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Posted 4/7/2008 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
On my last visit to the GI he was telling me that Humira was in the process of getting approved by our medical system.

I would like some quick info on Humira.  I heard it's similar to remicade but never really checked into it.  I didn't do well on remicade so wonder if I should be taking Humira?

How is Humira administered, is it through IV like remicade was?  How does one take humira? 

Did Humira help you? 

Posted 4/7/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Dorri - I have been on Hunira for almost a year.  It is administered through a shot - either a pen or a regular needle syringe into your thigh or stomach.  I use the pen because I think it is easier but others say the syringe hurts less.  You administer the shots yourself every two weeks (sometimes more frequently if needed).  The medicine itself burns when it goes in but it is all over in a matter of seconds.  I have found that it has improved my problems almost completely.  I would say I am about 70-80% healed, I wish I could figure out what I need to do to be 100% in remission.  It is very much like Remicade in that they are both TNF blockers.  MB

Posted 4/7/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I've had a similar exp with the previous poster. I've been on it a year now, I much prefer syringes over the pen but have tried both now. I give it every 2 weeks unless I'm getting more symptoms and he has me do an extra one.

I was symptom free within a week - which is saying a lot since I was not eating anything by the time we moved to Humira.

I reacted to Remicade but have not had any reactions, not even site reactions, to Humira.
Posted 4/7/2008 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
humira caused me problems

Post Edited By Moderator (Ides) : 4/7/2008 5:26:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/7/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)

Lauren21 said...

[removed by moderator, Ides]

While I'm sure your exp was traumatic, I don't think it's fair to tell everyone to avoid something your body reacted to. Everyone is different; if I avoided anything that someone else reacted to, I'd be dead today. The reality is that we all have to take chances in order to save ourselves from this darn disease. I reacted from Remicade - I was terrified from my exp - but I tell everyone that it's worth a shot, and it did work for me for awhile.


As with all medications, one must research the effects and consult their doctor and make the best decision for their body. Humira kept me from surgery. Humira kept me from further hospitalization. Humira gave me my life back. Allowed me to eat again, get close to my husband again, return to work, and be happy.

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 4/8/2008 2:56:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/8/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Well I was on Remicade for about 4 years. The last three months I became very ill. After several trips to Urgent Care and Hospital they put me on Humira. I took my first injection on the weekend, and I think I'm starting to feel a tad better. Definiately no side effects. For me it's about quality of life. I have a wonderful husband of 24 years and a 16 and 18 year that I cherish. I would do anything to be healthy and enjoy these years so Humira was a no brainer for me. I hope my experience helps you in whatever decision you decide to make. Because ultimately it's up to each of us to decide our treatment. Good luck and best wishes. Janice Oregon
Posted 4/8/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dorri,

I am on the same boat as you. I am about to start Humira and am pretty anxious about the results. Keep me posted on how you are doing on it.

Posted 4/8/2008 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Humira since Jan 20 of this year. I started taking steroids again just about a month ago, as Humira hadn't done anything for me up til that point. I'm down to 20 mg of Prednisone now, and I'm thinking the Humira must be doing *something*; the last time I tapered down to 20 mg of pred my CD symptoms came back with a vengeance, but I'm currently maintaining almost complete remission on 20 mg of pred. I also started taking Imuran (well, Azasan. Same thing) on Feb 20, but I think it's too early to give it any credit for helping the steroids.

When I took my "loading dose" of Humira, I did have a few flu symptoms and pretty yucky fatigue. Gradually the side effects have stopped. After my latest shot, which was a week ago, I only got a headache for a couple days. No fatigue, thank heavans. The fatigue I got as a Humira side effect was completely debilitating. I could hardly get out of bed for four days.

The doc has a steroid taper planned for me after I've been on the Imuran for three months. At that time, we're hoping that the Humira and Imuran will do the work of the steroids.

There have been alot of people say that Humira worked for them in as little as a week. The Humira web site says "as little as four weeks". And there's also been alot of people that said it took three months for Humira to help. So don't get discouraged if it doesn't work right away. :)

Posted 4/8/2008 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. CrohnsDaddy. The plan for me is to also be on the Humira and Imuran so I can completely get off of the Prednisone. Only time will tell. Good luck with your new medicinal regime.

Posted 4/8/2008 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. It seems to have helped many of you. I have an appt soon so I'll take it from there. Thanks again.

I like the idea of administering the med myself, which I take means in the privacy of my own home, right?
Posted 4/8/2008 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you will administer your shots right in your own home. My doc had me do the loading dose (4 shots) in his office in case there was a reaction and the next dose (2 shots) in his office. I had no flu symptoms or fatigue after the loading dose. I drove myself to the office and drove afterwards, ran errands like usual and carried on as usual when I got home. I hope you have success with it. MB
Posted 4/8/2008 12:30 PM (GMT 0)

Humira has done wonders for me!!! Before,my scopes showed MAJOR inflammation,my repeat scope,three months after Humira,showed NO inflammation. My advice is,if you start Humira,ice the injection site 30 minutes prior,and leave the med at room temp for 30 minutes,it makes all the differance in the world for me!!

Good luck :-)

Posted 4/8/2008 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just warning people of what could happen.

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 4/8/2008 2:56:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/8/2008 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
((((Lauren)))),
I am so sorry this has happened. I hope you are ok now. I hope they can find you something that doesn't hurt you to take and helps with your symptoms.
Navy
Posted 4/8/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Humira Vs. Remicade..

No one seemed to touch on it yet (unless I missed it..Very possible) so I figured I would..

