That's basically how my rheumatologist explained it to me when we discussed TNF blockers. I'm sure that if a patient was passionate about trying one and had failed everything else, they could find a...
Don't be surprised if your consultant says the same thing; most doctors would be quite reluctant to prescribe an anti-TNF to anyone with a personal history of melanoma. Those patients are usually...
This really resonated with me. I had surgery over 20 years ago and often consider how different my life might've been if I'd come of age in the Remicade era. Had steroids and old-school DMARDs kept...
Your opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to making the decision of whether to reproduce. Is your life with UC so terrible that you'd never wish it on anyone? Most of us would say "No,...
Wow. If Bob Seger said Frey had UC for most of his life (see zengrrl's link), there goes the misdiagnosis theory. It's interesting but not surprising that he was willing to publicly discuss...
I believe his UC was originally misdiagnosed, which might have complicated his treatment....
Same thing with rheumatologists, who increasingly offer infusion centers (basically rooms with recliners and nurses) to reduce costs and because it's more convenient for patients to visit a quiet...
That's why I prefaced my comment with "I know there are those who will remain unconvinced." As others said, there are ways to research what, if any money, your doctor is paid by pharmaceutical...
I know there are those who will remain unconvinced, but if a doctor prescribes a biologic, they don't get a cut of it. They're not like Sears sales associates earning a commission for selling a...
At the time of my surgery, I had no extraintestinal manifestations of UC. Within a few years I developed them, both skin and joint, and it continues to this day, almost 20 years later. (I also...
Uniform Charlie, I had surgery over 20 years ago, as a child, and still have rectal inflammation (cuffitis). Surgery was a phenomenally positive experience for me that restored my quality of life,...
OP, I'm also into frugality and early retirement (a subscriber to the MMM financial philosophy, if you're familiar with that site) and struggle to calculate how to plan for my future healthcare...
Ankylosing spondylitis, Hashimoto's, Meniere's disease. All came after the UC....
kamakya, if the doctor suspected Hashimoto's was a possibility they'd want to test her TPO antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies. For Graves' the tests would be TSI antibodies and TRAb....
Do you know what blood tests were ordered? There are autoimmune thyroid diseases (Graves' and Hashimoto's) that can be associated with UC or any other autoimmune disease, but specific antibodies...
suebear sums it up for me. I agree with those who don't view surgery as a "true cure," although it does seem to be one for some. Surgery accomplished what it was supposed to for me: it saved my life....
Gary, I had surgery as a kid and don't know what my CRP was when my UC was at its worst. In the 20 years since then my CRP's been checked many times by rheumatologists and is usually 'normal' and...
Not sure about others but my lab considers anything below 0.80 "normal."...
That's great that your daughter is doing well on Remicade! Others will be much more knowledgeable about your medication prospects than I, but I wanted to offer this: This will sound strange but if...
I've had my pouch for over 20 years and have to agree with suebear and ByeByeUC: no regrets. The decision was made without my consent (I was a minor) after all meds failed and I feel very strongly...
I agree with imagardener2 that women are often shortchanged in medical studies. Part of me laughs every time I hear "IBD is caused by stress" or "IBD is caused by diet." Not because either of those...
AuntBeepBeep is correct that with Hashimoto's you can swing between hypo and hyper. If you've not had your antibodies tested it's something to consider....
Fasting did wonders for my ankylosing spondylitis pain and even made my stomach and pouch feel light and free, something that rarely happens. But with a pouch you have to be sure to stay very...
How long have you had your scars? They'll shrink some and fade considerably in time. I had a rather large scar after having my colon removed during childhood, in addition to the ileostomy scar and a...
To follow up on this, I was able to see my doctor's preferred endo quickly, which was good because I've not been feeling well (the fatigue in particular is enormous). Hashimoto's was diagnosed on the...
Thanks, Judy. I'm trying to find an endocrinologist who can see me next week. The two thyroid numbers were my only wayward blood work. None of the other results pointed towards lupus....
Am I correct in thinking this screams Hashimoto's? Thyroid Peroxidase and Antithyroglobunlin Antibodies THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES >3000 IU/mL (1000 IU/mL (<35) Unfortunately I have no other thyroid...
There's still so much to learn about HLA-B27, it's kind of maddening! I've read in books about UC that while over 90% of Caucasians with ankylosing spondylitis test positive for the marker, anywhere...
I should add that my gastroenterologist was of the opinion that autoimmune diseases are more likely to happen in clusters. He'd told my parents years before the operations that I'd probably have...
My colon was removed over 20 years ago, when I was still in elementary school. The post-surgery improvement in my quality of life was immeasurable (though having a pouch isn't nonstop sunshine and...