Hi all, as some of you are aware I switched to Skyrizi earlier this year after experiencing heart problems due to the remicade. Otherwise, I have been in such great shape the last few years. Now I’m not so sure. I just got through the loading doses of Skyrizi and am currently fighting the insurance company to get regular doses of it. (Can’t believe they would agree to loading doses but deny regular doses). My blood work came back with slightly elevated inflammatory markers and low iron stores (not anemic though) my doctor isn’t worried but told me to start taking iron supplements. The supplements never agreed with me in the past and I’m a little concerned because since I’ve been well the last 8 years I haven’t had any trouble with my iron dropping. I’ve also started to have lots of GI discomfort, gas and urgency after eating. I’m not due for a colonoscopy until October but worried about where this is going. I’m in line to get a decent promotion at work and it would be horrible timing for a flare.
I am not a doctor, so take what I am going to say with a grain of salt. You said you are not anemic. I presume your hemoglobin level is normal. That might be because you body is using iron from your iron stores. That's why your doctor is recommending you take iron supplements. Once the iron store is depleted, then there is nothing left to make red blood cells. My doctor asked me to go to the whole foods store to buy iron supplements. I took both kinds: one is Easy Iron 25 mg from Country Life and the other is Iron Blood Builder from MegaFood. Easy Iron label says it is non-constipating and gentle on stomach.
I assume Dr just tested serum iron level. The tibc or total iron binding capacity might be checked. Gives a indication of iron stores. Like Paul mentioned your body steals iron from your liver and other organs as your stores are depleted then you become anemic. I got so bad back in the day that I developed pica😁. Luckily it was only ice eating and not dirt😂.
And since the short gut I can't do ingesting iron, I get 5 iron infusions 2 or 3 times a year.
Maybe if you iron supplements don't do the job you can get some infusions?
I'm supposed to start skyrizi next month , ill watch and see what my iron does. I just finished my infusions last week so I should be full😋
And since the short gut I can't do ingesting iron, I get 5 iron infusions 2 or 3 times a year.
Maybe if you iron supplements don't do the job you can get some infusions?
I'm supposed to start skyrizi next month , ill watch and see what my iron does. I just finished my infusions last week so I should be full😋
Hey Labs,
I have no other suggestions other than @Randy, and @Paul have mentioned. Just wishing you well. I have heard that Skyrizi is having very high success rates, and preliminary findings are really good. Hopefully give things some time to adapt and settle.
My daughter was diagnosed Feb. 19/07, (13 yrs. old at time of diagnosis), with Crohn's of the Terminal Illium. Has used Prednisone and Pentasa. Started Imuran (02/09), had an abdominal abscess (12/08). 2cm of Stricture.
Started Remicade in Feb. 2014, along with 100mgs. of Imuran.
I have no other suggestions other than @Randy, and @Paul have mentioned. Just wishing you well. I have heard that Skyrizi is having very high success rates, and preliminary findings are really good. Hopefully give things some time to adapt and settle.
My daughter was diagnosed Feb. 19/07, (13 yrs. old at time of diagnosis), with Crohn's of the Terminal Illium. Has used Prednisone and Pentasa. Started Imuran (02/09), had an abdominal abscess (12/08). 2cm of Stricture.
Started Remicade in Feb. 2014, along with 100mgs. of Imuran.
Thank you all!
Yes @paul that’s what I’m concerned about- that it will eventually deplete the reserve and I’ll be anemic. Thank you for the suggestion, I’m going to try the easy iron. Never had luck with iron supplements years ago and always needed infusions but my body may be in better shape this time around. Once was bad enough to need a blood transfusion. Really happy those days are far behind me and never want to relive them. I’m pretty sure they checked the tibc as well.
@randy I hope Skyrizi works for you!!! Darn thankful you were only eating ice lol. My doc once joked I was going to turn into a vampire.
Yes @paul that’s what I’m concerned about- that it will eventually deplete the reserve and I’ll be anemic. Thank you for the suggestion, I’m going to try the easy iron. Never had luck with iron supplements years ago and always needed infusions but my body may be in better shape this time around. Once was bad enough to need a blood transfusion. Really happy those days are far behind me and never want to relive them. I’m pretty sure they checked the tibc as well.
@randy I hope Skyrizi works for you!!! Darn thankful you were only eating ice lol. My doc once joked I was going to turn into a vampire.
Lab,
Checking on you, How are you doing?
I hope things are getting better.
Clo
Checking on you, How are you doing?
I hope things are getting better.
Clo
Hey Clo, how are you doing?
I’m holding up. Still having gastro issues and just caught a nasty bug that had me pretty sick with respiratory issues while on what was supposed to be a vacation but instead was a 15 hour drive home of misery that I had to split up out of desperation. Looks like the script for Skyrizi might have finally been approved today. It’s always a big maybe though. Not sure what the next hurdle to actually get it will be.
I’m holding up. Still having gastro issues and just caught a nasty bug that had me pretty sick with respiratory issues while on what was supposed to be a vacation but instead was a 15 hour drive home of misery that I had to split up out of desperation. Looks like the script for Skyrizi might have finally been approved today. It’s always a big maybe though. Not sure what the next hurdle to actually get it will be.