Medication Change

Today I saw my Rheumatologist.
Before I went in, she had been contemplating increasing my dose of Cosentyx, because the relief I have felt from the medication has been quite mild.

Then I came in.
Once she found out that a quick and simple dental cleaning - mixed with Cosentyx week - is what caused a severe throat swell prompting emergency intervention, the decision was made to stop Cosentyx. At this point, the risks outweigh the benefits.
She would like to try me on a different biologic again - one with a differing component within the medication. It's called Cimzia. Also, instead of the initial 'loading doses' we are going to take it much more slowly.
Usually, when beginning a new biologic, if the standard dose is once a month, the 'loading doses' would be maybe once a week for 6 weeks and then once a month after that. It is a way for the medication to build up within the system, and then be maintained with the once-a-month injections. We are going to skip this process.
What does that mean?
It means that it will take longer to work and offer relief, but it also helps us to see whether or not I will be intolerant to this medication without completely loading up my system - risking a catastrophic swelling episode.

So - no more Cosentyx.
Starting Cimzia (not before the wedding - that would be kinda dumb)
Getting the Cortisone injections into my SI joints.

Now I just have to decide if I want to try to squeeze in those Cortisone injections before the wedding or not...
... but without a biologic in my system to help improve pain, and without cortisone injections... that drive up there and trying to stand for the ceremony might be pretty difficult.

So I guess I have to decide if the benefits are worth the risks this close to the wedding day.

Aaahhhhh.

Complications like these are just part of the whole process. :)