Question:
I believe that 6-mp is cheaper than Asacol. my copay for Imuran is 15 dollars, but 35 for the Asacol. (also, 2 pills per day vs 9)
Response:
> I believe that 6-mp is cheaper than Asacol. my copay for Imuran is 15 dollars, > but 35 for the Asacol. (also, 2 pills per day vs 9)
AFAIK there is no generic manufacturer of Asacol which is likely a big reason why it is so much more expensive than 6-MP or azathioprine.
Response:
Good luck with your increased meds. I take 9 asacol plus I take imuran too. 6-MP and imuran are sister drugs, so the affects are the same. When on the immunosuppressants, try to stay away from people who are sick (hard in a large company, I know…) One question, why would your gastro advise against telling your boss? I work at a large company and am very open about my condition and my medical appointments. I have never had any problems with any managers bein upfront about my crohn’s. Good luck. I hope all goes well.
Response:
That’s very expensive. I picked up 125 pills last week and it was marked $220.00 Canadian. That’s $1.76 each or about $1.30 US each. Actually I paid nothing. My insurance company was billed directly. I only pay the first $10.00 Canadian per family member per year. This is one of the best drug plans I have heard of. — Paul Visit our photo albums at http://www.laflammefamily.ca To reply, replace "deadspam.com" with "laflammefamily.ca" — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Without the insurance, it’s about $3.50/pill. My portion of the bill (30%) > is roughly $80/month. You doctor may start you at a lower dosage, plus your > insurance is probably more generous than mine, so your bill may be lower. > Good luck. > Obviously, nothing is more important than a person’s health. How much > does 6-MP cost? I’m just trying to budget for the additional cost. > > I’m now on 100mg of 6MP (originally at 50mg) and most have few in any > side > > effects if they can tolerate the drug in the first place (your blood > tests > > will demonstrate this within the first week). > > And…as a fellow Type A personality, I can tell you that you *can* > manage > > your mind much more than you think when it comes to UC (I assume that’s > your > > condition). You gotta psych yourself up before work every day along with > all > > the other things you do. But once in a while when things go awry it’s > nice > > knowing that I have a change of clothes with me at all times (at the > > desk–not the car). > > To hell with the additional cost of the 6MP–this is your health, what’s > > more important than that? > > > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > > > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > > > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > > > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > > > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > > > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > > > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > > > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > > > about on here all the time. > > > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > > > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > > > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > > > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > > > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > > > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > > > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > > > your mind so much. > > > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > > > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > > > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > > > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > > > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > > > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
this may not work for you, but it has worked for me. The Gym. I’ve been finding the more I work out(especially in the mornign, but thats hard for me, working on it), my UC has relaxed, my body is less stressed, less fatigue, less weakness. I know you said you are exercise more..but maybe it’s not enough? I’ve found that if I go 2-3 time a week(min.) my body feels so much better. Yes it’s a time sink, but by going I maximize my time outside of the gym. I also like this I recently read: Today’s Fitness Tip of the Day. Brought to you by Bally Total Fitness. If you find yourself dreading your usual workout, procrastinating like mad and searching frantically for an excuse to cancel, make yourself a deal. Commit to working out for only 15 minutes – and if you still don’t feel like exercising at that point, you can stop without feeling guilty. Chances are, however, that once you’ve put in your 15 minutes, you’ll feel reinvigorated and want to continue for another 15 or 30 minutes or longer. best wishes -joel
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Vanny- Most of what you said makes sense, but your following > paragpragh needs clarification: > "If you choose to go down this route they must be made aware that it > might mean that you will be off work for a few if not several months > and that if you are working you might need to lie down regularly, need > to be in close proximity of the toilet and will be on chemotherapy." > Why would I need to take months off of work? Need to lie down oftem? > And why the hell would I need chemotherapy? Last time I checked chemo. > was only for cancer patients. Are you talking about side-effects of > 6-MP or just telling me how shitty (no pun intended) my work life > could be in the future? Are you speaking from personal experience? > – sinikal
