I am really excited! In remission - FINALLY!

So after my roller coaster ride at the beginning of my Remicade infusions, I can finally say that I have reached REMISSION!

I am so crossing my fingers and trying to the keep the faith alive that all my future infusions will go smoothly and keep me feeling great and that I can make it feeling this well to the next infusion which is at 8 week intervals now.

As it stands right now, I only go to the bathroom once or twice a day. Slight urgency but I think that is "normal" urgency. Solid stool - this is what has me excited the most! I have actually had solid stool for about a week so far. I still have the occasional cramping, but I just take a lowered dose of Bentyl and it works. I think the cramping is from my other gut issues and not my Uc. I've even started experimenting with my no no foods again. I still have some issue with dairy, it gives me gas and makes me a little nauseous so I still avoid that. But with my experiments of the no no foods, I seem to be able to eat them again!

So happy for you Sherry. It has been a long haul for you. Glad you are in remission. Are you on the remistart program?

So happy to hear you are in remission! Yay for solid poops!

Congrats to you! Have a wonderful Thankgiving!

That's great!  

I started Remicade and Imuran in Jan 2010 and went into remission months later. IV steroids in the hospital brought be back from hell though.

 I’m on the 8 week maintenance dose as well (I stretch it to 9). I did get a reaction from Imuran, rash on my scalp and some on my cheeks but after lowering the dose (75 to 50mg) it got better. I also started taking an antihistamine, Benadryl, every night.

Two previous times I was placed on Remicade and went into remission then stopped it. That was with another GI.

There was a scare I had about Remicade and Imuran that I don’t have any more. I thought I would get sick a lot but I am actually the least likely in my office and family to catch a virus. The antihistamine I take nightly might be preventing allergies I had in the past that I assumed were viruses. Either that or maybe the lowering of my immune system prevents common allergic reactions from occurring (?)

Anyway…You have a high five (or Justin Bieber fist bump) from me. It’s a shame you cannot tolerate mesalamine. My colon burns and wants to expel the enemas so I use oxycodone to retain them. When I have a stressed time I notice mucus and bleeding so I use those enemas at night and within 3 days I’m healthy again.

What is your reaction to mesalamine? My sister also cannot tolerate it so uses a steroid enema (compounded especially for her) which does help.

Thanks all! I was really hesitant to post this because I have a very unpredictable case of Uc. So who knows? Maybe tomorrow I will be eating my words but right now I am just enjoying it :)

Janice, no I don't need the Remistart program. My insurance pays for my infusions 100% - for which I am extremely grateful because there would be no way I could afford any sort of co-pay for this.

Burli, my reaction to mesalamines is increased D - meaning I can go from 3-4 a day but when I take a mesalamine it can increase to 15+ a day. Severe abdominal pain, headaches and joint pain. I pretty much feel like I have the flu when I take them.

Sherry, I feel your joy and relief. I can still remember when I reallized I was going into remission after six solid years of flaring. I hope the Remi works as well for you as it has for me. I'm approaching six years now, and it's so wonderful to have a life again.

Enjoy your holidays, knowing you won't have to excuse yourself during the meal to go to the bathroom, and you'll be able to sleep through the night. I'm so happy for you!

That's amazing Sherry! It must be nice to find something that works for you after all this time struggling with medications that always left you teetering on the edge of a flare up. I don't like to post when I am doing well either because I am always up and down and I hate to say "I am great" and then in a week, I am back to teetering on the edge. I hope you have a forever remission!

Good for you ... and encouraging for us.

How long after symptom remission should one wait to try to confirm with scoping?

Fantastic news Red!   If your remission is down to the remicade, you will be giving a lot of encouragement to the remi-fence-sitters (me included)

I hope it lasts a long long time.

Now you can concentrate on all the other little niggles.  You seem to have a shopping list of them!

Best news ever!  Sherry, I hope your remission lasts for many, many years!

DBwithUC - I don't need a scope to let me know when I hit remission, though it's nice to have validation. I go by my symptoms basically. If I am having no pain, no D (this is somewhat touch and go for me regardless of Uc), no bleeding and no urgency than I consider myself in remission.

Thanks all! :)

Whoo hoo!