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Remicade & MTX vs. Surgery

Fri, August 29, 2014 2:44 PM

I have a similar story to most here. I have had UC for a decade plus now and in the past 4 years it has become increasingly bad. I have done a good job of denying my disease mentally, but a lot of that has to do with the wonder drug Prednisone! Which has now given me full blown osteoporosis and degenerative disk disease
.
I am so freaked out by my options that I have been procrastinating on the inevitable and actually have tried "natural" remedies such as Aloe Vera Gel, Acupuncture and Gluten free diets to no avail. Finally tried 6MP this year. Worked great except for my body shunting the bad anti bodies.

To be honest, I cannot accept either. I am psyched out abut the potential side effects of the Remicade plus MTX and I cannot even imagine the lifestyle one has to keep after surgery. The problem is that I read some of the stories here and think, well its not that bad. Surely I can just keep going. Not realizing that the Entocort is helping. SO I asked my doctor. Is it really that bad?

He told me today that I essentially have two options left:
1) Remicade & MTX
or
2)Surgery

And that I do not have much time left to decide. Am I freaking out for nothing ? Anyone else have to make this decision yet?
Am I being a baby about not wanting to take the Remciade?

senshisays
Joined Jan 1, 2014

Tue, November 04, 2014 7:44 PM

I've had 3 Remicade infusions without any success.  Now I'm scheduled for a resection, I'm petrified.  I've watched videos on this surgery, and have been told by my gastro surgeon that this surgery is comparable to open heart surgery.  I'm frustrated that there is a maintenance program requires, so back on Remicade.  I've heard that once they start cutting, it will happen repeatedly.  Has anyone experienced this?

kathyhardyymail
Joined Nov 4, 2014

Tue, November 04, 2014 7:37 PM

kathyhardyymail
Joined Nov 4, 2014

Fri, October 31, 2014 2:59 PM

Reply posted for ria75.

Try the medication. There are always options, don't let your doctor tell you it's down to 2 choices. Remicade worked for me for about a year and a half, then stopped working. No side effects noticed. Switched to Humira, we'll see if there is improvement. Different people react differently to different combinations of meds. Try everything before you feel you have to get surgery. Stay on top of blood work. Best wishes!

tbaker44
Joined Oct 31, 2014

Sat, August 30, 2014 10:36 PM

Reply posted for senshisays.

Wow- seems like an easy decision to me:) Try the meds first. Many many people including myself have been extremely successful on meds like Remicade. If you have unpleasant side effects, you can always stop. Surgery is no fun, and you'll probably need the same drugs anyway afterwards to help you maintain results.

ria75
Joined Aug 23, 2014

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