I was on 6MP for a week it made me sick so my GI Doc took me off of t and put e on Humira
I was on Humira for 15 months did nothing fr my UC
I am on Entyvio now 8 months and 6 infusions have improved a lot
I had lost 30 LBs the beginning of my UC have put on 15 lBs on Entyvio
I was on all the other drugs for UC and they failed Yes I. Did have hair loss on Prednoisne
Hope you have better luck on 6 MP

I tried it once when my UC was borderline refractory. I was give athazioprine (Imuran) to wean from long term prednisone. When I tried to taper the pred dose, my bleeding intensified. I had a nasty allergic reaction (horrible painful rash all around my neck, which I found was a rare side effect. I then tried 6mp which made me feel like a walking corpse. Fortunately my flare subsided and I avoided surgery ( this was before biologics).

I had horrible bleeding, diarrhea, pain, and weight loss when I was first diagnosed with UC. My initial Dr. put me on prednisone and sulfasalazine. I was on that for about a year before I switched to a full on GI for my UC. By the time I got in to see the GI and had a colonoscopy with him I had been on prednisone for about 2 years. Every time I tried to stop the pred my symptoms would get drastically worse and they were not 'good' even on the pred. My GI said I had to get off the prednisone after being on it for 2 years and recommended Remicade infusions along with 6MP to help with the Remicade and continuing the sulfasalazine.

I have now been on the Remicade, 6MP and sulfa (now Apriso) combination for about 2 years. It has helped improve my UC drastically. It was my understanding that the 6MP was to help prevent my body from rejecting the Remicade and that the 6MP was also used in some cases on its own for UC.

My dose of 6MP is very low. It is a 'Chemo' drug, but the dose for UC is very low compared to the dose used for cancer patients. I have not experienced any hair loss nor weight loss being on the 6MP. In fact, once on the Remicade and 6MP I gained weight! More than I wanted initially. ;) I believe that hair loss can be prevented or cut down, if you do experience any, by supplementing with certain vitamins. I think the B vitamins.

The one thing I did notice with the 6MP was when I would take it in the morning that I would be very tired through the day. This persisted for some time and instead of trying to fight it I began taking my 6MP dose at night. It then helped me sleep and I did not experience any grogginess the following day. Thus my one issue with it was solved by taking my pill at night.

I understand being worried about taking a 'chemo' drug. I was concerned about taking it. As I was also concerned about taking the Remicade. I made the choice to give them both a try, especially as they were recommended by my GI, with the knowledge that I could stop taking it if it did not work for me. But then I would know that I had done everything that I could to try to get my UC under control. I would not wonder in following years...'what if I had tried that'. I did also get a second opinion, recommended by my GI when I was showing signs of caution before starting the Remicade, and the specialist also recommended the route I am on.

Some people have had bad experiences with 6MP. Others have had good experiences. All you can do is decide if you are willing to give it a try or not. Ask what the dose is you will be on. What would it hurt to give it a try to see if it helps? If you decide you don't like it would there be long term consequences? These are some things you might as your GI to help you make your decision. Maybe get a second opinion.

Good luck no matter your decision. I hope the Humira helps you more than the Remicade did for you. :)
Rachel

Jellycat, buck, and bacher, I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your responses. I think the only thing I can do at this point is give it a try. I really have nothing to lose at this point, I'm so terribly sad, in pain and tired as it is.
Thank you all

My failure to tolerate immunomodulators resulted in my staying on Prednisone way too long. I had to take the Preds early or I couldn't sleep. Bacher's taking 6mp later in the day seemed to help, so that may be something to consider. We don't know how they'll affect us until we try them. Good luck.

Elizabeth - plz let us know how the med change treats you. We all hope that it will help you. It is always hard to change meds as you just don't know how it will work out and it takes time to figure out how well they are or are not working.

With any luck the Humira will help you feel better. Less pain, more energy. Then you won't feel so sad.

Be sure to do things that make you happy. If you are having trouble with depression it is ok to get some temporary help with that too. Having a chronic illness is a lot to deal with along with trying to deal with life. ;)

Hope you are doing well,
Rachel

I just finished the side effects of remicade and 6mp by having my left lung removed because of a fungal infection that wasn't detected until it was too late to save my lung but again it's up to you if you wanna try it or not.

Oh, that's rough, snoopwizzy. Hope you're doing ok

6MP make me really sick. I felt like I had the flu. It was not a drug for me. I personally don't think you should be on Humira and 6MP at the same time. I would for sure give Humira a try by itself. It works great for me. These are powerful drugs. Get a second opinion with another GI doctor.

I'm ok now rmb but I would rather have my lung if it was up to me.

I was on 6 mp for an extended time. I recently ended up in the hospital for 11 days. I ended up dehydrated and malnuttritioned. I contacted a virus because the 6 mp caused my immune system to crash. I am still having a difficult time recovering from this virus. Just make sure your doctor keeps a close watch on you with blood work to make sure your white blood count stays normal. God Bless. Dolores

I have been on the Humira shots for over a year now, I saw some improvement but not enough according to my doctor so about 5 months ago he added the 6mp also. I did feel nauseous for the first couple of weeks but that went away and no other side effects. No hair loss or loss of appetite. I have had to get my blood checked often to make sure it's not hurting me in any way but so far so good. I have seen a significant difference since starting the drug. I do lead a more normal life and am not in pain anymore or see any bleeding but who knows what's going to happen after continued use. You must drink lots of water when taking this drug, that's the first thing they told me.
If you try it I wish you the best of luck. I know not all drugs work the same on different people but I am having success right now.