What is your opinion regarding Vedolizumab?
Works well - achieved remission - 100.0% - 1 votes
Did not achieve remission - 0.0% - 0 votes
Side effects unbearable - 0.0% - 0 votes
Posted 6/18/2014 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
I saw a specialist at the University of Chicago two days ago. This was my third visit. I have had Crohn's Disease for 25 years. The last 6 years; I have had a lot of problems. I have had Erthema Nodosum, Pyoderma Gangrenosum, and even developed CML (Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia). I have taken Humira, Cimzia, and Simponi. The Humira worked for approximately 5 years & then stopped working. I never achieved remission with the Cimzia or Simponi. I have been on a lot of steroids & gained a lot of weight. The doctor from UIC has suggested Tysabri or Vedolizumab. I will continue to do weekly injections of Methotrexate along with to avoid developing antibodies (the 6MP, Immuran, and Mercaptopurine are related to causing my leukemia and are not options for me). My goal, of course, is to achieve remission without steroids, and to lose all of this weight. I feel useless when my Crohn's is active. I like to spend time with my kids, go to concerts with my friends, and be active. Right now I feel hungry all the time from the steroids and lazy. Have there been good results from Vedolizumab?
Katmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 1203
Posted 6/18/2014 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Good trial results. Better in UC than Crohns, but only slightly. U of C was a trial center and one of the first to get it to patients. It is not a antiTNF, if works differently on the colon. No cases of Lymphoma reported. There were a few from Tsabri, so they watched it closely. I know a Crohns patient at U of C that feels better than she has is 14 years on Tsabri. My daughter will try Vedo/ Entyvio next week. Can take if to 10 wks to fully work if it is going to. Keep reading. Takeda has info on their web site, and a patient assistance program.
bania
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 642
Posted 6/18/2014 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently in the process of obtaining Entyvio (vedolizumab). Definitely go to their web site to get information, and get in touch with their patient support program - Entyvio Connect. They are walking me and my doctor through the process of getting insurance approval and obtaining the drug. I would definitely try Entyvio over Tysabri, as it appears to be a much safer drug. Like you, I was happily on Humira for a long time (9 years) and then it just stopped working.