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6MP & Headaches, will they eventually go away?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/27/2007 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6MP for 12 days now, felt I was doing really well until yesterday, when I had the most awful headache.  No matter what I took or did, it wouldn't go away.  It even woke me from my sleep last night.  I'm taking my medicine at night as everyone suggested, but since I don't get headaches normally, I have to assume it from the 6MP.  Has anyone had the same problem?  Will they eventually go away?  The headaches are so bad they're making me dizzy... Ugh!

Thank you for your feedback.

Deb McG

Posted 8/27/2007 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Deb, I had to stop azathioprine due to horrific headaches. They didn't start until my GI upped the dosage from 50 mg to 75 mg. They lasted for about a week and a half until I stopped taking the medicine. The headaches were so bad that I could hardly even function and no pain medication would even touch it. The 50 mg wasn't helping me at all so I just stopped it altogether and went on Remicade. Hopefully, your headaches will go away soon and you can stay on it.
Posted 8/27/2007 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
They fade away in about a month.. drink more water.
Posted 8/27/2007 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I got horrible headaches in the beginning too. They started to lessen around a month or so. If they continue or get worse, you might want to call your GI and tell him.
Posted 8/28/2007 1:03 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you all for the input.  It's a little better tonight and I'm hoping I'll get through it. I'm on 100 mg a day and I knew some side effect would eventually pop up.  Hopefully it'll get better and this stuff will help. I did crank up my water intake today so I'll keep my fingers crossed.  It getstough to function when you can't focus on anything due to the horrible headaches but I'm not giving in!

Deb McG

Posted 8/29/2007 1:31 PM (GMT 0)

Deb McG said...
Thank you all for the input. It's a little better tonight and I'm hoping I'll get through it. I'm on 100 mg a day and I knew some side effect would eventually pop up. Hopefully it'll get better and this stuff will help. I did crank up my water intake today so I'll keep my fingers crossed. It getstough to function when you can't focus on anything due to the horrible headaches but I'm not giving in!

Deb McG

You know.. ironically.. You can get water headaches as well.. darned if you do. darned if you dont. :)
Posted 8/29/2007 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Deb!!
I have been getting headaches for the last 3 days too but it NEVER occurred to me that it was from the 6-MP! Is that one of the side effects? I had no idea! My blood pressure is really high right now (exacerbated by the pred no doubt) so I assumed the headaches were a result of that (as well as my menstrual cycle timing) AND I live in the desert where it is 110 degrees - I spent 4 hours OUTSIDE in it yesterday and again, assumed it was that!!
I am greatly relieved that the headaches "might" just be from the 6-MP!!!
How have you been feeling UC wise????
My flare has STOPPED after over 3 mos.!! YEAH!!!

Stacey
dx w/UC (pancolitis) March '06
Colazal 750 mg x 9 capsules daily
now on Prednisone, 20 mg. daily
started 6-MP 8/13/07 (50 mg. daily)
Probiotics (Primadophilus Reuteri)
dx w/Type 2 Diabetes Nov. 2002
Metformin 500 mg. x 2 daily,Caduet 5/10 mg. daily, Micardis 80 mg. daily, multivitamin + calcium daily and one baby aspirin, CinndromeX (4 daily)
Posted 8/30/2007 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Stacey, yes headaches is a common side effect of 6mp in the adjustment period. However, your headaches can also be from everything you mentioned. Headaches are just so horrible! I can never function when I get a bad one.
Posted 8/31/2007 1:54 PM (GMT 0)

Stacey,

The headaches seem a little better, I did take someone's advise and I've really ramped up my water intake.  The pharmacy folder on the 6MP did say to get lots of water which I was doing, but with the heat/humidity lately, I do think I was a little dehydrated.  My flares are under control, still on 30 mg of Prednisone.  I had my first blood test on Wednesday and I go back to my Dr. next week for a follow-up.  He should start tapering me off the Prednisone, which I'll be very thankful for.  I'm sure this time it will be a very slow taper since we're still waiting for the 6MP to fully build-up.  As long as I don't flare again, I'll be happy. 

I was telling my husband just last night, trying to get all my water in has become like a full-time job, but he's a big believer in "proper hydration" so I guess I've got to agree with him on this one.  It does seem to be helping. 

Let me know if the extra water helps curb your headaches.  At least from everyone's input, it's something that should go away eventually! 

Deb McG

Posted 9/1/2007 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Deb and everyone,
I woke up at 3:30 a.m. with an excruciating headache!
:0(
Someone said the pred could be causing them too - but you're right - I think I need to drink more water!
Do you think being on the 6-MP for such a short time has helped your UC symptoms? I "think" it has helped me (even though everyone says it should take longer?) my flare finally ended though it could be a combo of things. I am tapering my pred now (20 mg. this week, 15 mg. next week, 10 mg. the following week, etc.) I see my GI guy on 9/7.
Let's continue to keep each other posted, okay?
Have a great holiday weekend,

Stacey
dx w/UC (pancolitis) March '06
Colazal 750 mg x 9 capsules daily
now on Prednisone, 20 mg. daily
started 6-MP 8/13/07 (50 mg. daily)
Probiotics (Primadophilus Reuteri)
dx w/Type 2 Diabetes Nov. 2002
Glipizide 5mg. x 2 daily,Caduet 5/10 mg. daily, Micardis 80 mg. daily, multivitamin + calcium daily and one baby aspirin, CinndromeX (4 daily)
Posted 5/27/2011 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am in week four of taking 6mp for my Crohns disease and had a really bad headache for a week now. Similar to what all others have posted, it does not go away, it moves from side to side of the head, back of the head and it sometimes throbs/pounds. I feel reassured that others have felt these symptoms as well, but I wonder did they ever get better, for the original poster, and did the water intake really help. If so how much water helped? 16 ounces/ hour? 2 L /day?? Help!!
Posted 5/27/2016 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder these too. I've been getting daily headaches with 6 mp. It has started after dr upped the dosage from 50 mg to 75mg.
Posted 5/30/2016 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I got headaches when my Aza was increased from 50 to 100mg. I also tried taking it at night and woke up with bad headaches.
Posted 8/4/2017 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I've been using 6MP for more than a year now, and I still get migraines from it. It's a powerful trigger for me.

The thing is, it works for my Crohn's very well. I'm in remission, so I don't want to stop taking this medication; but the headaches are making me miserable.

I drink at least 3 litre water every day, so hydration is not an issue.

I divide the doses, and take one before sleeping to eliminate this side effect.

What else can I do?
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