Switching drugs after surgery (off Pentasa)

[Kennie]

I had my second surgery this week to remove 2 strictures in the illeum. I have been taking Pentasa for the last 3 years (following the first surgery). The surgeon told me to stop taking Pentasa because it is not doing anything and that the GI doctor will probably be recommending a different treatment such as Humira or Remicade, etc (meeting with the GI doc in 6 weeks). I will be taking no drugs until I meet with the GI doctor. Seems like a big jump from Pentasa to Humira as I have no clinical symptoms of Crohns (never, NEVER in pain, no diarrea, no vomiting, etc.). I'm curious if anyone else has stopped Pentasa for a different drug after surgery and what drugs were you switched to? Thank you

 

[Crohn's 35]

HI Kennie and welcome :bigwave: I have had two resections and after the first I was on Entocort for 7 years. Yes they are costly but it worked, and I remained on one pill. Humira is a lesser of the two drugs rather than Remicade. Just my own experiences on it. Pentasa is a milder drug but maybe you can mention Entocort DOES NOT have the same side effects as Pred, I would never recommend Pred, unless you are in severe pain.

I find with any drug the antibodies build up and you have to "trick" the intestines and bacteria when it doesnt work any more. In the meantime until you see your doctor take some probiotics, it does help a bit.

My two cents.

 

[Nyx]

I went from Pentasa to Imuran when the Pentasa became useless. I was on Pentasa for about a year, and the Imuran for six months. I was preparing to be put on Remicade just before I had my emergency surgery, so I never got to try it, but that was going to be the next step for me. I also never had pain, diarrhea, or vomiting...

 

[ekay03]

I was on Pentasa and it didnt help. The next drug in line was Imuran. I have been on Imuran for 11 years.

 

[Terriernut]

Kennie, strictures arent being helped by pentasa which is a very mild drug. You can ask for the Azathioprine or 6MP to help, or methrotrexate for instance first over Remicade or Humira. Or LDN if your GI has knowledge of it. I have the stricturing and fistulizing type of crohns. So my bet is that they are going for the big guns to try to suppress your crohns as quickly as possible. What they want is no more scar tissue to form if at all possible is my bet.

:kiss:

 

[spiceman]

Hi Kennie. I had my first resection 3 years ago, didn't take medications for the first 2 years after because my GI and surgeon said he removed the diseased section so you require no meds. At the time I didn't like the idea but I thought they must know their stuff! At that time everybody on the forum said its not a good idea. Not long after the Op maybe 2 months I noticed that my bloating and pain in belly starting getting worse. GI done colonoscopy 6 months after the operation and said all looked fine and thought I had IBS.(still not meds) Then June last year another colonoscopy showed inflammation, he placed me on budesonide and 125mg 6mp. 3 months later I was having full on bowel obstructions (6 times) over a few months. From last week I have started Remicade and If I don't see any improvement I will be having another resection.

So really what I have learned is some people may require the more potent drugs to get this evil disease under control, I sure know I want them as my maintenace drug if I have a second surgery.

My surgery were also for strictures in the illeum.
Wish you good luck

 

[tiloah]

You can have severe disease/inflammation without any symptoms. I did. And even on Humira I ended up having surgery three years later. Hopefully you will not need further surgery, but yes, I think drugs like Humira or Remicade can be warranted even if you feel okay. A good maintenance drug is your best bet for preventing future disease and worsening.

I hope you find a regimen that you are comfortable with that is effective for you.