Posted 11/11/2011 8:59 PM (GMT -5)
I hope everyone is doing well. I have a GI who I love but am currently have a difference of opinion with. I am on Humira (one shot every two weeks) and am tapering off prednisone. I started the taper a few weeks ago but when I got to 10 mgs, my symptoms started coming back. I upped the dose and started tapering again, but I believe the symptoms are coming back again (I'm at 7.5 mgs). I would like to start taking Humira once a week, at least until I am finished with my taper, but my doctor is not on board. He says he's not comfortable with the idea. I think his hesitation might be related to his relative inexperience dealing with Humira (I beleive I am his only patient on it0, as it seems like many people take weekly doses. Also, I contracted a parasite and got quite sick this summer on vacation, most likely because of my weakened immune system. I understand his concern about my immune system, but I was in Alaska and drank spring water, so I view the parasite as a fluke--trust me, I learned my lesson and won't be doing anything like that again!
Does anyone have any ideas how I might convince him to let me give it a shot? I know from reading the boards that some people take it more than once a week, but I can't find any studies (which I think might help convince my doc), etc. that indicate that weekly dosage is okay.
I have almost exhausted my medical options, but I am just not quite ready to go the surgery route (which is what my GI thinks is the best thing to do). I would really appreciate any suggestions you might have. I don't want to have to find a new GI because otherwise he has been great and I have been seeing him for a long time.
As always, thanks for your help,
Bridget