Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Bowel Syndrome Crohns Disease

Question:
I have bowel syndrome crohn’s disease. My doctor mentioned that I may soon have to go on Remicade. I have never been on this drug, and I was wondering if anyone could share some info about this drug. I have not researched or have any info about it. All I know is that it is expensive, and that it has to be given through an I.V. Please it would be greatly appreciated if you could share your experiences with this medication. I would also like to know if there are many side effects with this???? and does this drug only help for a certain time period????

Answer:
I have been on remicade for crohn’s for over 2 years.  There are potential side effects, but I have not had any issues what so ever.  It is good to also be on an immunomodulator at the same time. aza, mtx, 6mp, etc.  The first infusion will likely take about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.  They will monitor your blood pressure and watch you.  If you do okay, they increase the feed rate.  I can take the max rate, for 50mg, it takes 2 hours, with no side effects, my blood pressure actually lowers.  But that is pretty typical. You want to take a tb test to be sure you are negative.  I suggest you go to www.remicade.com and read up.  They also have an introductory kit, it includes a video tape to educate you. researchers in England is that a very large percentage of people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome were also found to be infected with MAP. Irritable Bowel Syndrome means that a person has alternating constipation and diarrhea along with cramping, and doctors can't find a cause. Previous research shows that MAP can damage the nerves inside the intestines of certain animals. A recent study from Sweden shows that people with Irritable Bowel syndrome also have inflamed gut nerves. So MAP may cause both Crohn's disease and some cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In England, patients with Crohn's disease are diagnosed as having an infection with MAP and are treated with antibiotics and many patients are cured. In the United Sates, patients with Crohn's disease are diagnosed as having an autoimmune disease in which their own immunities attack their own intestinal linings, so they are treated with poisons called immune suppressants. Some get better temporarily, none are cured and most have their lives shortened by treatments for auto immune diseases, when the treatment may be based on an incorrect theory of the cause. Today, more than 5 percent of Americans suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and the majority of these people will continue to suffer these symptoms for the rest of their lives, even though doctors in England feel that both Crohn's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are infectious diseases that may be cured by taking antibiotics.