Ridiculously fatigued

[Raynedark]

So I started 6-MP 2 weeks ago, and I find that now I'm chronically fatigued. I drink black tea in the morning just to wake up and the caffiene effect wears off after 2 hours, then I'm left just feeling drained of energy and my mind is in a fog. Has anyone else had this happen on 6MP? How long did it last? Should I call my doc about this?

Thanks,

Rayne

 

[heisenberg]

fatigue is one of the side effects. Hopefully it will clear up as you get used to it. Some people simply don't get on well with 6mp/aza though.

When is your next blood test? should be soon I assume? That should tell the doctor whether you are tolerating it ok.

 

[Sascot]

My son is also tired alot of the time on Aza although he is slightly iron deficient as well. Keep hoping it will pass (I thought these drugs were supposed to give quality of life again) but 7 weeks so far and still tired.

 

[Tamara]

I started imuran just under 2 weeks ago for the second time and it has really knocked me around. I'm so exhausted and nauseous all the time and my d and pain are back. I don't remember this happening last time but I was recovering from surgery so maybe I didn't notice.

Did yours eventually get better? How long did it take?

 

[mag]

I've also been struggling with fatigue ever since I was diagnosed about 8 months ago... Im also on 6mp, I haddnt thought of it being side effect of that... I hope you start feeling better

 

[2thFairy]

I was crazy fatigued the entire time I was on Imuran, but was only on it for 7 weeks before having to stop due to pancreatitis. Many people are very fatigued on Imuran.

 

[kh216]

I think it would be a good idea to get your blood tested -Get a blood count done to rule out low red blood count (anemia) and low white blood count(in case the Imuran dosage is too strong) Also you might want a Liver function blood test to make sure it is not hurting your liver.

 

[leithcote]

I think it would be a good idea to get your blood tested -Get a blood count done to rule out low red blood count (anemia) and low white blood count(in case the Imuran dosage is too strong) Also you might want a Liver function blood test to make sure it is not hurting your liver.

I completely agree with kh216. I've been a long-ish term user of 6-MP and have recently stopped taking it due to excessive fatigue. In my case, not only was it knocking out my white blood cells as desired, but having a severe effect on my red blood cell count too - making me really anaemic!

NB: I was having bloods every three months whilst on 6-MP - are you being monitored carefully enough?

With regards Tony.


HD

 

[Catherine]

Sarah is tired but this could be from med, crohn acting up or the anemia. If you haven't had iron, folate or b12 tested lately I would ask for them to be tested.

 

[hawkeye]

I wouldn't say I am fatigued, but I have no problems falling asleep at night (usually within 30-45 min) sometimes on the couch watching TV before bed

 

[SDizzle12]

I was on 6mp for only a couple of weeks and I was dealing with intense fatigue, debilitating to the point that I missed a day of work. It was this heavy feeling, like I couldn't lift my arms. I've stopped taking it (according to my drs instructions) 3 days ago and I already feel an improvement on that front - likely starting a prednisone/humira combo after 2 weeks

 

[kh216]

I am on 6mp and have no problems from it. However, 6mp does lower the white blood count so it is certainly possible it could make someone feel fatigue. Perhaps the dosage is too high and lowering it could help.

Every person with Crohn's Disease is different and different medicines affect people differently. As SDizzle12 pointed out, 6mp is not the best medicine for everyone and it is better for them to try different medications.

 

[glcgail]

I've been on aza for 8months now (125mg increased to 150mg in Nov) and not had any fatigue until I caught this cold a couple of weeks ago which seems to have completely knocked me out. I've struggled to get rid of it and am completely exhausted all the time.

Hope you get to the bottom of it either by changing your meds or getting your bloods done to see if there's anything else going on.

 

[SDizzle12]

Update - I've been off 6MP for 11 days and I must say that my energy has definitely risen. I no longer feel that crazy distinct fatigue I was getting. I started feeling better after about a week.

 

[kh216]

SDizzle 12,
If you haven't done so already, talk to your GI doctor about using a different medicine for your Crohn's such as a biologic. You still need to be treated.

 

[SDizzle12]

kh216,
I would've never stopped the medication if my GI didn't say to. He wanted to give it 2 solid weeks to get out of my system, ending jan 1. We have a scheduled phone call jan 2 which will likely lead to my first dose of humira, and possibly (at least temporarily) switching steroids from entocort to prednisone. Thanks for looking out though

 

[kh216]

Humira could be a good choice for you. If you have the time, check out the posts about Humira in this forum.