As most of you know, I had to stop Yervoy after the 3rd infusion due to colitis. When I was hospitalized about a month ago due to a fever with the diarrhea, they gave me one infusion of Remicade. It didn't really help that much…I still had to take Imodium or Lomotil most days.
As most of you know, I had to stop Yervoy after the 3rd infusion due to colitis. When I was hospitalized about a month ago due to a fever with the diarrhea, they gave me one infusion of Remicade. It didn't really help that much…I still had to take Imodium or Lomotil most days.
About 10 days ago, I had another infusion of Remicade. Two days later, the pain and diarhhea COMPLETELY STOPPED! It was like a miracle cure. I am eating most foods (still afraid of those tiny seeds in strawberries and blueberries). I had sushi the other day and I can't wait to have it again!
I have read here more times than I can count that people with Yervoy-induced colitis can't leave the house because of the diarrhea, and I can so identify with that now. We must be our own advocates…I asked for the second dose of Remicade. It is not without possible side-effects (they give Benedryl with it just in case of allergic reaction) , so everyone's not an automatic candidate for it, but it never hurts to ask. If there's one thing I've learned from this journey is that I must educate myself…half the time I make the suggestions to the docs, and a lot of the time, they take them!
I'm still adrenal insufficient–can barely walk a flight of steps–the endo. thought it was coming from the pituitary gland, but an MRI showed that not to be the case. So, I'm having my cortisol checked in a couple of weeks…maybe by then the adrenals will have started to function and I can wean off the hydrocortisone. Meanwhile I have to wear a medical-alert bracelet and carry liquid hydrocortisone and needles with me. Will decide at next visit to Dr. Wolchok my next course of treatment.
Have a good 4th everyone,
karen
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