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Azithroprine (Imuran) or 6mp

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/19/2020 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
Hello everyone,
as most of you know i've been flaring for 10 months now. I do want to achieve remission and not sure if my natural ayurvedic meds are strong enough for it to bring me to remission. I have read few stories about azithroprine or 6mp and a bit confused about them. My ultimate goal is to achieve remission and go back to ayurveda. But i am unable to understand the difference between these two medicines. Are they both for long term use? Can they be used to achieve remission?
Posted 8/19/2020 4:52 PM (GMT -5)
Aza & 6mp are similar meds. Both take 2-3 months to work and are for long term maintenance. Usually people use prednisone as a bridge until they kick in.

I believe you were on prednisone or Uceris. If they didn't get you to being symptom free at whatever dose you were on, you might need to start with a higher dose of pred and taper more slowly until a new med can kick in. Though since you already have osteoporisis you would likely be better off going on remicade and skip the pred.

I have my doubts that ayurveda is going to work for you. You have been flaring for a long time and keep wanting to avoid stronger meds, but whatever you are doing isn't working. Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet and go on biologicals.

Good luck!!
Posted 8/21/2020 2:20 PM (GMT -5)
When you take generic azathiopurine (or brandname Imuran) it is metabolized within your body into 6-mercaptopurine (6MP). The 6MP is what has a direct affect on your body. You can take 6MP directly, as it saves a step and results in roughly half the dosage. Both meds have the affect of reducing the rate in which your body can create white blood cells. You end up with less total WBCs. WBCs being your immune system's attack dog, directly causing inflammation. So, the less WBCs you have, the less Inflammation you have, and the better your UC symptoms are.

I equally share doubts about your ayurveda. If it was a panacea for UC, I'd consistently read about successes but I do not.
Posted 8/22/2020 12:21 PM (GMT -5)
@CCinPA thank you so much for the info! My heart is just not set on biologics but I am trying my best for other options.
@iPoop thank you for the detailed info!
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