Long Term Mercaptopurine

[Crohn's sux]

Hello!

I have been on mercaptopurine for many years now for treatment for Crohn's disease. The drug worked great from the beginning and I haven't had any symptoms for over 7 years. However, I've been thinking about the long term health effects a lot lately. I am aware of the issues regarding infections and wounds that take longer to heal. I'm not too concerned with these side effects because like I said, I've been on this medicine for a long time now and I have yet to have serious issues in that regard.

What I'm worried about is the major health problems such as lymphoma. I have also noticed recently that my skin seems thinner and it seems to want to break easily. I have seen two doctors lately about some minor lesions on my face that I believe occur while I sleep as I rest my face on a firm pillow. I know this sounds strange, but I have also noticed that my skin cuts much easier than it used too. I'm 38 years old by the way, and this seems too young to have skin issues such as this. Both doctors didn't seem to be too concerned about it at all!

I have 2 questions:

Has anybody had any issues such as this while taking mercaptopurine?

Has anybody who has been in remission for as long as I have successfully reduced or eliminated their mercaptopurine intake under the guidance of a GI doctor?

Thanks in advance for any insight that somebody here may offer!

 

[Anny]

Hi,
I was on Mercatopurine for almost 20 years and haven't noticed anything as such on my skin that was out of norm (for me).

That said, I have naturally fair and "tender" skin, very dry skin and am prone to excema and I bruise easily. But that was always the case, since I was born... had excema as a baby lol!. I went off Mercatorupine back a year or 2 ago, to switch to Imuran, as Mercatopurine was next to impossible to get a hold of for a good 6-9 months period here. Again, I am not seeing anything different. I'm still on Imuran, and now added Humira to calm a brand new flare (this stuff seems to work almost like magic

I do have sometimes little spots of excema on my arms, legs or on my back that take a couple of weeks to heal, but it's only because my skin is extra dry.

I'd talk with my GI if I were you.

Good luck!
Anne

 

[Crohn's sux]

Thank you for the reply Anne!

I have been on mercaptopurine for slightly over 10 years now, so it's nice to hear from somebody who has been on it longer with no negative health effects.

I just switched my insurance and I'm in the middle of finding a new GI. You are correct, I think the next step should be talking with a GI about my symptoms and see what they recommend.

I hope your medicine continues to control your flare ups!!

Randy

 

[Rubenoh]

I was on 6mp from 1994 to 2011 with no side effects that I could tell and pretty well controlled crohns. I was worried about long term effects and so I came off it and now the crohns has flared up. I tried humira, but after a few weeks got a rash. I finally went back on 6 mp but it's not working as well as it did before. Doctor wants to put me on remicade. I'm hesitant because of the time factor of getting 2 hour long infusions. I kind of wish I had just stayed on the 6 mp. It was working and I felt great. I can't change the past, but still hoping it takes effect!

 

[Orchid]

It could also be simple malnutrition, age, getting too much sun, or any number of things. It might be worth it to see a dermatologist to get a more educated view.