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Remi or Humira??

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/26/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..
Is there anyone on here from the UK/Ireland on Remicade or Humira??

Thanks in advance
Posted 1/26/2011 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Try something else. Neither are any good statistically 1year+ down the road.
Posted 1/26/2011 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I beg to differ- I took Remicade for close to 3 years before it lost effectiveness, & have been on Humira just over a year now & doing fine. Certainly try one- generally Remicade first, due to insurance regulations. Even if the "stats" prove baconeggsyum right, at least the med will buy you some time. Before I started on a biologic I was headed into surgery- it was scheduled, had done my pre-ops, etc. The biologics totally saved my colon. Beconeggsyum, what stats are you referring to??? I've done a lot of research mysekf into these types of meds & have not heard that particular bit of info.
Posted 1/26/2011 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am referring to the stats from the actual double blind study that got Remicade approved. In fact, after 5 years only 20% show any benefit, basically no better than a placebo. Sure it works for people, but from a general perspective it doesn't.
Posted 1/26/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
huh, I'd never read that study. When you said "neither are any good", I thought you meant a study that showed neither drug had any benefit. Do you have a link to that study? I'd be interested in checking it out. Well anyhow, I still recommend giving one of the biologics a try. Unless you're opposed to using that sort of med in general, it can't hurt, you know?

Posted 1/26/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
My GI did mention to me that Remi eventually loses its efficiency. He was part of a study here. That was quite a few years ago, however, but I didn't ask him over what period of time, just about its success.

q
Posted 1/26/2011 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmmmm.... I disagree. I have been on Remicade for over 5 years and doing great. I wouldn't have a life if I didn't get on this drug. I resent people just giving blanket statements like this. Let's encourage patients to speak to their doctors and try whatever treatments their doctor suggests. They are the doctors, we are just patients commiserating with each other. I dislike giving medical advice and resent when others do. I prefer to outline what I have experienced and hope others take or leave my comments.

After all, someone reading a blanket statement like "Neither are any good statistically 1year+ down the road." may never get the treatment that may change their lives.
Posted 1/26/2011 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
For many people Remicade is a "buying time" drug. For some it can induce a remission that can be maintained with other medications. Either way, the "try something else" is not helpful. justwrong asked if anyone was on it, not your opinion of the drug. Try to be more respectful of the choices others are making in their treatment.

I am not in the UK/Ireland but I am on Remicade and so far so good! I have read on many occasions about people from the UK having Remicade, but it seems that over there doctors use it more to induce remission rather than to keep them there (as a maintenance medication). So, you might have a bit of trouble finding people having ongoing Remicade treatment for UC from the UK. I have a suggestions though, perhaps post in the Crohn's forum? I'm not sure that it's a different story there, but sometimes the Crohnies can help when the UC folks can't. :o)
Posted 1/27/2011 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
My previous GI doc told me remi would probably not work for me last year, and I wanted to reach across the table and hit him up side the head. Taking it anyway, I went from no sleep for four months straight to a full nights rest. I tried something else and none of it worked that great, BUT I did give everything else a shot. IMO they are all a "buy me some time" drug. You just have to find something that will wodk and get you through to the next one. Having moderate to severe UC for the past 14 years, I have to say this year on Remi has been the most consistent symptom wise. I'll ride the remi train till it stops. Beats being stuck on the toilet at the station.
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