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Pred/bio and previous Hep B exposure

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/11/2020 2:22 PM (GMT -7)
Sitting in the hospital ward now while they treat my flu so they can then treat my flare. GI wants to start me on on pred and possibly bridge to a bio. I was exposed to Hep B in past with positive surface and core antibodies but negative for antigen. That means I caught it (prob from mom when born) and fought off on my own. They said if I start pred/bio I’ll have to be on an antiretroviral for duration of treatment. Which in the case of a bio might be a long time (hopefully). Any of you dealt with same issue?
Posted 2/11/2020 4:20 PM (GMT -7)
Sorry to hear you're hospitalized, have the flu, and are flaring.

We've had some come up like you before before
they started a biologic. I believe it was tuberculosis though, same deal though possible latent infection. They had to see an infectious disease doctor and get cleared before starting a biologic. A link about this
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3946143
Posted 2/11/2020 4:25 PM (GMT -7)
Thx ipoop!!
Posted 2/12/2020 10:24 AM (GMT -7)
I had a U.C. flare and Valley fever (fungal infection) at the same time. They found the valley fever when they were doing routine screening for biologics which it appeared I would have to take since pred wasn't fully working. U.C. meds which suppress the immune system and opportunistic infections are a bit of a nightmare, and basically immune system suppression is the only kind of treatment we have for U.C.
I will probably have to take an anti-fungal indefinitely (fluconozole). Luckily I get no side effects from it.
The infectious disease doc said my U.C. may calm down once the valley fever infection subsides, and that seems to be the case. After being on fluconozole for a few weeks, my U.C. went into complete remission, and I have been tapering pred quite quickly. I suppose I will have the option to not even take biologics at this time.
Honestly I don't understand why they don't routinely use Vedolizumab (Entyvio) in cases like ours where systemic immune suppression is a problem as it only affects the gut. I have an appointment with my GI Doc on the 25th and will ask about starting vedo instead of waiting for the valley fever to clear up so I can take Humira. That could take many months.
Posted 2/12/2020 10:46 AM (GMT -7)
Yes the more I’ve read about entyvio both in and outside of this forum I feel less anxious and more confident about it. I do t like being tied down by anything, but infusions every 8 weeks isn’t too bad. Will start pred this weekend, my first time on it, hopefully I don’t get too many of those crazy side effects. But, if it helps to stop this bleeding I’m willing to deal with whatever. Hope you continue to get better!
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