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Sinikal, > I would forget the Type A personality thing and just accept that you have > IBD and it is progressing. This means that you need to increase the > medication and for long-term safety reasons go on to a steroid sparing > regime. If you do not do this, from the description you have given, you will > just get worse and worse. You are probably going to have to accept that you > will have to take time off work because the 6-MP and similar take 1-4 months > to kick in so you are likely to get worse before you get better. > With respect to telling your work. I would be careful here because a lot of > people including employees, friends and relatives are unaware of IBD and > what it means. An IBDer looks physically OK – I mean no broken bones, no > litres of blood gushing out of visible wounds and thus because we are > ‘tired’ all the time we are quickley categorised as being psychologically > ill – a neat escape route even for the so-called specialists. > If you know that you can talk to somebody at work in confidence then do it. > A large corporation must have a doctor or welfare officer and I would start > there – take some literature with you just in case they need educating. If > you then want to tell your boss you might be best advised to do it in the > presence of the work’s doctor or welfare officer. If you choose to go down > this route they must be made aware that it might mean that you will be off > work for a few if not several months and that if you are working you might > need to lie down regularly, need to be in close proximity of the toilet and > will be on chemotherapy. Discuss this with your partner, relatives and with > your doctor again. He must have had a reason for advising you against it. > My personal experience regarding telling employers has been more negative > than positive. For me there was little understanding and I was expected to > work the same 12 hour days that everyone else is expected to work and to > still be smiling/standing at the end of the day. Of course, others here have > had all the support in the world from their employers throughout the course > of their illness. On the otherhand, others have been nudged out of their > jobs – like me at one company. > All the best, > Vanny > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
You may or may not need time off from work depending on how sick you are and how far you will push yourself when you are that sick. 6MP is a chemotherapy drug. In low doses, it is used as an immunosuppressant, in higher doses it is used for chemotherapy most commonly for leukemia. Because you will take it in much lower doses than are used in chemotherapy, you may not experience all of the negative side effects. As Vanny said, it is best to start on this regiment and avoid steroids if at all possible; the long term side effects are devastating. 6MP takes between 3-6 months to begin working, so the sooner you start, the better it will be for you. Good luck! Image may be NSFW.
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mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Vanny- Most of what you said makes sense, but your following > paragpragh needs clarification: > "If you choose to go down this route they must be made aware that it > might mean that you will be off work for a few if not several months > and that if you are working you might need to lie down regularly, need > to be in close proximity of the toilet and will be on chemotherapy." > Why would I need to take months off of work? Need to lie down oftem? > And why the hell would I need chemotherapy? Last time I checked chemo. > was only for cancer patients. Are you talking about side-effects of > 6-MP or just telling me how shitty (no pun intended) my work life > could be in the future? Are you speaking from personal experience? > – sinikal >Hi Sinikal, >I would forget the Type A personality thing and just accept that you have >IBD and it is progressing. This means that you need to increase the >medication and for long-term safety reasons go on to a steroid sparing >regime. If you do not do this, from the description you have given, you will >just get worse and worse. You are probably going to have to accept that you >will have to take time off work because the 6-MP and similar take 1-4 months >to kick in so you are likely to get worse before you get better. >With respect to telling your work. I would be careful here because a lot of >people including employees, friends and relatives are unaware of IBD and >what it means. An IBDer looks physically OK – I mean no broken bones, no >litres of blood gushing out of visible wounds and thus because we are >’tired’ all the time we are quickley categorised as being psychologically >ill – a neat escape route even for the so-called specialists. >If you know that you can talk to somebody at work in confidence then do it. >A large corporation must have a doctor or welfare officer and I would start >there – take some literature with you just in case they need educating. If >you then want to tell your boss you might be best advised to do it in the >presence of the work’s doctor or welfare officer. If you choose to go down >this route they must be made aware that it might