Hello all. I've been on Remicade since Oct. 08 and will be having my 6th infusion next week. My colon symptoms are 90% better, I have no blood or mucus whatsoever. I still have D, 6-8 BMs with urgency but overall I can live with this if this is as good as it gets. I'm still on all the meds listed below.
My main concern is that I am extremely fatigued. Comments please! 42 yr old female diagnosed w/UC (30cm) in 2006 Remicade, Colazal - 12 daily, Imuran - 100 mg daily, Mesalamine enemas - 8 g (2 daily A.N.), Dicyclamine - 20 mg (up to 4 daily A.N) Prednisone - last dose in 7/08 OTC Probiotic Acidophylus, Omega 3 Fish Oil, & Super B Complex vitamins
I have had fatigue from 6-mp (which is very similar to Imuran); the days that I do not take 6-mp I have more energy. You could be having a reaction to the Mesalamine or just the UC flare itself.... it is really hard to place blame for the fatigue just on one medication.
The fatigue problem is probably a good conversation to have with your GI.
I am stopping the 6-mp and starting either Remicade or Humira soon... hopefully my energy levels will increase.
Zeebeez, welcome to HealingWell! I too am on Remicade, and when I first started it I was also on Imuran. My GI took me off of Imuran because of the possibility of getting Lymphoma while using the two meds together. Now that I think about it, I don't have the fatigue that I used to have while taking it, so you might want to check with your doc about this. Also, B-12 with Biotin helped me quite a bit; you might want to try the supplement out and see if this gives you a bit more energy.
Carol
Remicade - will have my 27th infusion on March 19 Vitamin B-12/Biotin, Probiotics
Fatigue is a factor for my daughter too. Turns out she is Anemic, among other things wrong with her last labs. Have your full profile checked. Fatigue can also be a rare side affect of Lupus induced by the Remicade. That is another possibility for us, as her ANA is 640. Have your blood work done to be safe.Daughter,15 diagnosed 1-08 w/ UC . Previous drug sampling: Asacol, Prevacid, Flagyl, Prednisone- 50mg to 0, 4 major flares '08.Hospital four x. Low residue diet, 6MP, Colazal , Cortifoam enemas, Trying probiotics, Niferex, fish oil, Magnesium, Acupuncture. Remicade 10mg per kilo@ 8wks, since 10-08. Still on 6mp and Colazal
I'm currently coming out of a really bad flare and am starting to feel great. I just had my 5th Remicade infusion and I don't notice any fatigue at all. This is probably because I was so exhausted during my flare that anything is better than it was. I agree that fatigue is more of a symptom of UC than anything else.Diagnosed '93.
Very true; fatigue is part of UC. I think I've finally trained my brain to realize that I can't push myself too far or I'll hit the wall. I still have my days, but not as often and when I do...I just kick back and relax. I used to feel so guilty for that... but not anymore!Carol
Remicade - will have my 27th infusion on March 19 Vitamin B-12/Biotin, Probiotics
Thank you for all the replies...and wishing everybody a speedy and long remission!42 yr old female diagnosed w/UC (30cm) in 2006 Remicade, Colazal - 12 daily, Imuran - 100 mg daily, Mesalamine enemas - 8 g (2 daily A.N.), Dicyclamine - 20 mg (up to 4 daily A.N) Prednisone - last dose in 7/08 OTC Probiotic Acidophylus, Omega 3 Fish Oil, & Super B Complex vitamins
