Humira, what to expect?

Quick question for those on Humira...

I've been on Remicade for 8+ years, but had to stop taking it due to some issues. My GI and I have been talking about the possibility of needing to change for a few years now, and he feels that Humira is the next logical step. I'm good with that. Remicade worked wonders for years, and I never had any issues with the infusions, side effects, etc (at least up until I had to stop taking it). To make it even easier, my wife is on it for her rheumatoid arthritis, so we are familiar with the drug. No issues with the self injection, either, as I have been doing my own b12 for 15+ years, and I did the first few Humira injections for my wife.

So, my big question is about how long it takes to start working? I understand its got the same loading dose requirements like Remicade, but I'm not sure how long it should take (average) for it to start working. I'm really starting to have some serious flare issues, lots of pain, bleeding, etc. I'm really hoping to get this stuff in me and working before I run out of luck and end up in the hospital again.

Thanks!

Thanks,

I feel I'm starting to "circle the drain" again, and want to get the Humira going as soon as I can. May need to call the GI today and see whats going on.

Some people feel and improvement right away, but they say it can take up to 3 months to become fully effective.

about 3-5 months for me. The real results were when I had my colonscopy 10 months after I started Humira and I am now in remission with no disease found...

It is great to hear how a number of you had good response to Humira.  I started Humira Sept this year, also on Imuran 100 mg per day and 15mg of Prednisone,  I am still having so much discomfort.  What I eat causes me a lot of stomach pain, nausea, and running to the bathroom at least 10 to 12 times in 12 hrs.  I try to drink a lot of water so not to get dehydrated, but not sure if that is causing some of the pain as well.  I have been eating steamed haddock in lemon juice - with nothing else added, a few small mashed potatoes with lactose free milk and plain piece of toast.  I figure this is bland, maby not enough though, I find it so hard to know that to eat as nothing seems to give me relief of pain and nausea.  If anyone has any ideas of something to eat for breakfast, lunches or suppers, could you please help me.  I am loosing weight from not getting the nourishment I know I need.  I mentioned it to my GI, and he said I should be albe to eat anything, but I cannot.  Can anyone please help me.  Desprite.

Thank you

O

I took Humira and 2 days after my 4 loading doses felt great. Then went downhill a little until my second loading doses. For the first 6 weeks on it I felt great and then went into a full flare worse than the one when I started Humira. My doctor put me back on Pred with the Humira and said the 3 month thing so I kept going, got back in remission right around the 3 month mark, I was good for about 3 months after that. Then I started having problems with psoriasis and sores on my skin and it went downhill from there, I went into a wrose flare than the first 2.

The doctor wanted me to keep going saying it worked before so it was just a flare but at that point I would get worse after I took a shot and my skin issues were bad. I stopped at 9 months.

Oceans, one thing that I eat in a bad flare is baked chicken and rice, it goes down well for me. For breakfast in a bad flare I eat either plain animal crackers which for some reason really settle my stomach or a smoothie that I make myself and blend really well.

Thank you Cupcakespinkgal,  for the info on what you eat that helps you.  I will definately try it.

O

It took me 3-4 months to really notice any difference and my rheumy was a little disappointed but admitted sometimes it took a little longer. I have to wonder if not having had a loading dose made any difference. He just started me off on 40mg every 2 weeks, after a year I went up to weekly.