Thanks! I ended up getting Stelara as my GI kind of pushed me in that
direction I think only because as she said having to inject it once
every 2 months was better than once every 2 weeks for Humira.
It does seem to be working now after my 3rd dose. First dose was an
infusion which took about 1 hour to get it all in. The 2nd and 3rd doses
I did at home with self injection needle. I studied acupuncture a long
time ago so I had no problem jabbing myself. They have a specially
designed needle that has a sleeve that automatically slides down over
the needle after you are done pushing the plunger on the syringe. I
somehow didn't get all of the medication into my body when I was
pressing the plunger, I think due to my tissue compressing. When I
removed the needle about 5 or 6 small drops shot out. That was probably
about $300 worth since it cost me $3,600 for that 1 shot. The next shot
was only $1,300 as I went right through the donut hole from the 1st one.
Anyway it does seem to be working now but I don't know how long I will
take it due to the massive cost of it. If I get my diet under control I
think I can manage the symptoms better. I had the worst flare ever this
January and went on Prednisone for a couple months then got on the
Stelara after that. I also took some Asacol, Cipro, and lots of Imodium
during that time. Also I've been taking Vicodin for many years for a hip
problem, bad hip replacement left me with lingering pain. But strangely
enough the Vicodin has some beneficial effects on my colitis. It tends
to move the needle between constipation and diarrhea more towards
constipation which is a good thing, and also cuts down on the feeling of
needing to go! That is one of the worst parts of UC for me is the
feeling you may need a bathroom. It has prevented me from doing many
things. Even just a 15 min trip to the store, let alone going out for
dinner or a movie. It's had a severe impact on my social activities. But
I feel things are changing now and I'm starting to get out more. In
spite of turning 70 last month. Haha!
Hope you are well. I wonder how the old gang here is. It's been so long
since I posted here. Back in around 2003 in my early days of having UC i
was here a lot. Boy we used to have some pretty lively flame wars back
then. I do hope everyone has found therapies that work for them.