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Hi All,

I am new to all this so sorry for the earlier blank post lol...I came to get some advice regarding medication for my 11yr old son. He was diagnosed with Crohns in Feb and immediately went on pred and pentasa. He tapered off the pred in May and of course now the symptoms are back. So doc now wants to put him on 6mp, 50mg/day. He is still taking the Pentasa as well. I am not usually one to go overboard with the millions of possible side affects of medications, but this one is definetly giving me a run for my money. The number one concern I have is the cancer risk. My concern is that says it is increased for young adult men. Also my family history of cancer is really not great either, have already lost my mother, father, two grandfathers and an uncle all before they were 65. So I guess I wanted to get some advice about 6mp and if the benefits outweigh the risks. Also I am not sure if he should still be taking Pentasa now that he is on 6mp.

Thanks for any info!! :)

 Reply posted for amyjo.

I did not look at the dates the first time I wrote.  I would love to hear an update on your son and what your advise would be us.  Hope he is doing well!

It is good to read about parents with the same struggles that we are facing.  I felt very alone in my hesitations about 6mp.  Our son was dx a 11/2 years ago.  He is now 4 years old.  He is currently on Pentsa.  And we just have had a month struggling with a c-diff infection, so he was on antibiotics.  I'm hoping that is cleared up now he seems to be doing better.  For awhile our Dr. has been pushing 6mp and I have been holding back.  I want to do the best for my son and listen to the Dr.'s.  But I do not feel very comfortable with this drug.  Our son seems to be doing ok most of the time, but could he be doing better?  Is it worth the risks?  I did not know about the increased risk for cancer with boys.  Where did you read that?   

 Reply posted for majkofamily.

I share in your concern with the immune suppression tier of meds.    As parents we all want our children to live as normal a life as possible with the least amount of risk.  Being that he is so newly diagnosed, it is common for it to take a few tries to get the right combination of meds/diet in order to get to the "remission phase" we all hope for.  Some drs. don't believe there is a correlation between diet and IBD,thankfully my daughter's doc isn't one of them.   Once a dx was given (CD) we met with her nutritionist to start the process. We found eating a low fiber and low residue diet to be helpful; unfortunately we had been eating way too much fiber and this only wreaked havoc on her gut.  Also smaller, more frequent meals helps as well.   Writing everything down in a journal helped pinpoint those foods that didn't agree.  Just 2 years ago she wanted to put Liz on 6MP too because biopsies taken during scope came back moderate level of inflammation, I was reluctant and we took a wait and see approach. Liz continued to do well on her minimal maint. drug and the last scope returned good.  There is no harm in further investigation, even a second opinion couldn't hurt.   Lots of people feel they have regained their lives once achieving remission and sometimes the higher tier med is necessary.  Whatever path works, I wish you all the best.   Also, have you investigated Camp Oasis?   It is the single best thing I've done for my daughter since diagnosis.  

I am a new poster as well.  My 9 year old daughter was diagnosed last September with CD and did respond to the steroids.  She tapered off them and was taking pentasa and appeared to be doing well.  Her GI was insistent about her getting on 6mp.  I was truly hesitant as she was doing so well without it.  However, I eventually put her on it and she appears symptom free and doing well.  The fear of cancer was the cause for my hesitation.  When I brought it up to her GI he told me that if he had a daughter he would put her on 6mp.  However, he stated if he had a son he would not, but would put him on remicade.  I am not sure this is what you want to hear. This was his opinion so please take it with a grain of salt.  I am sure you will make the best decision for your son.  Good luck!