Hi Cole! Yep, you're correct, I do see Dr. Chris Shepela. :smile: Did you move to Healthpartners with him when he switched practices? He's absolutely fantastic, I agree! He definitely knows what...
I'm going off of the Phase II results from Osiris Therapeutics: http://investor.osiris.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=215300 And, my GI was the principal investigator for the trial until he switched...
Trials are still plugging along. I'm currently trying to get into the one at the University of Minnesota, after failing Remicade, Humira, and now Tysabri. My GI did say that there will be an...
I have three tattoos, the first of which was done while I was on Imuran. None of them had any problems healing, and in fact, the script that covers my right bicep was virtually completely healed in...
Interesting that the suppositories and Xifaxan came about at the same time you got better...hopefully those were the trick so you can stay off Tysabri. It's odd, I've been thinking about the risks...
It sounds like he's premedicating you, similar to how many people have to do before Remicade infusions. The prednisone lowers the inflammatory response, and you don't have to wean or anything because...
Glad Humira's working for you! When I was doing the shots, I never gave myself a thigh one. I figured they would hurt more because I have a lot more muscle there than on my belly. I just switched...
I'm jumping in here because I just saw my GI on Friday, and now I've officially failed Humira as well. So, he gave me two options: Cimzia or Tysabri. He said it was completely up to me, and then...
I actually had the capsule endoscopy done a few weeks ago, and because I'd been having some vomiting and my stomach was backed up, my GI opted to do the upper endoscopy with the regular tube, and...
Thanks! Exactly, and that's pretty much how I've always felt about it too. Yeah, it sucks that it's back, but now I know for sure it's the Crohn's and not something else. Well, I haven't talked to...
I had the Pillcam done on the 25th of August, and finally got the results earlier this week. Apparently, my disease is no longer contained to the terminal ileum, but has moved in patches through my...
That's great to hear! Especially since I remember when you were going through the countless tests, etc. with no response, so I'm very glad that you found something that helps....
I went ahead and got the Fleets crap again, I'll probably only take a bottle of it at most, especially since I haven't been eating that much for the past month or so anyway. So, the liquid diet...
When I did my Fleets prep a couple years ago, I wasn't able to get all 2 bottles down either, just about 1 and a half like you said, and that went fine. Well, as fine as those nasty preps can be...
So the fun of my latest flare continues... I went through a three week period this summer where I couldn't eat more than 1000 calories or so per day, mostly liquids, without it coming back up....
I had no issue with getting it once a week. Actually, my GI changed the prescription while I was sitting right there, which surprised me. I had to get prior authorization when I originally started...
I'll be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in a month (eek!). I made it most of the year last year without a flare, but as a precaution, 2nd semester I registered with the...
Well, it's been nearly a week since I've been able to hold down a substantial amount of solid food. I'm estimating I've eaten between 1500-2000 calories in the past 6 days, plus whatever liquids I'm...
Nope, not really any pain, which is weird for me. Usually with flares, I get the LRQ pain, but not much this time around, and not at all with this latest saga. I had both an X-ray and CT scan while...
A few days ago, I was really nauseous all day, and later vomited. This has happened to me before, but only once or twice, then everything goes back to normal. Well, this time it hasn't. I haven't...
Your GI requires you to get his approval every month for your medications?? I've never heard of any doctor doing that... You were right to file a complaint though, that's ridiculous for him to let...
I was on Remicade for some time, and I didn't have a positive TB test. But, my GI did inform me that if the TB test came back positive, it would be because of latent TB, and I could still get...
Depending on her insurance, she should be able to sign up for another semester, even in a different state and be covered. I know under my parents' plan, they just mark me down as a student, and I...
Hey fitzy! Yeah, I'm making it through the year just fine. Actually, the first semester was tough. I had ideas that I'd become a doctor, but realized part of the way through the semester that I'm not...
I'm definitely with you guys. For two of my classes, I have about 30 pages of writing to do in less than a month. For just one of those classes, it's 20 pages, two 5 page papers and a 10 page final...
