If you have IBD and you’ve previously been on a biologic, you’ve probably heard the term “biosimilar” before. But what does it actually mean? Is it the same thing as a biologic? Researching these concepts online can seem complicated with all the medical jargon that websites tend to use, so here is everything you needContinue reading “A Simple Guide to Biosimilars.”
Tag Archives: Treatment
The Crisis in Hospital Cancellations: How to Cope with Being Let Down.
My experiences On Friday I was scheduled to have a life-changing operation for which I had been waiting for months. Since March 2018, I’ve had by far the worst flare up I’ve ever experienced and several months ago I officially ran out of treatments. With my list of complications quickly growing and my physical stateContinue reading “The Crisis in Hospital Cancellations: How to Cope with Being Let Down.”
Before Stoma Surgery: What to Expect.
Seeing as my ileostomy surgery will take place in less than a week now (yikes!), I have been undergoing all the necessary pre-surgery tasks. The weeks leading up to surgery, particularly one as major as stoma surgery, can be daunting, so I have documented the process so people can see exactly what to expect andContinue reading “Before Stoma Surgery: What to Expect.”
Trauma, Recovery and The End of The Treatment Road.
After fistula surgery That week I spent in hospital after my second fistula surgery was awful. Really awful. I had never stayed solely on a surgical ward before and it honestly felt like a bit of a looney bin. I mean, I can’t blame the other women, being cooped up in a room with no windowsContinue reading “Trauma, Recovery and The End of The Treatment Road.”
Ustekinumab, Anaemia and More Surgery.
Ustekinumab After my nightmare stay in hospital, I was finally feeling hopeful that Ustekinumab may be the drug I’d been looking for. Nothing is ever quick however, so I spent the first few weeks back at home just getting by, waiting for the day that I would wake up and feel something other than terrible.Continue reading “Ustekinumab, Anaemia and More Surgery.”
Surgery, Anaphylaxis and Ustekinumab.
Being admitted I was admitted to hospital on March 15th, 2019 for my first ever surgery. Even the journey to the hospital was a nightmare. I felt like I’d reached an all-time low with my internal symptoms, and my extra-intestinal symptoms had also reached rock bottom. The erythema nodosum which I had suffered from soContinue reading “Surgery, Anaphylaxis and Ustekinumab.”
Clinical Trials, Abscesses and Fistulas.
Clinical trial enrolment In late December 2018, I began the process of entering a clinical trial for a new biologic called Risankizumab. The first thing anyone looking to enrol in a trial will likely have to do is a “washout period”, basically where you stop taking all other treatments for about 6-8 weeks to ensureContinue reading “Clinical Trials, Abscesses and Fistulas.”
Coming and Going, Adalimumab, Methotrexate and Yet Another Liquid Diet.
Going back to university When I finally returned to university in the autumn of 2018, I was so excited to be back. Although most of my friends from first year and my old flatmates had moved off campus, as a “disabled” student I was entitled to remain in a dorm. This meant that I would be livingContinue reading “Coming and Going, Adalimumab, Methotrexate and Yet Another Liquid Diet.”
More Steroids, Another Liquid Diet and Adalimumab.
Steroids So, by Easter 2018 it was clear that my journey with infliximab was over and my doctors decided that whilst they figured out the next step, I should go back on steroids. I started on a lower dose than I had previously taken, but this had next to no effect and my symptoms wereContinue reading “More Steroids, Another Liquid Diet and Adalimumab.”
Infliximab, Antibodies and Mercaptopurine.
Infliximab Since my first signs of a flare in May 2013, my Crohn’s hadn’t been under control. It was now the 21st April 2014, and after struggling for over a year on steroids and antibiotics with little success, I was admitted to hospital again for investigations. It was supposed to be just the usual abdominalContinue reading “Infliximab, Antibodies and Mercaptopurine.”
Me and My Crohn's 