Hello All, I have not posted here in awhile because I have had one hell of a year. I had a total colectomy with loop ileostomy in April and had major post surgical problems - including multiple...
Lild, I did find that it took slightly longer for common colds, or a flu bug, to go away while on Remi versus when I was not on it - like a cold might last 2 weeks instead of 1 week, etc. You might...
I triple what Ohio said... As long as you have a Certificate of Coverage and no lapse it should not be considered pre-existing. However, it is so confusing who really knows so you better some serious...
Hello Nessie, First off, both balasalazide (generic form of what is referred to as a 5-ASA) and Prednisone can cause joint pain. 40MG of Prednisone a day is a really high dose...depending on how long...
Arthritic symptoms are common for both UC'ers and CD'ers. However, you don't mention your meds, if you are on any. Many of the meds for UC can cause, contribute to, or worsen arthritic symptoms....
Most major health insurance companies allow you to register on their website to view all kinds of records, RX's, appointments, etc. I know because I am currently double insured (one through my work...
Hello Lild, I was on Remicade for over 5 years so I think I have some good feedback. *** I must note that I did eventually build up anti-bodies against the drug and it caused Drug Induced Lupus and a...
Hello AimingforSerenity, I am so sorry to hear about your friends complication. However, I had the same operation (Ileorectal anastomosis) in April of this year. Two key differences between your...
My T-Count was relatively low but I also experienced the fatigue, lack of desire, ambition and I had a lot of anxiety. Although the Adrenal glands produce only a small portion of the testosterone in...
I believe in the power of the sun more than any supplement I have ever taken - and I have taken every kind, in every form, in mega doses, etc. Spend 20-30 minutes per day in the sun without sunscreen...
I think the answer is going to vary but I will throw in my two cents. To me a mild flare has always been mild cramping and diarrhea with very little blood or mucous that lasts for only 4-7 days and...
**I posted this in the UC Forum as well but was thinking this forum may be a better fit* I do not want this post to be redundant but I did search the site for past threads related to Ileostomy...
I do not want this post to be redundant but I did search the site for past threads related to Ileostomy take-down after Ileorectal Anastomosis. I could only find threads related to a take down after...
Hey NewShinyCD, I agree with all of the posts that you need to see a Rheumatologist. I noticed in your signature that you had been on Remicade prior to surgery. Remicade can cause "Drug Induced...
Remicade can cause Vasculitis (which of course affects blood flow to the arteries in the body). I developed Raynaud's, which is a form of vasculitis that makes your hands and feet very cold, get open...
The only advice I can give (from experience) is do anything you can not to worry. Stress, as many UCers know is a contributing factor to flares. I know this from personal experience as I used to have...
I have posted before that I had a severe, but notably rare, side effect to Remicade after 5 years of bliss on the drug (complete remission, life was grand). Keep up on your blood work, involve a...
I looked into additional life insurance since my diagnosis. As another poster stated it really depends on the severity of the disease, medications and if you have been hospitalized. I was denied...
Thanks for the hint and I did search the past forums. There was some useful information and a lot of people claiming that people will try to blame anything ,or anybody, for their current condition...
Hey Zucchini, Yes I have heard and looked into the possible connection between Accutane and UC. I have talked to a lawyer and they are reviewing the case. I also took it about 20 years ago but the...
I agree this seems to be a really quick taper especially given the very high dose to begin with (60 MG / day of Pred is a lot!). You might ask your Dr. to order an ACTH Stimulation test. This test...
Wow NiTi, Thanks for the link. I meet with my surgeon again on Tuesday and I plan to be armed with as many questions and alternatives as possible - and this really helps. Since the ileorectal...
I agree with every post above regarding logging what you eat and following up with your GI. Your symptoms are way too severe given the current prednisone dose. Also, if you read the Prednisone side...
Hey Bookworm, The answer to your question "did the drug induced Lupus go away" is a yes and no answer for me. I have been off Remi for 15 months now and much of the symptoms have started to resolve...
Hey Volsfan, Well I will act as "Mr. Negativity" toward Imuran (Azathioprine) as I had serious side effects to the drug - but many others do just fine. This is indeed a strong drug given the symptoms...
Wow, sorry to hear this - there is nothing more frustrating than when the Doctors cannot find the problem. The only thing I can add would be this. 1. I have been positive for CMV when my...
Don't worry yet - But seriously, it takes the first 3 "build up" infusions to take full effect. I noticed it slowly as well - but after the third injection the difference was apparent. Also, there...
Yes, I have had similar side effect almost every time a taper off prednisone. My GI always told me it is all part of the simple adjustment your body is making - and also a sign your adrenal function...
Hey Canope, My intention was certainly not to cause immediate alarm and fear so I apologize for that. I have been one of those "lucky ones" that seems to develop some kind of problem with almost...
Prednisone - especially long term or in high doses, has been shown to deplete all of the following nutrients: Vitamin D, Calcium, Selenium, Zinc, Potassium UC in itself can cause depletion of Folic...
I used Remicade for almost 5 years and thought it to be a wonder drug. It alleviated all of my symptoms and had very few side effects. However, I developed anti-bodies to the drug as well as drug...
Thanks Sue - I would have opted for J-pouch/ileoanal but a positive diagnosis between UC and CD could not be made. Prometheus labs (in all of their glory) returned three "non-conclusive" results for...
Hey My UC, I don't think you are talking down to me at all. As all educated UC patients we have a fairly solid understanding of basic blood work (i.e., you mention that CBC will include not only WBC...
Hey MyUC, I am really glad Azathioprine is working for you...I was just sending out a warning flag. However, it surprises me that your GI has never seen any serious side effects. My GI also works in...
Just my two cents on Azathioprine (or any immunomodulators for that matter). Keep up on your blood work - make sure your GI is closely monitoring. I might even seek out a hematologist to monitor you...
I am new to this forum but have visited and read many posts over the years and am looking for others who might have had a similar experience. I am a 40 year old man that developed UC at age 35 (yeah,...