Can you be in remission (biologic induced) from Crohn's and still have symptoms?

[prettyflowers]

Hello. I am fairly new to all this. My Crohn's came on suddenly for the first time a little over a year ago (at age 50) and I just got my official diagnosis early this year.

I just finished my third loading infusion of Skyrizi and will soon start at home injections.

I can't tell if the biologic is working for me or not. I know it can take some time but I saw some improvement after my first infusion but not much more improvement since then. The only two symptoms I've ever had with Crohn's has been diarrhea and increased stool frequency. Since starting Skryizi my stool frequency is better and I have had the occasional formed stool but I am STILL experiencing diarrhea. Does having diarrhea mean that this particular biologic is not going to work for me? (I think it works for 4/10)

I guess my main question is: Can a person be in a state of biologic induced remission and still have diarrhea 4-5 times a week? I'm hoping the biologic is working but the diarrhea has me thinking it's not. Unless, diarrhea still happens in remission?

My IBD specialist is booked out for several months but he is going to do a virtual visit with me in mid-July. Of course I plan to ask him these questions but any insight before then would be helpful to me. Thanks!

 

[my little penguin]

Your still on the loading doses which means things are still building up
Was the first dose given with iv steriods ?
Sometimes the initial loading infusion is given with iv solumedrol which makes you feel great for about 2-3 days
Skyrizi is similar to Stelara
It took 8 months for Stelara to be fully effective meaning feeling better and no symptoms for ds
He also needed an increase in frequency
I would say at this point you need more time to figure out if it’s working
Since it hasn’t been that long
Hugs

 

[prettyflowers]

Your still on the loading doses which means things are still building up
Was the first dose given with iv steriods ?
Sometimes the initial loading infusion is given with iv solumedrol which makes you feel great for about 2-3 days
Skyrizi is similar to Stelara
It took 8 months for Stelara to be fully effective meaning feeling better and no symptoms for ds
He also needed an increase in frequency
I would say at this point you need more time to figure out if it’s working
Since it hasn’t been that long
Hugs

Thank you. I feel encouraged by this. I just completed my third (last I believe) loading dose. I have not been on any other meds/steroids with the Skyrizi and I'm almost positive they did NOT give me solumedrol in my iv at the infusion center. I will start doing the injections at home soon and I believe that dose is much lower which has me somewhat concerned since I still have symptoms with the loading doses. I will hold out and keep it up because I REALLY want it to work for me. I appreciate you replying! I'm not going to lose hope yet. Thank you again.

 

[Pangolin]

"Remission" is a tricky thing with Crohn's, and it's defined in various ways. It sounds like you're not really in remission yet, but it sounds like the biologic is helping. Keep testing things like fecal calprotectin to make sure that you're continuing to get closer to remission.

 

[crohnsinct]

Healing happens slowly over time. Crohn’s us a transmural disease so there are quite a few layers that have to heal. You didn’t get sick overnight so it takes time for you to achieve remission. You are still early on and I think you can look to small improvements. Frequent cal pro and blood labs also help see progress.

All this said, once in a real remission, it is possible to experience symptoms but if you are in true remission these might be attributed to IBS as there is a large overlap of these two conditions. However, be careful not to attribute symptoms to functional disorders unless remission is confirmed by labs, endoscopy and histology.

 

[prettyflowers]

Healing happens slowly over time. Crohn’s us a transmural disease so there are quite a few layers that have to heal. You didn’t get sick overnight so it takes time for you to achieve remission. You are still early on and I think you can look to small improvements. Frequent cal pro and blood labs also help see progress.

All this said, once in a real remission, it is possible to experience symptoms but if you are in true remission these might be attributed to IBS as there is a large overlap of these two conditions. However, be careful not to attribute symptoms to functional disorders unless remission is confirmed by labs, endoscopy and histology.

OK. This is very helpful to know. Even though I have done a ton of research, I still have so many questions and am learning more about this disease all the time.

It's also been confusing because my cal returned to normal right before I went on the biologic but I was still have my symptoms. My doctor indicated that it really didn't matter because cal can fluctuate and that having ulcers was the proof.

I am glad to hear it might take more time than the three loading doses of my biologic to get into remission. I considered myself mild Crohn's (or early perhaps?) because I have only had one or two symptoms and I have never lost weight or anything, as a matter of fact I am overweight. Therefore, I just assumed it wouldn't take long for me to get into remission. I guess one never knows what to expect or how their body will react.

Anyway, thank you for replying.