Hi my son is the Crohnie. He has been on Remicade every 8 weeks and imuran daily for over a year now. He had fairly decent control of symptoms for about 5 weeks before the next infusion. So recently they moved him to every 7 weeks. It didn't change things, he got worse and started mucus and bleeding again with bathrooming 10 times a day. Messing up life and work. So he had another colonoscopy a couple weeks ago and it shows nothing has changed in a year. Still active. He has a narrowing that the scope can't get past in the small intestine just like a year ago. So he went for a cat scan. Now they added endocort also. Moved his infusion to every 6 weeks and double the remicade dose. They said he is on the highest he can be of all three medications now. He was told he needs to get a second opinion/consult at the Univ. of Chicago gastro dept. It can take a couple months to get in and we have at least a week or more before they will even talk to us because the doctor has to get all tests and scans copied and submitted to them first. I am worried. He is worried. We aren't sure what happens now. Any advice or wisdom would be so appreciated please. I was curious. If remicade doesn't work, wouldn't they try Humira?
Failed treatments, now what?
- Thread starter Fourlocos
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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Humira is often tried if remicade/infliximab has stopped working. Many do very well after they swap.
I hope your son is seen quickly and gets a new treatment plan soon if the higher doses don't work.
I hope your son is seen quickly and gets a new treatment plan soon if the higher doses don't work.
If not done already, I would suggest beginning a food diary. Make sure you include every food and drink ingested. Make sure you eliminate anything that is not pure or has additives to it. At the very least, perhaps this can reduce some inflammtion and cause some reduction in discomfort. That can at least help it from getting worse. Hope this helps!
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Yes, they should try Humira next. I stopped responding to Remicade after 6 months and started Humira a month later...WONDER DRUG! I lived off one shot a month for 2 years...disease free with the exception of two tiny flares that were taken care of with prednisone. Definitely suggest Humira to your doctor. I've also heard good things about Cimzia. i haven't responded to it, but i'm a rare case really. Since all he's done is Remicade and imuran, you still have alot of medicines left to try so dont worry. If your GI dr doesn't put him on something else, have him refer you to the U of Chicago..they have a great GI dept, so try it out!
