Remicade and Surgery??

Hi all...its me again I went to get my 3rd Remicade treatment last Friday and the nurse said she didn't know if it was a good idea having surgery so close to my medicine. I'm scheduled for surgery on my gal bladder Wednesday of this week. My GI was supposed to call and let me know what I need to do...proceed or not? He probably wont call, he never does. So I need your opinions on whether or not you think it would be safe? The nurse said I would be at a higher risk for infection so close to the treatment. But my immune system is suppressed anyway on the medicine...Would it make that big of a difference? The way I see it is that if its meant to happen then I will get it anyway...What do you guys think?????

I would talk to your surgeon before you go in . . . I was on Humira and they made me stop 2 weeks before and said that if I had still been on Remicade, they would have made me stop at least a month out.  But, it may depend on the surgery itself.  I had a full, open 6 hour surgery.  I am guessing that your gall bladder may be laparoscopically done.  I would definitely check before you go in . . . better safe than sorry.

I sure hope you feel better soon and this surgery makes a world of difference!

 

You definitely need to get cleared by your GI before having this surgery so close to your infusion. Call his office in the AM and insist that he answer the question. Leave a message if they won't put you through. Tell them that if you haven't heard back from them in 2-3 hours you will call again. You could also call the surgeon's office and ask them to call the GI's office for clearance. Often doctor's offices have an easier time getting a response.

I was scheduled for hip replacement surgery and was told that I needed to schedule so that the surgery fell at the end of the infusion cycle. At that time I was getting infusions every 8 weeks. My GI wanted me to have my surgery 5-6 weeks after my infusion. Of course, this is just my experience. Nothing replaces hearing the facts from your own doctor.

Thanks guys for the info....I'm at my breaking point with the GI's I plan to switch ASAP..Its been a downhill battle for me lately. I feel like they think I'm crazy or something when I ask for pain meds..GRRR!!! If they only knew how I felt I wish they could take my pain for just one day...they would be crying like my 8 mnth old baby lol...But anyway thanks a lot I will surely get an answer one way or the other. I'm kinda scared about all of this!