Hello....I just want to add my 2 cents...I have UC since 2004, and have been on so many different meds for maintenance, with prednisone being my "savior" drug when in acute flares, and that worked for me until this last Oct. 07. I was in the worst flare I'd EVER been in...I ended up being on HIGH steroids, with no relief, and then ended up in the hospital. My GI, for the first time, actually mentioned the S word to me...SURGERY. He never recommended it to me, just said something like "its up to each person, but some people wish they had had the surgery sooner than they did , and some people wish they had waited...its a personal choice." But we did discuss it....but as a last dig effort, he said we could try REMICADE...I agreed, and got it the next morning...I was released from the hospital the next day!! I was in (what I considered) complete remission until this last month. I considered remicade my miracle drug!! So , now I'm a bit distressed that it failed me this last month. I just received my next remicade infusion yesterday, and posted a journal of it on my IBD home page...with pics and everything...
http://www.wearecrohns.org/profile/journal/view.php?id=1061
But anyways, I had no side effects on remicade (unlike the pred I'm on now). But, at the same time, I am beginning to wonder if surgery wouldn't be the best option..I"m still exploring this myself. but I must say, I have had NO side effects from remicade, and was very very excited about it initially!! I think remicade is very effective drug, but it is a choice each person has to take...there are very serious possible adverse side effects, and complications, and everyone needs to be aware of this before even considering it...I would recommend reading EVERYTHING you can about it, and making a well educated decision. I wish you luck!!!