Search results

My GI doc wants to start me on humira and methotrexate ( to prevent antibodies from forming). However, if they are starting methotrexate I am wondering why not just add methotrexate to the current Stelara. The only reason they are switching me to humira is because my knees are not controlled on...

I have had one infusion and one injection 8 weeks later. At this point I am at week 16. I am thinking it might be worth to do the next injection and wait a couple more weeks. I am just worried that I have been on prednisone for around 7 months (low dose, around 7 mg daily). However, even if I...

I am on week 15 after initial infusion. It seems like it is helping the crohn's. However, my arthritis recently flared, and I am on 12.5mg of prednisone. My doctors are about to switch me to humira due to the arthritis. Anyone have any advice? Should I wait longer?

Also I've had steroid knee injections on top of the increased steroid dose after starting Stelara I think it's safe to say that stelara isn't doing much for the knees. Lol.

That is true. I could be giving up stelara for no reason. However, monotherapy with humira I feel would be safer than stelara plus methotrexate. Even though both are safe drugs, monotherapy with humira (if it works), would be the better option I think. Ever since starting Stelara, I have had to...

That is a quick taper. But originally I was on 7.5mg daily, and then my knees flared after starting stelara. My rheumatologist did not want me to be on a large dose of prednisone for a long time.

Thank you Maya. Yes, my rheumatologist is the one that actually recommended humira. My IBD doc was sorta just agreeing. I decided to seek a third opinion from an IBD specialist given the uniqueness of the situation. Sounds like everyone is on board with the humira. Doesn't sound like they are...

Just got finished with the appointment. The ibd doc recommended that I switch to humira. The other thought that I had was maybe my Prednisone taper wasn't long enough?

Wow. Good to know. That's why I love this forum. I always learn something new. That makes me want to opt for methotrexate low dose instead of cancelling stelara. I am getting a second opinion with another ibd doc today.

Very few places do the test.

Thank you maya for your input. Bottom line is you gotta get inflammation under control. However, it's also important to weigh the risks and benefits of all drugs. Methotrexate has many side effects too including cancers, hair loss, and "foggy, chemo brain." Sometimes the only way to get the...

I would have to agree. The swelling will always return when you come off prednisone. The only reason why I am still on prednisone is that I am hoping the Stelara will kick in. So far the Stelara hasn't shown much promise in keeping my knee swelling down. Trying to extend out my prednisone taper...

Thank you all for the input. Will definitely get on it and try to come off prednisone. I'll tell you...Prednisone has helped me out a lot. My knees were like balloons before, so I definitely needed something immediate to work. And also I needed to start treating my Crohn's as I was recently...

Have you had your stelara levels checked?

Btw, what are ya'll thoughts about my prednisone usage. I'm kinda getting worried. I've been on low dose prednisone for around 6 months (7mg). But recently have had to increase prednisone to 25 and now at around 15mg. I'm trying to come off prednisone but starting to realize that if I don't add...

I heard humira works well. I am trying Stelara with prednisone. However, I've been on prednisone for a while (around 6 months). Trying to come off the prednisone. If tapering off prednisone doesn't work my options are switching to humira vs. adding methotrexate or sulfasalazine. I think humira...

Just a little update. Both knees pretty swollen. Had to increase prednisone to 25mg for the next few days. Hopefully will be able to go back down to less than 10. If not I will be more aggressive in adding methotrexate/sulfasalazine, or adding an anti-TNF. Not good to stay on such high doses of...

If the stelara is working wouldn't you expect at least some bit of improvement before 6 months? I honestly don't see any improvement in my knees.

I read some case reports of patients actually experiencing flares of arthritis after starting stelara (in psoriatic arthritis patients). I think I might be one of the few who might be experiencing worsening arthritis while on stelara. I definitely did not have such recurrent swelling before...

Thank you Maya for your reply! From what I have experienced all these medications are really trial and error. Everyone responds differently. It's actually nice to be able to discuss this with someone. I'll try to wait it out as best I can, but will discuss adding an immunomodulator vs. starting...