I had been on Remicade nearly a year, and it had never worked the full 8 weeks, so we moved to 6 weeks. Eventually, that wasn't enough either, so my GI doubled the dose. On that first infusion with...
Well, I made it another year living with Crohn's. I'm not here nearly as much as I used to be, mainly because, luckily, I'm feeling the best I have since my diagnosis. I've been on Humira since...
Yes, you can absolutely still have active disease that doesn't show up on blood work. It was actually known to my GI that my blood tests never show anything out of the ordinary, unless I'm in my most...
Well, the appointment went really well. My disability counselor was great, and he got the letters written while I was there so I didn't have to come back for a second appointment just to get the...
I made the appointment today with the campus disability services. I'd toyed around with the idea, getting a letter from my GI before coming up here, but was feeling so well after starting Humira that...
I think in our specific cases (as people with Crohn's), this rule doesn't apply as much. Obviously, our GIs don't want to do a CT scan or colonoscopy every time something feels off, so adjusting...
Pretty interesting article. I think the most important thing is that you go into a discussion with your doctor with respect, and it's all about how you present the information you've found....
I've had zero side effects. Little red around the injection site on occasion, but that's it. Yes, it does hurt. A good bit, and that's coming from someone with two tattoos (which hurt less than the...
That's who I currently see! Small world! :smile:...
If you don't mind me asking, who did you see at the University clinic? I'm seeing a GI at the U of M clinic now since I live in Minneapolis for school. Sorry to hear that your primary care clinic was...
Are you from Wisconsin by chance? (Guessing by your name, packfan). Anyway, I'm originally from the La Crosse, WI area, but now up in the Twin Cities for school. I saw a phenomenal GI back at home....
Yes, I did at least. My rash was on my forearms, and it came along with joint pain. My GI determined it was a lupus like reaction to the Remicade, and I moved on to Humira. I also had my dose doubled...
Welcome to the board, and I completely sympathize with how you're feeling right now. Getting diagnosed and dealing with the aftermath is overwhelming. I'm on Humira right now, and I was previously on...
I was told that depending on the medications you're on, you might be able to. But, 6MP or azathioprine are definite no-nos...so I'm out of the running anyway....
When I was taking Pred, I would put liquid in my mouth without swallowing and drop the pills in, then swallow. I only screwed up a couple times and tasted the pills...they are horrible tasting!...
I don't know of a specific relationship, but I recently had a few cysts removed, in August actually. It was thought that they might have been contributing to my mini-flare, but alas, they weren't. It...
Thanks :-) She was amazing, just wasn't the right time in both our lives. It sounds like you have a great boyfriend too! Hang on to him, it's hard to find someone who's so understanding about the...
I'm bisexual, and my last girlfriend was so understanding about my Crohn's; she actually knew quite a bit about the disease and straight out asked me if I was on Remicade when I first mentioned it to...
Hi, I'd like to say that I think it's wonderful you're coming here to learn about Crohn's. You're right, it is really hard to go through high school being sick, and being constantly sick with a...
Mine used to take about 3 hours by the time the pharmacy mixed the Remicade, nurses got my IV in (never was an easy stick), and then the infusion. Definitely bring a book, a snack, etc....
How long is the plane ride? If it's only a few hours, you can use the travel kit that came in the big Humira kit from your doctor. Otherwise, I'm not quite sure, I'd call your doctor to be sure. And,...
I have Caremark, and I haven't had any serious problems, but when I first got approval for Humira, they told me that they would call me back on Monday (my injection was on Wednesday) to get...
Crazy, I've personally never been an easy case either. I do have visible ulcerations and inflammation in my TI, but the biopsies came back inconclusive. My blood tests (CRP and SED rate) never come...
Yep, Humira, and when I was on Remicade, both make me very tired afterwards. I actually have a Humira dose today, so I'm expecting to nap when I get home, and I'll go to bed earlier tonight....
It took me 3 or 4 days, if I remember correctly....