Time for 6mp... questions? Advice?

Hey y'all.

Well, it seems my good run is over. After my hospitalization last summer for acute kidney failure from Apriso, my 5 weeks of Prednisone put me in remission until January. I believe my kidney Dr wanting me to have a kidney biopsy stressed me so much I brought on a flare. I called my GI and started on the Hydrocort enemas and they worked for a week and last weekend it turned into a full-fledged flare, urgency 3-5 times a day, diarrhea and the beginnings of blood so I went in to the GI today and he is starting me on another round of pred only to get me through this biopsy I have to have next week, but he wants me to consider 6mp. I told him I would research it, read up on it and call after my biopsy. He had already tested me last summer and says I am a good candidate for this drug. Does anyone have any info, advice on 6mp, seems a few of you here are on it. He says it produces good results but takes a while to get in your system.

I also have a problem swallowing pills.... does anyone know the size of it or if it can be broken in half? Is it timed released? I do know he said he will monitor my blood regularly which is how I ended up with kidney problems last summer.

I am tired of this viscious cycle already and its only been 2 yrs for me. I want my life back.

Hi BelleyAche,

My daughter has been on 6-MP for almost 2 years and is doing very well.

The best time to start 6-MP is while on Prednisone and then to slowly wean off the Pred as it can take about 3 mo for the 6-MP to kick in.

We have had no issues- knock on wood.

My daughter also can not swallow pills so I crush it for her and put it in pudding or whipped cream etc. The pill is not very big but if you can't swallow it it can be crushed.

Our GI won't let me daughter go longer than 3 mo without checking her labs and seeing him.

We also use the probiotic VSL#3 and I really do think this helps quite a bit.

If ever she seems to be a bit off I never hesitate to use hydrocortisone enemas for a day or 2 to get us going the other direction.

My daughter is able to be a normal kid and i am just so grateful everyday that she is doing so well.

Best of luck that 6-MP will work for you too!

IBD and Bananagirl, thank you so much! He did say he wanted me to still be on Pred when I start it so I would think that will be after my biopsy in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the Pred gets me out of this flare, I think the stress has really gotten to me.

It's wonderful to have such a place to talk to people who have "been there". Thanks so much!