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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/24/2009 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. Well I just finished tapering off my pred. and now I have started taking 50mg of 6 mp.
I have been on it for about a month now and I'm starting to notice that I am really tired. More so
than usual. It's been working because I'm still in remission but I'm just soo exhausted. Has anyone else had this
kind of side effect?? I also have been noticing that my joints have been aching. Not sure if that is just my body
or if its the meds!!
Posted 3/24/2009 2:59 AM (GMT 0)

Yes, 6MP can make you really tired. I find it manageable on 50 mg, because I took 75 mg before and was almost comatose. Couldn't get out of bed, even 14 hours of sleep didn't feel enough.

The achy joint could be caused by tapering off/quitting Pred. I never had joint pain in my entire life, not even on Pred, but when I was done with Pred, I noticed slight joint pain that lasted a couple of weeks or so. It didn't bother me really, I only noticed it. Hope your pain is not too bad.

Posted 3/24/2009 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
cool! maybe that explains it!! i'm BEAT all of the time...sometimes it's hard to stand up or walk...my muscles have no strength and i want to close my eyes and sleepall the time...i've been on 6-MP for about 2 months...
Posted 3/24/2009 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, fatigue is the most common complaint for people on 6mp. I have been on it for over 2 years and while it does get better the fatigue is still there. I sleep 9 hours every night and by 8pm rolls around I can barely keep my eyes open.
Posted 3/24/2009 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
     Oddly, 6MP never affected me with fatigue.  My white count has me a bit concerned, being only 2.9 but then it is somewhat better than three months ago when it was 2.4.  I try to stay away from people who are sick.  Being retired that isn't much of a problem for me.

     I am surprised that your doctor didn't have you take the 6MP along with the prednisone.  My GI doctor started me on the 6MP over five years ago while I was taking prednisone.  It took about three months to "kick in".  Last year he took me off the 6MP for a short while because my pancreatic enzyme levels were extremely high when I was admitted to the hospital in the beginning of May.  At my follow up visit to his office he put me back on the 6MP because my enzyme levels had returned to normal.  I have them checked every three months and they are still well within normal limits.  So, I have no idea why they were so out of whack.  Wonder if the lab didn't make a mistake.

     I noticed my hair is thinning out quite a bit, but then again I am getting older too.  If it is due to the 6MP it's a small price to pay for remission.  I'll take thin hair over a flare of UC any day.

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