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Posted 5/17/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know how bad it is to drink while on 6 mp? I have not drank very much alcohol at all since diagnosis. maybe i'll have hot sake or 1 0r 2 vodka n seltzer waters about once every couple of months. It doesnt take much since i so rarely drink!
I dont know if it affects my uc or not, its always hard to tell what makes things bad and whats the uc just doing what its gonna do no matter what.
Anyway my GI has always claimed that things like drinking and diet play a very minor role in uc, dont know which camp i belong to any more...

Im digressing. does anyone know if i should 100% completely avoid alcohol while on 6 mp, or is it ok to have the occasional drink or two?

Thank you so much for your input!
Posted 5/17/2008 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know that it's necessary to abstain completely, but I'd limit myself to one or two drinks occasionally. 6-MP is metabolized in the liver, and also has the potential to interfere with liver function. Alcohol has those same lovely properties. So basically, it sort of depends on how much you're willing to risk by challenging your liver with more potentially toxic stuff.
Posted 5/17/2008 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
My 6MP comes with the No Alcohol warning label. I'm a total lightweight in terms of drinking and the few times I've had a drink, I have not had any side effects from the 6MP. I get pretty sleepy, but that might just be my normal response to alcohol.

If you're going to have the occassional drink, just be careful. I wouldn't plan on driving.

I'm of the belief that hard alcohol is not good for UC, but that's just from reading and not from personal experience. If I drank wine, I would consider that OK with UC, assuming that it didn't make me feel bad.
Posted 5/17/2008 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Don't drink often and maybe no more than one small (low alcohol) drink in an hour and a half...limit it to one or two.

Never binge.

Your decision, but if you say you can, then you might make the decision to not.
If you say you can't you'll want it more....
psychologicaly speaking, of course...feeling deprived is worse than giving permission.

quincy
Posted 5/17/2008 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy, i cant agree with you more. whenever i completely rule something out as an option i instantly crave it!
Posted 10/16/2008 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
You can take steps today to stop drinking. Your first step might be to see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal.

If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision. Your doctor can give you medicine that will help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Other medicines might be prescribed later to help you stay sober. You also can search other treatment on this http://www.alcoholtreatment.cc/
Posted 10/16/2008 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
6mp is short for Mercaptopurine. I have a couple of drinks now and then and it doesn't seem to affect me other then the next day it bothers my Uc. I also have a verrrrrry low tolerance to alcohol since starting 6mp and if I indulge in more then a couple in an hour I get extremely nauseas and dizzy. So if I am in a social situation and I want to drink, I nurse it for a long time but it gives others the illusion that I am drinking more. Also, what I do is when I do drink I also have a lot of water so help flush it out of my system faster - and btw, that also helps to avoid hangovers too if you are prone to them :)
Posted 10/16/2008 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I find that I can drink beer, but not hard liqour or wine.  I drink about 1-2 beers a regualar night.  If I am going out to party..I might drink up too four beers...but this is rare.  I also drink about a litre and half of water a day.

I can't drink anything citrus.  I can drink cranberry juice though.  Caffine I stay away from.  If I am craving a coffee, I drink decaf. 

For a pop drink, I drink Canada Dry Ginger ale...or Mug Root beer.  Both caffine free.  However I find that the Mug root beer is very thick and can't drink to much if it.  It doesn't affect my bowels, just I find it hard on my stomach.

Posted 10/17/2008 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
I drink 2 or 3 nights a week. I drink white wine. My liver function when I have my labwork is always perfect.
Posted 10/17/2008 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
thank goodness, that is not on my label for azathioprine........I need one vice, lol!

I used to drink a lot, always going out and having a blast. So I think I had a pretty good tolerance. A few years prior to aza I slowed down, just b/c I just did not want to drink as much as I used to. When I began aza I simply did not have the energy I used to so drinking made me tired. I vary, some weeks I do not drink at all, sometimes I have a few hard ciders and sometimes I have a few vodka + diet cokes.......the weird thing is that the diet cokes do not bother me when they are with vodka, but alone diet cokes can give me extra bm's.

