Humira vs Remicade?

[jeffreyallen]

You can skip this paragraph, it's really just a bunch of rabble...I've been on humira for 4 years now, I've been diagnosed with Chrons since I was 12. For 3 of those 4 years, humira has been great. I had no stomach pain, no diarrhea, no more crying on my sofa, no constantly feeling cold, etc.! It was a miracle. But last year, humira changed...it caused me to get these little bumps all over my face, my skin no longer resembled skin...it looked as if I had some type of disease. So, when enough was enough, without the consent on my father and/or doctor, I quit humira last fall. Surprise surprise, the bumps went away! I felt great, my confidence was back, I lived again! But now, diarrhea is back. And even though medicine such as tums and prilosec allow me to hold the diarrhea during the school day, it doesn't go away. And I started thinking, I can NOT live my entire life like this, you know? So...I just wanted to come on here to a place where I can talk about diarrhea and not feel weird, talk about shooting myself with needles and not feel like a junkie, etc.

So here is my question: What are the side effects of Remicade and are they worse, or just as worse, compared to Humira? Because we all know Humira is one disgusting drug...causing all types of cancer, heart failure, serious infections, liver problems...the list goes on.

And has anyone who has taken Humira also got those hideous bumps on their body?!

 

[Jennifer]

You may benefit from checking out the forum wiki to find information on Remicade and other treatments. There you can also find threads that are currently talking about Remicade etc. Check it out: http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Remicade

I've never taken either so I hope someone else will come along and help answer your question. In the end though, whatever works works so if it works for someone else then it may not work for you and vice versa.

 

[Mark63]

Hi Jeffreyallen,

Sorry to hear that you feel this way. Crabby has already given you good advice in that you should go and check out the Wiki on Remicade. I have taken Remicade in the past and am currently on Humira. I understand you concerns with regard to the potential side effects, but unfortunately none of the heavy duty medications for Crohn's are free of those. Your treatment is something that you should discuss with your GI and/or Nurse Specialist. They can help you make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Many people on here, myself included, have had long periods of remission where little or no treatment is required. Let's hope that you get the help that you need to get you there.

Mark

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Even though these drugs can cause all these diseases aren't they extremely rare?

 

[Jennifer]

They aren't common no and your doctor and you weigh the risks to see if the benefit of the medication will outweigh the possible side effects of any drug.