Expert: Odette Yuhas - 6/8/2004

Question
i am 25, male with crohns my whole life, i hate medication as it tends to make me feel shitty, i take 1200 mg asacol daily and prednisone when "flaring" my dr seems to believe i can only live a normal life with 6mp and they have been pushing it on me for months, i hate the idea of messing with my immune system. what is your take on 6mp and is there anything else i can try?

Answer
Hi Matt,

I understand about hating taking meds as I never took them until I was diagnosed.  Your doctor is right about the 6mp.  You see, with this disease it is our immune system that has gone wrong.  I hope your doctor explained that to you.  You need to have your immune system put to sleep so the CD will not continue to attack you. Our system thinks that the intestines we have are not ours, so we get the major attacks.  Please listen to your doctor and continue taking meds as this disease can be fatal if you don't take care of yourself.

Best of health
Odette