I have also had a few 'rock star' nights and my tests are fine, but that is me............A drink now and then should be fine. Have one the night before your next bloodwork and see how that goes.
Posted 10/17/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
I might have a couple beers on the weekend and don't feel that it interacts with the 6-mp. I do find though that if I go out and have a couple, the next day I won't go at all. Anyone else had this happen to them?
Posted 10/17/2008 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I hate to admit it, but I used to be a pretty heavy drinker. As in a 12 pack at least once a week. (at once, not over the course of a week). I did that while I was using 6-MP, and even went in to remission in the mean time.

Luckily my fiancee isnt much of a drinker, and I only have about a glass or two of wine, once to twice a month.

Anyways, my liver is perfect. My doc used to check my liver function once a month, and it was never an issue.

Im not saying that drinking and taking 6-mp wont hurt you, it just never hurt me.
Posted 10/19/2008 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi yall first post on this site. I'm a crohn's remission patient with more than likely candida issues related to 6mp. I have to tell you that I did drink somewhat heavily at times 2 years ago. started end of high school and into college. My crohn's diagnosis came a month before I ended up in the ER. I ignored my symptoms and it cost me. Now I research and have read many books and talked with many individuals such as NDs and health specialists with natural medicine. Acupuncture seems to be helping me now with both digestive and my hoshimotos thyroid disorder. I can not stress enough how bad many of the meds many of the crohn's patients take. Preg and other corticosteriods will not heal or cure your conditon merely suppress some inflammation. The side effects you don't even know about would make you reconsider taking it. EFAs flax, fish, primrose, green drinks, kelp, glutamine(20gs)daily, whole FOOD MULTI, Renew Life critical Flora and Primal Defense for your probiotics, and NONI, ACACI, Apple cider vinegar, Mangosteen, and ALOE VERA are your best friends I promise you. Look up and research possible blood fungal infections from 6MP. I have been in remission for 8 years i'm 26 now. I took that drug religiously for 5 years. Always asked my GI at University of Chicago about liver problems and side effects of 6MP. HE told me it doesn't even go through your liver! Told him that I thought I had systemic Candidiasis and he told me it's not possible in his opinion. I got off the drug bc of nausea, CFS, flushing, rash on skin, cramping, headaches and pressure in the temple, and others. My symptoms while on the drug relating to Candida were ringing in the ears, buzzin in ears, horrible neck stiffness, depression, anxiety, night sweats, acid reflux/heartburn, shoulders popping, muscle spasms, etc. Normal crohns suffers are deficient in b12 and magnesium so are Candida and Lyme patients how amazing. What a coincidence wouldn't you say? What causes crohns besides possible genetic factors and environmental toxins? It is still unsure if its just one bacteria that gets in us and has a party or hygene factors. The point is that if you look close enough at AUTOIMMUNE diseases you will find many similarities just differences in how the diseases manifest in our different organs. Look and research and you will find some of the truths i have learned. I will post links soon if anyone is interested. The FDA and pharmaceutical industry are in bed together and for decades now and for good reasons. BILLIONS OF REASONS actually and if there are cures to illnesses then that money will not be coming in every week when people would refill their meds. The drugs our country make mask and attempt to cover up symptoms plain and simple.
Posted 10/21/2008 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't drank much since I've been on 6mp. I think in general red wine has been harder on my UC than beer.
Posted 7/4/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
okay... so I don't drink much AT ALL... and when I do drink.. It's usually out at a restaurant and I have two margaritas...

BUT. July 18th I'm going on a 7 day cruise... and cruises are ALL about the alcohol.... I REALLY want to drink ... and I'm sorta sad that I'll have to limit myself... do you guys think that drinking one or two drinks a day JUST FOR THE CRUISE... will be okay? I don't have issues not drinking when at home.... but cruise ships...man...that's tough.
Posted 7/6/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Kara, it's all about moderation. Alcohol is so tough on Uc (not to mention when 6mp is added to the mix). If I have a couple drinks a day it really upsets my Uc. If you want to drink, you may have no choice but to limit yourself.
Posted 7/7/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
man.. that's frustrating LOL Oh well.. its funny too because this wouldn't be an issue for me since I RARELY drink... but when on a cruise... it just seems that you're ALWAYS drinking :/
Posted 7/7/2009 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I know! Very frustrating.........but I'm sure you can still have fun without drinking everyday :) Where is the cruise going?
Posted 10/9/2012 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am on 6MP, mesalazine and pred.

Alcohol has never been kind to me (even before UC) so by default its off the social to-do list.

This means socializing with those who may choose to drink but don't mind if I choose not too.

