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Humira for Mild Crohns worth it?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/4/2016 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Every two years is what most recommend if you have no symptoms. I'm getting a bit concerned because I haven't had one in almost 4 years and my doctor is reluctant to do one since I have a lot of scaring. We shall see what he says the next time I speak to him though, because I just went from feeling great to feeling miserable.
Posted 4/4/2016 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all this is what my Dr responded with in regards to my question of starting Humira or another category of medication.

He has the disease in the mid small intestine. Pentasa is the only mesalamine that works there. all of the other mesalamines are for the colon only, so we are not covering the problem. He can try 6MP if he prefers over Humira. I have used 6MP for 30 years although Humira is now being recommended earlier as it has more of a positive impact in regards to the course of disease . Can get TPMT enzyme levels and we will start 6MP. Takes a few months to work and we need to follow labs more frequently than is needed with Humira due to risks on the bone marrow and liver with 6MP.
Posted 4/5/2016 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
As the safety of anti-tnf therapy is being proven out, doctors are starting to do a "top-down" approach in IBD, meaning they are going to the "big guns" earlier instead of making you "earn" them. My only concern with this approach is that even the biologics are shown to only work for a limited time and have a lowering effectiveness as time goes on...then what? I'd hate to use a biologic now, when I arguably don't need it and then find they won't work for me later when I really do need it to work. I don't know if this is a flawed way of looking at things but just the way I feel about it.
Posted 4/6/2016 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is not what was asked about, but wanted to mention boswellia, as I heard it has strong anti inflammatory effects

Sorry you are going through this, it's a tough decision. Best wishes to you
Posted 4/9/2016 2:45 AM (GMT 0)

Snarf1033 said...
Thanks for all the replies everyone here is my next question though. I researched the different medications and it seems like Humira and that category of drugs is something usually prescribed after others have been tried and aren't successful. That being said shouldn't I be advised to try Aminosalicylates or Immunomodulators first? I've tried Corticosteroids (Prednisone) but it only seemed to help the first few days. I have also tried Pentassa in the past with no success but I often hear that other medications in the same category may work differently.

Thanks for any insight I just want to make sure I am taking or trying the safest drugs as I try and improve my condition and quality of life which is suffering due to the chronic fatigue from this disease.

If there is a milder option and your doctor agrees, yes, I would first go with the milder drugs.  I was on 5-aminosaliccylic acid for several years  prior and several other drugs that may have helped a little, but who knows, maybe something you try will be really helpful for you. 

Posted 4/11/2016 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
My 2 options that my Dr wants me on is either 6MP or Humira. I made an appt with him to discuss both just so unsure of which I should embark on. Side effects worry me.
Posted 4/22/2016 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of these posts. I was dx with Crohn's in 2005 and have thankfully been off medication for the last 6 years except for one flare up between having my two kids. My most recent colonscopy indicated narrowing of the ileum and my doctor recommended Humira or Cymzia. The frustrating part for me is that I have no symptoms currently. I understand that is part of the purpose of colonoscopies to screen for things you can't otherwise see, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. In the past I've used Pentasa, Imuran, Prednisone, Budesonide. These 'big' drugs scare me with the side effects, but I also want to prevent surgery if at all possible.
Posted 4/22/2016 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi heatherann, if you read the posts I've made in the last few weeks both in this thread and others I think it provides a lot to think about, I thought I was in remission up until I had a few minor symptoms for about a week that turned into a disaster of now being on IV steriods for over a week plus adding 6mp and remicade. I wanted to blame it on recent stress but the new doctor I saw said that though that might have made the symptoms appear, there was a good chance I was not in remission and had silent damage making me close to surgery. I fear these drugs too and didn't want to be on one let alone three right now just to get me to be able to eat thick fluids. There is no saying that will happen to you but really consider atleast one for maintenance if there is any sign of inflammation to prevent having more issues down the road. I am having trouble wrapping my head around it too because I thought I was doing so well and it is devastating to now be faced with all of these at once. But do your best to look at positive stories on here of people on these meds so you don't let it go and end up with an emergency that will be even more upsetting and possibly have more complications.
Posted 4/23/2016 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you've had more then one flare if you've got narrowing in the ileum. So I wouldn't probably say thankfully you've been off medications for that long. I would say that's unfortunate, and hopefully it's narrowing from inflammation. Otherwise the the only way to get rid of narrowing from scar tissue is surgery. For me this would be a no-brainer. It's obviously been doing damage in there, even if your not feeling it. It will just continue to do so if you don't do something about it.
Posted 1/18/2018 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
For the brain fog issue mentioned here I suggest trying to reduce fat intake. I had significant brain fog symptoms with Crohn's for the past 7 years or so and cutting back on fat containing foods has helped me a lot.
Posted 1/18/2018 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, I am 15 and on remicade. It does not really help sad. My parents are thinking of switching me over to humira. I think if your doctor thinks its a good treatment then you should totally do for it. If your nervous ask them to give you iv benedryil which will nock you out. When you wake up it will basically be over. (I believe it is an iv drug as remicade is also.)
Posted 5/11/2018 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
I also have been on Humira for 15 months and gained 1 stone in weight. My doctor says this is not caused by the drug and that weight gain is a sign of good health. Well lo and behold 2 weeks later I was admitted with a flare up of Crohns and Humira has not worked for me so the weight gain wasn't due to me absorbing more protein, calories etc. Inflammation worse and now been increased to weekly injection but told not to be surprised if I need surgery.
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