Biologics or Pred ?

Another option:

1.) For mild inflammation there is always delayed-release coated budesonide-based meds like Uceris or Entocort EC which are only 10% systematic and 90% topical (whereas pred is 100% systematic and that's what causes the awful side effects).

2.) There's also thiopurines like azathiopurine/imuran or 6-mercaptopurine that can treat your UC flareup. You say you are mild, these meds are a bit slow taking 3-months to work so that might not be an issue in your case.

"Would you say Biologics isn’t as Toxic as Pred ? "
Neither is toxic. Yes, biologics are regarded as safer than pred especially when you've been on a lot of pred for a long time cumulatively. As biologics do not do irreversible damage, like long-term pred does. Long term pred usage can cause osteoporosis, glacoma, type ii diabetes as an example. At most Biologics have a chance of an infusion-reaction (from headaches, to trouble breathing, fever temps, etc), but we pre-med to reduce the odds of it, and discontinuing stops them.

"Is it good for getting into remission and maintaining it ? "
There's never a 100% promise with anything UC treatment wise. Odds are about 65% that taking a biologic of your choice will improve your UC symptoms. I've been on remicade since 2012 and in a remission the majority of that time. Some end up switching among biologics after a while, so there's that too.

I looked back at your posts in November & you said you were on Aza. Since this is not working it is not unreasonable to add a biologic & the dr was discussing this then.

IPoop explained the pitfalls of prednisone, so there is no point in repeating it, lol.

Guys, just got feedback from my IBD nurse who’s liaised with my DR. They want to start me on Biologics, so I’m quiet positive now. She has given me the choice of either Humira ( self inject ) or Infliximab ( hospital infusion) , I have chosen the self inject route as I’m pretty comfortable with this with the right instructionS. Should be getting me in clinic ASAP

Tblock, glad that you have spoken with the nurse & have made your decision. I had a horrible fear of needles all of my life. I wasn't sure I could self inject, it was easy. Don't forget Humira has a copay assistance card, be sure to check out their site. Good luck on your visit to the clinic.

Guys, started another course of Steroids. Didn’t particularly want to, but it’s going to take a good 3 weeks or so for the application to go through and get accepted for the biologics and I’m not getting any better, so my IBD nurse instructed me to go on the Pred 40MG. Hopefully this will settle things ( usually does ) and then I can start the Biologic treatment, which is hopefully going to be my saviour in regards to less steroid usage after this. But I can’t be waiting 3/4 weeks in this flare, as the Enemas are doing nothing as the inflammation has gone to high. I go away to Spain end of month for my Dads 60th with the family and have my wedding In Italy in May, so no way am I risking flaring for that. I’m tackling it head on and hopefully the biologics will see me through after.

Exactly Sara, cheers

Hey, if you're having infusions does that mean you're doing remicade/infliximab? I always regret not having started biologics sooner (not that I had a choice....hospital protocol...) because they were so much more effective than azathioprine

Glad you finally got the approval. Insurance and approval is such a painfully and frustratingly slow process.

I would not reduce the pred until you know the biologic is working. Reducing pred from 40 to 35 before staring infliximab does not sound like a good idea to me. At least wait until you've gotten week 0 and week 2 loading doses before tapering pred any.

I hope infliximab/remicade works as well for you as it did for me. It was a total game changer and still on it (and in a remission) 7+ years later.

T Block, I hope this helps you. I was glad to hear that you have been feeling better since that awful c-dif situation and hope you get back on your feet much more quickly this time!

I may also go on a remicade biosimilar next month. My situation is a bit different. I’ve had no symptoms since Christmas, except a little discomfort now and then, but my GI says my colonoscopy results show patches of active flare, most serious near the small intestine. Her opinion is that I have crohns, not UC like originally diagnosed, and that it will get worse. I’m probably going to go ahead with infusions because I’m scared of scar tissue leading to fistulas or blockages

Pfzier also has an equivalent copay assistance program for Inflectra, if you get put on it.

Glad you've gotten some relief. Pred is incredible in making us feel normal again fast (if it only wasn't for the side effects..).

You're lucky I know a few who have few side effects on pred. I get them ALL, every single one, multiple at once. It's rather craptastic lol. At 40-mgs, I had bad insomnia, night-sweats, rapid heart beat, and insatiable appetite.