Expert: Odette Yuhas - 11/21/2004

Question
Hi Odette! I was diagnosed in 1994 with Crohn's.  Lately I've been having flares every 1-2 weeks. I take 8 Pentasa a day and my GI put me on 2 weeks worth of Prednisone strating with 4 pills. I'm down to 2  1/2 pills and I'm noticing that my stomache is still getting bloated and gassy after any "normal" meal, but the flares aren't lasting as long. Before they were lasting 3 days. I'm afraid that when the prednisone is gone, they'll start back up. The GI mentioned Remicaide if this doesn't work. I am really set against Remicaide due to all the side effects. I think I'd rather have surgery. What are your thoughts on this?

Answer
Hi Suzan,

Remicade saved my life!  I had no side effects and am still walking around!  Please remember that the surgery is just a fix that may not last long.  You see, we have a chronic disease, so it will come back.  Mine did after only 9 weeks from having my last surgery!  Think about the Remicade, it really is a miracle drug and I would take it again in a minute!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Odette