No, I'm not dead...

[snapdragon76]

As some of you may or may not know, I have Crohn's colitis. I've had it for a little over ten years now. As a result, I have to get a colonoscopy every year. Normally they turn out perfectly fine. no inflammation, no major changes. This year, however, there were significant changes... and not necessarily good ones.

They noticed I had moderate to severe inflammation this time around in quite a few areas of my colon. And I had a rougher time during recovery as well. Instead of a day, it took a few days and I'm still feeling some of the after effects even now. It's been a little frustrating to say the least. My doctor did decide on another treatment course. It's called Remicade and it's mostly used for arthritis sufferers, but since it treats inflammation, it also helps with Crohn's. It's taken intravenously, so I have to go to an infusion center and sit with a needle in my arm for over three hours. So that'll be fun, but I talked with another friend of mine who has Crohn's and has been on the Remicade treatment for five years and she says it works wonders for her. So I have hopes.

There are some side effects. You cannot have any infections or anything while on it, because it aggravates them severely. As it stands, I have to get a tuberculosis skin test which is standard procedure. But, I think I'll pass because as far as I know, I've never been exposed to anyone with TB, so I'm not really worried.

So, that's what's been happening with me lately. hopefully once I get started with this new treatment, I'll be able to function as a semi-normal person without needing to be chained to the toilet.

Comments

[rosehiptea.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear the colonoscopy came out bad. I hope the new treatment helps.

I know Crohn's is awful.

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Well, I could've been much worse than it was. Like there could've been cancerous lesions or it could've been bad enough that I would've needed a colostomy bag. So I was lucky in that respect at least.

So do I.

[coastal-spirit.livejournal.com]

I've had psoriatic arthritis for 15 years. I took Remicade treatments for a year, and I can honestly say it was the best year I've had since it all started - no side effects, no pain, lost 50 pounds and I felt great. It did become less effective after a year and I had to move on to something else, but that's no indication that it would do the same for you. I hope it works well for you. It's nothing to be particularly wary of, I can tell you that. :)

I used to sit and read manga while I had my treatments. It was actually quite relaxing. ;)

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Well, my one friend did say she's been on it for 5 years, so maybe it works differently for different ailments?

I also heard they add some liquid Benadryl to the IV, so I'll most likely be napping, lol!

[coastal-spirit.livejournal.com]

It most likely does, and works differently for different people. After Remicade, I was on Enbrel for almost 10 years before it stopped working.

They probably do add the Benadryl as a precaution. I never had it, but they did monitor me closely the first few times in case I had a reaction.

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

well, I guess I'll find out soon enough... that is if this overreaching feeling of ickiness I've been having isn't a sign of me coming down with anything. If so, than I'd have to be on antibiotics for who knows how long and that push my treatment back even further...


*headdesk*

[coastal-spirit.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. I know about that situation, having been sidelined for a month to 6 weeks this winter with bronchitis/pneumonia/ear infections. It's very annoying to feel like crap and then to have to feel worse because you can't take your meds for another condition. Here's hoping it's not anything serious!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

....Yikes. *hugs you*

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon...


*hugs back*