Search results

What do you all think of switching to an anti-TNF?

That is a nice thought Maya. I will have to think about that. Which would you recommend?...methotrexate or sulfasalazine? Sulfasalazine is probaby less side effects?

Thank you Maya! Yes, that is my plan. It is the 3rd month after starting stelara. I am very happy that my GI symptoms are controlled, with good lab work. I am planning to wait this out another 1-2 months, and if my knees are still swollen, I will likely consider anti-TNFs or adding another...

It seems like the steroid injections only last about 1 month and then I start to notice gradual swelling of the knees. My rheumatologist recommended to switch to anti-TNFs. The IBD doctor says that if the stelara doesn't work in the next month we will probably have to switch to another med...

I am 12 weeks post stelara infusion. I am OFF entocort. Now I just take 7.5mg of prednisone for the knee swelling. So far the I have no GI symptoms. The stomach pain and bowel problems have resolved. I still have this joint swelling, which is why I am getting knee injections and on low dose...

Thank you for your reply. I had a meniscectomy and synovectomy done in my left knee a year and a half ago. At that point they did not note any degenerative changes (about a year and a half ago). Of course some degenerative changes could have developed over the last year or two. However, they...

I started having knee swelling before being diagnosed with crohn's. However, I had knee swelling for over a year, at which point I developed a meniscus tear and needed surgery(meniscectomy and synovectomy). I am wondering too maybe there is something else going on other than just inflammation...

I received steroid injections in both knees. About 3weeks later I am feeling that one of my knees is starting to swell again. Shouldn't the steroid injection last much longer than that? Any advice? I am on stelara and low dose prednisone (7.5mg). The good news is that my GI symptoms are...

Is it pretty common to be on biologic PLUS immunomodulators. Right now I am only on a biologic (stelara)

Thank you Maya142! You always provide very thoughtful and useful advice!! My rheumatologist seems to think that I should switch over to anti-TNFs. However, I have tolerated the Stelara really well and would prefer not to switch at this point. In the meantime, I am going the route of knee...

hredner, how did you get approval for increased dosing of stelara? Any input might be appreciated as I might need to do the same.

I started Stelara 8 weeks ago. Short story is that I have bilateral knee swelling and mild/mod terminal ileum inflammation. Only started treating 4-5months ago. I continue to have knee swelling on Stelara. Got a right knee injection last week, which cleared up the swelling, and now the left knee...

I spoke with my doc about stelara levels. Only one center does it in the US. Will need to figure out whether my insurance will pay for it. Also, she said that since stelara is so new, there is really no established baseline for what a therapeutic stelara drug level actually is. Any thoughts on...

Got it done today. My knee swelled to the size of a balloon, so no other option. I don't know why, but my experience with knee aspirations has been rather painful. It was pretty painful today, almost as if they are jamming a needle into my nerve. Interested to see what your experiences are.

Going to get a knee aspiration and steroid injection tomorrow. haha. Was hoping to avoid this but I guess its the best route. Lots of swelling, and needing to increase my prednisone dosage. If I get the knee swelling under control I can probably come off the prednisone.

Has anyone had any experience with antibiotics for crohn's. I keep reading that antibiotics might help control some of the bacterial overgrowth. However, my IBD doc hasn't mentioned antibiotics. I feel like it can be worth a try. The doc did state that taking antibiotics can sometimes even...

I think I have a sinus infection. Been feeling congested, and lots of post nasal drip. Anyone have a sinus infection while on Stelara? If so, what should I be worried about?

Interestingly I did have a species of mycobacteria that grew from one of the cultures on my biopsy, but the infectious disease specialist did not feel that this was a pathogenic organism. It wasn't MAP though.

Also, in the book they emphasize that Crohn's is probably an infectious process. Has anyone had any success treating crohn's with antibiotics?

Very interesting. Anyone have any success with the perfect health diet? Seems interesting. Thinking of buying the book.