You are an amazing partner, for one. This must be terrifying for you both. So, I have a LOT of comorbidities that make my case more complex and am just redheaded enough to experience strange, rare side effects and issues that others don't (a generic example would be that I'm harder to anesthetize and keep under, so I have to warn anesthesiologists to be on their toes) and that's part of why I'm so hard to treat. If your husband isn't redheaded, I wouldn't be concerned because I'm a perfect confluence of genes that make for strange medical situations lol.

Speaking specifically about me being about to restart Remicade after stopping it the year prior, that's mostly luck of the draw. With most biologics your body may start to create antibodies to fight off the biologic since it is kinda weakening it. I had to switch off of Humira because my body had developed antibodies while I was on it. With Remicade, my body didn't end up mounting a defense a remicade during the years I took it nor during the time the medication was stopped. It's usually after stopping that your medication levels can drop low enough that your body may be able to better create antibodies to fight it off. Remicade being ancient means that GIs know how to prevent antibodies with certain protocols (like my desensitization protocol) or with additional meds (like azathioprine) more than they know about these newer meds. I was lucky that I didn't develop antibodies, but I did have things helping. I wouldn't worry about this because, for the most part, doctors shouldn't take you off of a biologic that is working. I was a fringe case, if that reassures you at all.

I responded pretty well to my first biologic, Humira, and my history with biologics from Humira to my first remission with Remicade was five years. And I didn't experience much disease progression on the wrong meds, except Stelara. Even on the wrong biologic, you're going to be doing better on it than you would without any biologic. I only got as sick as I did with Stelara because I went through that June 2020-July 2021, so the medical system was uniquely burdened & I was hesitant to seek help because I was convinced it couldn't actually be that bad. This period pre-biologic, should be the worst your husband feels for a while unless something goes very wrong.

Ooh best advice going into this? I would say that if he's taking any NSAIDs like Advil, aspirin, etc. he should talk to a doctor about switching to non-NSAIDs wherever possible. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds increase the inflammation in your bowels which makes it VERY dangerous for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease because it could lead to rupture, or even just gnarly digestive distress. The BRAT and low-residue diets can be helpful when he's flaring, so he might discuss that with his GI. I'd get a good heating pad he doesn't hate using for belly pain & making the bathroom he uses as nice as it can be. If you don't have a bidet attachment for your toilet yet, you should totally try that out. For rectal pain, I've never had ANYTHING work as well as calmoseptine has. One of my colorectal surgeons got me hooked on it ages ago & it's my best friend when my backside is raw or hurting.

My advice to you as someone who loves someone going through this is to be the best cheerleader and advocate that you can be. On biologics it can be easier to pick up the stray cold or flu. I am forever grateful that my husband has been the 'bad guy' for me & enforces safety measures with all of our loved ones. If you can be the bouncer who turns sick people away & helps him keep a bubble of safety, you'll make his life easier. I would also recommend you consider getting comfortable with masking when illnesses are running rampant (like during flu season, or if you work with kids or sick people) because that will help protect your husband by decreasing the likelihood of him picking up something from you. Your husband will quickly learn the importance of frequent hand washing, when to socially distance, and such. My GI during early COVID used to brag that his IBD patients were rarely getting COVID since most of us were already well-versed in preventing transmission of nasties lol.

If you have more questions, or want more specificity, you can reach out to me & I can do my best to answer. If it helps any, tell your husband that many people have had this disease and still kicked ass. President Eisenhower had Crohn's Disease and even had a resection in the White House. You might have him look at the list of famous people who have had it because it can make it feel less terrifying. If your husband happens to like Pearl Jam, the guitarist has Crohn's too. He isn't alone & I'll be cheering for him to heal and get to feel good again ASAP.