Remicade v. Humira

[elizamt]

Hey yall!

I had a GI appointment today and reviewed the past year's worth of Crohn's history with the doctor. In the year since surgery, we've been taking a wait-and-see approach rather than being aggressive. With that being said, he and I agreed that Pentasa probably isn't doing all that much. I generally feel pretty good, but have about one week out of the month (usually coinciding with my menstrual cycle) where I feel like I got hit by a truck and am overall good for nothing.

We're doing another colonoscopy next week to see if my intestines look any different from this time last year. Either way, the thought is that we're going to switch to treating everything aggressively and I'm going to likely start either Humira or Remicade in August. If possible, I'd like to get input on a few things:

1. Has anyone been on Humira and Remicade at various points in their treatment and, if so, is there a preference for one over another?

2. For anyone on Humira: how difficult is it to give yourself injections, especially if you have a slight phobia of needles? I struggle with the B-12 injections...

3. I've heard that the biologics will do a great deal more in helping you feel better, but are there any really awful side effects for one, the other, or both? Obviously, everyone reacts differently!

4. My doctor also essentially said that, once you start one of these meds, you're on them for life. I'm entering my final year of law school, so life won't get any LESS stressful. I'd rather hit the Crohn's head-on and feel as good as possible rather than wait around for things to get worse. Does anyone have any thoughts about being on these meds long-term, particularly whether they have any negative impact on either your physical, mental, or social well-being?

Any other random thoughts are also greatly appreciated! This place is really the BEST sounding board and advice forum, so thank yall in advance!

-e

 

[EthanPSU]

Hey, I am been on both. Remicade for the past 2 years and now just started Humira.

1. I prefer Humira because its quick and easy. Remicade requires you to go into a doctors and sit in a chair for 3 hours and get medicine put in you. If you have a busy schedule it is really difficult to fit this in. With remicade its just a 5sec shot that you do yourself then on with your life!

2. I hate needles but with the pen you don't even see the needle so it makes it alot easier. Some people will tell you it hurts a lot and it prob is different for some. For me tho it was rather painless.

3. I don't worry too much about side-effects. Truthfully many of them are very rare and you will never experience.

4. You are definitely not on them for life. (I was only on remicade for 2 years). I could see myself doing Humira for my whole life tho because it is sooooo much easier than remicade. Especially for you in law school. It would suck for you to find a time every 6 weeks to go to the doctors and sit in a chair for 3 hours. With humira just one quick shot every two weeks and you can continue your studies.


Hope this helps! And I was thinking myself of going into law school. Not sure about it yet though. I just finished college with a Political Science degree

 

[SkinnyNinny]

I have the same tough choice. I agreed on Humira then changed my mind because I read the fine print and the drug must be kept cool at all times. Which means, if I go camping or on a holiday I have to carry around a cooler with me. To me this is unacceptable and very inconvenient. Maybe the assumption is that anyone on this drug puts their life on hold and doesn't go outside their home, or stays in the civilized world, or doesn't hop on airplanes?

Just a thought, maybe it's not a concern for you but for me it's a deal breaker. Besides, I'm not showing any symptoms - my doctor wants me on it as a maintenance drug - but with all the side effects it just baffles me how anyone would recommend such a serious treatment for questionable gains. Meaning, how do I know it's even working if I feel fine now!? Doctors....

 

[EthanPSU]

I have the same tough choice. I agreed on Humira then changed my mind because I read the fine print and the drug must be kept cool at all times. Which means, if I go camping or on a holiday I have to carry around a cooler with me. To me this is unacceptable and very inconvenient. Maybe the assumption is that anyone on this drug puts their life on hold and doesn't go outside their home, or stays in the civilized world, or doesn't hop on airplanes?

Just a thought, maybe it's not a concern for you but for me it's a deal breaker. Besides, I'm not showing any symptoms - my doctor wants me on it as a maintenance drug - but with all the side effects it just baffles me how anyone would recommend such a serious treatment for questionable gains. Meaning, how do I know it's even working if I feel fine now!? Doctors....

You only take it once every two weeks. So just throw it in your fridge. If you go on a trip and it's in between those two weeks theres no need for you to take it with you. If it is, just pack it in a little lunch box, use it when needed. then put away the lunch box.

Remicade is by far way inconvenient compared to humira

 

[SkinnyNinny]

You only take it once every two weeks. So just throw it in your fridge. If you go on a trip and it's in between those two weeks theres no need for you to take it with you. If it is, just pack it in a little lunch box, use it when needed. then put away the lunch box.

Remicade is by far way inconvenient compared to humira

I guess what I was trying to say was that I usually take long vacations, I have seven weeks worth. And if I am carrying everything in my backpack or suitcase in a foreign country especially, then I am really inconvenienced - impossible really to have more than a two week vacation.

Maybe I should be feeling lucky to be alive, and lie curled up in front of the tv every night, but that's not for me.

 

[EthanPSU]

I guess what I was trying to say was that I usually take long vacations, I have seven weeks worth. And if I am carrying everything in my backpack or suitcase in a foreign country especially, then I am really inconvenienced - impossible really to have more than a two week vacation.

Maybe I should be feeling lucky to be alive, and lie curled up in front of the tv every night, but that's not for me.

I gotcha, that makes more sense

 

[elizamt]

Thanks for dropping all the knowledge! If it happens, I'm leaning towards Remicade, just because I don't think I can face giving myself a shot every two weeks. But for the sake of convenience, I probably just need to man up and give myself a damn shot. We shall see, we shall see.

 

[Clash]

If you find an infusion lab close to your college then you are looking at a 2-3 hour infusion time every 8 weeks. My son is on Remicade for CD but he is still in high school. I have a cousin that does remicade for RA and she is in Grad school. She said she uses the infusion time for stress free studying and looks forward to the break from her hectic schedule. I guess it depends on the person.

 

[Civey]

I have been on both and I prefer Humira. Remicade caused respiratory arrest. Humira for seven years and recently I have developed a rash. Not too bad though. The Crohn's has been in remission since the Humira. For the needle problem with H, I put ice on the site for 20 min and it really helps. Hope this helps!