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Panic attacks on Humira

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Posted 2/4/2010 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I started my Humira shots Tuesday, and had a horrible panic attack about two hours after...and I've had one every day since.

I've had panic attacks before- but never to this severity or so frequently.
It's really scaring me...and I know that makes it worse, but I can't seem to help it.

Anyone else experience new or more panic attacks after starting biologicals?
Posted 2/4/2010 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Could it possibly be your just really anxious about the Humira itself? I suffer with anxiety too, but mine is just from all the crap of living with Crohns for 35 years.
Posted 2/4/2010 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have been a member here for 7 years. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning having an increase in the number or frequecy of panic attacks when starting a biologic. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened. As you know stress can participate a panic attack in some people . As I wrote yestrday, my daughter has a real fear of injections and needles and will do most anything to avoid getting one or having her blood drawn. Do you think it is the injections causing you to stress? Or do you some misgivings about taking Humira because of the warnings associated with the medication?

We have a Anxiety/Panic Forum here at Healing Well. Perhaps you might relate your experience to that forum and see if anyone can help. Also, do you have medication for your panic attacks? If not, you might want to contact your doctor and explain what is happening.

I know how frightfening a panic attack can be. I think it is important that you get into see your doctor before your next injection is due.
Posted 2/5/2010 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Wow! Thanks for your posting....I have felt so alone and like I'm going crazy the last couple of weeks....

I have been on Humira for over 3 years. Three weeks ago, I had my injections and six hours later I began having heart palpatations and a very high resting heart rate. The next day went to my primary doctor and had an EKG. She sent me to a Cardiologist just to make sure that this wasn't some type of reaction to the Humira. I had an echocardiogram and stress treadmill test. My overall heart function was fine. The doctors all feel that this was attributed to an anxiety attack, not caused by Humira. Over the past three weeks my symptoms are still present, sometimes worse than other times. I missed my Humira last week...I was just to afraid to take it. I am trying some relaxing cd's, but I am still struggling.

Even though I am not thrilled about taking Humira, I feel like I am an old pro since I have been on it so long. So I can't really say that I "worked" myself up prior to taking it. I do have some other stress happening in my life right now (who doesn't??). So I am hopeful that this anxiety challenge has nothing to do with Humira, because I have no choice but to be brave and have my injections this weekend...I am begining to flare up.

Take good care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon! :)

Posted 2/5/2010 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Oh...also forgot to mention, my vertigo has kicked in too!
Posted 2/5/2010 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
It's very likely that it's all just stress in my life right now, and the humira was just the last thing to tip me over the edge.
It was just found that I have some kind of cyst on my brain that is growing, and my mother was just told she has breast cancer...add this all on top of having this DD, moving back home from Chicago within the last month and having to stop going to college for this semester.
*big sigh* Thank you all for responding to my post. It helps to know that I'm not crazy, and that this probably won't happen every time I get the shots.
Posted 2/18/2011 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Humira since the beginning of December 2010 and I have a panic disorder as well.  After I would take a shot, I would have severe panic for 1 to 2 days.  I called Abbott, talked to my dermatologist (because I take it for psoriasis), and a NP friend who prescribes Humira for Crohns,a nd also my psychiatrist, and they all said that it wasn't causing my panic but that I was.   So I continued taking it and my last shot was last Wednesday, and I have been having such bad anxiety, panic and crying since I took it.  It has never lasted this long.  I think (as well as my psychiatrist now) that Humira may have something to do with it because there has not been that much studies done especially with individuals with panic/anxiety disorders.  I really hate going through this and I hope it ends soon.  I've dealt with it for so long that I can usually control it.  I am scared that humira did something neurologically to me that has increased this stupid panic.   So I am never taking another shot again because I do believe strongly that it is the humira.  WE know ourselves more than anyone and know our tolerability. I just hope this does not last much longer:(
Posted 2/18/2011 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I started taking Humira a few weeks ago and just did my 2nd loading dose of 2 shots on Tuesday. Wednesday I woke up and my chest felt heavy and I developed a lump feeling in my throat. I went into the dr for it and they gave me everything from anti anxiety pills, to narcotics, to zantac, to nitroglycerin. Nothing helped. I went into my regular family practice yesterday and he was concerned called my GI and they got me in for an emergency endoscopy. My throat was normal....but I still ahve this lump sensation in my throat. HE called it a globus sensation. Hes calling Humira company and discussing it with them and then will call me back. He said it could be caused my anxiety but I wasn't anxious about taking it because I knew what to expect and had no problems iwth the initial 4 doses. When I have anxiety attacks...I KNOW I am having one.  Anyways your not the only one having issues ,...just wanted to let you know that!

Hope you feel better soon!

Posted 2/18/2011 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
SCotter, I did stop using Humira after my loading doses because I KNEW it was causing my anxiety.

Also, anxiety and psychiatric disturbances have been added to the Humira side effect list, you should download the drug safety pamphlet from their website. It's a very rare side effect, but it does occur. You're not crazy, and if you feel like it's the drug that's causing it, it probably is.

I actually had to be hospitalized for trying to commit suicide after I took the Humira. I have NEVER been the depressed/anxious before in my life, in fact, I had only experienced two panic attacks in my life before I took the shots. I thought the panic attacks would never end (and they would come on suddenly from no where, even when I wasn't psychologically anxious...I had a few that woke me up in the middle of the night). I refused to take the drug again, and haven't had another panic attack since.

Don't let the doctors make you feel like it's in your head or that the Humira won't do that to you when it's clearly been added as a side effect.
Posted 2/21/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input on the drug. I'm sorry you had a bad time too. I am not going to take the drug anymore. I was due for a shot this week, but am definately not taking it. I'm starting to feel better and having more control evryday over my panic. I was suicidal alot on this drug as well. I'm glad they finally added anxiety and psych disturbances on the list so this wont happen to others in the future. I was sooo scared.
Posted 3/30/2014 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
You're not the only one! I get awful anxiety attacks after each Humira injection! Only Ativan helps.
Posted 4/6/2014 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
imissicecream,

I get them on Entocort and mesalazine. It's compeletly new to me. I've never had any panic attacks in my life before. I've been a very calm person, as I do yoga and pranayama. I can't believe that I get them sometimes.

I've had three panic attacks in 6 months. These medicines basically exaggerate your stress, anxiety and tension. I normally get them at night. If I even get a clue that I'm going to get a panic attack, I don't sleep the whole night to avoid them.
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