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Humira - Should I?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/18/2009 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I am just looking for some advice in relation to Humira. I recently discovered there is a small amount of inflammation in my intestines - near the point where i had my surgery(10 yrs ago). I was told prior to this by another GI that it's definitely scar tissue. But now after a capsule endoscopy i've been told there's a small amount of inflammation. (I guess that means i have scar tissue and inflammation) I personally believe that it's scar tissue causing my symptoms which are extreme bloating and the odd episode of D. Wouldn't i be having pains & frequent D if it was the inflammation?
Anyway - my point is - i have a fairly good quality of life at the moment, i know i am really lucky to only have the above symptoms, and i try to stay away from taking any sort of medication if possible. So i don't know whether to start Humira or not.
I'm also very worried that if it does help in some way, and then i stop taking it when the inflammation is down - could it make me worse than i was before i started taking it? And I don't want to have to take it for the long term.
Also the TB test that they do before you can start taking it turned out inconclusive and they want to do it again - which worries me alot also, as i may have TB in my system.
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks ,
Lila
Posted 6/18/2009 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Lila,

I just had a sticture removed from the colon which had shown significant narrowing and inflammation over the last two years. I also have had some mild Crohn's in the TI. Neither of this has given me diarrhea or pain. I had the stricture in colon removed to prevent future problems and no medication was going to take that away as I had had tests showing deep scar tissue.

Now there is the question as how to treat the Crohn's. GI is now inclined to treat the disease and not the symptoms. I am having a small bowel ultrasound done and GI did mention Humira. I would really question this if I am not experiencing any symptoms. Meanwhile I am on Methotrexate and I hope that it does the job. I never wanted to be on these drugs long term but am slowly realizing maybe it is for the best to be on something. 

Wolfie is facing the similar situation with Humira and having a CT scan on Monday. I am sure you will hear from him and I will be interested in other people's responses as well.

Know it is a very hard decision to make and good luck on your next TB test.

Posted 6/18/2009 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
P.S. And maybe that something should be powerful enough to do the job. But I do worry about the long term effects and other problems that can occur from the drugs. When I asked GI how long you would have to be on these he said indefinately!

Posted 6/18/2009 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lila.  I have neither D nor much pain, but I do have significant inflammation.

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