Humira

Getting to start my Humira probably within the next week or so, and I'm kinda scared of thaat 1st injection and worried about the side effects that I may encounter. I also have pre-existing liver conditions with this disease, but I guess my GI isn't too concerned at the moment. They are going to monitor me every 3 months, and I will be having bloodwork after the 1st and 2nd injections as well. I've been hearing alot of the bad on the Humira, but not so much good. Has anybody experienced any good things with Humira and was wondering basically what to expect. I'm hoping it isn't too awfully bad, besides hating needles!! The first two injeections are done at the hospital just in case I would have a bad reaction and then after that if everything goes ok, I'll be giving myself the injections at home I guess every 2weeks. Also which is better to use , the pen or the syringe? They have it ordered on the starter pack as the pen and ongoing therapy as the syringe. But I was told by the drug company, that it had to be either one not both. So I'm hoping that all of this stuff that I've been having to gon thru with this overnthe last couple of months or so, is well worth it for me in the long run!! Sure could use some helpful advice on this--Thanks alot!!!!--Scared---Silvergriz

Silvergriz-

I just started Humira last Monday, February 21, 2011.  I did my 4 loading doses in my GI's office, so they could monitor me for the first time.  I was scared to death, like you, about all the side effects.  I chose the syringe based on the opinions on this board.  The shots were SUPER easy and didn't bother me too much at all.  It did sting a tiny bit with the syringe, but nothing like what I have heard from other Humira users.  I didn't notice any side effects for the first day.  I had a mild headache on day 2 and day 3--both went away with a dose of tylenol.  My sinuses have been a little bit stuffy, but if I didn't know that sinus stuff was a side effect of Humira, I probably would not have attributed it to the Humira.    I will also mention that I was extremely grouchy the day of the injections and the next day, but I truly believe it was me being anxious about starting the meds. 

Other than that, I have had no other side effects--thank goodness.  I do my second loading dose this coming Monday and I'm hoping it's much the same.

My GI's nurse had never had a patient request the syringes, but after seeing me do my injections and then report minimal burning she agreed that is the way to go.  I think maybe the epi pen may sting a little more because the medicine goes in so quick and all at the same time.  She said most of her patients need to ice the area after using the automatic pen.  She had ice packs ready for me, but I didn't need them at all. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the process was!  Good luck to you!  I would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have... I know this board was a wealth of information for me.

Angela

Hi there
I started Humira in October 2010 and have only used the syringes. I have never had to ice the area of injection and also I don't let the needle warm up after taking it out of the fridge. I know others do this to lessen the pain they experience with the injection. Also those people who use ice etc seem to be the ones using the injector pens. I think they may sting a bit more due to the speed that the medicine goes in. However, I have not used the injector pen so I can't truely comment. I have not used my thighs, just my tummy. I found there was a strange taste in my throat after the first 4 loading doses and then the two loading doses 2 weeks later, but no strange taste with only one shot every two weeks since. I found my tummy sore after 4 injections but that went away overnight. I was tired with the loading doses, not so much with the single injections. I think the syringes are good because you can pace how fast the medicine goes in. Every shot I have had, I notice a bee sting kinda feeling a few seconds after injecting. Otherwise nothing. I have not caught more colds/flus and my crohns has improved lots! I think the side effects, while scarey, are very rare and Humira can be a blesing for those that it works for.

Good luck to you!

B

 This reply goes out to arnok: Thank so much for replying so quickly, yhou guys on this board are the best!!! I had Abott durg company call me to find out what I was supposed to have either the pen or syringe. All I know is that the doctor ordered pens for the starter pack and the syringes for ongoing therapy. But they told me that I couldn't do both, so they will be calling my Drs. office on Monday to verify which one I'm suppose to have.This sure has been a long two months of hassling with the insurance company and the drug company to get assistance and then having to appeal the decision, I just hope that in the long wrong that it will all be worth it for me!! I guess I thought the 2injections would be done at the hospital in case I were to have a reaction and the last one, I would give myself at home. But I'm a little confused as they told me there were 6pens in the starter pack and they send out 3months supply at once. Justwonderinn how many injections are done the first time? I know after the 1st month, then you go to every 2weeks I guess. That just seems like alot the first time, but this is my first time, so I don't know what to expect. I take calicum and a probotic with a digestive ensyme, I wonder too, now with that medicine, when to take these other supplements? Take care--Silvergriz

 This reply goes out to stripey: Thanks so much for your helpful advice!!!It looks like I'll be taking the pen instead of the syringe, but won't know probably until Monday when the pharmacy calls my Drs. office to confirm what he wants. This sure has been a whirlwind/roller-coaster ride for me over these last two months. Not feeling that great and having to deal with the insurance company (I got laid off from my job, but opted to take out cobrainsurance till end of the year, and then hopefully I will be working and have other options) now I'm starting to feel better and having to takr this medicine and don't yet how I'm going to react!! I'm hoping it won't be too bad!! I've also had minimal liver issues because of this, but my GI doesn't seem too worried and will be doing bloodwork on me after I think the 2nd injection and every 3months after that. I know one of our other members-(Becomingundone-also has liver issues, and has had no major problems)I guess I shouldn't be so concerned, just hoping for the best!! Take care and hope you all will keep me posted on how your doing too!!--Silvergriz

 This reply goes out to Becktoria: Thanks so much for you heloful advice too!! It looks like I'll be taking the pen, although I'm not too sure until the pharmacy calls the Drs. office on Monday to verify everything. Just wonderin-how many doses do they give you right off the bat did you say? Sorry I don;t mean to ask this because I thought it was one, but then that don't make sense either, if the starter pack has 6pens for the month starter pack. That just seems like alot of injections right at first. I know after your starter pack, I guess you go to every 2weeks. The only suuplements I take are a liquid calicum, a probotic and digestive ensyme, do you know also if they would interfere with Humira? Take care and keep me posted on how you doing as well!!--Silvergriz

Luckily being in UK I don't have to fight with insurance companies. Mind you Humira has only been approved for use with CD in last 3 months by the NHS. Prior to that the GI consultants had to apply for special funding for each person they wanted to use it on. So swings and roundabouts really.

The dose depends on whether you are on fast start on normal. With fast start it is four injections on first day, 2 weeks later another two injections and then 2 weeks later it is one injection that you carry on with fortnightly thereafter.

If it is normal start then 2 injections on day one and then two weeks later one injection and after that one every fortnight.

if you're going to do it, just do it
don't worry about the side-effects
worrying about them accomplishes nothing

Hi, I have been on Humira for 5 months, its the best thing i have done ,Like you i hate needles with a passion and never thought i would be able to self inject. Had the hospital do the loading dose and the next shot 2 weeks later, then managed to do it myself It does sting, only about 3 seconds but, really worth it, as I have been feeling great on humira I did worry about the side effects at the beginning but, now I don't think about it and just look forward to having my shot which is bizzare. I have no side effects at all and it has already closed a fistula. Good luck ,you will be fine. Bev x    P.s I use the pens which is great if you don't like needles as you can't see it.

for those that take humira, how long did it take for all of your symptoms to go away, or put you in remission if it did??, ive been taking it for 2 months and notice some improvement so far, but still dealing with some pain every now and then..