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Status report on the war in my gut.
Friday, 20 April 2012 08:42So, after overdosing on laxatives and having my colonoscopy yesterday, here's what's now going on:
The colon is a little bit worse off than it was a year ago. Most of the colon is still clean of disease, including my rectum. However, because what's going in my gut is simply very stubborn inflammation due to Crohn's, my gastro still has yet another idea.
Now, if the results of the CT scan and colonoscopy showed narrowing, strictures, or an actual bowel obstruction due to Crohn's, then surgery would've been the immediate thing to do. That's something that really can't be corrected by meds. But because this is just inflammation, he would like to try doubling the dose of the drug I'm currently on--the IV meds called Remicade.
Since I stopped responding to the basic dose (which is the lowest possible dose--5 mg of drug for every kilogram I weigh--administered every 8 weeks), I can safely have the dose doubled and get it more often. In fact, according to the drug manufacturer, this is what you do if people stop responding to the basic dose. So, what we're going to try is a double dose of Remicade, every 6 weeks instead of 8, and hope that does the trick. Surgery is not completely off the table (after all, about 75% of Crohn's patients will need some manner of bowel surgery at some point), but I'm glad to know we can try this option first.
I love my gastro. He is doing everything he possibly can to keep me out of the operating room for as long as possible. It is muchly appreciated. If the increased dose of Remicade does the job, I hope to finally be back to my normal self soon.
The colon is a little bit worse off than it was a year ago. Most of the colon is still clean of disease, including my rectum. However, because what's going in my gut is simply very stubborn inflammation due to Crohn's, my gastro still has yet another idea.
Now, if the results of the CT scan and colonoscopy showed narrowing, strictures, or an actual bowel obstruction due to Crohn's, then surgery would've been the immediate thing to do. That's something that really can't be corrected by meds. But because this is just inflammation, he would like to try doubling the dose of the drug I'm currently on--the IV meds called Remicade.
Since I stopped responding to the basic dose (which is the lowest possible dose--5 mg of drug for every kilogram I weigh--administered every 8 weeks), I can safely have the dose doubled and get it more often. In fact, according to the drug manufacturer, this is what you do if people stop responding to the basic dose. So, what we're going to try is a double dose of Remicade, every 6 weeks instead of 8, and hope that does the trick. Surgery is not completely off the table (after all, about 75% of Crohn's patients will need some manner of bowel surgery at some point), but I'm glad to know we can try this option first.
I love my gastro. He is doing everything he possibly can to keep me out of the operating room for as long as possible. It is muchly appreciated. If the increased dose of Remicade does the job, I hope to finally be back to my normal self soon.
