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  1. M

    What to expect from Stelara infusion

    I finally got insurance approval for the Stelara infusion. I will be switching from Humira to Stelara, my gi says it is not necessary to have a waiting/washout period in which the Humira gets removed from my system before commencing Stelara. That said, I am a bit of a nervous type when it...
  2. M

    Any way to rewire brain/emotion - gut connection that drives pain?

    i have known for years that there is a direct neuronal connection between my brain and my intestines. When I get angry for example, I feel it immediately in my inflamed intestines as pain or inflammation rearing up. It is sort of analogous to the sensation in your gut when going down fast in a...
  3. M

    How to fight against insurance denial for Stelara

    Hello, My dr. submitted a prior authorization request to my insurance companies last month to switch me from Humira to Stelara. CVS approved the monthly injections, but Unitedhealth denied the initial infusion. United said they denied due to lack of information. My gi had a "peer to peer"...
  4. M

    Seeking advice on next med to try (discontinuing Humira)

    Hi all, I have taken Humira for a few years. Looks like it's time for me to consider other options. I can choose from 2 drugs which have been approved in the U.S. Or I can take part in one of 3 trials. The 2 approved drugs are: 1) Stelara 2) Entyvio The 3 trials are: 1) Celgene's...
  5. M

    Stelara vs Entyvio? Patient Assistance?

    Hello, I have tried Humira. Seems like next is Stelara or Entyvio. Humira has had a good financial aid (patient assistance program) which has helped me alot since my insurance has an enormous deductible and copays. So my first question in considering Stelara/Entyvio is which one has a...
  6. M

    Is there an IBS forum on here somewhere?

    My surgeon today suggested I may have IBS. Where's the best spot to post about IBS? I didn't notice a spot on this forum devoted to IBS. Is there a particular reason for that? As I understand it, IBD'ers constitute the majority of IBS patients. I'd like to correspond with folks who do have...
  7. M

    Avoiding (urinary) "re-catheterization" post-op

    During my recent surgery I narrowly averted what would have been a really unpleasant situation involving my urinary catheter. First of all, I was pleased to note that my hospital has changed the way they do things regarding insertion and removal of the NG tube and the urinary catheter. Namely...
  8. M

    Liver biopsy - risky or not?

    I'm headed for surgery. My gi is proposing having a liver biopsy during surgery due to what was a temporary slightly elevated blood number, which has since returned to normal; he wants to rule out sclerosing cholangitis. Any thoughts on whether I should permit a biopsy during what was supposed...
  9. M

    Nestlé Impact pre op?

    Nestlé Impact pre op? My surgeon has advised me to drink Neatle Impact a couple days before my operation. Anyone have any experience with this product? I checked the ingredients and noted maltodextrin and carageenan, which I try to avoid due to reportedly being bad for CD. Any how, here are...
  10. M

    Open or lap surgery for exploratory CD surgery?

    Anyone got a feel for how frequently lap surgery is being utilized for exploratory CD surgery these days? I've talked to a couple of local surgeons in the Seattle area, both of whom recommend open surgery in my case. But it seems like I read more about lap surgery becoming adopted in some...
  11. M

    Withdrawal of steroids in IBD patients after to 45 years: a proposed method

    fyi - might be worth a discussion with your GI if you ever need a strategy for coming off prednisone and your IBD is quiescent. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Nov 15;30(10):1078-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04136.x. Epub 2009 Sep 4. Withdrawal of corticosteroids in inflammatory bowel...
  12. M

    CLA resource

    For folks who want to learn about natural forms of CLA along with other somewhat related factoids, here's a web site that is so dedicated for you to browse around. Some of you may be aware that CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is purported to be healthy for human consumption, and may be somewhat...
  13. M

    Strictureplasty

    This is on Dr. Michelassi's web site, about halfway down. Apparently this info comes from the year 2000, so it may not be new news, but it might be a discussion point come surgery time for folks, or something to research further perhaps. If I understand correctly, this is the surgeon who...
  14. M

    Any experience with Crohn's surgery in multiple locations?

    Hello, I am likely headed to surgery in the near future. I've had 2 gi's recommend me for surgery, but I've been hesitant and have tried to give Humira and dietary modifcations a try, while remaining on Prednisone. None of it's helped. I've had CD for 30+ years and have had 2 surgeries thus...
  15. M

    Lymphoid follicles with red ring signs as first manifestation of early Crohn’s disease

    Thanks for bringing this up kiny. The lymphatic system seems like a hugely under-studied area. http://www.i-md.com/docsearch/doc/793aa471-51e3-495e-9303-44b2c363645b Role of the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. von der Weid, Pierre-Yves/PY; Rehal, Sonia/S; Ferraz...
  16. M

    Carrageenan consipiracy (Meghan Telpner blog)

    I came across this woman's blog about carrageenan and IBD. I thought it was rather interesting. It's not a very flattering blog for: Ensure Abbot Labs Crohns & Colitis Foundation others http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2012/07/10/ensure-and-the-carrageenan-conspiracy/ Meghan also apparently was...
  17. M

    Can Humira improve nasal allergy symptoms?

    Hello, I have had super severe allergies around any down products, such as down pillows or down comforters. This has been the case for about 10 years or so. It began as a mystery about 10 years ago, where I couldn't breathe when sleeping and I thought there was something wrong with my house...
  18. M

    Left Humira out of fridge for 90 minutes - ok per Humira nurse

    I recently left my Humira pen out of the fridge for 90 minutes in my 70 degree faranheit home. I searched the web to see if this was ok, but did not find anything conclusive. I called Humira and they put me in touch with their special section which deals with this issue. They asked me if the...
  19. M

    HUMIRA CARD $$$ - important for new Humira folks

    I wanted to mention this because the importance of this really escaped me when my GI's nurse was explaining it to me, but in fact, this benefit that is available through Humira ended up saving me about $2k!!! I'm referring to the Humira card which is supposed to ensure that your monthly medical...
  20. M

    Breakthrough Nanoparticle Halts Multiple Sclerosis in Mice, Offers Hope for Other Immune-Related Diseases

    Not sure whether this will ever prove relevant to IBD, but it sounded as though some day it may. Breakthrough Nanoparticle Halts Multiple Sclerosis in Mice, Offers Hope for Other Immune-Related Diseases ScienceDaily (Nov. 18, 2012) — In a breakthrough for nanotechnology and multiple sclerosis...
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