So having come off Azathioprine (the Night of Itchiness), I still needed to go on another medication to keep the Ulcerative Colitis stable. You can’t stay on Ciclosporin forever, so although this worked for me, I needed something else.
There are a few options but my consultant decided to put me on a biologic called Adalimumab (which I think is also called Humira?! Feel free to correct me).
Adalimumab is a medication that you inject once every two weeks with an auto-injector (much like an epipen). It is a biologic medicine but if I am totally honest, I dont really know what that means, I’ll have to do some research and put it on the definitions part of my website.
When I changed over I continued with Ciclosporin for a time while the Adalimumab got into my system. It had to do at least 4 injections before they would consider taking me off the Ciclosporin which is about 8 weeks of Adalimumab. I was very nervous when I started as I was still having a few symptoms and I am always the unlucky one who gets every side effect going. When I was counselled on Adalimumab I was told that unless I had an anaphylactic reaction, there were very few side effects that I could have apart from ‘upper rhinitis’.
So far, (touch wood please everyone!) I have been all good on Adalimumab. No side effects, and my symptoms have continued to subside. I have started coming off the Ciclosporin now too which is kind of cool. Having taken twice daily medication of varying strengths since May, I am relieved to be medication free!
Now I have been told that you can build up a tolerance to Adalimumab and so this may not be a life-long medication and I will still have to make sure to monitor my symptoms but for now, it is certainly enough.
Adalimumab fits in well with my lifestyle as well. I work a job where I spend time in a lot of weeks away from home. Having to make sure I had the right medication was always a bit difficult. Add into this that you cant always predict when you will be staying away and it can all get a little bit stressful. So being able to inject once every two weeks (and currently on a day when I am always off work) is a massive relief, thats for sure.
So cross your fingers and touch wood that I have found the medication that works for me!