Is a long diagnosis common when initially being treated for Crohn's?

[GFSupport]

Hi all,My partner has been diagnosed with Crohn's about a year ago. It took until march after all of the tests for them to put him on a bi weekly dose of abrilada. In 5 months and no change they tested to see how he was metabolizing the drug and realized by week two it was no longer in his system. Since then he has been taking weekly injections and has his next follow up in a month after trying this for 4 months but is not feeling any change or relief. His next appointment is just a check in and not a colonoscopy.

Is this length of time and waiting on a new medication usual? Will it take 5 month at a time to determine if something is working for him?

Is this routine for the GI? I don't fine he provides any idea of what the plans are or what might need to happen or timelines and this has become increasingly frustrating for my partner.

Just looking for a common experience or if this makes sense for how he's being treated. Thanks!

[edwangy]

I've been seeing docs for over 3 tears now, passed from one gastro to surgeon then to pain clinic,another gastro, another surgeon etc each time going back to bottom of waiting list. I've had every medication you can think of, nothing works,so I'm still waiting for even more 'tests'. I think we're all just fobbed off so it looks like their waiting lists are reducing when in reality they fo nothing

[GFSupport in reply to edwangy]

I'm truly sorry for your experience. That you for sharing. This is all helpful to know!

[SoFedUp2023]

sadly yes it can take time to see if a med is working, but as you say it’s been nine months then I would think it’s time a different med be tried, I tried a few different meds before I found one that eased my symptoms, everyone is different and one med might work well for one person and not for another it’s a case of trial and error sadly to find the right med for your partner. Get your partner to contact the Gastrointestinal specialist to let them know you don’t think the meds are helping has still suffering hopefully more should be done. Hope your partner gets some relief soon.

[GFSupport in reply to SoFedUp2023]

Thank you for your experience! This is helpful to know and will definitely let my partner know!