John's Story

There is no good age to be diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD). However, at 19, after a childhood of perfect health and an active lifestyle, I was really scared when my Crohn's struck so hard and so fast.

“After several years of life on hold, I was able to once again pursue my dreams and go back to college”

When the symptoms began, I had massive pain in my gut and blood when I went to the bathroom. Eating became very difficult because food felt like broken glass going through my intestines. I dropped from 165 to 115 pounds in one month. I was 6 foot 3 inches and no longer possessed my tall, athletic build, but rather I was so thin that people began to stare. I felt like I was wearing my disease — a disease no one understood.

When I went to see my physician, he knew right away what it was: Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed in September 1990 and shortly thereafter I underwent two surgeries on my large intestine. My life was on hold — I was not able to work or go to college for four years. Frequent flare-ups prevented even a hint of the normal, active life I had once enjoyed.

My gastroenterologist initially put me on steroids to control the flare-ups, but the side effects were terrible. My hair was falling out, and my face was covered with acne. The side effects got so bad that I decided that the flare-ups from the Crohn's were minor in comparison to taking steroids.

My disease progressively worsened, leading to ten surgeries. I became desperate for a solution that did not include surgery because I just could not endure another hospitalization. I was one step away from losing hope and falling into depression. I was ready to give up.

Finally one of my father's coworkers found information on a biologic therapy treatment while doing research on the Internet. Once I found a gastroenterologist, he started me right away on REMICADE. I had my first treatment in February 2000, which coincided with my 29th birthday. Shortly thereafter I noticed a difference. It was the best birthday present I could have ever received. I was speechless. I had just about given up hope, but with this treatment I felt like I had my life back.

John is representative of patients responding to REMICADE under a physician's supervision. Individual results may vary.