Strange humira side effect, anyone else?

Hi all,

I love my humira and it really is helping me, but the side effects are really painful, itchy and uncomfortable.  I inject every week.  the day after my injection I get a welt that is red and hard as plastic, about 6 inches across my lower belly on the injection site.  its also about 4 inches up and down, so basically my whole left quadrant is red and inflamed.  It also sticks out an inch from my body on that side and my pants fit tight over it to hold it in.  its very itchy and reminds me of a gigantic mosquito bite.  It also burns inthe shower if water hits it (weird right)  any one else getting this?  It goes away in a few days but with every injection the welt gets larger and more annoying.  Beleive me, its better than CD so I'm not complaining but if I can do something about it I would...any advice?

Thanks!!

I saw my doc last week about it, but the lump had gone down (the appt was right before my next shot was due) so she really didnt get to see it in its full glory. I also told her my other symptoms, since I'm on the Humira study, which include a headache 3 days after the injectins and sometimes a rash on my chest. Overall, the general feeling from the doctors was if I could handle it they were okay with me continuing with the study, or if I wanted I could stop taking it and try something else. I can handle it I think since it seems to be working...I wonder though is anyone else having this and maybe taking something seperate for the side effects?

I'd still take this over a flare... but I would love to be comfortable for once. A girl can dream...

Hi GladBag,

I assumed it was the Humira because I never had headaches every Saturday before I started taking it in January. Now my headaches are like clockwork. I just take excedrin (I know, not really supposed to) and it goes away. Not a big deal to me but they study nurrse likes to know everything, even if I dont think its related.

It feels like a sinus headache, but I never had allergies before. The seasons are changing though, maybe its a cooincidence and I just got my first taste of seasonal allergies...but even then, I think the timeing would be less exact...

Thanks for the replies!!

Hey Pampers...

I get the EXACT same thing after my injection. I do my shot every 2 weeks. The first 6 mos. I didn't have a reaction at all. I mean, at the site of inj. as for the Humira, it has helped me tremendously! But yes, now I get a big giant (size of my hand) lump, red, hard, itchy. Just last week I bought some benadryl cream and used that on it a few times a day. It did seem to help quite a bit. My "rash" only lasted about 1 1/2 days compared to like 3 or 4. You might give it a try. I haven't tried a benadryl tablet yet but I'm sure that would help too. Best of luck to you. I know how uncomfortable it is. Drives you crazy but as you said it's better than the CD, I feel lots better than I did without it. I find myself dreading my shot, hopefully I can remain on the 2 week schedule.

If you have a digital camera, take a picture of your site reaction. Then print it out and show it to your doctor. Sometimes it is hard to tell the size of something in a picture, so you might want to hold a rule or tape measure next to your welt when you take the picture.

I have a Latex allergy and I have the same type of reaction.  I take Hydroxine 25mg. about an hour before and it seems to help as Benadryl does nothing for me anymore.  Good Luck.

Jill

POOIE:
Humira under medicare prescription drug plans is a specialty drug and there fore must be pre-approved before they will pay. During the first stage you pay 25% which is just around $375.00 then during second stage you pay 100%, once your through the gap you pay 5% or $70.00 for two injections. without insurance the cash price is over $1700.00 for two injections.

PAMPERS:
Do you only inject into your Tummy? Have you tried your thigh or do you get the same reaction there. I am just thinking it might be more comfy for you to have the reaction on your thigh instead of your tummy where your pants ride to irritate it even more. Just curious.
Hope your doing better soon!!

I agree with Lynn, try your thigh instead. I was having an irratation also when I did it in my stomach because of my pants rubbing against it and it seemed no matter where I did my shot that was wher my waistband was the next day. I originally thought the thigh hurt more when injected but now I like it better.

Thanks everyone!!! I am so glad to hear its not just me - not that I want anyone else to go through this...I'm just happy its a somewhat normal reaction. I will do what you all suggest, try my leg, Ice it some first, and take pics of the reaction for the doctor if it continues.

I took my last shot Wednesday and today the area is almost back to normal...the redness is gone and the area feels like skin again instead of plastic. Its still a bit puffy and there are cuts on my belly from all the scratching. In two days I inject and start the cycle over - I'll update you all on how the leg injection goes.

But still I choose Humira over CD so I'm glad there are things I can try to help with the reaction and stay on the med!!!

Thank you everyone!!!