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I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2000 when I had 3 children all under the age of 6. I had never heard of it before the ER doctor told me the diagnosis. He told me that many patients will need surgery within a year of initial diagnosis. It was a little over a year when I was rushed into emergency surgery to have part of my small intestine removed as well as my appendix. Crohn's had destroyed my appendix and caused it to rupture. Over the years I have been in and out of remission. Gained weight and lost it back. I stay tired all the time. I've had to take iron infusions and am currently on several oral meds. My Gastro Doctor keeps pushing for me to go on Remicade and told me not to research Remicade because there is so much negativity about it. My point is that I have had a Pill Cam about a month ago which showed no ulcerations or inflammation. Yes, I do stay tired and sometimes deal with diarrhea but considering how bad Crohn's can be, I'll accept being tired instead of all the other common problems that many others are facing on this forum. I may be wrong but from what I've read, Remicade should be used when nothing else is working for you. I don't understand why my gastro is pushing the Remicade?? Anyway, thanks for listening and I'll continue to read other posts to gain more insight from the experience of others.
 
A doctor telling me to not research something would really tick me off. You'll find tons of people here having beautiful success with biologics (Remicade & Humira). There are support group threads for each. My GI reminds me when I whine about being on a double dose of Humira that the goal is to feel normal and avoid surgery. I feel better than I have in years. Fatigue is a powerful symptom and a sign that things aren't okay. You said pill endoscopy. Is there a reason to think you don't need further imaging and/or colonoscopy?
 
Remicade has been a life saver for me personally. I tried Humira and it didn't help. Everyone reacts differently!
 
Nancye50,
I had a colonoscopy last October which showed minor inflammation but the GI didn't seem too concerned. I'm getting mixed signals from him. If it's not too concerning then why push the Remicade? I have seen way worse with Crohn's then where I am now. I just don't want to run out of treatment options since my Crohn's is really not that bad right now.(to me anyway). The main thing I'm dealing with now is severe pain in my hip which after numerous tests I was told is arthritis. My GI didn't think Crohn's is causing it but after reading other posts on here, I'm not so sure. I also breakout all the time in hives for no apparent reason that lands me in the ER. Again, I think it's Crohn's related but my GI doctor doesn't think it is. Really frustrated....
 
I'd just ask outright if he's approaching your treatment from the top down. I was pretty close to needing a resection so my dr reminds me of that when I want to decrease meds.
The hip and hives are definitely worth investigating!
 
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