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Neuropathy of leg and foot from years on Humira?

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Posted 10/7/2010 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if anyone has experienced pain, numbness, tingling, and ataxia of the extremlities after taking Humira?

I have been on Humira for over 3 years and over the last year the neuropathy has slowly gone from a few toes to the whole leg being involved (left leg). My left foot has involuntary movements and I don't seem to be able to control the movement in it.  My right leg is starting to show the same problems.  I also have lumbar pain constantly, and have no options left there except for pain relief.  I was also told it could be from the Crestor for cholesterol probs.

Thanks for any feedback!!

Posted 10/7/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever had your B12 levels checked? I am wondering if that is the cause of the neuropathy you are experiencing.
Posted 10/7/2010 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto Nanners!!
Posted 10/7/2010 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,  I developed tingling / numb pain in both feet 2 days after first humira shot.  Wanting to let the Humira work, I kept on with Humira for 5 months, until the doctor switched me for other reasons (it wasn't working for me).  I still have pain in both feet 2 months after ending Humira.  It's like a painful pins & needles feeling, they even hurt when the bedsheets touch them or when I pull on socks.  Both my GI doctors say it's not the Humira that caused it.  And I've been so busy with Crohn's appointments and trying to work that I haven't gone to any other doctor, but I've complained to my GI's about it like a broken record.  Had the b12 checked and it was low and went on weekly b12 shots, and the b12 level is now normal, but it hasn't helped my feet.  I hope we both find a solution.  It really restricts my activity as much as the crohn's does; by end of day I can't bear to walk anymore and just want to go to bed by 6 pm. 

NDBC

 

Posted 10/7/2010 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
It has been awhile since my B12 was checked, I will ask at my next appt. I developed serum sickness after trying Remicade, so it is out of the question. My GI and I think there is a flare going on, so maybe my time for Humira is about over, and maybe none to soon!!! Especially if it is the culprit causing the leg problems.
Thank you all for the help, you are all so full of information and it has really helped me to have a forum to turn to!!!
Posted 10/7/2010 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
From the "Improtant Safety Information about Humira":
"HUMIRA can cause serious side effects, including:
Nervous system problems. Signs and symptoms include numbness or tingling, problems with your vision, weakness in your arms or legs, and dizziness.
Call your doctor or get medical care right away if you develop any of the above symptoms."

That said, Crohn's itself can cause neuropathy. I developed neuropathy in the feet and lower legs BEFORE I ever took any of the biologic medications. My neurologist did every test including skin biopsies to determine the cause of my neuropathy. Mine was solely from the inflammation attacking the small nerve fibers.

Low B-12 is also a quite common cause of neuropathy in people with CD. Treating the B-12 deficiency does not always restore the nerves to health if the deficiency has been going on for a long time.

There are several medications that can help with the horrible pain caused by the nerve damage/death. I take Neurontin which has helped tremendously to relieve the burning, tingling, and numbness. Others take Lyrica and report good response to it.
Posted 10/7/2010 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
i developed benign fasciculations syndrome 10 days after my first infusion of remicade. I stopped remicade 6 months ago and I'm still twitching all over so maybe it was unrelated . . .
Posted 10/8/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Again, thanks so much for all of the information. It all helps soooo much!!! I found that I had Neurontin from several years ago. My doc must have prescribed it for some of my pain. Anyway I took one today and it helped, but I slept for 4 hours!! I think I will use it at bedtime and see if it helps the nighttime pain.
Thank you all again!!!
Posted 10/8/2010 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
I say stop the Humira immediately. Go and have a nerve conduction test done.

Julia
Posted 10/8/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
It says on the Humira website to call your doctor right away if you have tingling or numbness.
Posted 10/8/2010 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently seen a physiatrist and a neurologist. It was the neurologist that looked up my medications and told me that crestor and humira both can cause neuropathy symptoms. He did not know if that was what was causing it though. That is why I decided to post a question.
Thank you so much for all the response, I plan to talk to my GI and PCP about both medications.
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