making the choice between Humira v Cimzia v Remicade

I've been given the choice to start treatment for the long terms effect on contolling or curing my Crohn's. I don't know which drug to select and the plus/minus of the options. Online reaserach is all over the board and seems to be focused on each drug, rather than a comparision of the three drugs. Can anyone help? Why did you choose your drug of choice? What helped in your decision making? How painful are these drugs?

DX: 5 years old. Living with Crohn's 45 years now

5 surgeries, last on in 2005.

Currently on Endocort and Bental. Was on Imeran- but not help.

 

Thank SR559- good feedback. I do fear the self injections most. I'm not a big fan of any needles- blood draws and IV caosue me to tense up. You would like I would become imune after all these years.

How long have you u been on the drugs? Has his "cured Crohn's" as the Dr's are telling me. Its the first time in my life I ever heard the word cure mentioned.

There is no "cure" for Crohn's. Mostly what you're hoping for is remission - which differs from person to person, but basically means that you have little to no symptoms.

You do get used to giving yourself shots, but it's never easy to start off. When I first started my hands would tremble because I was nervous. The Humira pens don't involve sticking the needle in yourself, it's a pen - you push a button at the top and the needle pops out and injects the dose. Cimzia comes in two different ways. (I think your doctor can still choose an option.) One option is pre-filled syringes. They are regular syringes and do need to be stuck into you. But, it doesn't hurt at all, so once you do it, it's easier and it's convenient. The second option comes in vials and needs to be reconstituted before injecting. That option require a home health care nurse to do the injections. FDA will not allow patients to reconstitute the med. And, a third option is to get the pre-filled syringes and just take them to your doc's office. My GI's office is always happy to have me drop in and the nurses will inject me. I'd imagine they'd do that for Humira too. Remicade requires an IV... I also figure that all the years of poking veins, if I can avoid it, I'd rather have shots.

It seems like the Humira is the way to go. Do you have a regular blood check to assure that your white cells are ok?
In reading about the drugs- they mention drug interaction with OTC and Vitamins. Have you taking any of the drugs with vitamins>

What about Herbal help?
Have you had to change your diet? What about weight gain?

I would suggest Humira or Cimzia.  Both are comparable in terms of convenience, price and effectiveness, in my opinion.  I just started back on Humira after a year on Cimzia because of continued joint pain.  I forgot how back Humira stings...I literally scream for all 10 seconds of the injection.  Cimzia is not painless to me, though.  The medicine does burn when it goes in, but not like Humira, and it burns less if you let it warm up first.  They both have their drawbacks...it either stings worse with the Humira pen or you have to do the needle for Cimzia...you get used to it, either way.     

I have continued to take all of the meds I previously took including OTC and multivitamins, calcium and vitamin D and have never been told these can interact with the biologics.  I don't have regular blood work on Humira or Cimzia...drs just ask if I've had any signs of infection.  Also, neither of these drugs caused me to gain weight overall, but it does seem like I'm bloated the day after doing Humira.  Never noticed it with Cimzia. 

You can always try one and, if it doesn't work, try the other. 

I did the remicade for 1 yr.  It lasted for 2 weeks, I was getting the infusion every 4 weeks.  Then I went to Cimzia been on it about 10 months 2 shots every 4 weeks....no where near as good as remicade for me.

Now I want to go back to Remicade or try Humira....

Cimzia injection does not hurt at all.

I like all the information. I had my first injections last Friday. The first two injections I wasted as the needle went in, but I did not keep it down tight enough the medication ejected all over my floors.

The nurse was so patient with me. I could give her a medal! She was there for 3.5 hrs. Could you believe it took that long to get thru 6 injections.

What know one has mentioned was tha the medication was like acid. I was so worried about the needles, that I never even thought of the medication. After the whole expeirence... Iam glad 6 down. On Sept 3rd it the two injections and then 1. Not sure if I can conitinue... but will give it the old college try.

After the injections I felt better. not so tired. That is well worth the 10 seconds of shear agony

I've tried remicade in the past to help heal fistula's I was happy with it and felt the benefit almost immediately. Unfotunately  remicade didn't like me and I had a reaction on 2nd dose.I Have only recently started Humira so can't really comment on its benefits as of yet. As a person who hates needles I found having the Humira shot alot less stressful than having a canular put in when you have your remicade IV  also, its more convienient for me as i work full time so give myself a shot  every 2 weeks and carry on with my day.  and not having to take time off to go to the hospital for the infusions. good luck with which drug you decide to take and hope it works for you. Bev x 

I was on remicade for 2-3 years, and went on cimzia2 months ago.

No pain at all with either, but much more fatigued with the cimzia, avoiding the 3-4 hour IV is great !

I'm also taking 500 mg of cipro, I can't see where anyone else is doing the cipro. Comments?

DX in '03, initial weight loss but now have gained back a bunch. 2 flares requiring hosp stay in the past 7 years.

I just did my 4th rem, I felt better before the infusion was over, I get bronchitis tho. I hate that part, I have cd in throat as well as small bowel, rem helps my throat more than my small bowel, I still need pain med's, just not as many and as often. all tho the last rem wore off after 5 weeks, so man I suffered terribly until this last tuesday when I recieved rem treatment. at the time I could barley swallow solid food, within 1 1/2 hr's they brought me lunch and I ate, a little tight to swallow but not so bad, then by the time I got home I could eat almost normal

We have another member who took Remicade then changed to another med, and now is back on Remicade. It can be done, they usually just give you pre meds to avoid any issues. Good luck!