6MP & Hives

Has anyone else out there had an allergic reaction to 6MP?

I've been on 6 MP for a while and recently upped my dose too reach the therapeutic level. When I first started 6MP months ago I broke out in a mild case of hives, but the doctor told me it was probably just sun sensitivity. It went away after a week or so.

Well, I think I was actually allergic to the 6MP.

Last week, about two days after upping the dose I broke out in some hives on my face. Didn't seem like a big deal. I took some benadryl. Each day the hives seemed worse. They spread all over my face and neck. My lips started to get numb. And looking back I was getting really wheezy/short of breath (trouble walking and holding a conversation- which is unusual for me). I finally called my doctor yesterday (the itching was driving me crazy) and discontinued the medication. Woke up this morning less itchy, less wheezy, and less blotchy.

I'm just curious to know if anyone else has had a similar reaction to 6MP?

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. The 6MP had me really close to remission and I hate to lose that. I'm still taking Asacol HD and Rowasa. The simponi itching you describe sounds really unpleasant and not like "typical allergies". I can't imagine your doctor would just live with that!

Dietary changes haven't really helped in the past. So I have little hope that will do it. I've come off prednisone twice this year onto only the Asacol & Rowasa. I was unable maintain a remission so I'm sure I need some new medicine. (Though part of me thinks- maybe this time- 3rd times the charm- the Asacol and Rowasa will do it).

I suggested to the doctor that I try 6MP again, but with some prednisone, allergy medicine, and benadryl for the first few weeks. Slowly weaning down. He was not thrilled. Imuran is probably the next step.

Currently taking a week to detox. I'm still doing the allergy medicine and benadryl round the clock. Hives are getting better by the hour. And breathing too. I didn't realize how short of breath I had become.

If anyone gets hives on their face and neck- don't ignore it! I feel lucky that I finally recognized what was going on before it got to a critical point.