I have had Crohn's disease for a little over 4 years. I may have had it for much longer but I was misdiagnosed for many years. I have been hospitalized 4 times in the last 2 years. The first time was for a fistula. I began Remicade and never felt better.
Unfortunately, Remicade is losing its futility. I have been hospitalized twice in 3 months. I am in the hospital right now as I am posting this. Both of my hospitalizations have been for inflammation. After numerous flares, I have strictures in my ileum and any bit of inflammation is causing a back up and inflammation into my small intestine.
My GI wants to put me back on steroids and switch me from Remicade to Cimzia. While I appreciate his desire to keep me from surgery, I am at my wits end. I am a law student and I am missing school. I started a paying job 2 weeks ago and I have missed 2 days of work when they needed me most.
Leading up to both of these hospitalizations, I have felt tired and had difficulty concentrating so I am falling behind in school. My personal relationships suffer, I don't know why my fiance is with me some days.
I know a surgery would probably keep me symptom free for a long time, or at least that is my hope. I am on crappy insurance so all of this medicine and hospital stays have put me in a lot of debt, law school aside. Haha.
Has anyone ever demanded surgery? Tried Cimzia?
Unfortunately, Remicade is losing its futility. I have been hospitalized twice in 3 months. I am in the hospital right now as I am posting this. Both of my hospitalizations have been for inflammation. After numerous flares, I have strictures in my ileum and any bit of inflammation is causing a back up and inflammation into my small intestine.
My GI wants to put me back on steroids and switch me from Remicade to Cimzia. While I appreciate his desire to keep me from surgery, I am at my wits end. I am a law student and I am missing school. I started a paying job 2 weeks ago and I have missed 2 days of work when they needed me most.
Leading up to both of these hospitalizations, I have felt tired and had difficulty concentrating so I am falling behind in school. My personal relationships suffer, I don't know why my fiance is with me some days.
I know a surgery would probably keep me symptom free for a long time, or at least that is my hope. I am on crappy insurance so all of this medicine and hospital stays have put me in a lot of debt, law school aside. Haha.
Has anyone ever demanded surgery? Tried Cimzia?