HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Remicade(?), being place on it.....what do I need to know or ask?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/9/2008 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I saw my NEW doc(Stephan Targan,M.D. Cedar Sinai IBD center).  After the work up and history he is placing me on Remicade.  I have read very little on it.  I will be reading more today tho'.  If anyone can offer anything that I should know I would be very greatful.  Prior to the Remi appointment I am having a PPD test, Pelvic MRI, CT of the abdominal/pelvic area(trans), and just for good measure another COLONOSCOPY.  OH ya, I am also seeing a colorectol(?) surgeon Dr. Fleshner, M.D. Again, if anyone has anything they can offer I would be so very greatful.........this is getting to be alot to take in all at once.
Posted 10/10/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Terri. I have had UC for eight and half years now. I am going to be having a surgery the 15th of this month. My GI had recommended Remicaid at first. I have been on almost every medicine out there without any success, but I was really considering remicaid. My husband and I looked into it and found that this medicine not only drops your imune system, but it can increase chances of other disease beside TB if the other diseases run in you family. I my family, there is plenty of cancer. After researching, my husband and I talked to the doctor about our feelings on the treatment. He later agreed with us that Remicaid could be dangerous for me rather than help me.



My advice is for anyone considering to take this drug to really look into it and consider your family history too.
Posted 10/10/2008 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Christina,  Thank you so much.  I am still really new to this whole thing and it is just driving me NUTZZ. 

I really never thought about the family history and REMICADE.  My family history is a whole bunch of trouble from heart to kidney to cancers.  Ohya, the lungs too.  I will look into my family history before I do anything.  I will talk more with my doc after the TB this coming monday and see what he says.  The only reason they mentioned REMICADE is because I am alergic to the 5 ASA's and I can't live on Prednisone forever.  Like I said I am just nutzzz over this whole thing. 

Please keep in touch and let me know how your surgery goes.  I wish you all the best in the world with that. 
Posted 10/10/2008 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Make sure your Dr. does the appropriate blood work before prescribing any of the immune suppressing meds.
My Dr. did a test that showed that my body does not produce an enzyme that is needed to work with those drugs.
The test showed that I am the 1 in 800 people who CANNOT ever take those meds because of the chance of reducing white cells and escalating to lymphoma.
That is a risk neither of us are willing to take.
I am amazed that such a test exists and thank god we know this ahead of time!
Posted 10/10/2008 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
On the other side of the equation, I have been in remission for 2 1/2 years with Remicade, after not being able to obtain remission at all for the first 4+ years after my diagnosis. Things are different for all of us.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply