Med Question

[Crohns10]

My doctor called me with the results of my small bowel series and I guess the Crohn’s is affecting the small bowel more than they thought it was. She wants to change my meds once I tapper off the prednisone, to either Remicade, Humira, Methotrexate, or Imuran. She asked me to research these drugs so we could make a decision at my next appointment. I have done some research on the web, but thought you all would probably have some good advice on this subject. Does anyone have previous experience with these drugs they would be willing to share? Also, some of the side effects look pretty scary, are they very common?

 

[Rebecca85]

I only have experience with Imuran, have been on it 4 months now. And I could feel it working almost from the beginning. But it was hard at the start, I felt sick everyday from it till I hit on the right breakfast to take it with. And now I am noticing I am catching a lot of colds and bugs (but don't forget I work with kids who do gross stuff like cough in your face. If you have a regular job and practice good hygeine you might not get that).

 

[ThanksP]

I'm on Cimzia which is a bilogic, similar to Humira and Remicade. It's a monthly injection you do at home. It worked GREAT for 7-8 months but for the past month or so, I'm not quite so sure. But I'm trying an extra injection for the next two months to see if that will help. I was afraid of the scary side effects but decided being sick and in pain 24/7 was worse. You have to remember those warnings are to "cya" for the drug companies. Just make sure if you decide on a biologic that you get a TB test before you start any of them. Even though the drugs supposedly lower your immune system, I have not caught any colds, etc and I travel extensively. Good luck to you in whatever you choose, hope it helps!

 

[KayleighMeek]

I've tried imuran and remi but have been told today that it would be best to change to humira so i will start that next Friday.
I didn't get on well with imuran didnt make me feel much better and had a bad reaction which I ended up in hospital, But I know that it works well for a lot of people and everyone is different so you might find it works.
Remi was the best thing I have tried yet it almost instantly started making a difference and made me feel almost normal. I have to change now to humira as they don't think the remi is controlling my symptoms anymore, and they think I have built up antibodies to it as last time I had an infusion I had a reaction to it.
There always is a long scary list of side effects with any drugs and the doc has to give you certain warnings about them just to cover themselves.The severe side affects are usualy rare, Ive had a few of them but I think I'm one of those people who's allergic to every medicine out there even ones that aren't for treatment of crohn's lol.

Hope you find something that will help x