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Humira, Cimzia, or Stelara? Choosing is confusing!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/8/2018 3:34 PM (GMT -7)
Hello everyone! I have been on Remicade for 11 years and finally developed antibodies. I did try Entyvio a couple of years ago but had adverse reactions to it. I had a large bowel resection with an end colostomy in October. My Crohn's disease symptoms have improved since the surgery.

However, my eyes and joint/muscle pain and inflammation is doing poorly. cry I now have to stop Remicade because of the antibodies. My GI is wonderful; however, he said "Well, we can try Humira, Cimzia, or Stelara. It's up to you which one you prefer."

It's like a crap shoot, lol! Should I just toss the names in a cup and draw one? smilewinkgrin

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have developed Crohn's in the small intestine. Besides Remicade, I am on 10mg Prednisone daily.

Thank you so much!

Julie
Posted 5/9/2018 11:11 AM (GMT -7)
Well you know remicade works well for you, so I'd consider another similar biologic within the same class. Remicade, Cimzia, and Humira are all TNF-Alpha-Blocking biologics. Developing antibodies to one TNF-Alpha-blocker doesn't mean you will develop antibodies to Cimzia/Humira as the molecular structure is different enough that your immune system must start all over again (from the ground-up) with the antibody development process. You might never develop antibodies to Cimzia/Humira, or you could with no increased odds.

Stelara is a completely different class of biologics with a completely different mechanism of action. It'd be a gamble, much like Entyvio was (another entirely different class of biologics to all of the other aforementioned biologic classes).
Posted 5/9/2018 12:38 PM (GMT -7)
I have taken a variety of biologics. Remicade was first and I developed anti-dsDNA antibodies and needed to stop after almost three years. Then went to Humira and after only 2.5 months, I developed a severe reaction due to extremely high anti-dsDNA antibodies. Mind you these antibodies are different than the antibodies to the Remicade itself.

Then switched to Simponi for 9 years, Only had a couple flare ups in my joints. Had to stop when I developed an allergy to the medication that manifested itself in a head to bottom of the feet rash.

I have been taking Stelera for 11 months now. I love what it has done for my joints. My back pain is gone, peripheral joints pain-free, and Crohn's still in remission.

Be mindful, that my intestinal Crohn's went into remission while on Remicade and has stayed there since.
Posted 5/9/2018 2:55 PM (GMT -7)
Ipoop and Ides, thank you both so much for your thoughtful and informative replies. I see my GI tomorrow. I will let you know what decision we come to.

Thanks again!

Julie
Posted 5/15/2018 11:34 AM (GMT -7)
I am having a hard time with my insurance to pay for my anti-body test. Am on remicade for 10 years and was in remission until recent. I was having severe joint pain like in the begining of my illness. I had a bowel obstruction in january. They acted like all my pains were all in my head. I'm sick of it all! My gi doctors office called me yesterday to tell me that they were taking me off of it and they wanted me to choose another med I don't know what to say!
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