Talk Cancer

Question:

If it’s 6MP, a possible side effect is pancreatitus which happened to me and had to stop the 6MP before it did any good. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It could very well be. Is imuran an anti-inflammatory then?  What are the side effects? My GI said there was almost none, which I seriously doubt… The only thing I can think of are 6MP or Immuran… I’m on Imuran for over a year now. In high doses it is used as chemo therapy I heard… — Martin The Netherlands Http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

Response:

It could very well be. Is imuran an anti-inflammatory then?  What are the side effects? My GI said there was almost none, which I seriously doubt…

I was on Imuran for an extended period of time. It is an anti-inflammatory steroid with fewer side-effects than Prednisone for long-term use. However, one of Imuran’s side-effects can be reduced blood count – low iron. My GI switched me from Imuran to Pentasa to try and correct the problem. Improvement, while slow, seems to be evident. Andy Z.

Response:

The only thing I can think of are 6MP or Immuran… I’m on Imuran for over a year now. In high doses it is used as chemo therapy I heard… — Martin The Netherlands Http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

Response:

It could very well be. Is imuran an anti-inflammatory then?  What are the side effects? My GI said there was almost none, which I seriously doubt… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I can think of are 6MP or Immuran… I’m on Imuran for over a year now. In high doses it is used as chemo therapy I heard… — Martin The Netherlands Http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

Response:

6MP and Imuran are not steroids.  They are purines, and they block proliferation of rapidly dividing cells.  I think they semi-selectivley target lymphocytes.  I’d have to double check to make sure.  Chemotherapy just means drug therapy (like "therapy" with "chem"icals).  My bet is that your doctor just means prednisone.  I’d be skeptical about anything else. Dexamethasone is too strong, and prednisolone isn’t as strong. Tim

Response:

Immuran supresses the imune system…. It cicks in after about 3 months…. It’s used mostly to get off prednisone. No there’re not much side effects, but when you start it you’ll have very regular blood checkups. To check the white bloodcell count, cause that could drop considerably. If after four or five months the white bloodcells count is ok the bloodtests get back to normal (for me every two or three months). There is a very slightly increased risk of cancer when using Immuran or 6MP… According to my doc not something to worry about. What is to worry about is trying to have children when using this drug. That is strongly discouraged by doctors… But your doc was right: if everything goes well you don’t have much side effects… Take care, Martin The Netherlands Http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -It could very well be. Is imuran an anti-inflammatory then?  What are the side effects? My GI said there was almost none, which I seriously doubt… The only thing I can think of are 6MP or Immuran… I’m on Imuran for over a year now. In high doses it is used as chemo therapy I heard… — Martin The Netherlands Http://www.dahlhaus.demon.nl Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

Response:

Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

Response:

He might be refering to imuran or 6-mercaptopurine (purenithol, 6-mp). They are drugs used in some chemotherapy. Though they are not steroids. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone heard about chemotherapy steroids?  I saw my GI today and since I am not reacting too well to Pentasa, he said that if I get another flare-up, I will put on me these.   Anyone heard this before? Thanks, Marie

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