Information about 6-MP

So, it seems that I am flaring again so I am ramping my meds back up, but my doctor mentioned to me that if we can't get it under control he would recommend I start taking a 6-MP instead of going the prednisone route.  I know the plan would be to stay on it for years and this makes me nervous.  Can anyone give me information about being on this type of drug?  Side effects; effectiveness; etc.?  Thanks very much and good health to all!

This drug works by suppressing the immune system, and is used as a chemotherapy in large doses. Typically, you will have to be monitored every couple months by blood tests to make sure you are not having a toxic reaction(ie liver problems) while on the drug and ensure you are receiving therapeutic levels. I was where you were at 7 weeks ago, and refused to take the 6-mp for personal reasons and professional reasons. I opted to control my disease with diet, and I have achieved remission....

I do know a lot about this drug, and doing the research at my school library didn't encourage me. Additionally, I am tired of taking medications to manage this disease. I have been on meds for 9 years, and have been in a semi-flare state for a long time.(diarrhea never left, and urgency was always somewhat there). I have been on steriods for a little under a year, and my disease state was really not improving and doc wanted to put me on 6-mp. No way, no how. The way this disease progresses for some of us tends to necessitate the use of stronger immunosuppressive drugs(Remicade, Humira, 6-mp, 6-tg, and whole host of others drugs), and then finally the drugs stop working and you need surgery and a bag!

I have decided to take control of it now instead of letting it get much worse, and find out what is causing the inflammation. For me it is food(in the form of complex sugars). I am almost off the drugs and into remission.(2.5 mg of prednisone till next monday, and I'm done) Many people have been using the Specific Carbohydrate diet to heal themselves. Luckily, I am one of them. It's kind of crazy because I have discovered that drugs aren't the solution to all of our ailments and I am specializing in this field. It's pretty ironic!!

I really have to agree with TJF on this..... go over all the information with your GI because your GI will have a lot of first hand knowledge about 6-mp because many of his/her patients are probably using 6mp/imuran.  If your GI does not have many patients on 6mp/imuran I would suggest finding another GI.   Many IBD'ers seek out a second or third opinion from other GIs when it comes to starting immunosurpressents because it is a big step in the course of living with /treating an IBD.  I would suggest reading this topic https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1055869 there is a great article included in the topic.

Remember you have the right to refuse medical treatment if you are not comfortable with it.

--Keith

Thanks for the advice re: the weight based dose, I would never have thought of that. I will take all of everyone's advice into account, I think I am leaning towards telling my doctor that I don't want to take them. The last time I had extreme fatigue from colitis meds I had so much trouble at work. And I really feel like I'm on enough meds already.

Thank you all for the advice, I really like my doctor but I do think it would be helpful to get a second or third opinion before making such a big decision. This morning I was leaning towards not taking ithe 6-mp, but from what you all are writing, I see that I need to really consider both sides of this before making a decision. Glad to hear it has been helpful to many of you, I really can't face another course of prednisone, I had extreme side effects the last time I took it.