cheryl
Hi there fellow ulcerative colitis sufferer. I, also, was on both prednisone and asocol for quite a while. My symptoms stopped from the colitis, but the steroidal side effects were terrible for me. So my doctor removed me from the prednisone and crossed his fingers that I'd stay in remission while he transferred me to another drug called 6mp...which supposedly takes months to get into one's system to have any effect. My oppinion of 6mp is that it is terrible. I was on it for less than 10 days the first time and was hospitalized because of its side effects. Every single joint, muscle, and bone in my body hurt soooooo bad that I had to be rushed to the emergency room. I couldn't move at all because of the excruciating pain. This side effect began about three days after I started it. This drug is used commonly for cancer patients. 6mp will lower your ability to fight off infections. You will get sick very easily because your immunity is suppressed with 6mp. I took 6mp again 3 months later to see if I could handle it. Again, the pain was so severe all over my body that I would just lay on the couch and cry. My boyfriend would have to lift me up and help me get to the bathroom, set me down on the toilet and lift me back up off of it. My hair began falling out in clumps within 2 days of taking the drug the second time. I went off the drug again and vow to never go on it again. It had terrible side effects for me. It is used frequently for ulcerative colitis and I'm sure not everyone reacts the way I did, but I want someone else to know what it is capable of doing to your body. It does have LONG term side effects. If you are a girl...DON'T get pregnant while you are on this drug or even right after going off of it. It will stay in your system for a while. My doctor refused to listen to me about what happened. I just wanted to let you know so you are aware that it is a very serious drug. If this is your last resort, give it a try. I've been successfully in remission now only on asocol. I also take collostrum supplements as an immunity booster. I've actually never felt better. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me. Hope you feel better soon.