mean that you will be off >work for a few if not several months and that if you are working you might >need to lie down regularly, need to be in close proximity of the toilet and >will be on chemotherapy. Discuss this with your partner, relatives and with >your doctor again. He must have had a reason for advising you against it. >My personal experience regarding telling employers has been more negative >than positive. For me there was little understanding and I was expected to >work the same 12 hour days that everyone else is expected to work and to >still be smiling/standing at the end of the day. Of course, others here have >had all the support in the world from their employers throughout the course >of their illness. On the otherhand, others have been nudged out of their >jobs – like me at one company. >All the best, >Vanny >My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 >months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, >stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems >to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending >more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and >people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness >are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m >really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read >about on here all the time. >I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) >after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been >reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and >have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as >possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). >My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my >condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage >your mind so much. >Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about >6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 >co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will >give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, >but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it >to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
Vanny- Most of what you said makes sense, but your following paragpragh needs clarification: "If you choose to go down this route they must be made aware that it might mean that you will be off work for a few if not several months and that if you are working you might need to lie down regularly, need to be in close proximity of the toilet and will be on chemotherapy." Why would I need to take months off of work? Need to lie down oftem? And why the hell would I need chemotherapy? Last time I checked chemo. was only for cancer patients. Are you talking about side-effects of 6-MP or just telling me how shitty (no pun intended) my work life could be in the future? Are you speaking from personal experience? – sinikal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi Sinikal, > I would forget the Type A personality thing and just accept that you have > IBD and it is progressing. This means that you need to increase the > medication and for long-term safety reasons go on to a steroid sparing > regime. If you do not do this, from the description you have given, you will > just get worse and worse. You are probably going to have to accept that you > will have to take time off work because the 6-MP and similar take 1-4 months > to kick in so you are likely to get worse before you get better. > With respect to telling your work. I would be careful here because a lot of > people including employees, friends and relatives are unaware of IBD and > what it means. An IBDer looks physically OK – I mean no broken bones, no > litres of blood gushing out of visible wounds and thus because we are > ‘tired’ all the time we are quickley categorised as being psychologically > ill – a neat escape route even for the so-called specialists. > If you know that you can talk to somebody at work in confidence then do it. > A large corporation must have a doctor or welfare officer and I would start > there – take some literature with you just in case they need educating. If > you then want to tell your boss you might be best advised to do it in the > presence of the work’s doctor or welfare officer. If you choose to go down > this route they must be made aware that it might mean that you will be off > work for a few if not several months and that if you are working you might > need to lie down regularly, need to be in close proximity of the toilet and > will be on chemotherapy. Discuss this with your partner, relatives and with > your doctor again. He must have had a reason for advising you against it. > My personal experience regarding telling employers has been more negative > than positive. For me there was little understanding and I was expected to > work the same 12 hour days that everyone else is expected to work and to > still be smiling/standing at the end of the day. Of course, others here have > had all the support in the world from their employers throughout the course > of their illness. On the otherhand, others have been nudged out of their > jobs – like me at one company. > All the best, > Vanny > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
Without the insurance, it’s about $3.50/pill. My portion of the bill (30%) is roughly $80/month. You doctor may start you at a lower dosage, plus your insurance is probably more generous than mine, so your bill may be lower. Good luck.
