lubelly said...
Back on prednizone 20 mg. My doctor wanted to look into Humira. Seems pretty drastic for someone that was diagnosed only a year ago. Isn't there other meds I can try before I go the Humira route?
No, it's not unusual to need biologics, like humira, a year after diagnosis, as uc can be particularly aggressive within the first 5 years, and you got to be equally aggressive in treatment for uc. Humira is recommended based on patient response to other medications and disease severity, and based on what you describe, you fit it.
Other choices are immunosuppressive medications (Imuran, 6mp, aza), which are often tried before biologics. Immunosuppressive medications take at least several months to buildup to therapeutic levels in the body, meaning more prednisone. Biologics work much faster.
Prednisone is a rescue medication, not an ongoing maintenance treatment for uc. As long-term usage of prednisone causes irreversible damage to the body (osteoporosis, glaucoma, diabetes type ii, etc). I'd be more afraid of prednisone than humira...
If you go the biologic route, than you should have a choice between humira, remicade, or simponi. I'm on remicade.