Good Day Alissa,
Sorry you have to be on Remicade.
Good for you asking serious questions and...
I like your positive attitude!
I am not a doctor but I am a sick guy who reads about it a lot!
My thoughts on those two biologics in question, may differ from others.
I have been on Remicade infusions and currently do weekly Humira.
For me, I have as yet to achieve remission of my Crohn's disease.
Some thoughts on why I personally stuck with Remi as long as I could:
Most of us develop antibodies to these drugs over time,
particularly if we stop taking them.
Those antibodies render the drug less effective or even ineffective over time.
A point to consider is that once we stop a specific biologic,
there is a strong chance we cannot ever take advantage of that drug again.
I like to think of it as... "you cannot go back to Remi".
Another point is that yes there are hopeful things happening
in research into understanding & treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
I am not trying to sound bleak or be bleak.
Any ostriches who would like to stick their head in the sand,
do so now!
There are only so many bullets in the current medical gun against IBD.
IBD does a range of damage, but the deep end is both dark & deep.
Myself I have a surgeon waiting to take all of my large intestine,
my rectum and my anus due to accumulating damage from active disease.
I am trying to say that the stakes are high for some with IBD.
It is certainly an adversary I respect always & fear sometimes.
which brings me to my second point not to voluntarily switch off of Remi
for another biologic.
It is prudent to fully explore each drug as much as possible...
to inform our treatment strategy moving forward.
The quicker we cross-off possible treatment,
the fewer options remain for us.
so if you quit Remi, assume you probably cannot go back.
there are currently only a handful of biologics being used for IBD.
Remi and Humi are the most known and first two biggies.
Cimzia is another.
We just do not have enough treatment options on the top shelf for IBD.
No hurry to burn those options quicker than possible for us personally.
My third thought on biologics is that Remi & Humi, when they work,
do so with the same body mechanism. (TNFa blockers)
Stats & opinions vary on this as well as many aspects of IBD treatment.
My current evolved take on it is they have many similarities,
and work in the same way, and so I am slow to accept...
that TNFa blocker #1 is gonna outshine TNFa blocker #2.
I have done much personal research and that is my informed opinion.
Your mileage can, will and should differ.
Each case of IBD is individual & different.
Each must do their own homework to find the best-path-through.
Read many sources of info and make your own decisions as best you can.
Guidance from adults who-care-about-you and medical professionals
can assist you to make good & wise choices moving forward.
The severity of our personal version of disease can vary over time.
Just because things seem mild or perhaps manageable now,
is no assurance things will stay that way for us.
Crohn's disease is a big deal, even if many around you do not seem to see it.
Best do your homework and then teach your Mom lot's of facts about IBD!
Speaking only for myself, as an informed adult...
I would not think it wise nor feel comfortable switching biologics...
until clearly not working over a large sample of time,
or as in my personal case, Remi gave me Lupus and needed quick stop.
I would not jump drugs without it being a medical neccessity,
because we only have a handful of the biggest IBD drugs,
which have helped plenty of people enjoy better quality lives!
I remain hopeful that new treatments & drugs are being developed.
Weekly Humira has not brought me into remission so far,
but I keep my spirits up and my fingers quietly crossed.
I am proud of you, in asking these questions.
More importantly, I hope you feel proud of yourself!
good show and good luck to you,
peace
Walt
ps
I wish you only well!
