I've been on remicade and have been in remission for at least 8 years, however within the last two years I've experienced three flares (about 5-6 months apart) which was unusual for me. I was treated...
I had flu like symptoms when I tried the Imuran way back when before starting Remicade so they dropped it. I'm not sure what Remistart can do about this but I can call them. I'm getting in contact...
Thanks, I finally found an infusion center but the insurance is still referring to the letter that said I was denied. I faxed it over to the infusion center where it specifically says they may cover...
I've been successfully using Remicade to control my UC for the past seven years. The last 3 years since I moved I've been having it administered at a hospital. This year I had to change my insurance...
Unfortunately, no place even remotely close by to me, even the hospital, has off hours. My Gastro even looked into the home infusions and they also only do it on a 9-5pm basis. I'm starting to see...
I am in remission but I do will have to take off every eight weeks for about 3-4 hours during the day since getting the infusions is unavailable at off hours. Do I tell the prospective employer? I...
IV's always make me have to pee. The infusion bag is attached to a pole which is plugged into the wall outlet, however, it should have a battery backup so when you unplug it, the iv is still working...
This is always something that I have wondered myself. Since exercise is supposed to strengthen and enhance your immune system and our immune systems are already overactive enough--maybe it's not such...
I take an anti-spasmodic (bentyl, librax, etc.) along with some OTC Phasyme. According to my GI, the anti-spasmodic relaxes the gut and allows the gas to pass easier. I find the two work best...
It took 5 treatments for me. I was almost ready to give up, then BAM! Remission after being in a continual flare for a year and a half....
This is exactly what happened to me. Three weeks ago I got a nasty cold. I haven't had one in years which I attributed to an over active immune system. I started on Remicade, and it was my first cold...
I wish someone was able to explain this to me. (I can't even get a straight answer from my doctor). I just don't understand the relationship between all this "air" and inflammation. What does one...
I had my 4th infusion early this week. After 3 infusions and no change, I went in 4 weeks later rather than the 8 weeks I was supposed to go in, and they upped my dosage. I still don't feel any...
I had my third dose of Remicade and it did absolutely nothing. As I'm winding down my prednisone, my symptoms all came back. I was supposed to not go back until October but my doc is sending me in...
I've been actively flaring for over a year and a half except while on prednisone. I feel absolutely terrific on it It's like I'm a normal human being with no side effects whatsoever (outwardly...
I had my third infusion last week. I was on prednisone during that time so I didn't know if the remicade was doing anything since I was feeling good on the prednisone. Now that I am down to 2mg of...
I carry around with me breath spray (the none Listerine ones) and I spray before and after I go. They also have a product called "One drop" (but to me it smells worse than poo unless you get the mint...
Great to hear your insurance went through. Mine did too thankfully and I had my first infusion 2 weeks ago, getting ready for my second on Monday. Can't tell if it did any good since I'm still on my...
I had my very first remicade infusion yesterday at an infusion center. I was very nervous the first time, so I brought along my cousin with me who is a retired nurse for moral support and protection....
Christine, Good luck with your surgery on Monday and let us know how you are doing....
As the OP, I'm female. I did mention I was 56 and on estrogen (had a hysterectomey and I thought the estrogen was protecting my bones). I'm taking about 1000mg Calcium, 500mg Magnesium and 600 D a...
Sorry, should have mentioned I'm already taking calcium/Magnesium/D, but really don't think that's going to probably be enough....
In doing the various tests required before starting remicade (If my insurance approves), my GP knowing I've been on prednisone on and off for the past year an a half ordered a bone density test and...
I'd appreciate that. They have to give you some sort of valid reason since judging by your meds, you've exhausted all the alternatives other than surgery. I've been flaring since around the same time...
Did they say why you were refused? My doctor is about to start the process of applying for remicade for me (after my TB and blood tests) and I have United Healthcare. Now I'm really getting worried...
I'm currently in one of the worst flares I've ever had. Actually, I've been in a continuous flare for a year and a half with different symptoms each time. I have tons of gas--trapped gas and farting....
Does gas have anything to do with inflammation? I've had so much of it for so long (sometimes wet, sometimes just bloating) I've started to think I have a bacterial or yeast overgrowth because I...
I had a colonoscopy in December and the same thing. The labs reported non-specific dysplasia--but I was flaring pretty badly and so inflamed, they really couldn't see what was going on, I was told....
I've been flaring on and off for the past 7 months. And every time it seems to clear up, I get a brand new symptom. I think I literally have every Non-biologic medication in the house that I've...
It seem like every time I turn around, I have a new symptom I've never had before. For the past several weeks I've been waking up around 2:00 AM with all this gas pressure. No matter what position I...
Thanks everyone. I guess I will give it more time....
I can't wait a months to see some sort of improvement. I can't leave the house in the morning. I'm so glad to be out of work right now. Guess I'd better go buy some sunflower seeds and spinach....
My PA (can never get in to see the doctor anymore) was very reluctant to put me on predisone, so she insisted I try entocort first--9mg. I didn't have high hopes for it, but I thought I'd give it a...
From what I read, entocort only reaches the small intestine and ascending colon, and not the decending colon where UC'ers need it. Why was this prescribed to you? My PA suggested I try this for my...
This was my primary symptom when I was first diagnosed with UC--it has now morphed into the opposite when I am flaring. It was explained to be that the colon had become so inflamed that the stool...
I guess the prednisone and rectal cortisone meds finally caught up with me because although I am out of my flare finally, the side effect is an anal fungal infection--at least that's what the doctor...
I've used a prescript ion combo cream with Lidocaine HCL 3% with Hydrocortisone Acetate 0.5%. It's in a small tube that has an applicator and you apply it inside rectally. You can also just take the...
I was on the same dipentum dose as you for several months after trying asacol and colazol which didn't work. It was the last resort before going on prednisone (Lialda wasn't out yet). Luckily, I did...
I actually never had to serve. In California, it's different I remember than when I lived in New Jersey where you simply just have to go in. Here, I got my summons notice every year for the past 10...
Yea! The doctor wrote me the note today and I'm off the hook--for the time being anyway. With my luck (as I been called ten times in the last ten years), they will probably wait a few months and try...
Thanks everyone for responding. Hopefully my GI will agree to writing an excuse when I go Monday, even though my flare is starting to wind down. The stress alone over this might set me back, and I'm...
I'm in California for the past ten years and I get called every year--most people do, so the chances are good your number may not come up. I have never had to actually serve so I know my luck isn't...
I got my notice in the mail the other day. I may not have to go in if my number is not called, but what if it is? How does anyone deal with this? I'm starting to feel a little better but since...
I've been losing hair for quite some time and it didn't matter what mesalamine I was taking. I often wonder if it's the disease itself and not the medications doing it. I have been taking 5mg Biotin...
I was using a rectal cream that came in a tube that you applied internally for a while that worked pretty well. It was a combo lidocaine HCL 3% with Hydrocortisone Acetate 0.5%. You could ask your...
What Chinese meds are you taking?...
I've been on Dipentum, Colzal and Asacol and they helped but only somewhat. I switched to Lialda and I've been on it for about 5 months at 3 in the morning. The first few months were fantastic--I...
Someone here suggested the book "What to eat with IBD, a Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis," by Tracie M. Dalessandro and I found it extremely...
That's my biggest fear that I would not be able to get totally off of it once I got on, so I fought it all the way. But when weeks and weeks of rectal meds did nothing, and I was suffering so, I had...
I checked out the book. Reads pretty well in the "Search Inside." I bought the latest edition at a good price. Thanks for the suggestion Beth and Princesa. Looks like I'll need all the help I can...