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Uceris/ remicade

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/4/2015 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Looking for thoughts, tips on starting remicade and uceris. I have been struggling with pancolitis, with prednisone being the only thing to clear up symptoms. Recently had a calprotectin result of 1640 and colonoscopy showing major inflammation in rectal area. Going to start remicade and uceris along with methotrexate and imuran. Also mesalamine enema. Life sucks most days lately and just hoping to get back to functioning normally.
Posted 9/4/2015 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Uceris is just a pill to swallow, pretty easy. There's no tapering or special instructions.

Remicade is a medication given via IV injection, with nurse supervision. It's very easy for you, just sit there for 2-3 hours, pain free (just a small needle prick when the nurse sets the IV), and incredibly boring so bring entertainment (book, ipad, or other hobby). They weigh you when you get there (remi is weight dosed), premedicate you with Tylenol and an antihistamine (benadryl or claritin that help prevent headaches), you sit, theyvset the IV, and you wait. The nurse periodically checks your temperature and heart rate. They remove the IV, put a bandaid on you, and away you go.

Imuran is also a pill, take it with food and preferably just before bed when you first start it. As Imuran is known to cause nausea during the first few weeks.

It's common to be in a biologic (remicade) and immunomodulator (Imuran) simultaneously. Uceris is temporary. I believe methodex is temporary as well, although I've never been on methodex.
Posted 9/4/2015 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
You haven't yet started any enemas? I would definitely give mesalamine and steroid enemas a fair shot. The problem with pills is that you're pretty much crossing your fingers that they will dissolve right where they need to, whereas with enemas you're applying the medication directly where it needs to go. That being said, with pancolitis it's most likely a good idea to take both pills and enemas (at least for mesalamine). I don't have experience with pancolitis, so someone else will need to comment there.

I have had experience with uceris. It's a steroid pill like prednisone but it has a coating supposedly designed to release in the colon. This is how uceris has far fewer side effects than systemic prednisone. I took one 8-week course of it and not only did it do nothing for me, but I think it made my symptoms slightly worse. A big waste of money at $700 for a month's supply. Anyway, uceris should provide fewer side effects, but I'm just not sure what its effect would be on the entire colon.
Posted 9/5/2015 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, they are starting so many things at once. How will they / you know what is or isn't working? I know that hitting it hard when you are in a flare is ok, but I still wonder here...ok to take Uceris for a short time, ok to take an imumodulator with the Remi. But I am not sure methotrexate is the common choice for UC. Most pick 6mp. Perhaps I am missing some info about your diagnosis. My daughters was left sided and mainly rectum till the end of our time with a colon.
Posted 9/5/2015 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the info. I've been on the methotrexate for about a year now. Recently switched GI docs. My previous one told me enemas would be in affective for me. My new doc decided on remicade with the 6mp to add to my current dose of the methotrexate. After colonoscopy last week showing significant inflammation in rectum she suggested the uceris and enema for temporary relief. My previous GI dr was prescribing prednisone with every flare without trying other routes/ leading to major other symptoms and that's why I changed to another doc😊
Posted 9/5/2015 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I've never heard of someone being on two different immunomodulators + a biologic all at the same time
Posted 9/5/2015 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I expected to come off of methotrexate when starting remicade and imuran but apparently that's not the plan. Just want to feel better and not live in constant fear of being in public without a bathroom nearby lol
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