This is all so new to me.....worried that my son is catching a cold. He's been coughing today. He's been on 6MP for 12 days now. Because 6MP is an immunosuppressive drug, will he be able to fight viruses and infections? In 12 days, could the 6MP have already lowered his resistance? I'm now projecting and worrying about, "What if he develops pneumonia, how will he be able to fight it off!" I'm becoming a real nut job as a result of all of this! Thanks for all your help!
Newly diagnosed with Crohn's and now concerned son might be coming down with something
- Thread starter FranG
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2012
- Messages
- 14,792
6-mp does not make you more likely to catch a cold or common school virus
Ds who is 12 was placed on it age 7.
It takes 3-4 months to build up in the body to therapuetic levels so it is highly unlikely that after 12 days the 6-mp had anything to do with the cold .
It's hard in the beginning but does get better
You might want to ask his Gi /Ped if you are concerned
Ds who is 12 was placed on it age 7.
It takes 3-4 months to build up in the body to therapuetic levels so it is highly unlikely that after 12 days the 6-mp had anything to do with the cold .
It's hard in the beginning but does get better
You might want to ask his Gi /Ped if you are concerned
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Messages
- 6,750
My girls have been on biologics + immunomodulators for years. The older one is on MTX and the younger one is on Imuran (like 6MP). No pneumonia. No issues with infections at all actually. They do get colds occasionally, but all kids do!
I hope he feels better quickly!
I hope he feels better quickly!
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2011
- Messages
- 6,551
My son has been on remicade for 3 three years now and has been fairly good throughout. He even had a roommate, which whom he shared a bathroom, diagnosed with mono and my son was fine.
Until just this past year, my son had no more/no less colds/infections than anyone else. And, when he did, they went away just as if he wasn't on remicade. We used typical treatments... but, no nsaids with crohns! Tylenol only.
I do keep my son's GI informed of any and all medical issues. I just send his office an email and let him know what's wrong, what is being done and ask if he has any concerns with either the problem or the treatment. A couple of times, his GI has asked for his own follow-up/tests but, most of the time, just asks that I keep him informed of any changes.
But, I do think it's important to keep your GI in the loop; since he was aware of any/all issues, at the latest apptmt, GI mentioned that in the last 6-12 months, it seemed my son has had a few infections (skin rash, bronchitis, etc.) and decided to test his remi levels at an upcoming infusion.
I know this is getting a bit off topic but since this is new to you :ghug:... have a conversation with your GI about what he wants/needs to know. I was never sure when I should be calling the GI or just family doctor... so I just asked the GI the question. He said he'd like to be kept informed of most things and, if/when necessary, he'd let me know if he had any concerns or questions. It's worked really well and relieves some of my concerns knowing he is also aware of any issues. In addition to things like bronchitis, etc., I also let him know of injuries, etc because these can also affect lab results... Not sure if this would work with you but, if my son needs to go to ER for anything (ie injuries, non crohns pains, etc.), we always go to the same hospital as his GI - this way, GI has access to all records and, in the past, has facilitated referrals from GI to other specialists.
Until just this past year, my son had no more/no less colds/infections than anyone else. And, when he did, they went away just as if he wasn't on remicade. We used typical treatments... but, no nsaids with crohns! Tylenol only.
I do keep my son's GI informed of any and all medical issues. I just send his office an email and let him know what's wrong, what is being done and ask if he has any concerns with either the problem or the treatment. A couple of times, his GI has asked for his own follow-up/tests but, most of the time, just asks that I keep him informed of any changes.
But, I do think it's important to keep your GI in the loop; since he was aware of any/all issues, at the latest apptmt, GI mentioned that in the last 6-12 months, it seemed my son has had a few infections (skin rash, bronchitis, etc.) and decided to test his remi levels at an upcoming infusion.
I know this is getting a bit off topic but since this is new to you :ghug:... have a conversation with your GI about what he wants/needs to know. I was never sure when I should be calling the GI or just family doctor... so I just asked the GI the question. He said he'd like to be kept informed of most things and, if/when necessary, he'd let me know if he had any concerns or questions. It's worked really well and relieves some of my concerns knowing he is also aware of any issues. In addition to things like bronchitis, etc., I also let him know of injuries, etc because these can also affect lab results... Not sure if this would work with you but, if my son needs to go to ER for anything (ie injuries, non crohns pains, etc.), we always go to the same hospital as his GI - this way, GI has access to all records and, in the past, has facilitated referrals from GI to other specialists.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2012
- Messages
- 4,029
My non- IBD kid is probably sick more than my IBD kid who actually happens to be sick right now with a head cold. He has been diagnosed for over 6 years and it has probably been less than a hand full of times that he has been sick enough to miss school due to illness and not crohn's.
Again, I thank you all for your feedback. It's good to hear that your children have done fine despite catching a cold here or there. I guess I was under the impression that when one is on an immunosuppressive medication, the white count can be lowered, thus causing potential issues in fending off infections/viruses. I guess that's not necessarily the case. I've so much to learn......I hope in time my head stops spinning and that my tears become fewer! I'm so lucky to have this group. Grateful to all of you!
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 289
Echoing the others. My kid with crohn's gets less sick with common colds and stuff than the rest of the family.
My understanding is the the immunosuppression drugs will make it harder for our kids to fight secondary infections (like pneumonia or yeast infections), but we watch them like hawks and never let an infection go that far.
Hope the cold passes quickly.
My understanding is the the immunosuppression drugs will make it harder for our kids to fight secondary infections (like pneumonia or yeast infections), but we watch them like hawks and never let an infection go that far.
Hope the cold passes quickly.
Similar threads
