Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Remicade vs Entyvio... and should I get a second opinion?


Wed, April 10, 2019 8:10 AM

Hello everyone,
 
I made my account this morning with the intent of starting the discussion Remicade vs Entyvio.
Let me start with my story, I was diagnosed with Chron’s in 2015, while still in college.
My first GI had me on a bunch of different drugs to try and find out which would help my symptoms…

  1. few Colitis medicines (don’t remember the names) when we thought I had Colitis
  2. Imuran for about a month while we waited for my insurance to approve Humira
  3. Humira but I only had one dose before they decided I needed a resection.
 
Since then, I graduated college, moved to a new state, started a full time job, had a few flares, and I’m not taking any medications for my Chron’s.
My new doctor is worried because I had “penetrating Chron’s” in 2015 and my recent colonoscopy showed a few spots of erosion.
He wants me on Remicade or Entyvio….I’m terrified.
 
I’ve been doing so well and this is the first colonoscopy (1 out of 3) since my surgery that has shown any sign of the disease.I want to say no to the treatment but that seems silly because I definitely DO NOT want to put myself back in the hospital.
BUT the idea of transfusions every 8 weeks makes me very uncomfortable and upset.

Oh! Did I mention that my GI told me Humira isn’t an option because I took it in the past (once)?He said I might have developed an immunity… which seems crazy but I want to trust my doctor.
Should I get a second opinion or just pick a treatment?
 
All the advice and opinions are much appreciated!
I don’t know many people with Chron’s and it’s hard making this big of a decision alone.

Thank you :)

FPO ashleyly
Joined Apr 10, 2019

Sun, May 19, 2019 1:14 PM

Reply posted for ashleyly.

I have taken Remicade in the past for Crohn’s. I was on it for over a year or so but couldn’t sustain the eight weeks between infusions and eventually switched to Humira. I was on Humira for seven years before I developed antibodies to the medicine. Humira worked great for many years. There is a blood test done by Prometheus that can check if you have antibodies in your system. That’s why I was taken off of Humira. I’ve only been on Entyvio a couple months and it’s too soon to know if the drug is effective. Entyvio infusions only take half an hour while I remember Renicade infusions taking much longer. It’s been eight years since Remicade so that could’ve changed though. Hope this information helps!

FPO Megster1411
Joined May 19, 2019

Related Topics

Treatment options decisio...
Author Image Bmineard1
Joined Nov 6, 2020

My son was diagnosed with crohns at 10yrs old, due....

read more

Biologics and scarring
Author Image chelsea95
Joined Sep 26, 2020

Hi there. Wondering if anyone has noticed somethin....

read more

insurance coverage
Author Image jan11
Joined Jan 16, 2022

Can anybody comment on how their medigap plan cove....

read more