Remission without meds possible?

Haven’t had Entyvio since January 6, trying to get on Xeljanz but my insurance is not wanting to cover it.
My question is has anyone tried not taking meds?
I’m not flaring or have any UC symptoms.

I’m tired of the infusions, medications all together. I haven’t had any problem or flare since Aug 2017. Just wondering what happens if I do stop medication all together. So far so good. Any comments? Is it possible for UC to “Go away” ?

Going without meds never worked for me. Even after colectomy

There is a risk of a sudden and severe flare down the road if you don't take any medication, something which I personally wouldn't want to risk in the current environment. You could try managing on 5ASAs if you're in remission, it might take the edge off any future flare.

If you didn't have any problems with Entyvio, why are you stopping it? It's so hard to find a medication that works I'd hold onto something that does unless it had severe side effects. You would be a little late for your next infusion but likely not too late. I loved Entyvio ... felt completely 100% normal when I was on it until it stopped working for me.

The thought of being able to be med free is enticing. If you go that route, I hope it works for you. No time is a good time for a flare, but right now is really not a good time. Do your research about what has worked for others and see what works for you. I doubt that you can just be like a non UC person and eat and drink whatever you want, but then again who knows? You could be lucky! Good luck with whatever you decide.

I haven't heard of anyone here who is med free without diet changes and/or supplements. UC is forever. Either meds or other changes will be needed to keep you in you in remission. Right now Entyvio is what is allowing you to be normal. Unfortunately that's unlikely to last long term without doing something else.

In my opinion weight gain shouldn't be a bad side effect. Eat less bbq & whiskey and you will lose weight lol. Memory, focus & fatigue are vague symptoms and can often be alleviated with a healthier diet -- more fruits & vegetables, sleeping enough, and just a brisk walk every day.

For what it's worth ... you were bad enough to have had to go on biologics in the first place. Entyvio has apparently worked very well for you. You are playing Russian roulette by stopping it over a few extra pounds.

I also know that we all have to find our own way with this disease and I suspect you are committed to trying to go med free without other changes. I hope that for you it somehow works.

Yes it is possible but very unlikely that you can remain in remission med-free. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. The best way to stay in remission with the least amount of side effects is to take oral mesalamine meds reinforced with rectal meds as needed. These have the fewest side effects.

The OP said
"Unfortunately I’m allergic to mesalamine"

After multiple attempts I discovered that I am also allergic to mesalamines. But when I first joined the forum I read stories from IBDers, e.g. imagardener2, who said they were able to manage their inflammation largely through diet reinforced with supplements.

A food diary should help you to find your food triggers. You can check out our signatures to see what supplements that you may want to try. Probiotics and psyllium are popular but finding compatible supplements can also be a hit-or-miss. For example some people swear by boswellia but I find that it makes my symptoms worse. The reverse is true with curcumin.

So out of the Hospital in July 2017, I never flared after we did IV pred and started Remicade. Did rem for a year and then Entyvio. Since 2017 I’ve never had an UC symptoms. Everyone will say because you were on biologics you had no symptoms but I felt like crap all the time while on them. So for me quality of life is more important. Maybe it comes back maybe not. If if does at least I’ve gained some weight back for reserves. Ready to feel normal again and infusion centers are depressing.

Entyvio did nothing for me, in fact I went from left sided to pan colitis, and suffered horribly from joint and muscle pains. It totally affected quality of life. Every time I suggested maybe the Entyvio was the problem the doctors shrugged and wrote another prescription. My last dose was Dec 30, 2019 and I feel so much better!! My UC symptoms are about the same as they were on Entyvio but I have no joint or muscle pain. I was supposed to start Stelara a few weeks after the surgery I had last week but I think that will get pushed out. I am staying home except for trips to get groceries, which is pretty much how things were before Coronavirus so that's ok with me. So I guess what I am trying to say is maybe you'll be ok without it for awhile at least. I think I have suffered more from pretty much every drug I have tried than from the UC itself. I'm starting to consider no more drugs and was going to suggest I defer starting Stelara until after my next colonoscopy, whenever the heck that may be now.

Stay well everyone!

Im on Xeljanz and last Oct I had to give up my meds because of a knee replacement.
Because of a slight infection I was off my Xeljanz for 6 weeks and it was only towards the end that I felt I needed it again.