Hive like rash immediately following stopping imuran

Catriara, welcome to Healing Well! You certainly have had a rough ride since diagnosis. I'm glad that the Remicade has helped calm things down. When did you have your last infusion? Before or after the rash started? Your rash could be related to Remicade in one of several ways. 1) On March 18, 2008, in the FDA's safety newsletter, there was a report of serious skin reactions occuring in patients getting Remicade. Your problem sounds very much like what was described in the alert . "The serious skin reactions presented mostly with rash and skin lesions on the trunk, limbs, shoulder, back, hands, and face. In some SJS cases, oral mucositis or ulceration, genital ulceration, and/or fever were also reported. An allergic-type reaction occurred in 1 patient who first had hives and swollen lips, eyes, and face, followed by EM lesions on her back and hypoxia." In a few cases of TEN, the skin reactions consisted of desquamation and progressive, generalized pruritus and skin peeling; a severe, scaly, pigmented, necrotizing rash over the body; and erythema with blepharoconjunctivitis, angioedema, and tightness in the throat. You can read about it here: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571633 2) from a reaction creating antibodies found in lupus - just because the rash is not butterfly in nature doesn't mean that it's not related. I developed a rash on my back that would not clear with anything. Not long after, it was found that I had developed lupus from Remicade, then Humira. HOWEVER, I had many other symptoms with this rash: joint pain, incredible fatigue, daily fevers, and mouth ulcers. So I would consider this to be less likely. 3) You might have began to develop antibodies to the protein in Remicade. This is different than the antibodies that cause the lupus like syndrome. Then lastly, it might be totally unrelated to your disease or Remicade. I suggest you get to a dermatologist soon. ~~Ides PS Have you tried taking a allergy pill like Zyrtec or Allegra? They sometimes work better than Benadryl. Just a thought.

I haven't replied yet as I said I would but I did want to update just in case of other similar stories for patients. I saw GI specialist who did about a million blood tests, 13vials and tests I've never even heard of and also sent for an urgent dermatology referral. I got in to see the dermatologist about 2 weeks later and her immediate reaction was immune related - my Remicade was put on hold while waiting for biopsy and blood test results as the ones from the specialist were still not complete and she had others to follow. 1 week after my Remicade infusion was due confirmation was still not received and was put in hospital with another Crohn's exacerbation. While my pain and nausea were being controlled results finally came back and in fact I had "Remicade induced utricarial vasculitis" and could not continue with Remicade treatment. My rash started blistering and kept spreading, certainly not attractive. I have been started now on Humira for Crohn's management, the pain is slowly reducing and still being controlled by Dilaudid and tylonel, one step at a time I guess. Finally discharged and home again, can't wait to return to work after losing 3 weeks. Hoping for the best with this new medication because rashes and Crohn's really sucks!

Best of luck to all IBD patients, someday they'll find the cure.

Catriara