Med question?

[Lam123]

I have two questions regarding humira and remicade, first, which is considered a stronger medication? And which is better for arthritis?

 

[HARVinTX]

Not sure what you mean by stronger. Do mean works better? If yes, then it is trial and error. I was on Remicade and it was working but with still a few issues. I developed antibodies and had to stop. I then started Humira and I worked better for me then the Remicade but only about 4 months. I have Crohn's related joint pain and Humira relieved it better that Remicade (again in my case).

 

[Lam123]

Ok, did u take any additional meds with humira or remicade? Did u have any side effects?

 

[HARVinTX]

No, I was only taking a single agent. My GI did say he could add in prednisone to see if it would help but did not want to do that if I was going to choose to have have surgery, which I am having next week. He suggested methotrexate could be added but it would take awhile to start working and my stricture is too far progressed.

 

[lgpcarter]

Agree that neither is stronger, they work differently for different people. It sometimes depends on which you try first as some (maybe all?) people lose response as they go through the anti-TNFs. I hade great success with Remicade for years, went off to have a baby, tried to go back on and had infusion reactions, tried Humira (didn't work) and the. Simponi (didn't work) and am starting Stelara tomorrow.

I was on imuran for a while with Remicade and then on it and the other two alone.

 

[Lam123]

Ok, thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.
Good luck with your surgery! Is it a resection?

 

[HARVinTX]

Yeah a small bowel resection. Hope your meds work!

 

[Lam123]

Do u have to be med free before surgery?

 

[HARVinTX]

No, but meds like prednisone and Humira increase the risk of infection. I will restart Humira after surgery.

 

[Lam123]

Ok. Good luck!

 

[jjk308]

Developed resistance to Remicade after 1 infusion. Got on the Humira trials and had very good results, stayed good for 6 years. Found that I needed a weekly injection or I'd get cramps on day 9. Zero side effects.

But after 6 years it started to get less effective. I'll switch to Entyvio when its on y insurance unless something better comes along.

I've used either Pentasa or Lialda while on it - has some good effects but not real effective, but I was doing so well on Humira my gastroenterologist didn't want to drop the ASA-5 med.

 

[ronroush7]

Ok, did u take any additional meds with humira or remicade? Did u have any side effects?

I was on Remicade for a while and then stopped on my own. I later picked it up again after Cimzia failed on me. Last year ,I developed a rare side effect from the Remicade; I had a lesion in my scalp. I wonder if this had anything to do with the antibodies that were mentioned?

 

[WarrenVex]

Hi, I've been on 30mg of steroids for 4 weeks since being diagnosed. After 1 week on Imuran @ 25 mg, it has been increased to 75mg. I'm concerned about the increase. Doctor said it was because I'm still having stomach cramps on some days. I'm going to the toilet about 3 times a day. Any thought or opinions?

 

[Lam123]

I thought Imuran dosage was based on body weight? I could be wrong.

 

[WarrenVex]

I'm 42kg. I thought that also. I was weighed when I was initially prescribed 25mg. Now it's tripled to 75mg and I'm worried.

 

[Lam123]

No, I think it's measured with ur weight in pounds, which would make a dosage of 75mg correct. Or atleast very close. My dosage is just under what I weigh.