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Getting cold feet about my first Remicade infusion tomorrow!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/12/2013 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently tapering pred while on Remicade. Was at 40mg of pred currently down to 15 and dropping to 10 next week. I'm very happy that I started the Remicade as it made a huge difference. My GI's plan is to get me off of pred and AsacolHD completely and just use the Remi and Imuran as maintenance.
Posted 11/12/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Loni, I'm glad you posted. It's strange because I was looking up remicade on the site and saw that you got on it awhile Ago. You and judy2 have both been on it quite some time. Since they want me to start it next week, I'm really confused as to what to do. If you or anyone else didn't already realize it, I tend to worry a bit. Feel like I'm trading a few good years free of UC for future problems that remicade can cause. Sorry joshlieb for chiming in on your great post but I really can see why you had cold feet. Just that worry that maybe there was something else that could have been done. I haven't even been on prednisone other than Uceris.
Posted 11/12/2013 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I suppose that when I started it, I was so sick that I was willing to try anything. My doc was pretty convinced that the Remi would help. I haven't been on Remi for several years now -- when I stopped the Remi I was put on Asacol for a maintenance med, and now I'm on Pentasa. Also, the Imuran was making me feel so awful and the Remi instantly made me feel better. Of course, for the first couple of years, I had the issue that I knew I needed the treatment right before the eight weeks was up because I would get tired. I used to call it my juice! It made me have more energy, and the more it healed my colon, the better I felt.
Posted 11/12/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Loni, time for me to stop worrying and get on with it.
Posted 11/12/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Keep us updated on how you are doing. Bring some snacks and things to read. I used to like the infusions because they were relaxing and nobody could (or wanted) to find me!! They would give me Benedryl and Tylenol before the infusion started and I would sleep like a baby. Take care, sit back and relax. You'll do well!
Posted 11/12/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I appreciate it. I will let everyone know after I get it.
Posted 11/13/2013 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Please do.
Posted 11/24/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)

Pluot said...
Stealth Guardian is incorrect. The "treatment ladder" is just one approach, it is not the only approach and certainly not the only good approach. Just as many doctors practice a "top down" strategy.

If you're having symptoms at 15 mg of prednisone, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to achieve remission with only a prednisone taper. If you're still sick WITH some prednisone, why would you expect to go into remission without prednisone?

Don't be nervous about trying Remicade. As long as you've had your TB test and the necessary precautions, it is very safe and often extremely effective. It would be much scarier and worse for your health to stay on prednisone for too long.

The goal is to minimize adverse reactions while maximizing the chance for remission. This is the goal of using a treatment ladder for medications. This is how the "prestigious" Universities like UM Baltimore approach treatments.

No unnecessary risks, or we'll have to explain to the doctors that treated BellasMom's son on why biologics are a bad idea as a first resort.

Post Edited (StealthGuardian) : 11/24/2013 1:20:09 PM (GMT-7)

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