Cimzia VS Humira or Surgery?? I'm so frustrated

I jsut saw my GI specialist yesterday, and she has recommended cutting pills in half and going to 2.5mg doses, until we start either a new investigative study, or go on Cimzia or Humira. So yes, cut in half or Qrts, whichever you feel is right for your daughter. I feel for you. She is way to young to struggle with this terrible disease.

OK, Question, I've struggled with UC for over 8 years, I'm 47, and frustrated. One GI says, lets just go for the Surgery, get you well, get you a J pouch, and life will resume to normal within 8 weeks! So I saw another GI yesterday, in Wisconsin, and she said NO do not have Surgery, not YET.. it will cause more surgerys- potentially, Ive had 4-5 to date, and way to much Delauded Morphine, after 8 day hospital stay 4 weeks ago. I now only weigh 135 lbs, and I would lose another 20 from the surgery, not good... that's a huge worry of Doctors with Surgery. I'm in tough spot, if I had all the money in the world, I could afford Cimzia or Humira, but I dont. This disease over the years has cost me 75k-100,000 in medical bills.

So I need help.. Cimzia or Humira, or Surgery, YOu guys are the real experts- Us the patients, I can help allot of you as well, after 8 years, but now I need your help. I also need lots of help from my insruance company - They told me they could cover the first 2 cimzia, at $3500 per injection, but when the new year arrives, I will have to pay my family deductiable of $7500, the 20%.
What is everyone finding? is this true, false, and what has been everyone's results. I know everyone is different. I reading all the posts and find the cost to be reasonable, or nothing.

Meds: 8 years
currently on pregnisone taper down to 4 pills of 5mg daily, so I have 4 weeks until, I flare again, or maybe 6-7, that's not much.
Imuran, Azathiaprine, Methotrexete, REmicaide- 2 years, 6mp, Cortisteriods, entorcourt, Asacol- Alergic, Azathiapriune, allergic, 6mp -Allergic- all caused Pancreatitis!! No fun. So, I have no choice but to take Humira, cimzia, or the new study- its call Vedliumab They are taking patients now. Cost nothing..

Thanks Young Johnnie

     I feel for you Johnnie.  I suffered with ulcerative proctitis for twelve years.  My GI had me on 6MP for seven years but it really didn't do anything.  Then, I finally let him talk me into Remicade because since May of 08 I had become prednisone dependent.  It worked great after the first two infusions but I became resistant to it after the 3rd.  I still had a forth infusion but nada.  Then, I tried Humira.  I gave it three months and still no change.  My GI doctor is very anti surgery.  In a moment of many of his sarcastic remarks, after the Remicade failed he said..."well maybe you should look into surgery."  I called his bluff and came back with..."well, I think you are right."  He looked like he swallowed a canary.  Following the failure of Humira he wanted me to try either Cimzia or go to a GI specialist in Philly which he sent me to six months before but I didn't get any satisfaction from him...he was much too pompous and only bragged about the articles he wrote for a medical journal.

     I said no to Cimzia, found a colorectal surgeon myself, online and had a total colectomy with permanent ileostomy on June 28th by a prominent surgeon in Philadelphia (I live in south Jersey).  I won't lie, it isn't an easy surgery and there is a long recovery.  I had a few complications but I certainly am much better.  The only medication I take is my one blood pressure pill.  While on prednisone, I was on three plus a pill for blood sugar as the prednisone was playing havoc with that too.  I also took Colazal for over ten years.....have no idea what that ever did...maybe kept the ulcerations confined to the rectum because my colon was not diseased but my rectum was a mess.  My surgeon did NOT sew the anus closed as his opinion is that there are more complications when that is done.

      Sorry this is so lengthy but I do hope I helped some.  God bless and good luck.

      By the way, I am 64 yrs old.

My Dear friends, thank you so very very muich for your kind input. This really helps. it really does sound like we are all in teh very same boat, it appears to me surgery, almost sounds like the best option.. I'm just very apprhensive about surgery with my very low weight, and severe condition. I'm strong enough physically now, but when I would come out aftert 5-6 days in hosipital with very little to eat or dring, I would be done to nothing..

OK, what about Humira, and or cimzia. Have hyou all tried that and not had any luck?? or good luck. I may have found state insurance that now would pay 100% or 90% with small drug co-pay. if so maybe I try Humira??

Again, thanks so vdery much to everyone, if anyone can help with the Humira Vs cimzia question, I would be so grateful.

Blessing to us ALL, and may good health be around the corner.
Young at heart, and full of Life Johnnie

Suebear, you are probally right!! I have several sergeons that I'm going to get a consult and review of exactly what this would take,

to either ease my mind, or find the solution!

I really appreciate all of your concern, assistance, and know how.  

I hope you are doing well.

Johnnie

I'm sorry that you are going thru all of this. I was 47 and only weighed 115 lbs when I had to have emergency surgery. I only suffered for a few months but if it was up to me this surgery would have been done way sooner. No, it's not an easy sugery and lot's can go wrong ( I know, everything went wrong with me ) but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat rather than take more toxic drugs. To me the drugs are not a cure, just giving you time till the next drug comes out. If you are at that point with your UC it's only a matter of time as far as I am concerned. My surgeon also told me that with the serverty of my disease that I would have ended with with cancer in the next few years anyway. Give thanks that you have UC and not Crohns. 

PS I went down to 110 lbs after the surgery and it took about a year to gain back some of the weight but everyday I got better and better.