6MP Very confused, please help.

[JustThatGirl]

Okay, so I'm way underweight. 88 pounds. I've been on Humira every other week for almost a year. My doctor finally acknowledged my weight issues and ordered a CT. I had it done yesterday. Good news? No blockage so no surgery. Bad news? I still have inflammation.He wants to add 6MP.
I looked it up. I'm confused. My problem is lack of appetite and nausea. Those are side effects of this strong medication. I guess I just don't understand, and I'm confused! Couldn't he gave put me on prednisone to bring down the inflammation and help with weight???

Please tell me this isn't so bad and I'll eventually look like a person again instead of a skeleton...

Any good experiences?

 

[InkyStinky]

Hi! 6-MP has been my "wonder drug" for years. For me it's done a super job keeping inflammation at bay. I have not had the possible side-effects like nausea/loss of appetite.

Did your GI check your TPMT levels? (Check out this post for tons of info on 6MP if you haven't already: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=29139 )

(Reading about 6MP can at times be confusing, as it's used in my higher dosages for other conditions - the doses used for IBD are relatively small.)

You probably read that 6MP can take up to a few months to start working. Did your GI offer any advice to help you now? Have you tried a liquid/elemental diet? http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Elemental-diet Maybe that would help until the 6MP kicks in.

 

[DJW]

Hi
The 6mp will help reduce inflammation. That should bring your appetite up and help you put on weight.
I'm on imuran (similar to 6mp). I felt like I had the flu for a couple weeks. I had some nausea during that time. No vomiting. Over time I did start putting weight on.

Hopefully you won't experience those side effects. Sending you my support.

 

[JustThatGirl]

Thanks. I think I'm freaking myself out like usual. I'll give it a try.

 

[Lady Organic]

dont worry those side effects are common at introduction and should only last a couple of weeks. been through them every time I started 6-mp. make sure you take 6-mp on a empty stomach with a full glass of water and wait 1 hour before eating after. avoid milk products in the fallowing hours. easiest for me is to take it as soon as i wake up in the morning.

 

[drewpalermo]

That's what finally helped get my Crohn's under control (6MP) years ago. I was on it for quite awhile until I decided to go off it completely. I definitely wasn't underweight while taking it, and I had a good appetite.