Dumb question???

for me, the answer is a definite yes. oftentimes side effects were much worse in iv form. Don't know if they put stronger versions of the drugs through iv or not though.

The only side effect alleviated through IV would be an upset stomach. Drugs are given orally if they will be readily absorbed through the intestinal wall and then distributed throughout the system. Drugs are usually given IV if some process within digestion would render the active chemistry useless. Often side effects are chemical in nature, the drug is binding with protiens that disrupt your systems, or the drug is targeting cells and your systems can get caught in the crossfire.

The reason Remicaid is making things more difficult is because it targets your immune systems ability to operate. Specifically, it is a TNF-alpha blocker- tumor necrosis factor- a protein the white blood cells use to activate the immune response- without this, you are in a weakened immune state- any infection will last longer and be more severe.

I had a type of ringworm I could not get to go away- second I was off immuno-suppressants- it was gone in a week. I had a fungal infection of my lungs for years while on immunosuppressants- I had difficulty breathing all that time. Again, afterwards, no lung pain and MRI showed the infection was gone a month later. Immunosuppressants are nasty nasty things. They are the epitome of the double edged sword.

Yep, it is not so much that Remicade is delivered by IV, but the type of drug that it is. The same issues would be present with the subcutaneous ones, like Humira or Simponi. But, not everyone has these problems. It is just important to be aware of the potential. I have been on one anti-TNF or another since 2005, but have not had any issues regarding infections. Sure, I get them, but they have not been persistent. I get my flu shot every year and the only infection I've had requiring antibiotics was a single case of bronchitis and occasional pouchitis. In each instance, antibiotics cleared them up quickly. So, it just depends.

I think the fact that you have an antibiotic resistant strain of E. coli plays a big factor in your UTI problem, and that would be true with or without the Remicade. But, the Remicade will lower your own defenses, so that does complicate things. Another problem with Remicade is that it is long acting, so it takes a long time (4-12 weeks) to metabolize and be out of your system.

Yes, a double edged sword indeed, since they provide a lot of good, but with pitfalls too. Remember though, not all immune suppressants are not equal. Prednisone and other steroids are probably the worst in regard to side effects, as they can destroy many parts of your body, and that is why drugs like methotrexate and anti-TNF drugs are used to get you off them.

In regard to IV drugs and side effects; yes it is true that side effects tend to be worse with IV than oral. That is because they are delivered to your system in full force immediately, without passing through the liver first, or being slowly absorbed as they are in the gut. So, if you have an allergy, IV will produce a faster and more dangerous reaction than oral. However, with oral dosing, the reaction can drag out much longer, after you stop taking it.

Hopefully, they find the antibiotic your E.coli strain is sensitive to and you can get back to normal!

Jan