Finally, I understand my situation. I am suffering a chronic condition - which cannot be maintained with the medication I am currently on and will not heal or be pushed into remission without the drug Infliximab. There is a 30% chance of full remission and a 60% chance of no further damage. However, Infliximab increases the chances of latent TB becoming active by five fold. My consultants are hesitating to make a decision in how to move forwards because my tests keep returning inconclusive for latent TB. This is partly due to the medications I am already on which have suppressed by immune system - steroids (currently Predisolone) and Azathiaprine. However, they would have expected a reaction to my most recent test in which they inject the dead disease into my skin because I previously had a BCG but there has been no reaction. They can treat the latent TB before starting Infliximab. However, treating the TB carries its own risks too. It involves two months of chemotherapy with a 260/100,000 chance of developing Hepatitis. Having to hold back on starting Infliximab, and stopping the medication I am already on, will also cause my Crohns Disease to flare up again. The mixture of these things could make me very unwell. This is currently a big concern for me, and is obviously something my Doctors are struggling to make a decision about - and is keeping me in a difficult place - full of steroids and Azathiaprine but still suffering symptoms and not moving forwards with treatment. My personal feeling is that I would be happy to start the Infliximab treatment, understanding the risk of TB. While if TB becomes active while I am taking Infliximab, it will be hard to recognise but they can still treat me - I will just be more unwell and I suppose the risks are higher. But this, weighed up with the risks of stopping my current treatment, and doing the TB treatment anyway, seems like one worth taking.... So, here says Monday they choose to go a head with it and we shall see what my fate will be!
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:21:26 +0000
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