Definitely had the mustache going on. It was horrible. But I waxed it off and that was that. It did not grow back once I stopped the pred....
I have gotten the regular flu shot since I started on remicade and imuran. As for the H1N1 - I'll see what my doctor says about it. I'm inclined to get it since I am in one of the high risk...
I would up the asacol dosage and add in rowasa or steroid enemas first. If that doesn't seem to work then you can discuss prednisone....
For some it works just fine. My experience was that it did not work as well as the brand and I had to switch back. My insurance doesn't cover it as well - but I don't really have a choice....
A little known fact that my pediatrician told me is that a stomach bug can last up to two weeks. The reason I know this is one of my kids always complains of belly aches. I too had the same thoughts...
Great news Carol! Looks like we're on the same track. We started Remi around the same time and we will hopefully end around the same time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my last infusion will be...
I'm spoiled I guess. My insurance plan has no referrals. I never have to make phone calls....
Good luck!! Why do you have to be busy with all the phone calls to the insurance company - doesn't the billing dept do that for you? ...
I've used both. I find the brand name Rowasa better for 2 reasons - 1. the bottle is softer and easier to use and 2. the generic did not work as well. I had much more gas pains and general cramping...
It's great when your GI takes care of you like that. Mine does the free sample thing for me too. I haven't paid for colazal in years!...
I hope it works for you. I've used Culturelle for years. While I was flaring I noticed a real difference in terms of gas. Much less while on the culturelle. Now that I've been in a solid remission...
The IV drip is no big deal. They give you two rounds of it while you are in labor and that is it. I took amoxil (pre UC diagnosis) and had terrible diarhea from it afterwards. By my second, he was...
I haven't noticed any fatigue issues with colazal. The fatigue from flaring was always much worse....
Colazal has been found to work better for lower left-sided colitis due to the release mechanism of the medication. Give it a try it might just be the boost you need....
Yup. But he wouldn't let me switch to Lialda either when it came out. And that is the same med that's in Colazal. I'm pretty good about meds. I timed my middle of day dose for when the kids come home...
I asked my Gi about switching from Colazal to Apriso cuz of the convenience. But he was not for it. He said since I'm in such a good remission on Colazal why do I want to rock the boat. So I'm still...
The longest I've been on Rowasa nightly was about a year and a half. My doctor feels if that is what is keeping you in remission than why not stay on it? You can definitely do Canasa in the morning...
My GI sent me to a maternal fetal specialist to discuss just that in a "preconception consult" so that we could evaluate the pros and cons. We discussed Imuran (similar to 6mp) and she said that she...
Most important. One that treats you as a person and not just your colitis. Actually listens to everything that is going on with you and discovers that some of it is just stress related due to other...
Have you tried using something like Gas-X first and then when the gas subsides a little trying to use the suppository?...
Wow Judy! Good luck with that. You'll have a long haul ahead of you with rehab and stuff but you will be so happy in the end that you did it! (My dad had both his hips done and is back to living...
Good luck with your decision! :)...
Good luck! When are you seeing the specialist? Let us know what he says....
Have you considered the Depo Provera shot? I know it is hormonal - but it doesn't travel through your gut and so it may be easier on your system. Most people stop having their periods the whole time...
Before you run to Remicade - have you asked the doctor about Rectal meds? I see you are allergic to asacol but there are still the steroid enemas you can take - like cortifoam or Cortenema....
I'm always completely exhausted after my Remicade and continue to be that way for about a week....
After the 3rd I started to see real change - by around the 5th or so I was pretty much in remission. I had some help though with Rowasa enemas and Canasa suppositories....
Happy Belated Birthday Carol! What a fabulous birthday present! congrats! I hope the two of you have many happy years together! :)...
so glad your son is doing well. I've been doing great o Remicade for quite a few years now. Hope your son continues to improve!...
My kids are no longer babies either - but are still young enough for me to cuddle and snuggle them. And there's nothing I look forward to more than my morning hugs and kisses when they wake up! So...
That must be me Judy - cuz those generics were nasty! Sodbuster - my doctor actually gives me samples of brand name Colazal from his office. My prescript ion drug coverage is terrible and after 1...
My docs office is actually a licensed infusion center. Mine gets billed on insurance as chemotherapy. My plan is 80/20 and it gets covered a 80%. I usually pay about $500 per infusion after the...
Hey Elaine! Sorry to hear you're having issues again. Have you been slowly starting to notice the mucus and blood over the last month since you dropped to 20mg or has it only been since you started...
Can't help you with that but like Old Hat - the generic colazal was terrible for me. Had to switch back to the brand. As for the mesalamine enemas - same deal. Have to use brand name Rowasa or it...
I have never heard of that. Are you sure it's not crohns-colitis - which is crohns disease that only affects the large intestine? As for the remicade - I've been doing great on it for years. It got...
Hey Scorpion. Welcome. I'm not a bodybuilder either - but I am an exercise/gym fanatic - go every day for a couple of hours. I actually find that running and lifting weights help me feel better - and...
When I was really flaring - no matter how not in the mood I was I never missed a night cuz I just wanted to get better. Once I started feeling better - even before I was ready to taper - every once...
Have you tried adding enemas or suppositories to your routine? That is what helped me achieve remission when I first started Remicade....
My GI doesn't have IBD - but the PA in office has Crohns. She's great! She totally understands what pain means, and how frustrating everything can be. I think she's a great asset to his office....
You said that Imodium delays the inevitable rush to bathroom for you. have you tried taking Imodium first and then using the enema? That should help delay the inevetibale for a bit and allow the...
Yup! Fatigue is one of my worst symptoms. When I'm flaring I'm so bone tired I can barely get out of bed to get the kids out to school. Now that I'm in remission - I just live with constant tired. I...
Hi teacher welcome! Are you only on the prednisone? No oral Solafolk with that? Being newly diagnosed is definitely a nerve-wracking time. Never feel bad for asking questions. We've all been there....
$1500 out of pocket is not all that bad. Mine is $500!!!!! I get my Colazal free from the doctor's office. They told the rep that they have a patient whose insurance doesn't cover and he leaves them...
Rowasa is the same medication as Asacol just in enema form. It treats from the other end. Most of us try to use both oral meds and enemas to treat our flare. The theory is that if you treat from both...
I have psoriasis on my scalp. Comes and goes with no relation to my flares at all. Used to get better after my Remicade infusions - but now - no difference. The dermatologist gave me Clobex lotion...
That was my question? 6mp is a maintenance drug meant to be taken long term to keep remission. Is he trying to get you off the 6mp so that you can have your knee surgery? Great news though! Glad to...
It helps to warm the bottle between your hand for a few minutes. That should get the fluid moving better and also make it easier to retain. And yes - you should probably use the enema at bedtime and...
Hi William! Welcome. Sorry you're having such a tough time of it. It's horrible when the docs just brush off your symptoms as something else and don't really listen to what you are trying to say....
If it's been going on for a few days it's probably the beginning of a flare. What dosage of Asacol are you on? Have you ever tried the mesalamine enemas - like Rowasa?...
Sounds like gas to me. I get it all the time. Try laying on your left side in fetal position with a heating pad pressed against your left side. It should eventually subside....