very fatigued.  Don't know whether this is due to my insomnia from the prednisone or not.  I see my GI tomorrow and he will most likely order some blood tests.  Good luck to you!

Have 1 1/2 years experience with 6mp . My daughter also took it to ween from Prednisone. It does take time to get up to a therapeutic level in the system. Regular blood work from an expensive lab is required( Prometheus). It didn't hold my daughter alone, so we eventually had to go to Remicade, but it works like a charm for many. In our tough case, nothing worked so well....but she is still on the drug along with the Remicade. It has very few obvious side affects and is easy to take. Maybe it will be your charm :)

One of the potential side effects of the drug is chronic fatigue. That was my reaction anyway, and the reason I stopped taking it.