Remi might not be working...?

[Ravs23]

I just had my 3rd round of Remicade on September 15th--not really experiencing any sort of flare, but the flare quieted down on its own before I even started the remi. My doc has me on 3 different antibiotics to keep two draining abscesses in my right abdomen under control. He said that he has "seen miracles" after the 3rd round, and is hoping that the remi will take care of the abscess, but so far they are still draining and showing no signs of letting up. Last visit, he reccommended a resection if the 3rd round didn't work, and now I have another surgery (my 1st was in April 2011) hanging over me, and I just don't know if I can handle two in one year-not to mention, I have NO TIME left to take off from work considering I was out for almost 2 months this summer.
So what do I do? My next remi is scheduled for the 1st week of Nov, and if I do have to have surgery I should try to do it before the new year (insurance reasons). I am just scared to have surgery again. My doc said he could do a resection if the inflammation is in one location, but if it's in multiple places I will most likely have to have a bag. This terrifies me! I'm 24, going to be in a wedding in 3 weeks, love going out, ready to get married etc. I realize things could be worse-I am always aware of that fact, but for me it's hard to imagine something much worse than a permanent bag.
Has anyone had success with remi and their abscess? How long did the remi take to start working? Part of me is just so tired of all of this, I am tempted to say lets try surgery again. I just don't know what to do.

 

[leethorley10]

hiya im new to this but i am due to start on infliximab can u help me by telling me if it works and shud i be worried about side effects thankss

 

[lookitsjen]

My doctor diagnosed me with severe crohn's while i was in the hospital. I also had horrible fissures and two abscesses. When I got out of the hospital she started me on remicade and within a few days my abscesses and fissures completely healed and within 8 days i was having normal bm's. hope it starts working for you soon so you don't have to have surgery.

 

[GTR]

I would say don't give up on the remicade yet, it took my son five enfusions before it started to work he is now in remission.

 

[moogie]

You can never really tell with Remicade. For some it's fast acting and for others it takes forever.

I had2 resections in my life. When I woke after the second one I had a temporary bag. I was piss scared and mad too.

After 2 more operation adn one other temporary bag (the other side) I was whole again. While I had the bag I felt great. Never felt better. As soon as the bag was off I was in pain again. Now since I've been taking remicade I feel great.

I think you should try remicade for a while longer. You can always go to the resection later on. However you can't come back from it.

Just remember though having a bag takes a bit of getting use to but it's not the end of the world.

Good luck!!

 

[AshleyElaine87]

Remicade didn't work for me, and I ended up having surgery. I do hear great things about it, and wouldn't give up just yet!

 

[Lynseylou33]

There are other meds if Remicade doesn't work- Humira & Adulimab I think, don't give up yet!

 

[SdN]

I'm in the same situation with Remicade, not sure if it's going to work. I'm scheduled to get an increased dose in 3 weeks, 7mg/kg I believe. If Remicade doesn't work for me then I believe the Docs' plans are Humira, Natalizumab, and surgery in that order. Good luck to you I hope things work out for the best.