Weighing my options. Not only has Stelara failed after 2 years of blissful remission, it's now attacking my joints. My knees are the absolute worst but my shoulders, neck , fingers ...anywhere I have a joint, I have pain. Thus, I haven't been able to continue with my beloved ballet classes. I found ballet most helpful for my sanity.
Anyway, I see my GI on the 26th and rather than do antibody tests etc I'm thinking of 2 choices:
1) Qu biologics study
2) xeljanz
The benefits of Qu biologics is that it doesn't suppress the immune system and the preliminary results are very good. However, there are several downsides
a) 2 hour distance to the study
b) 5 (yes 5!!!) colonoscopies, resulting in overnight stays, and of course weeks of worsening flares after a scope.
c) possibility of placebo -- which I cannot risk given my fistulas
d) I'm too burnt out to deal with a messing with a study
e) This is most important ----I'm in financial dire straights and need to return to the work force. My plan is to just work retail jobs starting in October, maybe part time 3 days a week and see how I manage. I haven't worked for 7 years and will not be using my degrees anymore. I figured retail was a good place to test the waters.
Xeljanz--
Although the studies for CD aren't as successful as UC there is a small chance it could work. The obvious benefit is that it's a pill and I should know relatively soon if it will work. No more hospital visits, Ivs etc. It may buy me time to get some sort of income in.
I think the impact of the study is just too much on myself and family but is xeljanz worth trying? I don't think I've tried a JAK inhibitor.
Thanks all
Post Edited (U B Tough) : 8/17/2019 6:59:34 AM (GMT-6)