Remicade vs Humira vs Imuran

[Pirate]

Well, GI says December 9 is my time to decide what treatment I'm going on. Remicade, Humira or Imuran. That's my next appointment. Wife talked to her today and told on me as far as what's been happening.

I am to the point that the Endocort doesn't seem to be working and no matter what I try to eat is killing my gut. I have been having a lot of pain even when I drink water. Liquid diet isn't helping and I've only had 3 BM since a week ago Monday.

I have a feeling the inflamation has spread because I now have pain from left to right above my bellybutton. Last few days the only way to get any relief has been 750 mg of vicidin (sp) and I hate taking it. Don't like the feeling of not being in control of my thoughts 100%. I've avoided a resection for 24 yrs and I'd like to keep it that way.

My wife agrees that its time to decide and we'll have to deal with whatever side affects that come along. I really don't want to do this, but I have to be realistic about it and I know things are going south as far as the CD.

I guess my first step is to contact my insurance company and see what treatment they will accept or agree to cover. Second step would be if I go with the Remicade is if I can get the infusions on Friday cause I am only working Mon-Thur. 10 hrs a
day. I know last yr when I had to have iron infusions I had to do it on tuesdays during work hrs.

Well I have 2 weeks to decide so.......

 

[forum contributor]

Ay ay ay...... sorry you're in this position, Pirate!

I've only been on Humira, so I'm not a good person from whom to get advice re: meds. However, you sound like you needed (((HUGS)))!!

 

[shazamataz]

I'm sure you will make a good decision with the help of your lovely wife

 

[beth]

From my understanding Imuran is a remission maintenance drug, it'll take something else to induce remission. The drugs you currently take, entocort and pentasa are considered here to be very conservative. So... my decision would be based on how I felt about the Remi vs Humira. And I made that decision recently and opted for Humira - because I already get joint pains, and Remi can cause them, but Humira is also used to treat arthritis. Also the latter doesn't have quite the allergic reaction risk. I start once the machinations of the NHS are done with.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Pirate, I understand you want to avoid surgery and in your case I would think since the mild to moderates arent working, Remicade is a Moderate to Severe drug and if your insurance will cover it I would go for it. Lots of people have tried it and IF that dont work, and you want to be out of pain, having a Laproscopic resection could be your best bet. If you are infected, your doc has to find a way to get it calmed down. Good luck, I know it is not an easy decision, I hate the surgery because the Biologics werent even a thought then. My first surgery was in '93. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Jer's Girl]

I had really really good luck with the Remicade for 10 years. It was the best thing that I tried. I was also on Humira, but it didn't help me. JMO, but I would go for the Remi. Good luck!

 

[Pirate]

Well I have had 6 days without any major pain and my BM have became a lot more normal than what they were. Janis and I have decided that if my GI still feels that I have to start a new treatment We will go with the remicade. I've read through all 400 + post on the Remicade club thread and it really eased alot of my fears.
I am hoping still that we can hold off and see how things go since I'm starting to feel quite a bit better (not perfect,but better). I'm actually starting to eat solid foods and have experianced very little discomfort and when I do I take 10mg of bentyl and things seem to calm down. Haven't had to use any Vicidin since last Sunday. I have not noticed any weight lose this week so thats a plus.

Got my fingers crossed.

 

[imisspopcorn]

I've taken all three of those meds pirate. I am currently on Remicade. By the time the docs started treating me with the 'big guns' my ileum was beyond help. If you have any specific questions I will be happy to give you my experiences. Out of all the meds I like the Remicade the best...(But for no real good reason) I am glad you are getting some relief, I hope it continues.

 

[Pirate]

Well, today was the day. My wife and I sat down with my GI and discussed how I have been feeling the last 2 months and how it was not doing me any good to be in pain and taking vicadin for any long amount of time. She also feels that even though I have been able to eat solid foods with only a small amount of pain that it is probably time to start a new treatment. Since I have been on Endocort for 2 mths she says I finish the 3rd mth and than we start to taper down.
I explained how I had been doing a liquid diet to rest my CD and how the pain has been on the right side the last couple of weeks. She says my last CT shows the Gall bladder as normal so no surgery for that. When I told her that I had been taking probonics she said great.
I mentioned that I was more at ease with the idea of doing Remicade because of our own Remicade club. She has been on our little forum and read some of the topics and was impressed with how everyone is there with answers and suggestions for each other. She than really explained the treatments and how she feels once the patient decides the time is right that it doesn't matter what drug companies are push but what my pocket book can afford. So depending on what the insurance company gets back with me ,I have decided to take the.... oh my gosh I think I'm losing my voice. I'd better let it rest a few days before I try to keep talking to you guys. All this typing is really hurting my throat. See ya's in a few days.

 

[Peaches]

Was that an ON PURPOSE cliff hanger or WHAT??

 

[imisspopcorn]

Hmmm.....waiting for part 2.

 

[Pirate]

Sorry Peaches, I was accidently bumping the volumn on my speakers and I mistakenly thought I was losing my voice. Sometimes I get really confused. It must be just old age coming on. I've been accused of rambling on a lot lately by my wife. Why just the other day we were discussing who was going to cook supper and in the middle of the discussion I was talking about shoping for some new woodworking tools. I have my eye on a new Grizzly tablesaw and drillpress. Man the things I could build her with those. The year after my dad died I built her a corner hutch using red oak. I always wanted to cut down my own tree and cut it into planks and build something.
I use to build things with lincoln logs and tinker toys when I was a kid. I don't know when I was born. The police dropped me off at my parents house and told them if I ever told a lie to bring.........

 

[Pirate]

Ok where was I? Oh yes, Janis and I have decide to shoot for the Remicade. After reading everything on the Remicade club thread and the Humira Club thread you all have put my fears at ease. And after discussing it with the GI I felt more comfortable with the Remicade.
I really have to thank everyone on the forum for being so open and for being honest about the differant treatments and how they effected everyone. So it looks like sometime in Febuary I will be starting my treatments.

 

[Peaches]

You are such a big tease!! You remind me of a good friend I have at one of my client's. I used to play racquetball with he and his wife - cut throat - we had a blast!! Anyway - he always puts a smile on my face!

I am glad you have chosen to go with the Remi - I *really* hope it serves you as well as it has me!!