Hi Kelly, I am a new member today. I have been on Infliximab for 18 months and it has changed my life. I personnally have the infusion every 8 weeks, you can go up to 14 weeks but after that the imune system will fight against it and it will not work. Never have it when you have colds or flu's as it will not work and possible side effects. You do also have to watch your diet. It took about 4 infussions before I really started to notice the difference. I have had crohns since 1989 and had 4 lots of surgery and do not have much bowl left. but to give you an idea of how it has changed my life, I was able to travel to Australia last year, I have now been able to play golf again and do not have to worry about rushing to a toilet. I am very lucky that my IBD specialist nurse is excellent and the sister and her staff who runs the ward where i go for the infusion are superb, very caring and a good laugh as well, they make it enjoyable rather than a task to go there. I have my infusion over an hour but it does depend on how your body reacts, they run it over 2 hours the first time then gradually sped it up over the next few infusions. The nurses should do your obs and weight before you start then obs ever 30 minutes then run a flush at the end for an hour this is because you have to be observed for an hour after each infusion, I am also very lucky to have a very supportive wife who has been with me since I was diagnosed and that helps a lot. The only alcohol I drink now is Guiness and since having the infusion can have a glass of fizzy drink once a week without it affecting me and can now eat out a lot now that i have a very good understanding of diet as it does play a big part. I do not have any crohns activity now for the first time in 22 years, even after the 3 previous ops before last years the crohns came back very quickly. Hope this helps and if you need any more help or advise please feel free to ask.
