Joint/Back pain on 6MP - what drug next?

[Hokiepoker]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's in May or June of 2013 but had symptoms for a couple years prior before going to the doctor. I have been on Apriso and Prednisone for flare ups and was placed on 6MP before Xmas to try to get off the prednisone. I started to have joint pain and my doc thought it was likely from the Crohns but he stopped my meds until my lab work came back and my C reactive proteins were elevated so he placed me back on the drug a couple days later. Within 2 hours of taking a dose my joints ached and I could barely walk and then my lower back experienced severe pain that left me unable to walk. I had to be taken in an ambulance and was in essence paralyzed for about 6-12 hrs. No long term damage but now I'm only on Apriso but flare ups have placed me back on pred. My doc wants me to start remicade first or possibly humira if I choose. I guess my question is if anyone else has experienced this and if so did they have any reactions once starting any other drugs. I don't want to take prednisone long term and I don't want flare ups but I'm a little nervous that other drugs may cause problems with possibly longer reactions. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Hello there. Sorry for the delayed response. It has been about a month since you posted this. have you and your doctor come up with a solution since then?

Sounds like it was a very intense experience and it is the first I have heard of something this severe and related to joint pain and becoming paralyzed while on 6-mp. Is your doctor convinced that was the medication that caused all of this?

I have heard humira is good for joint pain/arthritis based on what some have posted here on the forum. yes there are more side effects and some lifestyle changes that may need to be considered when you take biologics such as remicade or humira, but you just have to weigh the risks vs. the benefits, gather as much info as you can and do what you feel is best for your condition.

 

[Hokiepoker]

Sorry for my late reply. It's been hectic at work and life. It was definitely the meds that caused my problems. Was starting to get pain in joints and lower back so called my doctor and since this can be a side effect we stopped my meds until we did some blood work and it was found my C reactive proteins were high. He figured the GI disease was triggering the joint pain and said we may need yo go back on meds and possibly a higher dose. I had been off the meds but already had 1 trip to the ER for the back pain. Days later I restarted the 6MP and within 2 hours my joints ached and another hour or so I couldn't move and the ambulance came to take me away in intense pain. Took about half a day until I was able to stand. No problems with my joints since my recovery and being off my meds. I recently started Humira so we will see how that goes. My doc wanted me to start remicade but with my work schedule I couldn't really take off for the infusions do I figured if start with Humira. If it doesn't work I guess I'll go to remicade. Thanks for the post.

 

[San]

Hi Hokiepoker - I am in Australia and I had the exact same reaction to Imuran in 2011!! I posted a thread to try and find anyone else who had a similar reaction. I found it very difficult to get medical staff to believe it was the Imuran until I couldn't walk two hours after taking it, then it was pretty clear! The way the system works here, the next thing they try is 6-MP so I have been on between 50-75mg since then. I have had ongoing issues with weird side effects, a sacral fracture that none of my specialists could explain, back pain and extreme fatigue, and I was still getting flare ups every now and then. I just found out I am what they call a "shunter", my body is no longer metabolising the 6-MP so now they have me on allopurinol and 25mg of 6-MP for the last week. My back is killing me by midday, I'm ready to throw in the towel and ask them just to apply for Humira, I feel like a lab rat :/

 

[San]

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=21534

 

[Hokiepoker]

If I were you I'd get off the 6MP immediately. I would rather be on prednisone rather than go through that kind of pain. There are other options and you can use the prednisone for transitioning. I know it's not good long term but the pain for me was intense with my joints and my lower back. Don't go on Imuran either since it works similar to 6MP. Sorry you have to go through the pain. I feel for you. Humira started working for we within a couple weeks and getting better all the time. Not 100% perfect yet and I still have some fatigue but they need to believe you it's the drug. If not find a new doc. Take care.