MERF

Health Interests

IBD (Crohn's),  auto-immune hepatitis,  type II diabetes,  degenerative disc disease,  osteoarthritis,  polycythemia,  classic migraines

Drugs I am Taking

Far too many I think: Protonix,  Metformin,  Nadolol,  Estratest HS,  Maxzide,  Zetia,  Salsalate,  Calaritin-D 24,  Entocort EC,  ASA.

About Me

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in February 2007 and was initially prescribed the Entocort/Pentasa regimen which was not tolerable. I began receiving Remicade infusions in May. To make short a long story, in December 2007, after five Remicade infusions, I was diagnosed with acute hepatitis accompanied by excruciating, albeit transient, musculoskeletal pain. Liver biopsy confirmed auto-immune hepatitis. Prior to this time, I had no history of any liver disease. So now, what do I do?

The treatment of choice for me at this point is Prednisone combined with the Entocort and I am much improved. My LFTs are again within normal range and my energy level has increased tremendously. Joint and muscle pains are reasonable and as may be expected with osteoarthritis and DJD of the spine. My blood sugar is totally out of control, unfortunately.

I say all this to say this: There can not be too much emphasis placed on monitoring patients on "new" treatments from day one! Further, regardless of how unlikely a serious adverse event or reaction may be, warnings need to be up-front and blatant rather than fine-print obscure messages at the end of prescribing information brochures.