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Test to see if Remicade will work for my type of crohns disease

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/24/2007 2:09 AM (GMT -8)
Hi all

I go for my Cat scan enterography Thursday.  From this test do you think they can see what is causing the inflammation or if it scarring? 

Also, doc said we can't follow your disease with ESR or CRP levels since they are always near normal and due to this the remicade may not work for my type of crohns?  I asked what percentage he was talking about and he said in other cases remicade works 90% of the time but in those who have had no rise in ESR or CRP but show moderate to severe inflammation on CAT scan it only works 50% of the time.  He said the good thing is that you will know if remicade works usually after one treatment.

Is there any blood test or any other test that can tell if remicade will work for me??

Thanks

Chris

Posted 9/24/2007 7:06 AM (GMT -8)
What are ESR or CRP levels ? I have what is probably moderate to what feels like severe Crohn's and have had a pretty good response to Remicade. I have mostly had strictures in or near my terminal ileum and obstructions, etc. Remicade does work pretty fast or it did for me twice. I have been on infusions every 8 weeks for 2 years. I don't know of any pre-test to see if it works other than to try it. In my case they had tried almost everything else. The first time I had it was in 2000 after a botched surgery and I was still in constant pain. 10 days after the Remicade I was pain free after 4 months in constant pain. I didnt get continual infusions. In 2001 I had Remicade again and still ended up with a strictureplasty surgery. In 2005 they tried again after a 2 week stay where nothing  else was working and they were trying to avoid surgery. I had to have a TB test or something since it had a been a few years since I had it last. They did some scratches or something on my skin and had to wait a few days to see the results. I had it on Thursday and that Friday night I was pain free again. The doctors called it a miracle and said they had never seen it work so fast. So if nothing else is working for you and depending on your situation it my be worth trying etc. It is usually looked at in combination with other drugs too. I am taking Imuran with it which is suppose to help things settle down too. Good luck.

Posted 9/24/2007 12:24 PM (GMT -8)

Do you think the remicade made gave you the strictures due to the rapid healing of the inflammation?  I need to really read up on remicade.  The company said it used off label for those with stricture causing crohns.  They also won't give me any statistical info in this regard due to the off label usage. 

Thanks

Chris

Posted 9/24/2007 1:23 PM (GMT -8)
ESR is estimated sedimentation rate, correct? This helps determine inflammation... BUt mine was near normal while I was in a severe flare (before remicade)also. I have moderate to severe crohn's and it took me 3 treatments before I really started noticing a difference... NOw a week after my 3rd treatment and I think I am going into remission!
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