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Hi Snivler and welcome to Healingwell. This is the Crohns disease forum, but we DO have a UC forum. You are welcome to post on either forum. I have not used Remicade, but I am sure one of our members who has will be along soon. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. Hugs!

Welcome. I have just started back on Remicade after being off for several years. I too wish that none of us had this disease.

Wow, uc redxed as crohns, that just sucks. I will say that there have been serveral people whom remicade is a really great drug for them, and I hope it works wonderfully for you.

Welcome, I have been on remicade for about 7 years. What questions do you have about it? I would be more than happy to help you with any answers that I have or experiences.

The infusion process takes about 3-4 hours each time. Your first time may be a little more because they may want to observe you afterwards to make sure that you are ok. As far as weakness or side effects, most of that is only for a few days after the infusion and sometimes not at all. You will probably find that as your body gets more and more of the remicade built up in it, you will become a more active person. The brochures about the medication can be a little scary and misleading because due to legal reasons they have to name every possible side effect. Realize that the majority of the side effects are extremely rare. Even the fact that your immune system is being suppressed does not mean you can't be around people. Remember that with this disease your immune system is already working more than the average person and by toning it down a bit you are probably getting closer to that of a normal person. Of course you are more likely to get a cold or an infection than the normal person but you don't need to walk around constantly worried about it. If you know someone is contagious, just don't go around them or get near them untl they are healthy. I also carry hand sanitizer with me and use it several times a day. This is good for a healthy person to do also.
I am excited for you and I am sure that you are going to breaking your horses(I grew up on a farm too) in no time. The worst thing you will have to worry about is getting stepped on by a mare. On a side note, don't feed them too many apples they will get a stomach ache. I found that out the hard way with a tennesee walker/ american saddler I used to own. He was one sick horse.

One personal side effect for me was exhaustion after the Remicade...probably the Benadryl though! I grew (still growing, actually) up around horses, too. Currently have a quarter, thoroughbred/percheron and a thoroughbred/clydesdale. The abscess makes it quite difficult to ride though! Just another reason to get better, quicker! :)

I was on Remicade for 5 years and had almost an 8 year remission from it. I had great success with it. I was only tired the day of the infusion which was usually because of the Benadryl. It has been the only thing that made me feel normal again, I had zero symptoms while I was on it and could eat normal again.

I hope you can find all the info you need and have success with Remicade. It can be scary but for those of us that it has worked for it is a wonderful treatment option!

I live near the Oregon coast and love to ride the beaches and dunes, when I can. Got my TB test read today so hoping to start a more aggressive treatment soon. Plan to be on horseback soon.