6 mp question

I have been sick for the last 2ish weeks which is also about the same time I started this med. I am completely and utterly fatigued. I am still on 40 mg of Prednisone and for energy it is doing nothing except keeping me from sleeping and I want to sleep. a lot. so tired and restless and cant fall asleep.

I am soooooooooooooooo discouraged. Another 2 week followup tomorrow with Doc/PA.

Anyone have any advice or anything?

Thanks for your reply.
I'm a hot mess - and I cant stand feeling this way.
Symptoms have been congestion, phlegm, thick mucus, and loss of taste for 5 days now, even a red sore in my left nostril. My hubs and teen are both recovering from this same stuff for about the same duration of time.

Do you feel any better yet? You should have at least some improvement from the pred at 2 weeks in. Azathioprine will take up to 3 months to reach optimum therapeutic (healing) levels within your body. It's a very slow working drug.

Have you been tested for anemia (low blood iron levels)? As that can make fatigue worse.

Flares often include fatigue as a symptom with or without medications.

Some report fatigue while on azathioprine/imuran or 6MP.

Many potential causes.

Post Edited (iPoop) : 4/19/2017 4:50:36 PM (GMT-6)

If you don't feel like yourself then blame the prednisone as it made me into a nutcase. Angry one moment, about to cry the next, and then euphoria. That's pred.

I've been on 6mp for nearly 2 years. It did knock me out pretty well in the beginning, but my body got used to it after a couple of months. One thing that helped is I take it at night. I'm on 100mg and at first I was taking one pill in the morning and one in the evening. The morning dose made me pretty groggy and spacey. Taking them both in the evening helped eliminate that, with the added bonus of helping me sleep. Check with your doctor first of course.

Prednisone is awful for the insomnia. I have trouble sleeping in general, so I feel you. I second the sleep aid suggestion.

So sorry that you are having flare. I am on 6 mp since 2013. Like you, When I started, I was on prednisone too. But I was able to taper down and off the prednisone and Uceris and started to see improvement in 2 months. I did not see complete improvement until 6 months on 6mp and without any steroid.

I am not going to lie. I do have fatigue and joint pains but not sure it is due to 6mp or UC. I also have diabetes now(thanks to long term prednoson) and high blood pressure so can not blame completely to 6mp.

But be patient. Get your blood test for LFT and CBC regularly. I think prednison is the worst of all.

Wish you quick and long remission.

Thank you all for your responses, advice and reassurances!! You guys and gals are the best and it makes this flare a little more bearable knowing we have this place to ask questions, vent and what-not. Whew.
I loved the Frankenstein/monster cake idea. Really does sum up the personality changes!
The difference between yesterday and today are a vast difference. I am so glad that all of your responses have helped me realize it's a normal reaction from the meds. Anyone want their house cleaned today? Lawn mowed?

Followup went well. Sunday he wants me to taper down the Pred from 40 to 35, and starting tomorrow up the 6 mp to twice a day for 100 mg total. Per all the advice from you all, I will do the 6mp at night. Tapering the uceris to once per day - it didn't really seem to help my issues anyway. If blood increases once I start to taper Pred on Sunday from what it is now he wants me to call him immediately. I go for blood work again the 28th to make sure counts are all good, then again 2 weeks after that and so on.
So grateful to have a good day. Even managed to hit 2 stores for quick shopping without hitting the bathroom. It's been an ok day. Beyond grateful for a good one today! Wishing you all the same!!!

Good luck, i hope humira is your ticket to remission. If you haven't already, I'd sign up for the patient copay assistance card for humira. /m.humiracomplete.com/cost-and-copay

Curious, have you talked to your doctor about budesonide? It has less systemic effects than pred. I haven't had to take either long term but if you're on pred for the long run that might be lighter on your system. Best of luck.