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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/31/2015 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, well following my scope yeserday and the discovery that my proctitis has spread most of the way around my colon, there's talk of azathropine. I just wondered what people's experiences were with this and/or 6mp and how much it affected their susceptibility to infections. My main problem is that I am a paediatric nurse so impossible to avoid infection so am worried about what a I'll pick up!
Thanks
Posted 3/31/2015 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
I would be nervous too, as I am not a nurse but a liittle nervous anyway as I just started 6mp. So far so good. I bought a boat load of hand sanitizer and I wash a lot. Can't you wear masks to help you out?

Lots of people here have had no issues though and I am feeling better as time goes by.

Sorry it spread, what are you taking while it kicks in, it can take months.

Here's hoping t works!
Posted 3/31/2015 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6mp for a little over two years now and I've had no side effects from it. When they talk about infections, they are not talking about from cuts. Rather it's things like UTI, bronchitis, sinus infections, that require administering antibiotics in order to resolve. While on immunosuppressive medications, it is recommended that you seek medical help upon first signs of those symptoms, rather than giving it a week and waiting it out, as your immune system is suppressed and not as capable of fighting it off on its own. Here's a good description if it, Slide 7: What Are the Side Effects of 6MP/AZA? (On page 4 of the pdf):
www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/risk-and-benefits-transcript.pdf
Posted 3/31/2015 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
That's a good reminder iPoop!
Posted 3/31/2015 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
In my experience I've caught nothing more... Tho not a medical person, spent lengthy times in hospital with ill relatives (Mrsa and the like around) and no prob. Your immune system is not completely wiped out by the drugs. Never worried or troubled me... And I've given aza a longer go than most!
Posted 3/31/2015 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have been on 6mp for over 6 years now. I have found that I catch illnesses far more than I ever used to in the past. For example, if a coworker has a cold, I am very likely to catch it. I have also found that illnesses stick around much longer than they used to. about 10 days minimum for an average cold, where as it used to be 5-7 days. So, in general, I have become much more cautious.

Best of luck to you!
Posted 3/31/2015 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 6mp for about 3 years and most of the time i was in a great remission. I didn't get sick the entire time either, which was very odd. I do believe I got a cold at one point and that's when my remission went away. At that point, I stopped 6mp and the flare up got out of control. That's neither here nor there. It worked great for me and I didn't get sick more often. get your vaccines, I am sure you do working as a nurse..
Posted 3/31/2015 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Duffle and emilee are you both in remission just on 6mp? Crossed fingers
Posted 3/31/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm kind of a believer that our immune system is literally just in hyper mode from the colitis and the immunosuppressants just bring it back to the normal range rather than this idea of it being severely lower than a normal persons while on the drugs.
Posted 3/31/2015 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I think the same thing Virdent! We have overactive immune systems attacking our colons. I was a little worried at first when I started remicade because that's also an immunosuppressant. I was told to get flu shots and not get live vaccines and stuff. It's been about a year and a half now and I think I got sick once (knock on wood). Just a cold. It did last a little longer than normal, but it wasn't like "ughhhhh I'm so sickkkkk." It was just a runny nose that lingered kinda thing. I could still get on with my day. I feel like I'm a little more aware now too. I wash my hands a lot and stay away from people I know who are sick. If I can't avoid sick people I just try not to make contact. Just make sure you wash your hands a lot and don't put your fingers in your mouth or eyes (unless you've washed).
Posted 3/31/2015 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on it for 5 years and am in remission> I am not near as sick. I no longer play team sports (close contact stuff) plus my kids are older plus take more caution to wash my hands and not touch my face as much and I travel less.

Also, I don't get seasonal allergies which would turn into a sinus infection.

I don't get the flu shot (I know the mist has live virus and shot is not supposed to get you sick but I don't want anything else which alters my immune system - is that wrong?).

One daughter brought home the flu 3 months ago and I took care of her for 4 days without wearing any mask and did not catch it. The other had a bad cold a month ago and I also took care of her night and day and also did not catch her sickness. I am conscious about breathing around them and wash hand frequently.

2 years ago was the only time I got a sick (virus) in the last 5 years. It started with one daughter then the other then my wife and finally me. Of all four, I suffered the least. I really took care of myself though using that cold-eze at the first sign of a ticklish throat, vaporizer, extra fluids, extra rest, chicken soup...

Just take care of yourself and you should be fine.
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