Remicade and swollen lymph nodes???

HI there everyone,

I am back with yet another problem.  I went to my family doc today because I have had some bad pain in my right armpit, breast area.  He did an exam and found that my lymph nodes were swollen, he said it was pretty bad.  I knew something was wrong when the pain worsened while being examined.  He ordered me a mammogram and sonogram to rule out any masses other than the swollen lymph nodes. I have not and do not feel ill either. 

Now.....I have been on remicade and he told me that this is a side effect.  I am confused and scared.  I was not expecting this type of side effect after only 2 treatments.  I am to have my 3rd treatment this week and am very afraid to get it.  I called my GI doc and left a msg letting him know of my situation and that I was unsure if it would be wise to have my remicade treatment since we are trying to rule out what might be causing my swollen lymph nodes.  What confuses me the most is I was told not to have remicade if I felt sick, was sick or had any signs of illness for that matter.  Well, swollen lymph nodes tell me that my body is fighting something.  I just have a hard time trusting the girl who administers the remicade...she seems so pushy.

Has anyone had any similar problems with Remicade??

Thanks for your help!

Amy

Hi UCLife,

Sorry I'm seeing this a bit after you've posted it. I too have had a swollen lymph node - in the left groin area, right above my colon - on and off for the past year or so. I'd also wondered if this was the remicade, but was told that wasn't the case (...not sure I buy that). My doc actually sent me for an ultrasound to determine if the node looked cancerous, and thankfully, it didn't. I'm hoping you've gotten the same news!

For me, the swollen lymph node comes and goes. What's odd is that I stopped taking Remi back in February, and just in the last few days have had a new incidence of swelling, this time with pain. Does seem weird. Swollen lymph nodes are an immuno response, and as people with active auto immune diseases, we're good candidates for inflammation manifesting all over. I'm eager to hear what you find out.

Best luck,

Jones


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DX'ed 6/03, have taken most everything including Remicade, 6MP, pred, asacol, colazol... the works
Currently med free and 14 weeks pregnant - YAY!