Stelara

I'm sure many of the regulars are familiar some of my Daughters journey through this disease via the many posts I've made over the years.

Most recently and concisely, she transitioning away from Remicade after 10 years. Her GI was wanting her to go onto Humira, as Remicade worked so well for her for so long. After an appt. yesterday though, she's changed her view, and suspects some of the side effects she was having with Remicade will also oocur with Humira, so she's now putting her on Stelara.

Really hoping this will be a good choice. If anyone has any experience, please chime in with some advice/recommendations.

Thanks so much Susie,

You're pretty much nailing it, as there was a resident at her appointment that gave this perspective to her GI exactly as you put it. Her GI concurred, surprised she didn't surmise this on her own, but never the less, as you say, it does seem like a better option.

I have been taking Stelera since 2017. You should know that my Crohn's has been in remission for quite sometime, even prior to beginning Stelera. Stelera has been a gamechanger in helping my Ankylosing Spondylitis. And my CD remains under control.

I am glad to read your daughter's doctor decided against the Humira. I developed anti-dsDNA antibodies while on Remicade. Off that and on to Humira. Within three months I had drug-induced lupus with those antibodies even higher than while on Remicade. Took a whole year to clear up.

My Stelera started with a hospital infusion. Then I went to 90mg injections every 8 weeks. After three years I was getting increasing joint issues and they put me on an every 6 week schedule. The GI had to order that frequency because with Crohn's one can have Stelera as often as every 4 weeks.

Stelara was a game changer for me. I’ve had Crohn’s since 2003 when I was 13. Remicade worked like a dream for a while but then I developed antibodies. Then basically went in and out of flares until 2018 when I started Stelara. Closed up my fistula and put me in remission. One injection at home every eight weeks after the initial dose. It seems to last longer than many other biological as well. It’s been almost four years for me and haven’t developed any antibodies and I still feel great. It also seems to have a lower cancer risk compared to the others. 0.2% of people during the trial developed skin cancer. The others seem to have a higher risk of lymphoma in teens.

Hope it works out for her. Good luck!

Post Edited (isaachadzovic) : 6/13/2022 11:46:32 AM (GMT-6)

Stelara has been working great for me, only thing is I have a stricture in my rectum, I've had it since 2013, in 2020 was acting up, bowel movements were difficult to pass but my stool is never hard. Did colonoscopy MRI, GI Said some thickening in rectum but felt during colonoscopy it stretched a bit. 2022 NOW, since January issues again with difficulties passing stool. Did CT, MRI & colonoscopy no change in stricture since 2013, thickening in rectum. Feeling overwhelmed anxious & seeing a colorectal surgeon awaiting dilation. Been off work as anxiety has been high. No vomiting no cramps just issues pooing