Second thoughts about Remicade

I had my first infusion on August 5th.  I feel no better.  Everyday I read more and more about the medicine.  I have an appointment on August 19th for the second dose.  As of tonight I am having second thoughts.  I am so scared about this stuff.  I just don't know.  I know my quality of life sucks right now but I am flipping out.  I was reading about two sisters with Chrons who used Remicade and both got Melanoma.  I upped my Asacol to 12 daily and am starting the Rowasa again.  I just tapered off my steroids for the second time since December.  Wondering if I can knock it out with Asacol and Rowasa. 

Any thoughts?

I haven't taken it but August 5th seems recent and I hear it takes awhile. Also, yes, you can always taper down after a while if you want.

Is asacol the only thing you're on other than enemas and remi? I'm on imuran and it's great.

My doctor told me before starting Remicade that the chance of lymphoma (the cancer most people worry about with Remicade, I think) is 1 in 800 patient-years. I am not super familiar with the unit "patient years," but I can guess what it means.
He said other risks are very low, especially if you are younger and don't have other issues besides UC.
Also, from what I understand, it isn't a great idea to go on and off and on remicade because your body can develop antibodies to it. I would definitely stick with it just to see if it works so then you know.
Too bad it didn't work for me, but I hope it works for you!!

Thanks for all they replys.  I know it is my last resort and I trust my doctor.  He did mention Imuran also along with the Remicade.  I read posts that said the Remicade worked after one infusion and mine definitely hasn't.  I guess I am just nervous.  I was really fine with it until reading the horror stories on the internet.  I went septic from an infection when I was on the steroids and just worry about another infection while on the Remicade.  I work in an Assisted Living Facility and people are always sick.  I come into contact with a lot of people. 

I have been flaring since last December and need to get into remission.   My doctor is away on vacation.  I think after I talk with him again it will settle my nerves. 

I've not been on Remi either, but how quickly it works varies from person to person, so don't give up on it yet! As to the cancer risk, lymphoma is the one that's of most concern, and the risk does double, but only from 1 in 10,000 to 2 in 10,000. I have already decided I WILL use Remi if the 5ASA's fail me (my doc thinks it's better to go to Remi after 5ASAs instead of the 6MP/Imuran).

     My doctor was pushing Remicade when the 6MP didn't seem to be doing the trick.  I did a lot of reading about it and it definitely is NOT for me.  I was exposed to the TB virus back in the 60's when I worked in a hospital lab and test positive for it on my skin test but my chest xray is negative.  Which means that it is lying dormant somewhere inside me and Remicade could activate the virus and I sure don't want that.  As a matter of fact, my GI's associate even agreed with me!  Now my GI doctor said that there were some fatalities on patients that were on the 6MP and received Remicade.  My main problem is ulcerative proctitis and believe me, it is one stubborn disease.

     Boxermom...I see you take flaxseed oil.  Any luck with that and what type do you take...the one with lignans?

NiRo thanks for the link.  I checked it out and was very informative and eased my mind a little bit.  Thanks for the info.

I just had my second infusion of remicade on August 5th.  My first infusion I had chest pains and I felt like I was going to pass out.  My second infusion they premedicated me and I was fine.  I get really bad heart burn for about a week after the infusion.  I feel the same way.  I'm so scared being on this medication.  I know this is my only option left(then Humira, then surgery).  Like right now my three kids are sick.  I'm getting it and it scares me.  I'm on 15 mg of pred still and tapering down.  I'm scared all of a sudden I will get really sick.  The day after my remi infusion.  I used the bathroom about 15 times that day.  I usually only go 2-3 when on pred.  This happened my first infusion too.  I also keep thinking I will get lymphoma.  I always think I'm going to die from the medication side effects not UC.  I have three kids and it scares me.  I kind of want remi to work but then I'm scared to stay on it also.  When I'm on pred I feel normal again and when I'm not my quality of life sucks.  I can't go anywhere or do anything with my kids.  I also don't want to take medication that will make me sick.  I will just have surgery then.  Know that you aren't the only one going through this.  Good Luck!