Posted 1/17/2014 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
My boyfriend was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 2 years ago. For 2 years he was semi-good on 3x2 Asacol and Mesalamine enemas.
In early December, he started to flair. Not knowing how severe the flair was, he waited too long to go to the hospital. Around January 10, we brought him to ER to find his hematocrit at 20. After being on IV steroids for a total of 6 days (3 days in first hospital stint, only to return the next day with even worse flair) he is still not forming stool and bleeding.
The Dr. did a ½ way (not a full?) colonoscopy today and told him we need to give the IV steroids 2 more days, and if they don’t work, we will switch to remicade.
I am concerned that the Dr. has told him if he starts remicade, he will not be able to come off it. This seems like a huge commitment and we are putting a lot of faith in this drug to work. I started to research online but the side effects of remicade are frightening. Does anyone have advice / experiences with remicade to share for someone that is considering them for the first time?
Thank you.