Any improvement in symptoms with entyvio?

Just curious if the people who have started taking entyvio have seen any improvement. Simponi is starting to fizzle out for me. Just like Humira did. Afraid to go onto to something new. My GI is not pro remi. I have no idea why. Have an appt in sept. Waiting for some good news on entyvio before trying.

Gary I've been through 4 GI s since moving to Florida 7 years ago. Most of them suck. This one isn't into infusions. He thinks pill version of biologics are on it's way. Maybe he's right.
I just would like to hear some good things about entyvio before I start the nagging process. I've been holding off.

Just too early to get any good entyvio stories really. I have heard of someone in the trials who had a 2 yr remission from it. Most of us on it are not even finished with their loading doses yet. I will tell you that everyone from my GI to the nurses at the infusion center are very excited about it. All the biologics are slow so we just gotta wait and see. Not like we have many other options.

I say get a new GI.... biologics are a must for UC, and there is nothing wrong with infusions. Oral biologics are a looong way away; I dont even know if any are in development yet. Does he know how hard it is to put a protein as large and delicate as an antibody into a dry, crystalline pill?

Also keep in mind that for some, infusions at an infusion center are much more affordable than oral meds. For most of the biological, the cost of the drug is about the same, but your co-pay will be determined by how your insurance coverage is structured. With mine, my remi infusions are free. Oral meds would require me to pay 20-30% of the cost of the medications.

Wonder where all the people that have started entyvio are? Haven't really heard a peep out of them for a while.

As of two weeks ago he had no clue. He knew of Simponi when it first came available. They deal with a lot of older patients where I live. It's a large practice . Hate to keep changing doctors.

I had my first Entyvio infusion on July 1, the day I was released from the hospital. My second dose was July 15, and I'm due for my next one on Tuesday.
I'm not sure if it was the entyvio, or the prednisone, a combination of the two, but the last 5 weeks have been the best I've felt in 5 years. Even when I was on Remi and it was working, and I thought I was in remission, I never felt as good as I have lately. I've been eating better, but no issues on what I have eaten. More energy. And 1-2 solid BMs daily... Until yesterday. My doc has been tapering me off of prednisone, and last Tues was my last pred dose. Now all of a sudden, I feel blocked up, can't pass anything, and have no appetite today. I'm not sure if it's bc I'm off the pred, or bc I'm due for my next infusion. I'm kind of freaking out, but trying to be patient and see what happens after Tuesday.

I agree with those who would be concerned with a gastro not up on emerging medications. Have you tried calling it Vedolizumab. That's the name my gastro knows Entyvio by. She calls it Vedo for short.

I thought I was starting Vedo several weeks ago, but there was confusion over where I'd received the infusion. My gastro thought I could sign up for home infusion since home infusion is typically less expensive and more convenient. Turns out with new drugs you have to start out in an infusion center. They don't want a crazy reaction while I'm at home. My gastro isn't worried about reactions with Vedo, but said to go with the plan of the infusion center for a bit and, if I'm doing well after 4-6 months, we'll likely be able to request home/work infusion services with no problem. So, the pharm rep is training the center early this week and I should get a call to schedule my first dose by Wednesday.

I'm ready to go! My pancolitis has been more about loss of motility and severe constipation. Things are changing, though. My frequency is way up, I'm looser, and experiencing mucous with slight signs of blood. I don't want this to get out of hand and I'm hoping to get things underway stat so I don't have to stress about bridge drugs. I know this will take a while to work.

For those taking Vedo, did you stop Asacol after your first infusion? I'm nervous to give that up when I'm showing signs of a flare.

Happyday,
I'm in central fl not anywhere near Indian River. Thanks any away .
I'm in between Ocala and Orlando.
Faith

Faithmac said...
I don't think there is much use of biologics in his practice. I was the first on Humira and the first and maybe only on Simponi . I told him about Entyvio. He had no idea what it was!!!

What! that's unbelievable!!! One of the worst things I have learned from having UC, is that some doctors haven't a clue,they simply cannot be bothered to keep up with the latest medical info, and there are no excuses for that in my opinion.

Entyvio is a gut specific biologic that didn't just show up yesterday. You would expect a gut specific doctor to know about it.

Even if he/she is busy.

I have my third infusion scheduled for next Wednesday. Since my first infusion I've been tapering down Prednisone from 40mg to now 10mg. On the higher dose prednisone things seemed ok but now that I'm on 10mg I'm going to the bathroom about every 2-3 hours and every time I wipe (getting graphic here), it's a three wipe job and always contains blood.

I've tried everything and though I know this takes time, I'm losing faith. As mentioned before, I'm going the surgery route if this doesn't work. My plan now is to get at minimum two more infusions and if that doesn't provide relief without a steroid crutch, then see you later colon.