happyday - how are you?

Hi Contp. Thanks for asking. Just got latest bloodwork (LFT's) after stopping 6mp completely and being off remicade since October. LFT's are almost back to normal. Liver doc says one more monthly normal lft blood test and he will be comfortable ruling out auto immune hepatitis and blaming the elevated lfts on the 6mp.

Swelling in feet, ankles, calves and knees has also subsided substantially. Pain in joints and tendons has decreased - seems to get a little better every day, but progress is slow. Muscle pain is also getting better slowly. Still have the arthritis pain, but that seems to be controllable with Mobic.

Not having any of the typical UC symptoms such as d or mucous or urgency.

I am experiencing some relief to the chronic constipation (or blockage) which started shortly after the first remicade infusion and the docs have referred to as IBS. (I agree with Gary that IBS simply means that they do not have a clue).

If I can get someone to deal with the hemmies, I have hope that I might be able to return to a somewhat normal life in the not too distant future. Current doc says she doesn't want to deal with hemmies until we deal with IBS.

Have a GI doc apt this week. Will be interesting, as I am pretty sure she will be wanting me to go back on remicade to prevent another "flare".

Question - Have you had the shingles vaccine and do you plan to get it now that you are off remicade? I plan to ask about it this week.

Contentp:

I had the hep series of shots before remicade. Had prevnar during remicade (it is not live), hope to have the shingles vaccine asap. Did you have the Tb test ? I think there might be something out there for mumps and whooping cough or measles now. I might inquire about those.

I only started the Mobic a few weeks ago (although I have had it for foot tendonitis for several years) because the pain and weakness was so bad I could not even walk from my living room to the garage. And I could not stand without holding onto something for more than about 60 seconds. I have resorted to using an old lady walker when I leave the house (which is seldom) and sometimes even in the house. I would say the combination of stopping the drugs and starting the MOBIC is making a difference.

The blockage and hemmies or (constipation per the doc) is almost as bad if not worse than the d from UC in terms of pain and debilitation. And the miralax which they insisted I take (now quit) made is even worse.

I guess you can tell I am pretty fed up with the whole thing and with almost all the doctors (that is another story) and just about at wits end today. So maybe some of my information will be helpful to someone else. I know I was totally lost when this all started and totally dependent on the docs.