> Obviously, nothing is more important than a person’s health. How much > does 6-MP cost? I’m just trying to budget for the additional cost.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m now on 100mg of 6MP (originally at 50mg) and most have few in any side > effects if they can tolerate the drug in the first place (your blood tests > will demonstrate this within the first week). > And…as a fellow Type A personality, I can tell you that you *can* manage > your mind much more than you think when it comes to UC (I assume that’s your > condition). You gotta psych yourself up before work every day along with all > the other things you do. But once in a while when things go awry it’s nice > knowing that I have a change of clothes with me at all times (at the > desk–not the car). > To hell with the additional cost of the 6MP–this is your health, what’s > more important than that? > > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > > about on here all the time. > > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > > your mind so much. > > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
Obviously, nothing is more important than a person’s health. How much does 6-MP cost? I’m just trying to budget for the additional cost. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m now on 100mg of 6MP (originally at 50mg) and most have few in any side > effects if they can tolerate the drug in the first place (your blood tests > will demonstrate this within the first week). > And…as a fellow Type A personality, I can tell you that you *can* manage > your mind much more than you think when it comes to UC (I assume that’s your > condition). You gotta psych yourself up before work every day along with all > the other things you do. But once in a while when things go awry it’s nice > knowing that I have a change of clothes with me at all times (at the > desk–not the car). > To hell with the additional cost of the 6MP–this is your health, what’s > more important than that? > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
Hi Sinikal, I would forget the Type A personality thing and just accept that you have IBD and it is progressing. This means that you need to increase the medication and for long-term safety reasons go on to a steroid sparing regime. If you do not do this, from the description you have given, you will just get worse and worse. You are probably going to have to accept that you will have to take time off work because the 6-MP and similar take 1-4 months to kick in so you are likely to get worse before you get better. With respect to telling your work. I would be careful here because a lot of people including employees, friends and relatives are unaware of IBD and what it means. An IBDer looks physically OK – I mean no broken bones, no litres of blood gushing out of visible wounds and thus because we are ‘tired’ all the time we are quickley categorised as being psychologically ill – a neat escape route even for the so-called specialists. If you know that you can talk to somebody at work in confidence then do it. A large corporation must have a doctor or welfare officer and I would start there – take some literature with you just in case they need educating. If you then want to tell your boss you might be best advised to do it in the presence of the work’s doctor or welfare officer. If you choose to go down this route they must be made aware that it might mean that you will be off work for a few if not several months and that if you are working you might need to lie down regularly, need to be in close proximity of the toilet and will be on chemotherapy. Discuss this with your partner, relatives and with your doctor again. He must have had a reason for advising you against it. My personal experience regarding telling employers has been more negative than positive. For me there was little understanding and I was expected to work the same 12 hour days that everyone else is expected to work and to still be smiling/standing at the end of the day. Of course, others here have had all the support in the world from their employers throughout the course of their illness. On the otherhand, others have been nudged out of their jobs – like me at one company. All the best, Vanny My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read about on here all the time. I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage your mind so much. Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read about on here all the time. I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage your mind so much. Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
hi i am on 9 tabs of asacol…and now on 6mp..i was on 100mg of 6mp but liver function tests werent good so i am on 50mg..i did have a bad bout in may and had to be on pred as well for a while…i am also going to be starting cipro tomorrow.. 1) i dont think your personality and stress have much to do with the ibd..i HATE it when people start down that road…my bouts can come about in the most relaxing times..and i have been really healthy in some terrible times..ibd comes and goes…so i wouldnt pay much mind to that …and you are right..u can only manage your mind so much 2) side effects from 6mp..the worst is the nausea..it was like being pregnant for me..the same kind of feelings…he prescribed compazine for me and i still have to take it almost every day..but not 3 a day now..usually just one also..u can take 6mp all at once if u are on more than one..and you can take it at night..i checked first with the pharmacist when i didnt reach my md..then my md said that also..if u take it at night u are less likely to feel sick get some crackers or something..and coke, gingerale..peppermint iced tea helps me a lot..so does coke..cheezits help the nausea for me..if u keep something in your tummy u wont feel so bad 3) u willhave to have frequent blood tests…usually every 2 weeks to start..then moving on to every 6 weeks..depending on if there are changes..i was on it several months before there were some problems showing on the tests..he lowered the dosage…and the problems seemed to go… 4)it has helped me a lot..tho i was even better on 100mg..on that amount..i didnt bleed much or often, the diarrhea stopped, the pain mostly stopped; the joint and muscle problems got a lot better..i wasnt even taking the relafen for joints when i was on more 6mp..on less..i am back to it.. 5) it works by knocking out your immune system..GET A FLU SHOT..and i am also given an pneumonia shot…every couple of years…and try to avoid crowds..and being around sick people…wash your hands a lot..especially after work, travel etc….rest a lot..well i know u are trying to ..and just put up with the side effects..i think its well worth it..i just wish i could take 100mg as i was so much bettr on it.. good luck…oh..it doesnt do anything mixing with the asacol to my knowledge..i dont have a lot of side effects from 9 tabs of asacol..12 bothered me..tummy pain etc..but 9 seems ok..i lose some hair now and then..thats all.. take care and good luck.. annie
