Hi. My son is 24 and was diagnosed with Crohn's at 19. For the most part, he has kept it under control being on Pentasa and 6-mp. He developed an abcess a month or so ago (he keeps his Crohns' issues more to himself). He went on Flagyl to heal it. The doctor said he strongly feels it is time to change medications (he did mention this over the past year but never pushed it). But it does seem that the current meds aren't working as well anymore.
The doctor offered Remicade, Humira, and Cimzia as possible choices. My daughter, who had UC, had been on Remicade so my son ruled it out (mostly for time needed to get the infusion). He and the doctor are leaning toward Cimzia. My son doesn't seem to feel giving himself a shot will be a problem.
To top it off, he was just let go from his job yesterday. He was a delivery supply driver. Any time off (sick days or vacation days) come from built-up PTO (paid time off). In the first year of work, he built up his time and used it for vacation days off. But recently, he needed time off because of the Crohn's. Except he didn't have enough PTO (and they only allow 3 sick days in a 90-day period). They love him as a worker but his excessive needed time off recently made them fire him.
When my daughter had UC, I was very involved in her illness, surgery, and recovery (she was 15-1/2 when she was diagnosed, 17 when she had her surgery). The UC forum was my lifeline. My son is completely different and rarely mentions how he feels unless asked. I'm fine with that but, as a mom, I worry that he either feels worse than he lets on or really doesn't remember what it feels like to be healthy.
Anyway, I would like to know how people are doing on Cimzia and what to be on the lookout for. Thanks in advance.