06/26/2026
Yesterday I had my first Infliximab (Remicade) infusion, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful.
Infliximab is a prescription medication given through an IV infusion at the hospital. The treatment itself takes about two hours, followed by 30 minutes of monitoring. It’s a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking a protein called TNF-alpha, which is one of the main drivers of inflammation in conditions like Crohn’s disease. By calming that inflammation, it gives the body a chance to heal.
My infusion schedule is two weeks from now, then again at four weeks, six weeks, and every eight weeks after that. Because my Crohn’s primarily affects my small intestine the part of the digestive system responsible for absorbing nutrients and water. I worked closely with my amazing team at Baylor College of Medicine to return to infusion therapy. For me, receiving medication directly into my bloodstream made more sense than relying on a daily pill to travel through an already inflamed digestive tract.
One thing I’ve learned over the last four years is that Crohn’s disease is incredibly personal. There is no cure, although remission is absolutely possible. Unfortunately, remission doesn’t always mean the disease is gone forever. Researchers still don’t know exactly what causes Crohn’s, and while it runs in my family, every person’s experience is different.
I know advice often comes from a place of love, and I truly appreciate the concern. But one of the greatest gifts you can give someone living with an autoimmune disease is simply to listen. I have IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), not IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Food can certainly affect symptoms, especially during active flares, but food alone did not cause my disease. If it were that simple, treatment would be much easier.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours researching, asking questions, advocating for myself, and learning what works for my body. While I don’t have all the answers, I know my body better than anyone else.
(Rest of write up in comments)
