Help!!

[lindarona]

My Dr. is considering starting me on Remicade...The side effects seem scary...cancer, life threatening infections....Does anyone do well on this? thanks so much!!

 

[liv]

I too am just starting Remicade! As I see it every single drug we're put on for this crazy disease has equally scary side effects. To better prepare yourself ask your doctor which vitamins and mineral supplements would be beneficial to you. I find if you make yourself as "healthy" as possible that's the best you can do.
That being said as far as I've heard Remicade is a miracle drug and has helped an amazing amount of people to control their symptoms. It is very expensive for a reason. Definitely check out the treatment subforum dedicated to it under the "Treatment" forum if you want to connect with others on it.
Best wishes!

 

[Clash]

All the side effects do seem terrifying but you have to look at the absolute risk percentage. With the cancer the normal person walking down the street is like 2 in 10000 with remicade it increases to 4 in 10000. So yes you could say it doubles the risk but it is still an extremely small risk. My son started remicade earlier this year and I had all these same fears but uncontrolled crohns carries its own risks. I made a list of all my questions and concerns about the med and discussed them with the GI until I was comfortable to make the decision.

My son was started on pred first and even at high doses it didn't help the flare but he noticed improvement after the first loading dose of remicade. It can help really quickly for some people but can tak up to 3 or 4 doses. Whatever your treatment I hope you find relief soon.

 

[sfmreb2]

After ten years on Remicade I have had no side effects. I was in bad shape when I started and it really helped. I have done a few short Preds but life has been a lot better since Remicade.

 

[KMoose]

Obviously don't ignore the side effects list, but I agree with Clash - you need to look at the percentage. I've only been on Remicade for a year, but it has definitely helped tons in maintaining my symptoms. Currently playing around with dosing issues and having to take prednisone right now, but speaking for myself, and everyone I've met getting the treatment at the hospital, it is a wonderful medicine.

Good luck!

 

[djpoptart92]

Here, go read my post about Remicade:

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?p=500893#post500893

Feel free to ask me any questions. I am one of the first patients ever to get Remicade after the FDA approved it. I was a guinea pig, and glad I did it.

 

[thisisme]

I am just about to start Remicade as well, and I have to say, the side effects worry me as well! But just like Clash said... even though things like cancer are at a higher risk, in the overall picture, it's still a very small chance!
Good luck to you! Hopefully we both have good results from this "miracle drug"!