Bloody stool & remicade

[toughlife]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and am hoping this forum will help me cope with this horrible diecease. I was diagonsed with crohns last year, and have been flaring since june. My gi has started me on remicade since the pred and imuran were not helping much. Just before starting remicade I started to experience bloody stool. I let my gi know about it, however she did not seem worried, she told me remicade will help. Well it has been almost 2 weeks since my first infusion and I am still having bloody stool almost everyday. I do however feel a lot better, I have energy to do things now and my stool is in shape BUT the blood in stool is concerning me. The blood is sometimes dark or bright. My poop is literaaly the color red, its not even streek's of blood or spots...its entirly red. (Sorry for the graphics)... I do not know what to do. My second infusion is on Tuesday...:frown:

 

[Clash]

You could mention it to the GI or the GI nurse. It does take remicade some time to work though. It benefits some people right away with others it can take a few doses to get the full benefit. But, still any concerns you are having you should relate to your GI.

 

[Clash]

toughlife, I was just checking in to see how things were going for you? You may want to browse through our Remicade forum and look through other experiences with this treatment. You can access that forum here(<--click this)

Hope everything is improving!

 

[moogie]

Welcome to the forum,

I've been on remi a long while and it did take up to my fourth infusion before it started to really work. Give it some time. Keep us posted.

 

[toughlife]

Thank you for the reply Clash and Moogie! I am doing much better now, thankfully after the second dose of Remicade, the blood went away!! & Sorry for such a late reply, after soo long I felt like I got my life back that I been trying to keep myself busy with daily activities. (Before remicade I was in so much pain, I could barely sit or walk for more than 2 minutes). I hope you guys are doing well! Again thanks for replying to my post.

 

[David]

I'm so glad the blood went away and you're doing better. Congratulations Do check in with us from time to time to let us know how you're doing.

 

[Clash]

Glad things are going well toughlife. I know what you mean about pre-remicade as my son didn't have the energy or relief from pain long enough to accomplish anything now it's all teen all the time!! haha

Anyway so glad you are feeling better!!!

 

[toughlife]

Thank you David and Clash, I will be getting my third infusion on the 27th. Hopefully everything will go okay and hopefully I won't get any reactions!.

I will keep you guys posted.

 

[my little penguin]

Glad things went well.
As clash said sometimes remicade can take a little more time to work.

 

[toughlife]

Thanks all! I had my 3rd infusion last week, everything seems to be going good so far! Had blood test done also, everything was good, so now my specialist is tapering me off prednisone faster!

 

[Clash]

Toughlife, be careful with tapering too fast. If you start to feel the slightest symptom go ahead and call the GI because he may want you to go up to the dose before the symptoms started and taper slower. I think the majority of members taper 5mg every 7 days, although there are different ways to taper. I am so glad that your blood work looks good and you are feeling good!!

 

[toughlife]

Thank you Clash, at first my Gi wanted taper 5mg every week and than she decided she wanted to be "Carefull". So I taper 5mg every two weeks instead! Right now I have made it to 20mg. Things are going ok so far! Thank you for your concern.

 

[Clash]

Oh well that sound great then! It just worried me when you said you were tapering faster but that should be slow enough!! I hope you continue to improve with the infusions and reach remission soon! Also, if you get a chance browse through our Remicade Club(<---click here) and post your experiences with Remicade. We are a friendly bunch and would love to hear from you!

 

[toughlife]

Thank you so much, I will definitely look into it!

 

[tots]

toughlife-

I agree with Clash. It is very possible to tapper to fast off Prednisone.

I have called my infusion center before with questions, if they are concerned they too will
get ahold of your Dr.


Lauren

 

[Miles Davis]

Hi Everyone, I am going for my fourth remicade treatment next week. I am okay except there is some minor blood in my stools. I can put up with the blood as long as everything else is okay--motility, firmness, etc. I am trying not to worry about this so I can just live my life. Anyone else with this problem after a fourth infusion.

 

[Clash]

Miles, Remicade has worked well for my son at least initially. He is unable to make it all the way between infusions without symptoms showing back up. A couple of times one of the symptoms was blood in the stool. Since this can a sign of inflammation present we have been tweaking his Remicade schedule, upping his dose and have added methotrexate. You may want to let your GI know you are still having blood in your stool.

 

[Miles Davis]

Thanks, Clash. For some reason, my GI does not seem too concerned about it. I am already on Imuran so I don't want to take Methotrexate (also means I can't have a couple of glasses of wine on the weekend). Maybe the answer is tweaking the Remicade by upping the dose. Or just waiting to see if the full effects kick in after a few more infusions. I have read that for many people with crohns, it takes at least four infusions.

 

[Clash]

It does take that and longer for some so that is probably why he isn't concerned. I don't think you could take MTX with Imuran so I agree with you there. If it keeps occurring after a few more infusions you could look at upping the dose. Good luck!

 

[Miles Davis]

Thanks for the informative reply. I appreciate it. I got this disease late in life, when I was 68, and so I am treading slowly trying not to let it defeat me psychologically. I am a writer and teacher and have no intention of letting it interfere with my vocation. In other words, I need to control it rather than have it control me. Hence, I have to learn to live with some side effects and not over emphasize others. But, again, thank you for being so responsive.

 

[sickinlk]

hey clash,
I didn't know you couldn't drink while on methotrexate! another reason to avoid it for sure.

about the bleeding. I have Uc and for 18 months I bled everyday. it was worse after a drink but drink is a thinner so no surprise.
maybe you have a stubborn patch at the rectum and a suppository might help clear it up. does the blood pour out or is it on the stool just.
do you have mucous aswell?
ju

 

[toughlife]

HEY everyone, just wanted to let everyone know, things are going GREAT with remicade. I have been off prednisone for over a month now! & doing lovely, thank god. Only bad news is that. My liver level has gone up so I have to stop Imuran! Not sure where this leave me at. But will find out! Hope everyones doing well!

 

[sickinlk]

good news toughlife. remicade works well for me too but its just a pity theres so many dangerous side effects.
ju

 

[Miles Davis]

Hi toughlife, good luck with the Remicade. Also, lots of drugs in the works so hopefully something will be available soon that will be more effective than remicade and with less side effects. Let's hope.