Anyone with IBD needs an understanding network of friends who can at least pronounce 'colitis' and respect your decision regarding alcohol.
Posted 11/10/2016 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am on pentasa and mercaptopurine. I have been on them for about 4-5 years. I was diagnosed with Crohn's right before I left for my freshman year of college and spent the next 4 years partying more than the average college student. I am guilty of making time to party, but never taking my health seriously. While I have been prescribed 6MP for the last few years, I have periods of taking it and not taking it. My doctor has considered putting me on something like remicade because of my noncompliance with oral meds. Regardless, I have drank A LOT and been fine on 6MP (sub therapeutic level) during my college days. Now, I am strictly compliant with meds (because of a health scare). I do not nearly drink as much now as I did while I was in college. I get my labs drawn for liver every 3 months and have never had a problem. I still drink occasionally, mostly wine at the end of the day, or a beer or two when I go out to eat. If I ever do over indulge, I notice I get drunk a lot faster and that my hangovers have always been significantly worse than friends.

I am not saying you will not have an issue; just saying I have not found any problem with drinking and 6MP except for the ratchet hangovers.
Posted 11/10/2016 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I socially drink and am on 6MP. No issues for me.

Just make sure you have blood tested every 3 months.
Posted 11/10/2016 1:21 PM (GMT 0)

alex stiles said...
Hi yall first post on this site. I'm a crohn's remission patient with more than likely candida issues related to 6mp. I have to tell you that I did drink somewhat heavily at times 2 years ago. started end of high school and into college. My crohn's diagnosis came a month before I ended up in the ER. I ignored my symptoms and it cost me. Now I research and have read many books and talked with many individuals such as NDs and health specialists with natural medicine. Acupuncture seems to be helping me now with both digestive and my hoshimotos thyroid disorder. I can not stress enough how bad many of the meds many of the crohn's patients take. Preg and other corticosteriods will not heal or cure your conditon merely suppress some inflammation. The side effects you don't even know about would make you reconsider taking it. EFAs flax, fish, primrose, green drinks, kelp, glutamine(20gs)daily, whole FOOD MULTI, Renew Life critical Flora and Primal Defense for your probiotics, and NONI, ACACI, Apple cider vinegar, Mangosteen, and ALOE VERA are your best friends I promise you. Look up and research possible blood fungal infections from 6MP. I have been in remission for 8 years i'm 26 now. I took that drug religiously for 5 years. Always asked my GI at University of Chicago about liver problems and side effects of 6MP. HE told me it doesn't even go through your liver! Told him that I thought I had systemic Candidiasis and he told me it's not possible in his opinion. I got off the drug bc of nausea, CFS, flushing, rash on skin, cramping, headaches and pressure in the temple, and others. My symptoms while on the drug relating to Candida were ringing in the ears, buzzin in ears, horrible neck stiffness, depression, anxiety, night sweats, acid reflux/heartburn, shoulders popping, muscle spasms, etc. Normal crohns suffers are deficient in b12 and magnesium so are Candida and Lyme patients how amazing. What a coincidence wouldn't you say? What causes crohns besides possible genetic factors and environmental toxins? It is still unsure if its just one bacteria that gets in us and has a party or hygene factors. The point is that if you look close enough at AUTOIMMUNE diseases you will find many similarities just differences in how the diseases manifest in our different organs. Look and research and you will find some of the truths i have learned. I will post links soon if anyone is interested. The FDA and pharmaceutical industry are in bed together and for decades now and for good reasons. BILLIONS OF REASONS actually and if there are cures to illnesses then that money will not be coming in every week when people would refill their meds. The drugs our country make mask and attempt to cover up symptoms plain and simple.

Did you go for periodic blood testing?
Posted 11/10/2016 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Lol michele that post you quoted is from 2008. I think alcohol within moderation is fine with most medications unless it distinctly says not to in the insert. I have the occasional beer as well with no issues. Binge drinking isn't good for healthy folks, never mind us chronic patients.
Posted 11/10/2016 3:01 PM (GMT 0)

iPoop said...
Lol michele that post you quoted is from 2008. I think alcohol within moderation is fine with most medications unless it distinctly says not to in the insert. I have the occasional beer as well with no issues. Binge drinking isn't good for healthy folks, never mind us chronic patients.

LOL.......
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