Posted 8/13/2008 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Randy- I know this may be off the wall and you may remember about me talking about it here...but the saline flushes they use prior to the Remicade can contain a form of Benzene. I found this was a problem for me because various forms of Benzene were in all Tylenol products except for the pharmacy grade Tylenol in Percocet, Tramadol, etc. Once I had figured out why I could not take OTC Tylenol, I started looking at ingredients in my lotions, shampoos, sodas, etc. I was using a total of 12 products that contain one form or another of Benzene. I cut them out for 2 weeks and ALL of my allergy like symptoms vanished. This was also around the time I was on Remicade. Hey, you are on the waiting list anyway....maybe it's worth a looksee! I also stumbled across some OSHA hazard information that pertains to employees working in a hazardous environment as part of a review I had to do at work. One of the chemicals listed as highly toxic in volitole (spelling?) form and/or absorbed through the skin was guess what...Benzene. My GI thought I was crazy because I couldn't tolerate Tylenol....gonna take the article to her next follow up! As an after thought, forms of Benzene can also be found in SOME injectables. I was able to continue the Remicade treatments without pre-meds after reducing the Benzene products. Unfortunately, I later developed antibodies.