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Imuran..4lifetime

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/17/2013 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Well I thought 6MP was one of the "big guns" but my GI doesn't think so.
My recent scope results were Mild to mod UC. 1 1/4 yr since my last Bad flare- no bleeding not much mucus if any.
He says I'm on the verge of flaring most of the time. He'd like to see me at a better level of remission.
He says most of his patients tolerate it very well.
I thought from reading around here that it was just for getting out of a flare or when you're really bad off and it was a Bad drug to be on.
Guess I'm gonna find out. Any long term successful Imuran users here?

TY, Bob

--EDITED to change drug name, sorry.
Posted 5/17/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just ending my 4th week of being on imuran, at 100mg with a target of 125mg longer term.

I was also pretty reluctant to take it but so far I have not noticed any side effects at all. I also get weekly blood tests to make sure I am tolerating it ok and they have all come back fine.

The side effects can be potential serious but they are also rare.

I've googled around a bit and found people on other boards who have been on imuran for a long time with no serious side effects including one woman who had been taking it for over 20 years.
Posted 5/17/2013 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 6mp for a couple years and I've been doing very well. No side effects and I haven't had any flare ups. I've had mild symptoms here and there but nothing worrisome and it hasn't lasted more than a few days.
Posted 5/17/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
TY for all your feedback. And , Duh, it is 6MP not Imuran. about the same thing I guess.
Do any of you users take any precautions of any type?
He has me on 50mg and would like to increase it in time.

TY
Posted 5/17/2013 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
And, Wow, it is sooo great to have you folks here!!!!!
Posted 5/17/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear Imuran is working. I tried it several years and came down with acute pancreatitis. So glad to hear when medication is working to help control the UC!
Posted 5/17/2013 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6mp since Jan 2013 with no side effects, I survived cold and flu season without getting sick, and it for the most part pulled me out of a very nasty flare. My dr started me at 50mg (started me at a low rate of 1mg per KG of body weight), and then boosted me to 75mgs a day (a higher rate of 1.5mg per 1KG of body weight). The plan is to be on it longterm, if I can get off this darn pred.
Posted 5/17/2013 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't do anything for me but my cousin has been in remission for 10 years on 6MP and Colazal. You do need to be monitored periodically but it can definitely be a longterm maintenance med.

How much do you weigh? 50mg is indeed a low dose. Recommended dosing is between 1 and 1.5 mg/kg. Keep in mind 6MP takes at least three and sometimes as many as six months to really kick in. It's not a rescue med but if you're in a "simmering" remission it can definitely help you decrease the inflammation.
Posted 5/17/2013 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 150mg for 3 months now, and I'm working off my pred.

So far I'm down to "just" 15mg pred, last two times I tried to get to this level all my arthritis came back, so this has me hopeful. Move down to 12.5 in about a week, I'll be jumping for joy if a couple days in I'm still feeling fine.
Posted 5/17/2013 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'd take it and hope it works. There are people who have been on it for decades, started during childhood, at a much higher dose than what is used for IBD for things like AI hepatitis and post transplant therapy. I don't imagine the people who are in a very solid remission due to imuran are reading this board. Hopefully you'll soon join them.
Posted 5/17/2013 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You very much, Killcolitis.
Posted 5/18/2013 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
I started Imuran March 2012 at 75mg. Tapered off Pred by May of that year. Did well until July then flared. My GI doubled Imuran to 150 mg and was put back on Pred. Did a very slow taper and finished Pred in January of this year. I made it through the joint pain and all the other side effects from tapering. Was solely on Imuran and vitamins until April.

I began having lower back pain especially in the mornings. I thought it was from sitting all day at work. Fatigue started kicking in. I tried everything to ride whatever it was out, but instead I got a trip to the ER. I was flaring and the Imuran was making me worse. A couple days after stopping Imuran, I had no more back pain.

Since that ER visit, I have only been on Prednisone, probiotics, and vitamin D with calcium. I feel better than I have in 2 years! I have an appointment with my GI at the end of the month to figure out what meds are next. My body loves prednisone, but I know it's horrible long term.
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