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Posted 3/1/2016 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

Have been reading these forums for sometime, since i was diagnosed in September of 2015 with Left Sided Colitis.

Have been on Lialda 4.8mg daily since then with a 5 week trail of prednisone, mesalamine enemas trying to get this in control.

I am always suspected IBS since I was about 15/16 but things got considerably worse in August with some blood and mucus.

I dont suffer from any pain, my main problem is urgency and multiple BMs, usually as I am sure you all know mainly in the morning or before i have to go somewhere.

My GI recently started me on 12.5mg of methotrexate and Remicade. Had my second infusion on Sunday. I see improvement right away, no more blood at all, no watery stools but I still feel urgency and still about 2-4 BMs in the morning.

Anyone on similar treatment that can advise if remicade can still kick in later to help with the urgency and decrease the BMs.

My 3rd loading dose is schedule for end of March.

thanks in advance!
Posted 3/1/2016 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I actually just went for my 4th infusion today. In the beginning (1st infusion) it worked very fast. After my 3rd infusion it slowed down a lot. My doctor changed up the amount I was getting and the frequency. Now I'm at 10mg every 4 weeks to see how I respond to it. Everyone is different. Remember, remicade is not a "cure" it controls the symptoms. I did fall back into a flare after my 3rd infusion and am now back on Prednisone. However, don't get discurraged, I was never fully out of my previouse flare and I ate like crap and drank which got me to this point in the first place. However, I will say that it definitely does take away the stomach pain. The hardest part is getting rid of the blood!
Posted 3/1/2016 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first positive response a week after my second infusion of remicade. I had a much bigger positive improvement a week after my 3rd infusion. I had slow, steady improvements until I reached remission after a full year of remicade. The first time I've ever been in remission since acquiring uc. Still in remission for 1.5 years and counting.

Prior to remicade, I was prednisone-dependent at 20mgs and 8 months into a really bad flareup.

So, if you've gotten any response and positive improvements on remicade at all, then I'd give it time. You can continue to heal over time. Remicade can't directly heal you, rather it mutes your immune system's attack on the large intestine. Internal healing does take time.
Posted 3/1/2016 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
After each loading dose I felt better and better. But it wasn't until I was on Remicade for 1 1/2 years before I hit a true clinical remission. But it wasn't all bad during that time. I steadily improved after each infusion. I have been in Remicade for 5 years and as of now, I hardly have solid bm's but I have no pain, no bleeding and no urgency.

And actually, 2-4 bm's in the morning is not bad to be honest :)
Posted 3/2/2016 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
in my case, I never went into full remission until my doctor upped my dosage of Remicade. Then I was in almost symptom free for approx. 5 years. Be patient and never give up.
Posted 3/2/2016 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Even if the Remicade is working optimally, it will take time for your rectum to heal. Until it does, you will have the urgency. Once the rectal lining is healed, this should subside. Good luck.
Posted 3/2/2016 11:38 PM (GMT 0)

gizmo said...
in my case, I never went into full remission until my doctor upped my dosage of Remicade. Then I was in almost symptom free for approx. 5 years. Be patient and never give up.

How long after the infusion did you notice improvement when he upped your dosage? I just went for my 4th infusion yesterday. She upped it from the 5mg to 10mg for the first time.
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