Still can't decide on Biologics!

Hi again...my GI phone consult is June 9th. My GI Doc suggest I start Inflectra or an injection. I've posted before about this, and still don't think I really need it. The symptoms of my last flare are basically gone after the cause of my stress moved out. We now want to downsize to a condo to be closer to our other daughter.

Anyhow...after researching a lot...balancing the possible side effects and potential benefits, at this time in my life, I would rather wait until after we move..or early next year. Is that stupid? Will the Dr. Who's extremely busy, allow me to wait? It takes months to get to talk to him.

I have no urgency, no D, no mucus, etc. Gas is still around 😁 and I am tired and slightly anemic. Poops are formed and almost daily 1-3 in the am.

Anyone agree? Should I wait?

Sassy...retirement should be on a beach in the sunshine😎

With your only real symptom being gas, I personally would not start a biologic. However, I don't know what your labs or any other test results look like. But based on symptoms alone, I don't see why you would. You can do whatever you want--your doctor should understand that you're having next to no symptoms.

My last scope showed only mild inflammation in the rectum, not enough to warrant a med change. But that was over a year ago. I was in a flare starting in Nov. 22 after getting food poisoning that went for 5 months then I did stool and blood tests. My Calprotectin was at 1100. No parasites c-dif etc. Just slighly anemic.

Thank you for your thoughts....my husband gets the bulk of my butt complaints😟

I would just add to not underestimate the damage long term inflammation can cause. I ended up with some pre-dysplasia polyps (pre-cancerous) After being in remission they haven’t found anymore so that’s pretty strong evidence what long term inflammation can lead to. And what complete remission can do. And I only got to complete remission from a biologic

Personally I would get scoped and let the results of that determine my decision. If you still have inflammation you need to get it under control.

I think it is best to have a colonoscopy done before making any decisions. It can be extremely disheartening to go for an entire year thinking everything is okay while inflammation builds up inside your colon. Also I'm concerned to hear that you have to use the restroom in the middle of the night, which I believe is not great. When I told my Gastro the same information, he made sure to jot it down.

YEAH...i go usually before 10:00 am. Never had to go into the night. I had polyps 20 years ago...3. Then maybe a couple more after. But that's only twice in the past 20 years. But...ive been mostly in remission until this past year. So I thought I should at least have a colonoscopy first before trying biologics.

Q, I am on 5ASA full dose...rectal meds helped a couple times..1-2 weeks at a time. But a few months ago I had a horrible reaction to them, and my GI told me to stop using them.

Maybe my GI will have me do a scope first...he did not say so...i think I'll call his office and find out. Should have done that a long time ago. I can never remember all that's said over the phone, and he does not do in person appointments.

Thank you...Sassy