Infliximab lymphoma risk

I had my first infliximab iv 2 weeks ago.

I was and still am very concerned about the lymphoma risk,

I planning on seeing a surgeon in the next ouple of months to hopefully find a better solution and to not have to spend too much time on the infliximab. The only reason i am taking it is because nothing else is working and i am desperate for something to work while i wait to see the surgeon.

Infliximab should really be your last medical option before surgery.

If you are really concerned, you shoul talk to your dr about other options and your individual risk.

Good luck.

I've just come out of hospital from a 2 week stay due to a really serious flare and my doctor was keen for me to try infliximab as my body wasn't responding to the hydrocortisone and prednisolone very well.  Fortunately we had a good talk about it and decided to wait a few more days before starting infliximab and my symptoms started getting better so have managed to avoid it, but realistically if I get in the same state again I'm going to have to try infliximab or lose my colon - neither of which appeal.  If it's any help I did talk to my specialist twice quite in depth about infliximab, and he didn't think the increased risk of lymphoma was one to particularly worry about, although the risk is slightly increased it's more that they detect it early if it happens because you're constantly being monitored for everything, so if I do end up having to go on it, lymphoma's not really a major concern for me.  He also said there aren't really bad side effects with it and it either works for you or it doesn't - I was really worried about this as I had a terrible reaction to azathioprine (gave me pancreatitis). 

I managed to get into remission by strictly following the SCD diet - my symptoms started to get better within about a week and after 6 weeks I started to feel really good on it and enjoyed 8 months completely sympton free.  Unfortunately I then caught a bad stomach bug which I couldn't shift that eventually landed me in the hospital this time.  But I'm hoping being back on the diet I'll get into remission again once I've finished the 8 weeks of prednisolone - if not I agreed with my doc to try infliximab.

I'd really like to know how you both get on with it and wish you all the best - this disease if flippin rotton isn't it!?

best wishes

Laura