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Blood Tests w/ Remicade Infusion

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/22/2010 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Do you guys get blood tests with your Remicade infusions? When I was at my pediatric GI's office, he'd always order a CBC and liver panel test. My adult GI doesn't order anything like that. I'm thinking of ordering those tests just to be on the safe side (especially the CBC, because it includes white blood cell counts).
Posted 1/22/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
     When I was on 6MP my doctor ordered monthly CBC's, liver panel tests, sed rate and some other tests which slip my mind at the moment.  I started Remicade in November and the only test he ordered was a chest xray, no blood work.
Posted 1/22/2010 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have blood work done at every Remicade Infusion (every 8 weeks).  I am pretty sure they are checking to see if I have built up any anitbodies to the Remicade.

Posted 1/22/2010 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
My GI just ordered me to have bloodwork...I just had my third infusion. He said I will also need to have bloodwork in July.
Posted 1/24/2010 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have blood work done every other remicade infusion.  I would talk to your doctor.  It makes me feel alittle more at ez to have it done.  They check almost everything on me.  The put the Iv in for the remi and take blood out for the blood work through that.  redface
Posted 1/25/2010 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I get a CBC, liver and kidney panels every three months. These are pretty standard at least twice a year no matter what medication you're on, or even if you aren't taking any medication, to check for other effects of UC. (PSC, decreased kidney function, anemia)
Posted 1/25/2010 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I used to get blood drawn with every REmicade infusion, but obviously, since I switched to Humira, the labs don't get done. I have to call my GI soon anyway, to let him know how things are going, so I'll ask then what we want to do about labs. Probably once every 3 months or so.
Posted 1/25/2010 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I go to my GI on Tuesday. I'm going to ask to have the blood work done since I haven't had any drawn since the beginning of Dec.. Everything was perfect then. At the moment I am in a flare and on 20 mgm of prednisone after being off it for only a month . Already my cheeks are bright red and puffy. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy on the 2nd of Feb. Wonder if he will even attempt to do it now. I am kinda overdue since I have had UC for over eleven years and he would like to do a colonoscopy every year now. Last one was when I was hospitalized in May of 08. He did do a sigmoidoscope with biopsies in June, so guess that would show if any cancer.
Posted 1/25/2010 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I asked my GI about this too when I went to renew the prescription for blood tests about a year ago. He told me that since I had stopped the Imuran per his request, that I no longer really needed the blood tests, but if I felt comfortable having them, then I should continue. We work well together so I trusted his decision; and I went for a few more, but I haven't had one in a while. I've been feeling great, but now I'm thinking I should just check in and have one done!
Posted 1/25/2010 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I completely forgot about kidney panel. If all the tests aren't too expensive, then I'll get them done at every infusion like I did with my pediatric GI. Otherwise, I'll get them every other infusion.
Posted 1/25/2010 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I get blood drawn and tested with each infusion, too.
Then they call me later in the day to tell me all was OK.
I think they are testing for counts, but I'm actually not sure!
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