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Blood tests and 6mp

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/7/2012 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I know every GI is different but how often are you getting blood tests while on 6mp/Imuran?  Did you your GI do it more often in the beginning?
Posted 5/7/2012 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Weekly for a month then monthly for a while then every three months. Did you have the tpmt test? if so, the might do it every two or three weeks at the beginning:?
Posted 5/7/2012 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
You know at first he said 3 months and I said isn't it more in the beginning? He said let's do a month. Yes I had the test and I was told it's good whatever that means. So maybe he is not concerned but I want to know if I'm being affected asap. I see him this week I think so I'll ask again. Just wonderng what the norm is.

Thanks
Posted 5/7/2012 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Odd. I'm sure they check kids more frequently but I would think they'd want to check every 2-3 weeks in the beginning?
Posted 5/7/2012 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I started 6MP just over a week ago.
My GI scheduled some blood work for two weeks after starting and another one four weeks after that. He mentioned about doing them on a regular basis after that. He'll tell me how often at my next appointment in four weeks.
So far no side-effects, but I'm taking it at night before bed.
Posted 5/7/2012 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
My GI said to get tested in 2 weeks, then 4 weeks, then every few months after that. I had the TPMT blood test though, just awaiting the results.
Posted 5/7/2012 7:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi -

My GI had me come in every two weeks for labs at the begining (not sure how many times I did that - maybe 3) then it moved to once a month, then to every three months.  After I was on it for 18 months with no issues and perfect blood work he only requires I get labs drawn every 6 months going forward.

Hope this helps.

Posted 5/7/2012 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
     Geez, when I started 6MP back in 02 or 03, my GI doctor never scheduled me more often than every 3 months!  Of course I am off it now since my surgery in June of 2010.   My bilirubin was always elevated but he didn't seem to worry.  It was when he increased my dose from 50 mgm to 100 mgm and my pancreatic enzyme levels were 4 x the norm that he actually seemed concerned rolleyes .  He took me off it for two weeks and started me back at my usual 50.  It never kept me in a long term remission.  I am just in awe that I am still alive..lol.
Posted 5/7/2012 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I def want to do the blood test in 2 weeks. I want to be sure there is nothing going on and not wait. Good I have an appt with him later this week. I hope I have no issues.
Posted 5/7/2012 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Every other week for 2 months, then every 6 weeks for 3 months, and then every 3 months after that.
Posted 5/8/2012 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I think I went every 2 weeks for a month, then once a month, then I would have gone to every 3 months but unfortunately, I've never had great results and my WBC drops below the normal range so I've had to get monthly blood work for the past year. For a long period of time, I was getting blood drawn every week - 2 weeks.
Posted 5/8/2012 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
MSBeachGal

Did you start Imuran yet?
Posted 5/9/2012 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Seasons, still waiting for the doc to call with the blood test results. He said to call thurs if I don't hear by then. Did you up your dose yet? Are you having any side effects?
Posted 5/9/2012 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
No I'm on the same dose..50mg. I don't know if these are effects from the drug but I'm becoming run down with a sore throat and dry cough. I know I am not sleeping well at all, so that coudl be the cause. I'm not having nausea or anything.

I did have to go for an EKG today because I'm having some chest and back pain but that was before the 6mp. Doc thinks it's the inflammation causing me not to absorb or store Magnesium so I upped that today. I'm having a lot of painful cramping in a lot of parts of my body.

I see my GI Thursday, not sure when he'll up it. I think I only go up to 75 or 80mg.

Let me know when you start...
Posted 5/9/2012 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Seasons - I know you have been very stressed and worried (rightfully so) about your disease and about the medications. Also flaring for long periods causes stress (mental and physical). High stress can cause your immune system to wear down, problems sleeping and it can cause chest/back pain too. Has your doctor considered that as another possible cause?

Best Wishes!
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