Background:
I have been diagnosed with UC in June of 2010 during a business trip to India. I had a great experience there and was treated in a very good hospital to stabilize me enough to fly back to the states. Since then I just had another bad 4 week flare up, in conjunction with enteropathic arthritis, which pretty much immobilized me for the entire time.
Medications:
In order to get the ulcerative colitis and arthrithis under control, I am taking 4.8g of Lialda per day. I used to take 40mg of Prednisone, but it lost its effectiveness after 6 months and my Rheumatologist switched me to 32mg of Medrol per day. In order to fight the Arthrithis I am currently taking 1000mg of Limbrel which makes a huge difference on my pain level. Over the last 5 days my flare up seem to slow doen and I have 4-6 hour windows in between movements.
Current Situation:
As this is the second outbreak within 6 months and the arthritis problems never go completely away, my Rheumatologist recommended to go on Humira, which was approved by the insurance yesterday and I will start my treatment today, hoping that I can start my normal life again. I will keep everybody posted on the impact this drug will have.
***UPDATE FROM December 23rd Below ***
Adam, feel free to add these comments to my initial post.
Update December 29th, News Gets Even Better:
Just wanted to send you a quick update for my blog.
Had some very good days with movements stretching out from 4-5 hours to a 9 hour stretch today. I am still taking 4.8g of Lialda and 3.2nd of Medrol, but only have very little blood if any at all. The arthritis is almost completely gone and I have started to build up some of the lost muscle mass by starting some light workout exercises.
Regarding my diet I am eating steak and potatoes for dinner, had some chopped sirloin with mashed potatoes for lunch and normally have some bagels with honey and peppermint tea.
Other days I have pasta, chicken and rice. I also eat Activia yoghurt, home made jello and Danish butter cookies. It seems that the hardier I eat the better my movements get.
I have my next 2 shots of Humira due next Tuesday and really know that it made already all the difference for my arthritis. Still have some issues sleeping all through the night, as I seem to het up every 3-4 hours, but now I can do it at least painless.
I’ve had all the symptoms described in all of your stories, 20-30 movements a day, no appetite, weight loss, bloody stool, arthritis, and so on