Crohn's Flare Pred & 6MP

[toneloc]

Diag CD Nov 2010
44 yr old Male

I flared up a couple of weeks ago, and was put on entocort.
This is supposed to have fewer side effects.
Started passing lots of blood & clots and was switched to Predisolone 40mg & 6MP-Purethinol 100mg.

My guts hurt when i take the 6MP I feel sick too, anyone else had it?
Is it the Pred or the 6MP??
Can i ditch the Pred & just take the 6MP?

Thanks

 

[Lydia]

It takes about 3 months for the 6MP to take full effect. Sometimes even 6 months. The pred is to cool the inflammation until the 6MP starts working. You should never just stop taking prednisone. You should always taper about 5 mg each week or 2 until you get to 5 mg, and then I even go to 2.5 mg for another week. If you just stop it, you can get something called an adrenal crisis.

You can try to take the 6 MP before bed. Sometimes this helps. Ask your doctor if its ok to take gravol with the 6 MP if it makes you particularly nauseous. Gravol makes you sleepy so its another reason to take it at night. It will help you sleep if the pred is keeping you awake. So its win win.

 

[toneloc]

Hi Lydia
Thank you for your sound advice, it is much appreciated.
These drugs scare the hell out of me, I fear they are worse than the Crohn's!

I will go with your advice & see how it goes. I see my Doctor on Wednesday I will share your thoughts with him

Love to you & your family

Tony
xx

 

[mike316atl]

Prednisone is the worst medicine I have ever taken, but it is worth it! I was admitted last June and my colonoscopy showed inflammation and ulceration in the TI. After 2 months of pred my last colonoscopy was clear. Hope this helps!

 

[Lydia]

Hi Lydia
Thank you for your sound advice, it is much appreciated.
These drugs scare the hell out of me, I fear they are worse than the Crohn's!

I will go with your advice & see how it goes. I see my Doctor on Wednesday I will share your thoughts with him

Love to you & your family

Tony
xx

I am in the same boat right now, taking prednisone until the imuran kicks in. Imuran and 6MP are pretty much the same drug. The waiting is hard, as are all these pills. I have been on imuran before and once I got off all the other drugs and was just taking imuran, it really wasnt so bad. It did kick off a really long remission for me.