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**My Story**

I was 25 years old, had never been in a hospital for anything other than a few trips when I was a child for ear infections. No allergies, all around healthy adult. Little did I know that would soon change.

The symptoms started gradually for me. At first, they came periodically when I would eat. Then they gradually increased to every time I ate or drank. Soon I would be cringing in pain, rolling around on the floor in agonizing pain whether I ate anything or not. At this time, going to the hospital or the walk in clinic was out of the question.(stubborness) I saw my GP after about 4 months of constant pain and 35lbs lighter(after waiting 2 months to get in) who told me that it was just acid reflux.

To make a long story short, I ended up taking endless amounts of tests. (endoscopy, colonoscopy.. you name it, I probably went for it). Along with several different prescriptions. After visits with 2GPs and 2 specialists they concluded that the pain was due to gallstones. I would then have surgery to have my gallbladder removed, and surprise, I was still in pain. This is when the specialist suspected that it was Crohn's Disease. It would then be diagnosed following another colonoscopy in June of 2009 after a year of being untreated.

Once diagnosed I was immediately put on 40mg of Prednisone and 125mg of Imuran. The Prednisone was tapered off over 5 months leaving me just on the Imuran but because the inflammation still isn't under control she had me try Salofalk with the Imuran. This didn't work, as it gave me worse symptoms than I was having without it. I discontinued the Salofalk and now I'm back on the Prednisone (I really hate this medication.. sigh) along with Imuran.

Because the inflammation isn't under control and my GI doesn't want to keep me on Prednisone any longer (I've gotten bone loss from it and really bad side affects), I'll be starting Remicade Tuesday. I'm a little nervous about it, but excited about the possible relief that it could give me. My specialist didn't order any pre-meds with it, so I hope that I don't have a reaction to it. :)

I would love to hear about everyone's journey with Remicade. It seems like every forum or site that I've ventured to, most of the Crohnies had pre-meds. Is there anyone out there that has experienced it without?
 

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Hi kslade and :welcome:

Good to see you here. You have certainly been through a lot and unfortunately it is not uncommon around here for diagnosis to take quite some time. I have no experience with Remicade but there will be others along that will be able to answer your questions. In the meantime we have a Remicade Club that you might like to browse through (warning ~ it's long!)............

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=4544

I hope you stick around 'cause this is a fab place with loads of info and support, plus we'd love to have you here. Good luck and welcome aboard!

Take care, :)
Dusty
 

Dexky

To save time...Ask Dusty!
Location
Kentucky
Welcome Kslade!! The little I've read on the Remicade club has been largely positive. I don't know anything about it personally but most of the users in the Remi club will answer your questions. Good luck!!
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I have just posted in the Remicade club, so hopefully someone is in the same boat as me that could point me in the right direction :)
 
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