I'm qualifying this with this statement first..I know everyone reacts differently to different medications..

But..The majority of the problems with Remicade arise from the fact that part of the manufacturing process includes mouse DNA proteins. Some people don't have a problem with it and it works very well for them. In my particular case, I was on Remicade for 3 years (abouts) and it worked absolutely wonderful. Was in clinical remission for almost 2 years. The last year it's effectiveness started to wear off. My body was building up an immunity to the animal protein strains.
A year or so after I was moved to Humira and have had fairly good success. I'm not in clinical remission, but my incidents are way down. Humira is almost completely synthetically manufactured so there are fewer protein structures for the human body to react to.

I hope that helps you out. If you awnt more detailed information, please feel free to contact me.

Good luck!!!
Posted 4/8/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Humira since my stricturplasty surgery back in 05 as maintanance therapy along with Pentasa. It helps with my psoriasis as well. So far so good. I take my own injections every other week. Should you go on it I hope you have great results too. Good Luck!!!
Posted 4/8/2008 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I has 2 really bad reactions to Remicade so I now take Humira every week. I am Latex allergic so I get more than the typical skin reaction but I take medication to counteract that. Otherwise it is Gos send for me. I only have to go off of it if I am sick or develop MRSA somewhere in my body and have a PICC Line placed. Good Luck.

Jill
Posted 4/8/2008 11:46 PM (GMT 0)

TheDocFox said...
Humira Vs. Remicade..

No one seemed to touch on it yet (unless I missed it..Very possible) so I figured I would..

I'm qualifying this with this statement first..I know everyone reacts differently to different medications..

But..The majority of the problems with Remicade arise from the fact that part of the manufacturing process includes mouse DNA proteins. Some people don't have a problem with it and it works very well for them. In my particular case, I was on Remicade for 3 years (abouts) and it worked absolutely wonderful. Was in clinical remission for almost 2 years. The last year it's effectiveness started to wear off. My body was building up an immunity to the animal protein strains.
A year or so after I was moved to Humira and have had fairly good success. I'm not in clinical remission, but my incidents are way down. Humira is almost completely synthetically manufactured so there are fewer protein structures for the human body to react to.

I hope that helps you out. If you awnt more detailed information, please feel free to contact me.

Good luck!!!

i am with you, it's my understanding that the immune system is much more likely to develop antibodies to Remicade than to Humira.... i think a lot of people seem to believe that Humira is more dangerous than Remicade, however, i am of the opposite school of thought.....
Posted 4/9/2008 1:46 PM (GMT 0)

Glad Bag said...

TheDocFox said...
Humira Vs. Remicade..

No one seemed to touch on it yet (unless I missed it..Very possible) so I figured I would..

I'm qualifying this with this statement first..I know everyone reacts differently to different medications..

But..The majority of the problems with Remicade arise from the fact that part of the manufacturing process includes mouse DNA proteins. Some people don't have a problem with it and it works very well for them. In my particular case, I was on Remicade for 3 years (abouts) and it worked absolutely wonderful. Was in clinical remission for almost 2 years. The last year it's effectiveness started to wear off. My body was building up an immunity to the animal protein strains.
A year or so after I was moved to Humira and have had fairly good success. I'm not in clinical remission, but my incidents are way down. Humira is almost completely synthetically manufactured so there are fewer protein structures for the human body to react to.

I hope that helps you out. If you awnt more detailed information, please feel free to contact me.

Good luck!!!

i am with you, it's my understanding that the immune system is much more likely to develop antibodies to Remicade than to Humira.... i think a lot of people seem to believe that Humira is more dangerous than Remicade, however, i am of the opposite school of thought.....

Glad Bag - I agree with you. Both are dangerous. All medications are. Whether or not something is dangerous for you (or anyone for that matter) depends on whether or not the beneifits outweigh the risks...

I just hope it works out for you...
Posted 4/9/2008 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I do not believe the God that has empowered us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. -- Bonus points if you can guess who said it.

-------
well docfox:

I don't get any bonus points, I made a guess, and then looked up the quote. It makes more sense coming from him then the person i suspected, which was incorrectly Einstein....

I hate getting those type of questions wrong, has anyone else correctly guessed who the above quote is attributed to?
Posted 4/9/2008 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Was it Leonardo Da'Vinci?
Posted 4/9/2008 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
you are closer in history than I was, and the speaker also had a religious connection
Posted 4/10/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Pope John Paul, but I bet I'm way off, it just sounds like him...
Posted 4/10/2008 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I am more comfortable being on Humira than I was on Remicade. Not sure why, I think there are less side effects for me to worry about.. I like the idea of an injection even multiple rather than an infusion. I took my loading dose on Saturday and had no reaction. With Remicade I always had Benedryl beforehand. Also, it's much cheaper. Someone is gettin rich off of us, Humira seems to make me think that someone is making less than on Remicade. How could one does cost 13 thousand dollars! Insane!!!! I hope it works, time will tell. Wishing you health!
Posted 4/10/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
the reason it costs so much is research and development costs, and moreso, marketing costs.....have you noticed the TV ads for Humira as a treatment for Arthritis? those aren't cheap....

If I recall correctly, one study found that the pharmacuetical company that makes the sleeping med (can't remember the name) spent $250 million on advertising and had a total of $500 million in sales....sounds like they are spending quite a bit pushing people to "ask your doctor if xxxx is right for you....."

shouldn't our doctors know without us having to see a commercial and ask them....i find the whole deal to be a crock of you know what......


anyone gonna guess again who said the quote Dcofox has on his signature line?
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