Recovering from Remicade Reactions

Hi all!  I know it's been quite a while since I've posted anything.  It's been a long slow recovery from all the Remicade reactions.  The docs may not agree but I believe ALL the problems I've had since September can be attributed to Remicade and auto-antibodies my system built up to it.  In short.. I was on Remicade for one year and developed auto-antibodies which means my body was fighting it.  I've had lethargy and weakness, elevated liver enzymes, autoimmune hepatitis, inflamed gallbladder, abdominal skin rashes, red eyes, and swollen painful joints to the point of barely being able to walk or turn on a light switch.

Swollen Ankle Joint No Injury

Strange Lumps moving up from Swollen Ankle

One Red Eye

Interior view of Gall Bladder

Gallbladder Removal Surgery Incisions Healing

Since stopping the Remicade I've had my gallbladder removed and am being treated with Azathioprine for the hepatitis.  As of this past week my blood tests reveal that my liver enzymes are normal.  Stool studies reveal I am not having inflammation.

Physically I'm now normal with the exception of lethargy.  My hair is falling out at an alarming rate which is probably due to the Azathioprine.  I'll be adding some folic acid to my vitamin regimen to hopefully slow down the hair loss.  Already taking Biotin.  I'm still not wanting to do much, but I'm trying every day and sometimes I manage to get rolling!

Yep Waiting in a Doctor's Office

That's about it for now.  Things are looking better every day.  Thanks for listening!!

Crohn's and Spring Break Next Week!

And I can't wait!  It's been getting more and more difficult to get out of bed at 6:00 in the morning in the cold, dark weather, to get my daughter off to school.  Add that "spring forward" time change and it's been almost impossible!  We need a break.  We're heading to Galveston and I hope it warms up down there. 

My Crohns is doing okay.  I am not the energizer bunny by any means.. but I'm getting along fine.  I wish I had the energy that normal people do.  Maybe sometime soon.  I hate being a wimp!  I keep planning on going back to working out.. and then I just can't bring myself to do it.  Not like me.  Maybe after the Iron Infusion I'll be an "Iron Woman" again.

I've had contractors at the house again this week.  We're tackling fence staining and crown molding in the kitchen.  I can't imagine how normal people live.  I seem to continually have contractors around for one reason or another.  We've been in this house for 19 years.. that might explain it!



Hiding in My Office!