Cimzia experiences and information

I am currently diagnosed with Indeterminate Colitis, although I'm pretty sure it's Crohn's disease based on the last pathology report that showed patchy inflammation in a small area of my colon and in my terminal ileum. I was originally diagnosed in 2010 with "infectious colitis" and didn't have any issues until I got pregnant with my daughter in 2015. I flared mildly throughout my pregnancy and have not been able to get completely back to normal since then.

I am currently taking 4.8g of lialda per day and I've been on uceris for about 5 weeks now. Clearly this medication is not enough to keep things in check. I was hoping to get pregnant again this summer, but will now have to wait as I have had an increase in symptoms over the past month. I luckily experience little to no pain when I'm flaring. Right now I'm having diarrhea about 3-4 times a day, usually clustered into the morning hours, and some on and off joint pain.

I have an appointment with a new GI doctor on Monday and will bring up cimzia when I see her. From my research it seems to be the preferred biological for pregnancy/breastfeeding.

Does anyone have any experience with this medication?
1) how long did it take to relieve symptoms?
2) any negative side effects?
3) has anyone taken it during pregnancy and while nursing?

From my research, it seems that it's not really as popular as remicade and humira. Is this because it's generally less effective? Or is it just because it's one of the newer biologics? Has anyone had any issues with getting insurance to cover it as the first biologic?

I'm sure the doctor will have plenty of info for me on Monday, but I always feel better and more comfortable getting first hand experience as well.

I really hate the idea of moving up to a more serious medication, but I think I'm at the point where it has to be done. I hate that there's no step of drugs between the mesalamines and the immunosuppressants.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the information. This is exactly why I've wanted to avoid the immunosuppressant drugs. There's a reason we have immune systems and the idea of suppressing such a vital part of our system terrifies me.

I'm actually very interested in Entyvio due to the reason you mentioned. It's meant to be more gut specific and should in theory have less systemic absorption and less side effects. I don't think it's been studied enough in pregnancy, so I'm probably going to go with one of the older biologics for that reason alone.

How have you been managing your disease since coming off meds? I'd love to be able to control this crap without all these toxic medications.

I control my disease with diet an exercise. I never reached clinical remission on drugs. However, I have been in clinical remission for 4 years and drug free for 5 years now. I was diagnosed 17 years ago and have had one surgery in 2000. My GI is always shocked to find zero disease during my yearly colonoscopies. Boom.

I cut sugar and processed food from my diet and try to only eat organic foods, most importantly organic and grassfed meats and meat products. I'm an athlete and exercise hard 6-7 days a week, so I eat carbs too

Basically a well balanced diet with high quality whole foods and grains.

I feel fantastic every day!