The miracle of Remicade

Luckyfrog

New Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 5

Posted 8/26/2007 10:45 PM (GMT -6)

Hi-

I am a 23 your old graduate student from south dakota. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 18. I struggled for years and years and tried every drug in the book and was constantly on prednisone. I was ready to give up. I even stopped taking my medication and going to the doctor and tried to pretend that i could go on with my life. Finally when I was a senior in college i had a horrible attack and was so malnourished that i had to go to the emergency room. It was so bad they had to feed me fat and nutrition through a central line. Everyone wanted me to go ahead and have surgery. I didnt want the surgery. I had heard so many stories about the surgey not helping or even making life worse. I convinced the doctor to let me try remicade which was just fda approved for colitis. Remicade changed my world. I had been sick for so many years that i didnt remember what it was like to be normal. I have been on remicade for 1 year and 8 months and live a completely normal life. I am working on my doctorate now. This is something i would not have been able to do without remicade. I know that not everyone has had my kind of luck with remicade, but i have to tell you that it is worth a try. You can get your life back....

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31104

Posted 8/26/2007 10:47 PM (GMT -6)

Hi...welcome to the forum.

Awesome the remicade has worked for you. Best to you in the coming school year.

quincy

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

njguy69

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 276

Posted 8/27/2007 5:09 AM (GMT -6)

Luckyfrog...I 've had the same success with Remicade as you. I even started a new career and got myself in the best shape of my life. Goodluck!

UC since 1986.

Asacol - six a day
6 MP - one a day.
Remicade - every eight weeks.
Ron Paul 2008

FosterDad

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 97

Posted 8/27/2007 3:48 PM (GMT -6)

Hello Luckyfrog and welcome.....Good to hear how good things are going for you. My friend just started Remicade and he is saying how great it is. The only thing that I was wondering is, he is saying that it costs him $4000 for 1 shot that lasts 2 months and if you are not diagnosed with being dibilitated by your Colitis then you have to pay for it yourself. Any new info you have would be appreciated.

Just diagnosed Aug. 14/07

Asacol 2 x 4 (5-Aminosalicylic Acid 400mg)

Luckyfrog

New Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 5

Posted 8/27/2007 4:28 PM (GMT -6)

I guess I am not sure what your friends situation is for sure. If you have colitis and your doctor prescribes it, then insurance should cover it. I know I am covered. I still have to pay some, but its not as bad. I know that most doctors want to try other options first though. I also know that there are some programs out there to help cover the costs of remicade. Just google something like remicade assistance programs, etc. Let me know what you find out.

Diagnosed with UC in 2001. In remission since January of 2006.

Remicade: Every 8 weeks

Imuran: 100 mg

SGRUBB

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2007

Posts : 67

Posted 8/28/2007 2:58 PM (GMT -6)

I think this is great news for you too! I am also on Remicade and so far I am doing ok. Due to the fact that I have been so sick for so long, I am still afraid that I will not make it sometimes. I am ok though, it's mostly my own anxiety. I try my best not to worry and realize that I really am doing great! I would say 2 bm's a day is very good for me!

Thanks for your post. It's giving me hope that the Remicade will continue to work for me.

UC diagnosed in 1985...22 years.

4th Remicade infusion due on Sept 25th

Asacol

6mp

Rowasa

Cortenemas

dmacell

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2005

Posts : 1003

Posted 8/28/2007 4:08 PM (GMT -6)

Because of Remicade I have not been to these forums in over six months.

Danno

Did I mention how much I enjoy life?

Fulminent Ulcerative Colitis

2X500mg Pentasa 2x day

multivitamin

Remicade Remission

Lonie

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2005

Posts : 6448

Posted 8/28/2007 4:47 PM (GMT -6)

Hey Danno, good to see you! Glad to hear you are doing so well. I too am maintaining quite well on the Remi -- over two years now! You should be coming up on your 2nd anniversary around November...am I correct? Good to hear from you!

Carol

Remicade - will have my 18th infusion on July 12.

Imuran - 100 mgs....taken before bedtime

Vitamin B-12/Biotin, Probiotics

"Life is short -- make fun of it"

Co-Moderator for the UC Forum

dmacell

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2005

Posts : 1003

Posted 8/29/2007 11:33 AM (GMT -6)

Thanks Carol. Yep 2 years in November. My Gi likes to schedule the newbees to get their infusions with me because I have had such positive results.

Its so nice only having to see my Gi every six months. Although he usually pops in sometime during my infusion.

I have been getting my infusions at 6 weeks for the last 6 months because I start to get symptoms tword the end but nothing like a flare.

Hope all is well with you.

Danno

Did I mention how much I enjoy life?

Fulminent Ulcerative Colitis

2X500mg Pentasa 2x day

multivitamin

Remicade Remission

UCinNC

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2007

Posts : 528

Posted 8/29/2007 7:47 PM (GMT -6)

FosterDad - I don't think Remicade is a shot. It is a blood transfusion. And I have heard it is more like $1,600 per transfusion. Are you sure your friend is on remicade and not another bio-whatever (the drug family that remicade is a part of)??? perhaps humira? just a thought.....

29/Female/NC
Pancolitis dx 3/07.
Currently on 12 Asacol a day.
*100mg Imuran b/c steroid dependent.
*back on prednisone while Imuran kicks in. Down to 5 mg on 8/13.
Various vitamins, probiotics, fish oil.
Engaged: June 1, 2007

dmacell

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2005

Posts : 1003

Posted 8/30/2007 6:17 AM (GMT -6)

It is a drug infusion done via IV and yes it runs from $3,200 to $6,500 per infusion. this is done every 4-8 weeks depending on your bodys ability to break it down. the infusions take about 2-3 hours. I am fortunate enough to have my insurance cover it. Although I did spend 4 months on disability trying other medication.

Danno

Did I mention how much I enjoy life?

Fulminent Ulcerative Colitis

2X500mg Pentasa 2x day

multivitamin

Remicade Remission

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