Posted 11/17/2009 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I am on Humira through a trial. I have never been on remicade. Humira has helped me immensely. It isn't as effective as it was in the beginning, but still far and away better than I was before (mine is much severe than what you are describing). Regardless of severity, I completely understand the desire to not have to deal with your UC related issues.
Since your UC is limited to the lower area, I would be tempted to try rectals first as well. I despise them (it really interferes with my emotional life, but that is a personality thing, I think), but they do seem to really work.
But as far as the Humira, it does a good job. I was told though, that once you use it, if you stop you will build antibodies to it and it will no longer be effective (like remicade), so I would try other things first. I really didn't have much option, but now I feel stuck.
Bookgal-I was able to taper off of pred after being on Humira for 8 weeks-but those were rules of the trial, so if you are getting it with insurance and it is effective (it was for me after the first series of injections), you should be able to start tapering off of the pred right away. For the first year I was on Humira, it was near perfect for me, even after I was well off of pred.