Remicade or Humira

I've yet to experience a side effect from remicade and I've been on it for over 3 years. I did find remission though (the only UC med to give me remission). It's only human nature to fear the worst case scenario, but the odds are quite low of adverse side effects. I was a bit worried too, try not to. These medications work fast, so you might feel a lot better in 6 weeks or less.

Remicade is an IV infusion given as a hospital outpatient and available at some gastroenterologist offices. It's a process that typically takes 2.5-3 hours. The loading doses are at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Afterwards you get an infusion every 8 weeks (typical inteval).

Humira is a subcutaneous (just below the skin) self injection that you can do at home after instruction from a nurse. It's typically given into the thighs or stomach areas, where we have a little bit of fat. The loading doses involve more frequent shots. Afterwards, they're every couple weeks.

So, it really depends on what's the most convenient for your schedule, and how far of a journey it is to get an IV infusion. I rather like having a 2-3 hour excuse to relax, but for others it's too difficult to fit in.

Carmella, I'm sorry you are so sad about diet control not working for you. I've been on remicade since 2009 and had immediate results. I was scared just as you are and reluctant to take the next step. My flares were getting closer together and prednisone was taking longer to break the flare. I still put it off for about 6 months since my doc wasn't pressuring me. He told me to call him when I was ready.

My hallmark symptom is cramping...the kind that feels like a hand is squeezing your intestines and then releasing and takes your breath away. After my first infusion, my cramps went away and with each additional infusion I got better. I then realized how poorly I had been managed during most of my disease by the docs preceding my remicade doc. Honestly, I wish I had started remicade long before 2009. The only side effect I had was a headache during the induction phase of the drug. I receive no pre-treatment such as Benadryl or a steroid and I feel no differently after I get my infusion.

Remicade is the better drug for UC but as ipoop mentioned, if you have a strong aversion to an IV and /or a 2-3 hour appointment then maybe humira is better for you. I was briefly on humira summer/fall 2014 and it wasn't a good drug for me. I had a lot of side effects and returned to remicade. With that being said, some folks respond well to humira so I'm not trying to make a blanket statement about humira. I hope my experience helps soften your fear and anxiety about taking the next step. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your responses. It's so nice to hear that other people are thriving and doing well on Remicade! I am meeting on Friday with my doc so I am sure we will talk logistics then. Thank you for your support

I know just how you feel. I started having symptoms a year ago, diagnosed with UC in July, taking Balsalazide and did a round of Prednisone, symptoms returned and worsened after tapering in the fall. Currently trying an elimination diet (wheat and dairy) to be followed by SCD. Also taking VSL#3. My GI doctor thinks I am wasting my time and wants me to start Humira or Remicade but I am leery of the potential side effects. It's really hard to know what to do! Hope your doctors appt goes well and that you can come to a decision that is good for you.

Hello to all, this my first post. I am a 50+ active guy diagnosed UC in 2004. Just had a colonoscopy this morning as I have been having a flare up since the middle of October and prednisone is not working this time as it had in 2 previous flare ups. Now it is on to Humira. I wanted to thank all of you for sharing your stories, I feel better just from reading them. Has anyone read that Canada /US have the highest rate of UC & Cronhs per capita than all other 1st world nations? I wonder why this is....from my experience I say the overuse of antibiotics is a factor.....thoughts?