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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/14/2017 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Did blood work today to make sure I will be a good candidate for Humira. Currently still having 10plus urgencies per day, although 90% of the time it's mostly water/blood/mix. Been a full week on the Pred.
I just don't know if Humira should be the next step, or better to just continue to give what I'm prescribed longer to heal the gut? My PA's plan seems to be once we start to ween down the steroid we would start the Humira, if good to go.
Nervous thoughts and ramblings
Posted 4/14/2017 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gozalot - no info / no signature line for you so not sure what your history is.

If you've had repeated flares and prednisone in the past, you're probably on your way to a biologic as you noted. If this is your first major flare and you're only a week into prednisone, you may have that option still.

I was DX 12 years ago, 2 minor flares, one HUGE one now at the end of six months. It took a lot of pred and several set backs to get into remission - mistake was waiting far too long into the flare to get the steroids going, god bless doc for wanting to try enemas but should have started much earlier.

40-60 mgs to start for a bad one and I would expect a couple of weeks if you're in bad shape to see improvement.

Good luck!
Posted 4/14/2017 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Remicade (a sister medication to humira) is the only med to ever put my UC into a remission. Everyone is a little bit scared before trying a new treatment, especially with the side effects listed. I've yet to have a side effect after 3 years on this medication.

There's risks and benefits to everything and i found it helped to look at those odds. There's 62 percent odds that humira will improve your Ulcerative Colitis symptoms and less than 1 percent odds that you'll have the worst side effects.
Posted 4/14/2017 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I always feel immediately better on prednisone, at least emotionally and energy-level. I'd expect you to notice some changes after a full week.

Have you tried any diet modifications at all? If not, might be worth a try to try an elimination diet and cut out all dairy, gluten, grains, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and high fiber foods. Also, no raw fruits or veggies while flaring, only well-cooked. Diet restrictions don't put me in remission or help me get there, but I do think they help quiet flares.
Posted 4/14/2017 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, TP, for no profile history. I tried to add it but apparently I'm inept. I hit submit but it doesn't show my edit. This is my first time on the prednisone. 2nd major flare but this one is much worse, much more blood and urgency issues all the time.

Thanks, ipoop, for the stats. I just don't know if this is a bad enough flare for another new med? Second guessing everything here. I'm sure its a part of my nerves - its a big step, I feel.

Hi FG - yes Ive altered diet. I usually avoid dairy anyway, but during this flare its been mostly low residue way of eating. It pretty doesn't matter at this point what I eat - I eat, I go. rinse and repeat. I'm sure I'd be seeing more energy with the steroid but the entire fam has had a viral something with fever, cough, lethargy - so yah, that's been fun with all the other. haha. Blech.
Posted 4/14/2017 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'd say 10+ bms a day warrants a biologic.
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