Response:
well, i will tell you honestly. my experience was with azathioprime, very similar to 6-mp. my experience was a bad one. i had major muscle group soreness that left be bed-ridden until the drug wore off. when we tried it again, i got what felt like chest pains, i thought i was having a heart attack. my g.i. warned me of these side effects but felt they are rare. they are, until they hit you. these can occure with no warning, and they did with me. so i guess they are rare, but they certainly hit me. i used pentasa, which just releases a little earlier in the g.i. track. i don’t know how much good it was doing. i am on methotrexate and remicade now. i am in remission and i am able to tolerate the mtx pretty well. i had been getting bloods every 2 weeks on the aza. i get bloods every month on mtx. jeff
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
I have left sided UC. I was diagnosed in June ‘03. I have been on a prednisone yo-yo since being diagnosed. I have been on 6MP for 6 weeks now and I am doing fine. I have not noticed any side effects. My blood tests have shown that everything is doing good. I am still at 35mg of prednisone and tapering down. I also take 12 asacols a day and a Librax before each meal (I also have IBS). My bleeding seems to have stopped and number of BM’s is down. I am hoping that the 6MP will be able to keep me in remission and that I can get off the prednisone. Every time I get to a low dose of prednisone I flare up again. I believe the side effects of the 6MP will be less than the side effects of long term high dose prednisone! Rod
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
I’m now on 100mg of 6MP (originally at 50mg) and most have few in any side effects if they can tolerate the drug in the first place (your blood tests will demonstrate this within the first week). And…as a fellow Type A personality, I can tell you that you *can* manage your mind much more than you think when it comes to UC (I assume that’s your condition). You gotta psych yourself up before work every day along with all the other things you do. But once in a while when things go awry it’s nice knowing that I have a change of clothes with me at all times (at the desk–not the car). To hell with the additional cost of the 6MP–this is your health, what’s more important than that?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
Hi, I am on Pentasa (similar to Asacol) and 6MP. I have had some minor problems with the 6MP, especially if the dosage is too high. The monthly blood work is crucial for me for this reason. Many others can graduate to less strict monitoring once they are stable on a dosage. My nutritionist has been instrumental in recommending supplements to take to help my liver cope with metabolizing the 6MP. For me it is all worthwhile because it has brought my fistulizing CD into remission. Good luck! Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 > months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, > stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems > to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending > more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and > people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness > are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m > really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read > about on here all the time. > I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) > after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been > reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and > have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as > possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). > My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my > condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage > your mind so much. > Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about > 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 > co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will > give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, > but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it > to affect my compensation and reputation).
Response:
My Gastro. upped my Asacol intake to 9 pills daily from 6 (400mg) 3 months ago. I was diagnosed in March ‘03. I’m 28, have a high-profile, stressful job, and work for a large corporation and my condition seems to be getting worse (still mild compared to most of you), spending more time in the bathroom (making me consistently later for work and people notice), harder to control bowels, and fatigue/nausea/weakness are worse (in part to IBD and medicine). It’s the first time I’m really experiencing the quality of my life deteriorating like I read about on here all the time. I’m nervous about stepping up to a stronger drug (he recommended 6-MP) after next colonscopy to see if my colon inflammation has been reduced. I will do what it takes to avoid steroids and surgery and have started sleeping more, eating better, and exercising as much as possible (really hard when all you want to do is lay down and relax). My Gastro. thinks my type A personality and anxiety are making my condition worse and it may contribute, but I think you can only manage your mind so much. Please share your experiences of going from Asacol to 6-MP or about 6-MP in general. I am especially about the side-effects, cost (10 co-pay for Asocal now), and whether or not monthly blood tests will give me know choice but to tell my boss (gastro. advised me not too, but the numerous medical appt’s are getting suspicious, don’t want it to affect my compensation and reputation).