Should I seek remission?

I always have symptoms, even when I'm not in full flare. I was hopeful when I learned of food sensitivities, but that only gave me temporary relief, symptoms returned, and I even started flaring again this week. Prednisone seems to have zapped things back to "normal" (for me) but I have a rare appointment Friday to talk to my GI about new treatments.

In years past she has always said there is nothing else that is worth the side effects. But now I think I am ready to take risks to see if there is opportunity for improvement in my quality of life, which has been controlled my my UC for decades now since I can't usually go more than about 2 hours without a bathroom. I am otherwise very healthy, my immune system seems to be strong. I'm not an alarmist about side effects, there's no way to know what will happen to me just because it happened to someone else.

I guess I'll ask about Humira, Remicade, mp6, Imuran, everything I can remember from here. She will probably again say that, since I have managed this long, never better but never worse, don't do it. But I'm tired of managing! 

Our doctors have so many different view on these things, hers will be just one more.

What do you all think I should do?

Which of these heavy duty treatments should I try first, if any? 

Definitely see about Remicade- I know it's scary, but if you're still on prednisone, you may as well try something else. Give it a shot- if after 6 infusions, you see no change, then you can quit. But it seems like it's at the point where you have to either go to heavier meds or surgery. Imuran is good- I do like it, but it really took a good 8-10 months to see any change. And I had to up my dose after 6-7 months also. I believe the biologics are becoming more of a first-line defense nowadays- they seem to really jump start remision, & the thinking is, why try & muddle along for a year on pred with little results?

You really have many options at this point. But your question is...what is going to improve my quality of life without crazy side effects? I am here to tell you that some side effects really are not worth it. I'm glad to hear your immune system is healthy, but if you do Prednisone with Remicade you could be in a for a real change.

One of the reasons I opted for the cure is because my side effects were absolutely horrible and very painful. My body could not fight any kind of infection and they turned to staph, which resulted in abscesses that required removal, resulting in open wound care. OUCH!!! I also did not react to Remicade and any other levels of medication or other types were just ridiculous for me to try because I was reacting to NOTHING! 40mg of Prednisone was even becoming a joke.

Hopefully your doctor will suggest another level of medications for you. I do hear great success stories with Remicade. Some people on this forum have been using it for many many many years. Others see wonderful change almost immediately and others do take a little while.

I wish you the best of luck!!!

As my GI put it to me - being in a constant state of semi-flare is not good for your body either.  Staying in a constant flare increases your risk of colon cancer.  So you have weigh your options.  Increased risk of colon cancer from staying in constant flare and not feeling well all the time - with increased risk of possible lymphoma from taking either Imuran/6mp or Remicade and feeling great all the time.  I know what I chose - you have to choose for yourself.

     The 6MP took about three months to "kick in" while taking prednisone.  I usually have a flare every year towards the end of March or September.  Seasonal for me too.  I've had a great past four months, symptom free.  Keeping my fingers crossed I won't get a flare this year.