The last hail Mary. Let's see if every 6 weeks does it.
Hi everyone.
Well today I saw my doctor after 4 months. I've been struggling or feeling only 75% better and can't get over the last hump. It was clear that Remicade was only lasting 4 weeks. Not 8.
He heard and fully listened to my concerns about just dropping something that's at least partially working at keeping me at least manageable. Especially when I'm notorious for having medication fail to suppress my symptoms enough to make me happy. Only Remicade has given me my life back. I don't want to just walk away without one last shot.
Yes, after looking at my blood work and fecal tests he agreed that I should really start a different medication as going to 4 weeks requires me to now try every 6 weeks first and that may not be enough. Then we'd have to cross fingers that 4 weeks is enough and I didn't outgrow it or I become unresponsive to it. I'm even going to start Prednisone tomorrow because my infusion 11 days ago isn't taking hold enough to stop the latest flare. I've rly had a horrible ride the past 5 weeks.
So, here is the game plan.
He put in the script for every 6 weeks of Remicade. It should go through and get approved. I'm not too worried about that. In 2 months I'll see him again and tell him how I'm doing. Maybe I'll even come in a week early and hand over a fecal test for good measure. If I'm good or at least improving I'll stay on Remicade.
But while we did talk about Skyrizi, I'm not going to argue if my Doctor wants to put me on Rinvoq if things don't look good. It's basically 3 years now and I just want to start healing.
I don't know if I even made any sense. But the morale of the story is advocate for yourself. Only the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You deserve to be in remission. You deserve to heal.
I know that my doctor is right. I know that it's time for a medication change. But Remicade has allowed me to go outside and eat in my favorite restaurants in the city. I'm walking a lot almost every day trying to exercise as a disabled cripple. I'm eating stupid healthy or extra easy to digest depending on if I'm flaring or not. But it's always the medication that's going to help you heal. And a doctor who respects you and your thoughts on what's the best direction for that healing to commence. I rly respect my current doctor. I didn't say that enough and I told him that today.
I just thought that my fellow poopers would like to know what happened today. Sending hugs and best wishes to all of you who read all of this nonsense