I believe that the remicade infusion has helped me. It's wonderful.
Im currently sleeping better and not getting up the multiple times I
was. My bowles are more controllable, which is always nice. Finally
after everything I have tried I think I may have found the solution.
I go in on the 24th for my second infusion which im hoping will be
more powerful and just kill the 20% of inflammation I have left. Im
much more happier now. Thanks Jon for letting me know all about the
remicade and what I should watch out for. It gets pretty boring in
there so I just fell asleep and read a book. They didn't weigh me
though like you said they might. My question to you is as follows:
How long do you have to stay on this for? Ever sinced Ive been
diagnosed with UC i have been on meds. I want to take nothing once I
know im doing well inside. hope the meeting turns out well like last
time and see you all at the next one.

Steven Schaefer
--- In oc_ccfa@yahoogroups.com, "Wagner, Jon" <jon.wagner@w...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Steven,
>
> Good luck on Tuesday with Remicade. I've been on it for 1 year
now.
> Casey described it very well. It's about a 2-3 hour infusion
process.
> You may be going to an infusion center like Casey is describing or
a
> doctor's office. Either way, they'll put it into you through an
IV --
> it's actually a mixture of Remicade and a saline solution. They
weigh
> you and give you a remicade dosage proportional to your weight.
Then it
> gets infused into you, they probably will monitor to you to make
sure
> you are tolerating it, and you can probably watch a movie or TV
during
> the procedure. When it's over, you just walk out and drive home.
>
> Other tips: I actually take Benedryl and Tylanol prior to the
infustion
> to help reduce the chance of an allergic reaction (and the Tylanol
helps
> with the needle pain going in too :-). I'm not sure if your doctor
> thinks you should do this as well. Some people get a shot of
Benedryl
> beforehand for the same reason, though I just take the pill 1/2
hour
> beforehand. Also, go to the bathroom right before it starts, if
> possible. It's hard (but not impossible) to go when you've got
the IV
> in you. And you may want to bring a book, newspaper, or portable
> computer game for entertainment.
>
> I assume you are already on 6mp or methotrexate. They usually
want you
> on that to reduce the chance of a reaction to the Remicade. If
> everything goes well, they'll probably give you another one in 2
weeks,
> then 4, then 6-8 weeks thereafter. Sometimes the insurance might
be
> resistant to cover it because of the expense, so be sure that it's
> approved. If the doctor writes the remicade prescription for IBD,
the
> insurance should cover it OK, minus a deductable perhaps.
>
> You'll probably see some improvement within the first week, if it
works.
> Let us know how it goes...good luck!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: oc_ccfa@yahoogroups.com [mailto:oc_ccfa@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf
> Of Casey Smith
> Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 9:18 PM
> To: oc_ccfa@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [oc_ccfa] remicade help?
>
> Hi Steven
>
> I've had many Remicade infusions, I ended up being
> allergic to it, drastically by the 6th infusion, I
> believe, but it truly worked for me. You will be
> given an IV, then they start a 3 hour drip into the IV
> and speed up the drip as time progresses. They will
> monitor you closely, for allergic reaction, blood
> pressure, fever, etc. I watched tv during those long
> 3 hours! If you are on 6mp you shouldn't have an
> allergic reaction, I wasn't taking 6mp!
>
> It should truly help your inflammation, but I think it
> may take a little time to get the full effect, though
> you should get some immediate relief within the first
> few days. Some people get immediate relief within
> hours, I think it took a week or two for me to notice
> it, but after that I could eat whatever I wanted until
> the dose wore off about 3-6 weeks later. I'd barely
> make it till my next infusion!
>
> I had the infusions done at a Kaiser Infusion Center
> in Anaheim Hills and there were alot of chemo patients
> getting infusions with me so I felt very blessed to be
> getting Remicade and not chemotherapy!
>
> Just email me with any questions,
>
> Blessings,
> Casey Smith
>
> --- Steven Schaefer <strikemecold@y...> wrote:
>
> > first off I would like to say that the last meeting
> > was nice and it
> > was a pleasure to meet people who are kind of going
> > through the same
> > things i am.
> >
> > my symptoms have not been any better since my flare
> > up in the
> > summer. prednisone, and all these other meds just
> > seem not to work
> > but for some odd reason i just can't sleep through
> > the night. so
> > tuesday i am going in for this remicade thing. can
> > someone just
> > explain to me what it actually does and if so does
> > it help right
> > away. i would just like once to lay my head down and
> > not wake up
> > until the morning time to go to the bathroom,
> > problems would be
> > solved in my book if that could happen.
> >
> > i only have my rectum left and 20% of it is
> > inflammed, it's hard cuz
> > i don't see what is so hard to treat about that. any
> > help would be
> > great and how often do i do this remicade thing.
> > can't attend the
> > next meeting but i plan to attend more in the
> > future. any help would
> > be awesome. thanks.
> >
> > steven schaefer
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> Love, and Blesings,
> Casey Smith
>
>
> "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will
soar
> on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will
walk
> and not be faint" Isaiah 40:31
>
>
>
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