I was reluctant to post in these websites about my Crohn's disease since I had taken Humira for around 2.5 years with minimal symptoms. However since I have recently transitioned to Skyrizi due to antibodies against the Humira and the symptoms that have arisen, I feel that it would be best to give out my experience and receive some helpful feedback. I started experiencing abdominal pain, rushing sensation in the abdomen, nausea, diarrhea and frequent bowel movements since mid 2020. I was also experiencing severe heartburn that wouldn't go away. My primary care doctor diagnosed me with GERD but gave me several months to wait out whatever else I was dealing with. I returned with the same symptoms and was referred to a gastroenterologist later that year (2020). I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy in March 2021 with the small hiatal hernia that was causing my heartburn and I had to keep taking 20mg of omeprazole everyday since I went to my primary care doctor. There was inflammation at the start of the colon so in October 2021, I took the pill cam with a device strapped in front of the abdomen. The test confirmed my Crohn's disease diagnosis. I was devastated and had to rethink my life over it for some time. I never imagined that I could be stuck with a debilitating disease for the rest of my life until that diagnosis. It struck me to the core.
They prescribed me Humira, which was such a relief and it did keep me in remission over 95% of those 2.5 years. I forget that I even had Crohn's throughout that time and I had gotten so much done. Gym workouts, hiking, traveling, moving stuff around, music production, and even building out a camper van. So much had happened during my remission. I suppose that this disease has taught me how to live life more. I recently got off of budesonide (a steroid) since I had so many symptoms after 3 weeks in to the drug, I quit a week early and got better. However I'm still experiencing nausea and fatigue on a daily basis and had also recently had my first Skyrizi infusion. I have 2 more left before I take vials starting next year. I've been on some calls with my Skyrizi ambassador who is local and wants to meet me soon but I'm holding off till November since I've got a lot going on till then. My grandma wants me to try zofran to treat my nausea and she never had symptoms from it. My dr hasn't responded to my email yet. As for fatigue, well. . . I'll just have to stay physically active, fight it off, eat lightly and often throughout my days. I haven't figured out any particular food triggers. I take meal replacement shakes and powders when I lose my appetite and cannot eat a meal. I will be upping my b vitamins and caffeine during the mornings. I have been getting sick more often from these viruses and bacterial infections as soon as the weather cooled down. I've had pain in my right tonsil for a few days and it started a few weeks ago when I was on vacation.
I appreciate everyone reading this and I hope we can make educational and insightful exchanges. I want everyone including myself to be healthy and well for as much of our lives as possible.
- Roman
They prescribed me Humira, which was such a relief and it did keep me in remission over 95% of those 2.5 years. I forget that I even had Crohn's throughout that time and I had gotten so much done. Gym workouts, hiking, traveling, moving stuff around, music production, and even building out a camper van. So much had happened during my remission. I suppose that this disease has taught me how to live life more. I recently got off of budesonide (a steroid) since I had so many symptoms after 3 weeks in to the drug, I quit a week early and got better. However I'm still experiencing nausea and fatigue on a daily basis and had also recently had my first Skyrizi infusion. I have 2 more left before I take vials starting next year. I've been on some calls with my Skyrizi ambassador who is local and wants to meet me soon but I'm holding off till November since I've got a lot going on till then. My grandma wants me to try zofran to treat my nausea and she never had symptoms from it. My dr hasn't responded to my email yet. As for fatigue, well. . . I'll just have to stay physically active, fight it off, eat lightly and often throughout my days. I haven't figured out any particular food triggers. I take meal replacement shakes and powders when I lose my appetite and cannot eat a meal. I will be upping my b vitamins and caffeine during the mornings. I have been getting sick more often from these viruses and bacterial infections as soon as the weather cooled down. I've had pain in my right tonsil for a few days and it started a few weeks ago when I was on vacation.
I appreciate everyone reading this and I hope we can make educational and insightful exchanges. I want everyone including myself to be healthy and well for as much of our lives as possible.
- Roman
