Gearing up to start Humira

I've been doing all of my pre-testing to start Humira... Now that the time is getting closer, I'm getting more nervous.  Could use some words of encouragement from the ones who are taking this med.  I would love to hear your feedback on side effects, etc.. Give me the good, the bad and the ugly.

Angela

The shots hurt and that's the truth. It hurts much less in the belly than the legs. I've been told that it's the preservatives that makes it hurt so badly.

With that said, Humira has been a Godsend for me. I had almost instant relief with the loading dose. I noticed a marked change on the third day after the loading dose. All but 1 of my fistulae have closed without incident. I would buy Humira on the black market if my doctor pulled me off of it for any reason. I use the pens.

Ive been on humira for bout 4 years now. Its working for me. Only time i had a mini flare up is when my doc extend my doses from every 2 weeks to every 3 weeks. Guess my body ran out of it faster than we thought. I remember doing it on my legs the first time and it hurt! ive been doing it on my belly ever since. One thing i found that helped me is that i use a ice pack to numb the area before you inject to minimize the discomfort and pain. I also used to use the pens but didnt work for me bcuz it would inject all of it in so went back to reg syringes.

 This reply goes out to arnok(I hope I got your name right) I am having the same fears as you with Humira. I am currently awaiting fancial approval from the drug company as I am unemployed at the moment and my hubby works but doesn't make enough to pay all of the bills. I've had Crohns for about 10years now and have not been on any meds for it until now. But this is the 2nd Gastro Doc I've been going to for the past 11/2years. I now have 5-6more Fistulas and a stricture that were discovered on my last scope and Barrium I had done last Oct. But here's the thing with me, I have now developed pre-existing liver conditions with this disease but my GI Doctor has said it's only minimal and at this point doesn't seem too worried about putting me on this drug. I do know that I have to go back next month for my 6-month check for my liver ensymes, but the nurse said that the 1st 2 injections are given at the hopital and then after that you give the shots to yourself at home. I guess it's done on a every 2-week basis. I guess one of my main concerns is the side effects. I was given a packet to take home and review with a video and it shows you how to give youself the shots but than after they are done with the video, it lists all of the side effects, that's what worries me the most. That's why they montor you the 1st couple of times in case you did have a bad reaction. Good Luck with all of that, and keep me posted and how you are doing!!! Hugs--Silvergriz

The injection itself doesn't scare me at all. I'm already doing b12 shots at home--so I'm good there. I'm very worried about the sides effects that people report. I've heard that you can get bad headaches after the injection that sometimes lasts for a few days. Also, the fatigue and flu-like symtoms that is being reported for a day or two after the injection. Not to sound bad--but I honestly don't have time to feel like I have the flu twice per month. I know that sounds bad, but I'm a single mom with two very active kids and I work a full-time job and part-time job, plus my oldest daughter is a competitive gymnast, so we travel every other weekend for that. UGH.

I'm not having a TON of crohn's symptoms right now, but my colonoscopy on January 5th showed active crohn's at the ileum and anastomois site (from 4.1.10 resection), so that is why GI wants to start Humira. I'm having 4-8 loose stools per day, bad gas and bloating, and possibly a tiny anal fistula--not sure about that just yet. So, I think it is probably time to start the big drugs, but I'm really scared about it. It's sad to say that I can handle the crohn's symptoms I'm having now way more than if I feel like I have the flu for two days.