Posts In: Teens & Young Adults

Simply put, there are four conditions that should be met for transfer of care. It is ideal to transfer when you, your parents, the disease, and the doctors are all ready. You should be ready to speak for yourself and take responsibility for your health before transferring. It is important…

Transition is a process and takes place over a period of time. During this period, you will be put in contact with new, adult-care physicians. This does not mean that you cannot contact your pediatric care provider if you have questions or if something goes wrong. Until your first appointment…

No, as of right now, there is no cure. Some individuals with ulcerative colitis may be considered “cured” if they have their colon surgically removed, however patients who have undergone a colectomy either have an internal pouch (IPAA) or have an ileostomy bag. Most people with IBD are on some…

Transition from pediatrics means you are growing up and as a result becoming responsible for your own health. It is very important that you know everything going on with your body so that you can make appropriate and informed decisions about your health to make your own quality of life…

Taking prescribed medication and eating a proper, healthy diet that works for you are both very important. Remember that if you feel well, that doesn’t mean you should stop taking your medications and that no one diet works for everyone with IBD, so it is important to know your triggers…

Speak with your Gastroenterologist/IBD Specialist for instruction and advice on proper treatment and care. There are many treatments for IBD because every case is different. Find out what is right for you.

Infliximab REMICADE® WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? Once your treatment has started you will continue to need regular checks and may need additional blood tests. This can help to make sure that any complications are prevented or caught at an early stage. It is also…

Methotrexate WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? You will need to have regular blood counts and liver tests while you are on methotrexate to check that the treatment is not affecting your blood or liver. A typical approach may be to have blood tests every 1-2…

Ustekinumab STELARA® WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? Once your treatment has started you will continue to need regular checks and may need additional blood tests, and useful stool tests such as Fecal calprotectin. This can help monitor if the medication is working,…

Azathioprine and Mercaptopurine WILL I HAVE ONGOING CHECKS WHILE I AM ON IT? You should have regular blood tests for the whole time you are taking azathioprine or mercaptopurine. You will need full blood count (FBC), and liver function tests (LFT), measuring levels of liver enzymes. Both tests…