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Posted 11/7/2011 12:01 PM (GMT -5)
So looks like I'll be starting 6MP. I'm waiting to hear back from the GI regarding my labs and then I'm going to start it. I had a question for everyone who has gone on it...how were your side effects? Were they instant? Nausea? Fatigue? How bad were they? I'm going away for the weekend with my husband in 2 wks and wondering if I should start the 6MP after I get back...while I'm anxious to start it, I don't want to be sick on my mini-vackay. Thanks!!!
Posted 11/7/2011 12:03 PM (GMT -5)
I would start on it ASAP- my 11 yr old daughter has been on it for 1 1/2 years with no noticable side effects.
Best to start while on Prednisone and while going through the weaning process.
Take it at bed time or in the evening hours.

Good luck!
Posted 11/7/2011 12:13 PM (GMT -5)
I was on 6MP for 1.5 years and experienced no side effects.

Sue
Posted 11/7/2011 12:14 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks IBDISTHEPITS. I'm on 40mg of Prednisone now. I'm just waiting to hear back from the GI about my labs and then I'll start the 6MP. Haven't heard back...the GI I saw regarding starting 6MP is now my regular GI (on advice of my regular GI, he wanted me to get a second opinion) and this GI is hard to get in touch with. I guess I'll leave one harassing phone call a day, haha, till I hear from them. I'm encouraged to know your daughter has not had any side effects - I hope it's the same for me!
Posted 11/7/2011 12:19 PM (GMT -5)
My daughter was also on 40 mg pred at the time of her starting 6-MP. She was able to wean off the prednisone over a period
of 2-3 mo and the 6-MP took over. Thankfully she has had excellent results...I hope you have the same results too.Remember you need to get frequent labs done to check your WBC and liver function tests. It was hard for a while to bring a child in every 2-4 weeks to get
labwork but eventually it can go to checking every 3 mo which is the longest her Dr will let her go between labs.
Best of luck to you!!
Posted 11/7/2011 12:22 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you!!!!
Posted 11/7/2011 4:54 PM (GMT -5)
I did get some nausea and fatigue in the afternoons as I worked up the dosage. Started at 50, went to 100mg. Most ofthe side effects dialed down after a week or so, but I had the occasional lethargic day. When blood work showed I needed to go upto at least 125mg, we suspended because I convinced the doc we should do rectal meds instead.

I have been at 15-20mg of Pred for a year now, and will be tryign to taper off before the end of the year. If I can't than I will have to restart 6mp, and hopefully fatigue will not be an issue.
Posted 11/7/2011 9:06 PM (GMT -5)
i've been on it since august and the only side effect i've noticed is increased urination. other than that, it's really helped me a lot.
Posted 11/8/2011 8:27 AM (GMT -5)
When I started taking it (about 1 year ago), I noticed a manageable increase in fatigue and some minor (hideable) hair loss. These side effects didn't compare to those of prednisone and really didn't affect my life. They went away after I was on 6MP for a few months. Hope it works for you!
Posted 11/8/2011 9:39 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for everyone's input! I'm feeling a little better about it. Sounds like the side effects are manageable - phew!
Posted 11/8/2011 12:34 PM (GMT -5)
I haven't had side effects. I am tired but I was before 6mp.
Posted 11/9/2011 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
     The only side effects I received from 6MP was after my GI doctor increased my dose from 50 mgm to 100 mgm.  I felt like I had a bad case of flu.  My pancreatic enzyme levels were off the wall and so were my liver function tests.  Must have scared the beJesus out of my GI doctor because he took me off the stuff immediately but after two weeks all my tests went back to normal and he put me back on 50 mgm again.  It really didn't keep me out of flares long term though.
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