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Starting remicade today...really scared

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/16/2009 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Well...i am starting remicade today. I have been on iv steroids since monday with no help. Had a colonoscopy yesturday showing my left side of my colon still inflammed. I just had a baby a month ago and figured i would flare but didn't think i would end up in the hospital and starting this new med. Does anyone have any advice??? Very nervous about this but just want to get back to a normal life and get home to take care of my son!
Posted 10/16/2009 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn, I've been on Remicade for nearly four years, and in remission since my second infusion. I recently had my first blip, getting some very slight rectal inflammation (after taking antibiotics) which resolved easily with hydrocortisone suppositories.

I've had no adverse effects, and have been able to take my life back. I hope you have the same excellent results.
Posted 10/16/2009 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have to be on Remicade the rest of your life once you start it?
Posted 10/16/2009 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
You don't have to be on anything if you don't want to, but Remicade is considered a maintenance drug. The risk in stopping it is that often people can't use it again after stopping because their bodies have developed antibodies to it, and they either have a reaction or it just doesn't work at all.
Posted 10/16/2009 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thrilled with how well Remicade has worked for me, and haven't suffered any side effects at all.
I was so excited getting ready for my first infusion, I cried a little!
I think positive thinking helps.
Posted 10/16/2009 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Just went Wednesday and had NO side affects. I wasted much of the last 5 years worrying myself for nothing. Please listen to the experiences on this forum. It's what helped me along.
Posted 10/16/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
     Won't your body build up an immunity to it anyway after awhile?  Seems like mine has with the 6MP.  Prednisone used to help me a lot with flares but now I find I have to be on it longer and at higher dosages, so going to try to stay off it as much as possible.
Posted 10/16/2009 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Not everyone builds immunity to it. In fact there are people on this forum that have been on it for years successfully.
Posted 10/17/2009 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys...i just finished with the infusion and no side effects so far. crossing my fingers for great results like you guys have experienced. Really appreciate the positive words of advice!
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