So several years ago I was having some abdominal paining on and off on my right side after having tests done and three doctors later I was told it appears I have crohns. I was told to take pentasa which I started for a few months but then got pregnant so went off of it. After I had my daughter a year later I was having some of that pain again so decided to try pentasa again but seemed to cause heart palpitations so just went off. I have been feeling absolutely fine for the past 5 years and just decided to get checked just to make sure how things are looking. My bloodwork came back normal and the colonoscopy showed some signs of inflammation and scar tissue so doc wants me to go on humira which scares the day lights out of me. I'm 30 years old and going on that kind of medicine so early in my life especially when I have no symptoms. I don't know what I should do. Please help!
HELP! Scared to go on humira since I'm not having symptoms
- Thread starter Luvmg6483
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Since your a mom
You have symptoms inside - scarring and inflammation
Scarring makes your intestine more rigid (should be soft and flexible )
It can cause narrowing resulting in a stricture or obstruction
Or rupture of the intestine
You just don't have symptoms on the outside
If you could see the damage on the outside you would want to stop it
Many children including mine have Crohns and are put on meds even when they don't have symptoms on the outside since damage on the inside can be dealt if left on its own
Ds was dx at age 7
And has been on humira for over 5 years
With next to no side effects except a healthy intestine
Please read the insert on the infant Tylenol
Scary stuff for side effects like liver damage ,Steven Johnson syndrome or death
Same with regular antibiotics
Sometimes you need meds to stay healthy
And the list is only potential side effects
Not something that will happen
Having to take medicine stinks
But having a healthy gut vs fighting to keep what little gut you have left due to multiple surgeries is why most use medicine
You have symptoms inside - scarring and inflammation
Scarring makes your intestine more rigid (should be soft and flexible )
It can cause narrowing resulting in a stricture or obstruction
Or rupture of the intestine
You just don't have symptoms on the outside
If you could see the damage on the outside you would want to stop it
Many children including mine have Crohns and are put on meds even when they don't have symptoms on the outside since damage on the inside can be dealt if left on its own
Ds was dx at age 7
And has been on humira for over 5 years
With next to no side effects except a healthy intestine
Please read the insert on the infant Tylenol
Scary stuff for side effects like liver damage ,Steven Johnson syndrome or death
Same with regular antibiotics
Sometimes you need meds to stay healthy
And the list is only potential side effects
Not something that will happen
Having to take medicine stinks
But having a healthy gut vs fighting to keep what little gut you have left due to multiple surgeries is why most use medicine
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- May 3, 2017
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I recently had to have a resection done because of the damage a stricture can cause. I was told with the section that was taken out all of the "active crohns" was removed from my body. I was given the option to continue taking the Lialda that I'm currently taking or to add a biologic like Humira or cimzia to my treatment. Although I have no physical symptoms at the moment there was no second thought given to starting one of those medications. The pain and suffering I went through to get to this point I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. I hope to never have to go through it again so if a biologic is going to help to keep that from happening, I'm all for it!
I'm sorry you have suffered with this disease. I have been very lucky that I barely have experienced any symptoms which is why it's so hard to make the decision to put these chemicals in my body starting at an early age but I guess I don't want to get to that point either
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- May 3, 2017
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My crohns progressed very quickly, I was only diagnosed a year ago. I too am still fairly young, 33 to be exact. I went from taking no medication before diagnoses to 10 pills a day between medications and supplements. Its a huge lifestyle change that's for sure. Please let me know if you do start as I'll be starting the Cimzia soon.
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- Oct 16, 2013
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- 16,883
Best to you
