Remicade

I was diagnosed with UC back in Feb of 09, following a two month battle of bleeding and constant going. I had no real improvement and was hospitalized in July 08. IV steroids seemed to do the trick and I was flare free. I flared again in Nov 09 and it took high dosage of Prednisone to get me under control by Feb 10. I flared again over Labor Day of this year.

I recently was hospitalized for the second time due to UC. Prior to the hospitalization, I was on 4800mg of Asacol and 60mg of Prednisone and Rowesa enemas. Neither of these drugs worked at all this time, and I continued to slip downward and downward. While in the hospital I was started on Remicade. The initial infusion went well and I appeared to be on the rebound. I was discharged on a Friday (after a week), I was down to 8 Bowel movements a day from 20. Then by Thursday I was back up to 14 BM a day. The docs still have me on 60mg of Prednisone. I am due another Remicade infusion this coming Tuesday. Is it normal for Remicade to take several infusions to work?

I am highly frustrated as after the initial feeling better, I feel lousy again all the time. I can not sleep through the night as I keep having to get up and run to the bathroom. The Prednisone then will not let me sleep during the day as it has me all amped up. I have cut my diet to only the blandest of food, but that does not have any effect. I have the same result if I eat a few slices of Pizza or if I eat plain chicken and well boiled green beans.

any advice anyone has would be helpful
thank you

It took several infusions to get to a point where healing began-and the dose had to be adjusted twice, BUT we are at the 2 year mark for "almost" complete remission. It may work this way for you too-give it a bit of time. Esp. while you are weening from the Pred.
Best,

GLOVE,
I am taking an OTC Probiiotic, I have taken Align in the past and am now taking Phillips Colon Health...I do not think they have done anything for me. I also eat a lot of yogurt. Thanks for the input. Any other suggestion?

I stopped bleeding after the second infusion, but I am on Prednisone as well, tapering down...still 3 BM a day, on the 9th November I will have my 3rd go...but I know it can take longer, my GI told me that with UC it takes longer to react rather thatn with CD

Best of luck,