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Posted 10/19/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in June of this year. I had symptoms for nearly a year prior to my diagnosis. I just began Humira yesterday, the initial four injections, once I got home I was tired and kept having hot flashes. I'm also on pred so i don't know if that's a side affect from the Humira or pred. But, I have been having back pain since yesterday evening. I called my nurse and they said that it's not a side effect. It's not extremely painful, but more annoying than anything. I can't sit or lay in the same position for long because it intensifies if I do. Has anyone else had a similar experience while on Humira?
Posted 10/19/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Nikki...I have very active crohn's colitis covering about 2 feet all the way to the end of the colon if I am being clear. I had a flare in May of 2009 and spent a week in the hospital. That didn't clear it up and neither did different combo's of meds after that. I have an ileostomy right now which is no fun at all. Finally, my GI and a specialist decided to put me on Humira weekly and my flexible sigmoidoscopy in September showed that the inflammation finally cleared up and was inactive. I am supposed to get with a surgeon soon that is probably going to put me back together and I'm sure it's, largely, due to the Humira. I was also taking Rowasa for most of that time and it could be the combination but, at worst, it was partly Humira that improved things. When I took prednisone, I would often have insomnia or the flushed face feeling. That was my experience and I'm sure some here will have a negative story about it but, personally, I'm glad I had it.
Posted 10/19/2010 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nikki,

I am still fairly new to this forum as well. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 10 years ago and this past August was correctly diagnosed as having Crohn's instead of Colitis. My doctor started me on Humira and after a month of going back and forth with my insurance company, I finally received the medicine. I took my initial first four injections about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago and the only side effect that I noticed was the occasional hot flash. I also just came off of prednisone about a week ago so I wasn't sure if the hot flash was from that as well. I took the two doses of Humira this past Friday and from now on I am supposed to take one dose every two weeks. I haven't noticed any back pains with the Humira. I do know that when I am in a flare and I am sitting on the toilet a lot that I do get lower back pains and I sometimes have issues with my sciatic nerve (I have no idea if I spelled that right!). A heating pad and tylenol usually help. Sorry I couldn't give you more information or advice!

Hope things get better for  you soon!

Posted 10/19/2010 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I started Humira yesterday (four shots), and I am on my fourth/fifth week of Pred. I have been getting hot flashes/sweats with the Pred for the last few weeks. But today is only one day since Humira and I had the biggest hot flash/ tiredness spell I have had since I began with this flare. It knocked me out for 3 hours this afternoon... I am just coming around now. So I also have the same question (although no back pain) as you- did this hot flash come from Pred or Humira? I think it may be the Pred causing the flash, but Humira causes the increased exhaustion.

As for back pain I can't help you there- I had a lot of back pain at the beginning of my flare which I attributed to not eating, lying around a lot, and just generally being very unwell. Since I have been able to eat and move around again (thanks to Pred) my back pain and stiffness went away, but my hip and other joints have been achey.

Hope you get some answers and feel better soon- maybe it helps to know u r not alone in the flashes..

B
Posted 10/19/2010 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I know that the prednisone has helped greatly. Prior to being on that, i was on entocort, 9mg daily and had weaned off of it. I had a huge flare and wound up with my first hospitalization. I noticed the prednisone to be working rather quickly, i felt like i was on speed. hah thankfully, that part has worn off. I still feel much better and just hope the humira works. The injections make me slightly nervous.
Posted 10/19/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Humira makes me nervous too- as you can see if you read through my post from yesterday about starting humira ;)

I think if it works it is all worth it. Fingers crossed for us all as we try this drug and hopefully the side effects won't be too bad.

B
Posted 10/19/2010 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
The only side effect that I have had was occasional bruising.
I attribute my fatigue to the Crohns.
I used to get hot flashes when I was on the Pred. but not on Humira.
You will all do fine, just give it some time to work.
Posted 10/20/2010 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the Humira!  It didn't work for me, but I know quite a few people who said it absolutely changed their lives and worked wonders for them.

I would think the hot flashes are from the Prednisone, I would get really hot really easily while I was on it.  I never experienced it when I was on Humira.

Back pain I would think would just be from the Crohns in general?  I get back pain all the time when I'm in a flare.

Feel better! :)

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