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Remicade and cancer with young males.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/29/2012 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 24 and my Doc wants to put me on remicade because my flare is not being controlled. I have heard that this can have some pretty nasty side effects. I don't want to get cancer and die. Anyone my age taken this stuff and what side effects camr from it?
Posted 3/29/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
well, look at it this way. you could stay miserable and potentially get even sicker from UC or you could give the medication a try. there's no guarantee that you will get cancer from it. there's also no guarantee you won't get in a car accident and die. that's how i feel about trying different meds. you could die from anything.

i took 5 infusions of it. it wasn't helping after the 4th one, so i stopped it. my main side effects were pain in fingers,elbows, hands and really bad headaches.
Posted 3/29/2012 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Also I think the cancer cases are from males younger than you and ones who are on 6mp or 6mp type drug at the same time as being on Remicade.
Posted 3/29/2012 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Check out the numerous threads on HW about LDN. I have never tried it but it is inexpensive and some have found it very effective with very few side effects. Then there is diet, (avoiding gluten foods most popular), many have found antibiotics effective, and rectal meds have controlled flares for many here. Probiotics are the most popular supplement we take.

Everyone is different and we all had to find our own path that leads to remission. You have nothing to lose by giving some of the alternatives a chance.
Posted 3/29/2012 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Well a month ago my doc talked me out of it because of the risks involved now they are telling me I need it.
Posted 3/29/2012 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Remicade for almost four years. I've had some reactions to the infusion (chest tightness, migraines), but slowing down the infusion rate and pre-medicating with Zyrtec a week before and a week after has gotten rid of that.

What risks did your doctor talk about? Are you taking 6MP/Imuran? I believe most, if not all, of the cases were on 6MP/Imuran and Remicade at the same time.
Posted 3/29/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I understand your concern but that cancer has been linked to the use of 6mp and remicade and in some cases 6mp alone. Have you ever been on 6MP?
Posted 3/29/2012 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Only thing I'm on is Immuran 150mg
Posted 3/29/2012 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
So would your doctor keep you on Imuran (which is similar to 6MP) if you start Remicade?

How about adding 5ASAs (Lialda, Asacol, Colazal, Apriso) and/or rectal meds (5ASA or steroid)?
Posted 3/29/2012 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Lailda 4 every morning
Posted 3/29/2012 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
My understanding is that if you are/have been on imuran/6mp and then are on remicade at the same time on in the future you are at risk especially as a young male. BUT I think the risks are very low (doesn't help if it's you though so I understand). You might want to post this on the Crohn's forum - they have people taking this combo there. I know they don't allow children in Canada to be on this combo but a lot of GIs still use it in the states. Are you interested in alternatives at all? Fecal transplant, dietary modification, LDN?
Posted 3/29/2012 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I feel as if when I eat my healthiest is when I flare or when i do a major diet change.
Posted 3/30/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
     My GI doctor took me off the 6MP two weeks before starting Remicade.  Yes, there is a higher incidence of cancer in young males who are on both Remicade AND 6MP or Imuran.  I am an old lady, but my doctor didn't want to take the chance of my being on two strong immunosuppressants at the same time.  He did tell me that the studies indicated young males are at higher risk.
Posted 3/30/2012 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Personally if I had to choose between Remicade with Imuran/6MP or surgery then I would choose surgery. But there are other options. Even increasing your dose of pred sounds good compared to that.

Please check out the many alternative options that have helped many of us. For example you have nothing to lose by trying rectal meds, or going gluten-free for a couple of weeks. If you find LDN effective (and many here on this forum do) then it is relatively safe with few side effects:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2338980
Posted 3/30/2012 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
i was on both 6mp and remicade and haven't gotten cancer yet... knock on wood. im still worried about skin cancer though. i won't go out and just lay in the sun.
Posted 3/30/2012 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 6MP and Remicade from 13 years of age to 18 years of age. Not one single side effect. Just had an amazing life.
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