Humira .... Last Resort? Advice Please

Well i went for my fourth remicade infusion yesterday in high spirits, it had taken me into complete remission and i had almost forgotten that i had the dreaded disease. the past two years have a been a test of my resolve, and i thought id found the thing for me with remicade.But i had a sever reaction yesterday - my face neck and arms started swelling, shortness of breath, heart racing - and i was told i can no longer have the treatment.

So my last resort seems to be humira, my GI is attempting to get me on humira as soon as possible. I've been on asacol, azathioprine, colazol, high doses of pred and remicade, all which have not been successful.

I'd love to hear everyone's experience with humira, and the results they have had with it. I'm grateful for the break the remicade gave me from the pain that i was in, but now i've acheived remission i dnt want it to be a brief thing.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Matt

You also have the option of Cimzia. It is also a TNF blocker, like Remicade. Some people say you "must" fail Humira before "they'll" approve your for Cimzia, but I'm sure if you pushed hard enough you would have that it as an option as well. I know of at least 2 other people who found ways to "skip" the Humira, so it has to be possible.

I, personally, am a ninny and could not handle giving myself the Humira shots. When I didn't notice results, and actually got worse after starting the Humira, I freaked and stopped it. I just reached one of those "breaking points" I guess. Remicade never freaked me out, but for some reason I just could not handle the Humira.

I have since started Cimzia. I like that the nurse comes to my house to give me the shots and I am not "responsible" for them, nor is my poor hubby. I'm not sure if it's working yet, as I am still on the 'roids, but I will know soon. So far the only negative side effect was very like Remicade in that I was very tired for a few days after my loading doses...

Good luck with your decision...

I had the same reaction to Remicade, too, and have been on Humira for over 2 years. Within 3 weeks, I was normal again and eating. Flare free since.

I'm one who is scared to death of shots but this is really not a big deal.