HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

new chrones DX

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/16/2011 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have just been diagnosed with Chrones after struggling with it for atleast a year. The doctor without discussion wants me to try Humira. I am very sensative to medications, and tend to get all the obscure side effects. I have three children and several other medical conditions. I am so afraid to start something that may make me feel worse. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Posted 3/16/2011 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi fightingitall and welcome to Healingwell. My thoughts are it might be best to give the Humira a shot. You said you have been suffering for nearly a year, maybe the Humira will be the med for you. You can't let this go untreated, or you are just going to get worse. Humira seems to be work better for some than Remicade. I hope it works well for you too. Hugs!
Posted 3/16/2011 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
You could always try it and then stop if you get any side effects. I have been on it for 2 years without any crohns sypmtoms. I have been able to be a better mother and wife (I felt so guilty spending so much time in the bed/bathroom). I can take my children on long walks now (don't have to worry about running to the bathroom anymore). I just have a better quality of life on humira. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 3/16/2011 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
One thing I've noticed in my experience is that the disease can be maintained to an extent with medication. Those medications are, for the most part, pretty heavy duty. Consider the condition you may be in and determine whether you are willing to make that the trade that this med can very well improve your life. If you are barely getting by then I'd do it and I have done it. Humira worked for me for about 8 months but it was the best 8 months I've had in a really long time. I switched over to Remicade but in the meantime had a significant flair that has since taken it's toll.

I know there are a good number on this site alone that have had great success with Remicade and Humira. Yes there are potential side effects but again if you aren't making it or just existing then I would jump on board.

Btw, welcome to the board!

JAB
Posted 3/16/2011 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I used to use Humira for Psoriatic Arthritis. It was the best drug ever in the sense that my joints were almost pain-free. However, after 2 years I started developing MS-like lesions in my brain. Apparently it's one of the rare side effects of Humira. I had to discontinue it right away, but luckily the lesions didn't spread.
Posted 3/17/2011 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
My husband has been on remicade for the past 3 years. Are we scared of the possible side effects? ABSOLUTELY!!!

But, the alternative was him sick in the hospital and facing surgery and losing quality of life. So, we chose to go with the possible side effects of remicade, rather than take the risks of uncontrolled disease and surgery.

So far, our gamble has paid off. My husband has managed to keep his colon. You are monitored quite frequently on the meds, so usually side effects are caught early, and most of the side effects are reversible (ie. go away once the meds are discontinued). The really scary possible side effect is a slight increased risk of lymphoma - but even that can be treated if caught early.

Yes, it is very much like choosing between a rock and a hard place. Sometimes there just aren't comfortable decisions to make - you just have to go with whatever works for you and you can accept without regrets.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

PV

Post Edited (PV) : 3/16/2011 7:12:19 PM (GMT-6)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply