Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

My recollection is it took around 2-3 months for it to reduce inflammation.  In my case, the 8 week intervals for injections were too long based on the level of drug in my system for therapeutic benefit by the end of the 8 week period. My GI is making effort to get insurance approval for six week injection intervals.  I am unaware of any significant side effects from Stelara.  I did notice a reduction with energy level but nothing dramatic.

Hello fellow J-Pouchers.   I am 70 years old.  I had chronic UC since the age of 19, and bowel cancer at the age of 49.  My final pouch surgery was in March 2005 and I developed pouchitis almost immediately.  Cipro and flagyl worked well for me but I was taken off them because of side effects (nerve damage).  I started Stelara last fall and have had three injections at  8-week intervals, with some success.  Frequency of bowel movements has dropped from an average of 11 daily to 8.5 daily, which is significant to me believe it or not.  My recent scope showed 40% improvement in the pouch in terms of the inflamed area but the disease is still active.  I just had a call from my gastroenterologist who wants to move me to 4-week intervals immediately.  The only side effects I have noticed are lower back pain and headaches but neither is constant. 

I've had 3 doses of Stelara so far and have had a mild headaches as the only side  effect and no obvious change in symptoms. My scope, however, showed 40% improvement . (I have Cohns disease now x 3 years plus the pouchitis off and on for 20 years, UC for another 20 before that)

I'd like to get off Stelara before getting a COVID vaccine, but my GI plans on doing blood levels before the next dose and possibly decreasing the interval between doses. I've read that  it usually works in the first 6 weeks, but occasionally it can be many months. Even though I have no significant side effects I hate the idea of being 'immune compromised'. I'm always looking for success stories...

My doc says the COVID vaccine will only be 20-40% effective if you get it while on a biologic. I have no idea where he got that number, maybe its the effectiveness of any vaccine. So I am not worried about getting the vaccine, just that it won't protect me as well as if I got  it when not on any meds . Gary, your Stelera schedule looks similar to mine- I just started in November, have had the initial infusion and now 2 injections, 40% improvement, possibly going to every 4 week dosing. I'm also in Ontario,( Thunder Bay), just curious as to where you are getting treated?

Add Reply

Post
Copyright © 2019 The J-Pouch Group. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×