Update on my year-long flare

Actually, it's been 13.5 months. It's getting old. Anyway, started Cimzia last February. Had a month of improvement (but never remission), then started going downhill (but bleeding stayed away). Found out my gallbladder was full of stones, so had that removed in July. Still no improvement in Crohn's stuff, so we split the dose to one shot every 2 weeks (norm is 2 shots/4 weeks). No improvement. Had another scope in October showing active disease throughout colon. Added azathioprine. Nothing. Still getting worse. Saw an integrated (holistic) MD in December out of desperation. Started several supplements and an elimination diet. No improvement. Only thing that slightly improved the number of BMs (but did nothing for the pain) was adding psyllium husk. Then I increased the dose and the bleeding came back. I dropped back down and am staying on 1/day (500mg).

Anyway, that's the back story. Here's the new plan. Switching Apriso for Lialda. Staying on aza. Switching Cimzia for Remicade. My first infusion is tomorrow, if insurance will get on the ball and approve today. I am putting a LOT of hope in the Remicade. I know it works wonders for so many. My GI is skeptical, due to my non-response of Cimzia, but I'm going to prove him wrong. Any tips for my first infusion?

Thanks. It's right after lunch, so I should be good there, but I'll make sure I take my water bottle. I have books on my iPhone, so those will come in handy.

No tips for the remicade, just want to wish you the best!

Good luck with Remicade! I hope it does the job.

I feel your frustration. Good luck with the Remicade.

Im sorry i hope they approve you and you get in soon! I know i counted down the days for my first, and for each infusion after that..

Check with your doc about the remistart program. The company that makes the drug reimburses you to help pay for the infusions. It technichally all goes tp ur doc but they give a good amount, esp if your ins deductible is high like ours, it def helps.