Posted 3/18/2013 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. I am relatively new to the UC world and also new to this forum. I was diagnosed with UC just over a year ago and spent the entire year taking Salofalk (orally and suppositories) and Prednisone with no effect. The Biologic drugs (Imuran, Humira, Remicade) were all being discussed however I have a medical history that seemed to contraindicate their use. The compromised immune system [could] threaten my eyesight. My GI specialist was hesitant to prescribe any biologics until we could get a consult with Ophthalmology to assess the risk. Accessing specialty services in Nova Scotia can be difficult at best and while awaiting the consult, my health deteriorated to the point when I was asking for surgery even knowing and understanding what the ramifications of that decision would be. I just figured anything had to be better than the existence I had. At that point I was hospitalized and treated with IV steroids and antibiotics while a risk assessment by Ophthalmology and Infectious Diseases was taking place. In the end, it was decided that the risk to my bowel was greater than the risk to my eyesight and Remicade was the drug of choice because of its fast reaction time. I had the initial dose while in hospital and within 24 hours, I had 3 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep for the first time in over 2 months and a tiny BM that would not pass through a sieve for the first time over a year. Although I was still making 15-20 trips to the bathroom (per day) and still having significant bleeding, those 2 small changes took me [psychologically] from despair to hope. I had my second infusion of Remicade 2 weeks later and am scheduled for the third one 2 weeks from now. Although my GI specialist is concerned that I am still having some bleeding, I continue to improve and am no longer confined to my house. It is like a whole new life and I shiver at the thought of how close I came to making the wrong decision. I still have hope for a complete remission. There is a wonderful support system here in Canada for people on Remicade and I can't say enough good about the way I have been treated by everyone involved in my care.