Hey Everyone,
If you couldn't tell from the title, my husband and I have decided to give Remicade a chance at placing my Crohn's disease in remission, as I have been battling my symptoms for the past year and 11 months. So, it will be 2 years in July that I have been actively battling Crohn's with multiple trips to the hospital and different specialists. My diagnosis was given in July of 2011, but numerous GI doctors after that time "are not impressed", as they say with the information provided to them through my symptoms, blood tests, stool tests, etc that I actually have Crohn's disease. My initial GI doctor that diagnosed me is a world re-knowned GI physician that works with Johns Hopkins. Now, just for clarification just because he works for and with Johns Hopkins that does mean that I automatically believe everything he says. After much research of his background and independent projects he has initiated regarding GI diseases, along with his bedside manner, and unending dedication to my health and wellness, my family and I have decided that he is the GI doctor for us. He is always available, and he has an AWESOME assistant that I can contact at any time, and she responds to my emails ASAP, usually within 10 minutes!
My symptoms have ranged from vomiting/diarrhea, nausea, migraines, achy joints, fever, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, no appetite, weight loss, weight gain, rectal pain and pressure, bloody stools, etc. My blood work has shown numerous things ranging from very low vitamin D, and higher than usual ASCA levels (which is usually indicative of Crohn's disease). My biopsy showed Crohn's ileitis of the terminal ileum. You would think that such a biopsy would be enough for other physicians to rely on for a diagnosis. However, I went to a near by hospital for emergency care pertaining to my Crohn's disease, and the GI doctors on staff told my husband and I that I did not have Crohn's disease according to the blood work they had run during my visit. They definitely did not take my word for it or the fact that my GI doctor from Hopkins had already diagnosed me! This sent my husband and I fro a second opinion, and needless to say the second opinion doctor thought I had Crohn's disease from the information he was provided, but he wanted his pathologist to re-read my biopsy report...we never heard back from that GI doctor!
We re-entered the treatment conversation with my original GI doctor, and here we are...ready to begin Remicade treatment on the 10th of June! I am very happy about our decision to try Remicade, as I have been suffering for almost 2 years now. Yes, there are many dangerous side effects and adverse reactions, but these days all medications come with these issues. However, Remicade and other TNF drugs have been linked to a deadly Lymphoma. This deadly Lymphoma has been seen in a some children, and elderly that have received TNFs. We are a point in my illness where we have to weigh our options, and to us my quality of life is more important than my quantity of life, if and when we have to choose. I will be posting after my first infusion, and through out my journey with Crohn's disease. I want to continue to remind everyone that Crohn's is a chronic disease, but it does not define you. the manner in which you combat the illness and your daily stressors defines you ;)
Health and Wealth,
ModelMomMD
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