HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Flaring: should I stop remicade?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/22/2009 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have been in a flare up for about 2 months. I am waiting to see my GI on 3/5. I have never had a flare up really. I was sick for 2 years then had a resection and have had virtually no problems since then. I have been able to eat "normally", resume my normal life activities and was even able to have another baby. I'm not sure if this flare up is from the pregnancy or what?!? My daughter was born in Sept 08.

I have been having cramping, pain, sudden urgency w/ bm's and major bloating/pressure in my stomach. Once I even thought about going to the ER because I was in so much pain. I have no pain meds because I haven't needed them since 07 when I had my resection. I guess I'm not sure what the process is for a flare up like this as far as meds go. Will my GI say I need to stop remicade since I'm flaring while taking it? Does that mean it's not working anymore? I'm nervous about going back to 20+ pills a day and I won't do steriods. They didn't work when I tried them before so I dont feel like I want to take them knowing all the stuff they can cause.  I'm also worried about the cost of all the testing I think he'll say I need to find out what is going on. My insurance changed a bunch of policy coverages so it's not as good as it was. In the back of my head I think I also have the fear of another surgery. Don't get me wrong I would do it in a heartbeat because it gave me my life back but I have 2 kids to take care of now as opposed to one and I'm anxious about that thought. I know the % is pretty high of having a 2nd surgery once you had the 1st. Anyone have any imput or suggestions at this point??

Thanks in advance! The support I get here really gives me peace of mind when I need it :)

Posted 2/22/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi When I was on Rem. I got a bad cold and went into a bad flare with a rash so went off it. Not sure what your DR. will want to do but there is always Humira that might help you. One thing about Humira I find from it being a needle is a person can poestpone there med if they get sick. Hope you recover quickly .With 2 kids you must be a busy Mom ,hope your not doing too bad. lol gail
Posted 2/23/2009 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, I started flaring after 2 years of being 100% on remicaide. I have UC but I am trying to a higher dosage of remicaid. instead of 5mg per 1kg body weight , I am doing 10mg/1kg, but I dont start it for another month so...
Posted 2/23/2009 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
No, do not stop your remicade. You can still flare while taking it. It's possible that you could be flaring because of the shift in hormones after having a baby. After my 1st baby, I flared about 4 months after she was born and it took a year to get it under control. I took remicade the entire time and there was NEVER talk of taking me off of it. You need to call your GI's office NOW and get them to see you this week. Tell them you are flaring and that you need to see the doctor now. They CAN get you in. Do not wait until the 5th. Your GI will help you decide what to do to get the flare under control. I know it's hard with 2 little ones. Listen - don't beat yourself up over it. Do what little you can do and DO NOT sweat the rest. As long as they are fed - it does NOT matter if you all spend the day in p.j.'s. I have sooooo been there. Email me if you want to - click on my username and my email addr. will pop up. Hang in there!!!
Posted 2/23/2009 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
My GI is covering for another dr that left the practice so he can't fit me in. Normally there is a 3 month wait and I only had to wait about 6 weeks. I won't see the nurse practioners because they don't seem to know anything. It's only another 10 days so I am going to wait it out. It's not a constant pain or anything so that's good. It comes and goes one day I might be fine and the next be awful. I can't find a trigger either. THANKS for your replies!!!
Posted 3/18/2009 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Well I finally got all the results back from the gall bladder tests that my GI had me do and I have Gall Bladder disease! I am so relieved that this is NOT a crohn's flare and it something that can be taken care of. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to another surgery. BLAH! If I were skinny, I would never wear a 2 piece swim suit because my stomach looks like a cutting board. I go to the surgeon on 3/31 for my consult and to set up the surgery date. I'm just glad I found out the day BEFORE I had to have a CT enterography. I have been very sick this week and I don't think I would have made it thru the prep for that test.

Thanks for your support!!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply