moving to stelara- any thiings to watch for or concerns?

just got the call from the GI. the pathology report confirmed "active inflammation and ulcerations from active crohn's". I have been on entyvio and methotrexate injections since Feb 2017 and have had my second resection surgery June 2017. I have failed remicade (2 attempts) with methotrexate, cimzia, humira (two attempts) entyvio, and 6MP.

I am actually excited as i do not think the entyvio was helping the other non-gut issues we get like joint pains. Plus i was taking a lower dose of methotrexate because last time on it I got very sick. My foot joints still hurt and it is pseudo gout, confirmed.

So for now, they are processing the pre-approval papers and hope to have it approved by Friday with my first to follow soon.

SO, for now this is the last option other than long term steroids. I cannot do those but short courses due to all my other medical issues. I hope this is the answer so I do not need another surgery in 5 to 7 years.

thanks

All I can say is, from the reviews i've been reading, Stelera seems to be the best drug to come along since Remicade. Entyvio hasn't been well received at all. Hope you have good success.

thanks 73monte. i hope so....haven't had a formed BM in months. 4-5 times a day all liquid. at least no pain in gut, just joints. but overall just feel crappy. I was hoping for so much more after surgery in June. i really haven't felt good for almost a year now.

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surgeries: 2 resections at terminal ilium, open heart surgery, infected lymphocele surgically removed, crainotomy to remove benign tumor; adominal hernia,

conditions: A-fib, High blood pressure, gout, crohn's, edema, cellulitis, other heart issues,, osteopenia

medications:
Entyvio,methotrexate injections, , verapamil , quinipril, labetalol, clorithidone, atorvastatin, alluporinol, elliquis

I "failed" Stelara but it was ok as far as side effects go--save for it made at least half my hair fall out, which was not cool.

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37yr female, dx UC '04, dx changed Crohn's Colitis '17
Currently: Total Colectomy Oct. 2017!
Previously used: Remicade, Humira, Stelara, Imuran, 6MP, Apriso, Asacol, Lialda, Delzicol, Pentasa, Cortenema, Cortifoam, Rowasa, Canasa, Entocort, Uceris, Uceris foam, Prednisone
I'm Gluten-free. Supps: VSL#3, Cal/Mag, Vit D, Krill oil, EZFE