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going off Cimzia to methotrexate

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/9/2013 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had been taking Cimzia for my Crohn's. It worked fabulously. Amazing turnaround from what proceeded it. After 4 years, I caught an unknown virus. Hospital for 5 days. Went off Cimzia to help fight off virus. Within a month, I find pain in most major joints. Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. So I went on methotrexate. It seems to be working ok, but it still hasn't had time for full effect (It's been about 6 weeks). I am in Crohn's remission. So....even though I am in remission, the doctors tell me I should think to address my Crohn's before it returns...

Should I go back onto Cimzia, which basically allowed me to live a full and rewarding existence with full activity?...or wait out the methotrexate and see if it can do the job?...the doctors say it is my call. I have insurance so cost to ME isn't an issue...

I wonder if the methotrexate will afford me the ability to use my body for full on hiking, snorkeling, heck, golf! - or are these nagging pains in my joint and the constant acetaminophen pills the best I can hope for?

Your insights with this sort of issue are appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted 12/9/2013 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,
You have to ask? If it worked for you why stop. Arthritis is an auto immune problem, The Biologic drugs seem to help with them. You stopped Cimzia and other issues cropped up. I'd go back to it, but that's me. Cimzia didn't work like Remicade so I stopped it. But we are all different.

T
Posted 12/10/2013 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
My experience with MTX hasn't been good but not bad either. It does seem to help my CD (except rectal issues), but it doesn't do anything for my joints. If I had the opportunity to use the cimzia to give me overall results, I definitely would. JMHO
Posted 12/10/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I feel ya Jack. I too was on Cimzia for about 3 years. I got an infection, and because I was also born with a heart defect, the infection went to my heart, endocarditis, and attached itself to my defected aortic valve. My infection was antibiotic resistant and I had to have my aortic valve replaced and the infection cleaned out surgically.

I too had to choose whether I wanted to go back to Cimzia or MTX. In the end the risk of infection to my new valve out weighted the benefit to my Crohn's for me, so I chose no drugs. Still seeing how that's going to work out for me :)

I obviously have an extreme case, which probably made my choices a little easier to make. But in the end, we have to weigh risk vs benefit. It sounds to me like the Cimzia gave you much benefit. Are you afraid of getting another infection?
Posted 12/11/2013 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I knew my question was sort of stupid. The Cimzia gave me a completely normal life. I am uncertain today if MTX will work.

No matter, I fell yesterday on the black ice and now my mostly reduced 9 month swollen knee is now a football. Fantastic. Yes, it throbs mightily.

I appreciate your words everyone. I hope all of you here have a wonderful holiday. May 2014 be blessed for you. I cant wait for this year to go...thank you all.
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