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Question for those on 6MP

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/6/2012 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
I started taking 6MP this past November for a really bad flare that started in September. My usual GI suggested I see a friend of his about starting the 6MP, as he thought it would be good to get a second opinion. This GI did agree it was time for 6MP and started me on it. From what I understood 6MP would put me into remission and I would be on it indefinitely. I spoke with my usual GI on the phone yesterday to check in regarding my Prednisone taper and he asked how I was doing on the 6MP. He then said I would probably only want to be on it a couple of years and that I probably wouldn't want to be on it if starting a family (something I am interested in doing).

I'm confused b/c this is conflicting with what the GI who prescribed me the 6MP said. So my question is for those on the 6MP were you given an "outdate" or a time line for it? Some doctors also say it's fine to be on 6MP while pregnant. But is 6MP something you can just stop if I were to become pregnant and didn't want to be on it or is it also a taper schedule like Prednisone?

I know these are a lot of medical questions, and I'll have to ask my GI as well, but wanted to get an idea from fellow 6MP users.

Thanks! :-)
Posted 1/6/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, 6mp can be just stopped; there is no taper involved. I am not sure how safe it is while being pregnant but I have seen others on here that have been on either 6mp or Imuran while being pregnant and delivered healthy babies.

I have been on 6mp for 5 or 6 years(?) and as far as I know, I am going to remain on this med for life unless my body rejects it.
Posted 1/6/2012 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sherry - that's how I understood it too, indefinitely. I have a friend who has been on it for like ten years! I mean I don't see the point of stopping it after two years, if it's keeping me in remission and it's safe. I guess every doctor has their own opinion (which can get confusing, haha).
Posted 1/6/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
my doctor said he doesn't want me on it for years. i'm supposed to stop after my last refill (total of 6 months). i am worried about just stopping at 50 mg though. i'm surprised he doesn't wanna cut me down to 25 mg first.
Posted 1/6/2012 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
bananagirl, I imagine your GI wants you to stop because you're also on remicade? To the OP, many GIs have differing ideas on this but the idea is that if you achieve endoscopic remission with 6MP after a period of time (I was told three years, I've heard five) you can go off and see what happens. It's hoped that the drug will have kicked you into a deep remission and I have heard this happening though I don't know how common it is. It's true, you shouldn't be taking the drug while pregnant or nursing. I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned to you.
Good luck!
Posted 1/6/2012 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
regarding pregnancy. the it looks like the evidence is not clear, but there is some concern, so a really safe bet might be to avoid mixing 6mp and pregnancy.

I just read the section in pregnancy in a 6mp chapter in a colitis book I have, and they review 3 studies. Two found some problems and one did not. But they all had small samples (i.e., 20 to 70 6mp pregnancies, and some of these were 6mp at conception and some were also 6mp during pregnancy). Finally, the findings of problems in one study were almost entirely driven by a single patient who had autoimmune hepatitis. Reslts were not significant if she was dropped. So the real tally is two studies found no problem and 1 found some problems.

More study is needed, but this info is fairly current - from a 2011 medical book.

Posted 1/6/2012 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Killcolitis - it was mentioned to me, and the one GI had no problem with being on 6MP while pregnant, the other one wasn't into it and the OB I saw wasn't crazy about the idea, but not against it either...so it's really confusing. The prescription bottle does say to not take it while prego, so again, so many conflicting opinions!!! AH!
Posted 1/6/2012 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 150/mgs of Imuran for a good 4 years now, no mention of stopping it. My GI is concerned about the use of 6MP/Imuran with biologics- I've also been one or another biologic for a good 3 1/2 years, so... but we don't talk about quitting it- I think the Imuran does more for my UC than any other med I take. I personally wouldn't wish to be on it for llife, but... I'm too scared to quit!
Posted 1/6/2012 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
My GI said I can be on 6mp long-term. She has never said that I was going to stop at a certain point in time unless I have to because my body can't handle the medication. I've had a lot of trouble with my bloodwork results not being stable while on 6mp. It's very inconvenient, I have to get very frequent blood draws. My GI has told me that she thinks Remicade or Humira may be better solutions for me but she hasn't said it was necessary to change. I had to stop 6mp for a period of time to allow my blood counts to recover to normal and I didn't have to taper off. The medicine stays in your system for quite a while. It was about 4 weeks before my counts went back to normal ranges.
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