As many of you "regulars" may recall, I stopped my Remicade treatments after 2 1/2 years of treatments and full remission. My hope was that maintenance drugs (in this case Lialda) could/would keep me in remission for a while. My last Remicade infusion was in February and I started the Lialda in March. Since I have stopped the Remicade treatments my energy level has increased substantialy. I have felt great and have been doing so much more than I have been able to do in the past. Then, this week I noticed blood in my stool, had increased number of trips to the bathroom (from 1 per day to about 4 per day) and lots of gurgling down there. So, I called my GI. (after some prompting from Sherry/Red). He put me on a low residue diet for at least a week and prescribed Rowasa enema. I had no problem with the enema last night, no cramping or discomfort, of which I am relieved! So, this might just be a Blip and I don't know what to expect or think. I do not regret my decision to get off of the Remicade, as I did not want to be taking treatments indefinetly if it was not really necessary. I worry about the long term effects of the drug in my system overall. The only way that I could know if I could survive without the drug was to stop using it.
So, on to the next chapter and course of treatment! Wish me luck. And Sherry, thanks for all of your support and advice!
Debbie
pancolitis. Osteopenia. multi-vitamin, calcium, omeprazole, benefiber, boniva, align. Remicade since Dec. 2005. www.myspace.com/dmbarris
"The secret to my own happiness, my own good future, is within my own hands, I must not miss that opportunity"