How long have you been on Humira?

I'm 15 yrs old and was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 11 yrs old. I have been on steroids, anti-acids, prednisone, etc. just to help me feel better and gain weight. After I finally felt better they put me on pills, but we couldn't get the dosage right, so then came Remicade, I grew immune, (some nurses don't believe me), and finally I was put on Humira and it's worked like a dream. I went into remission almost immediately and have been taking it bi-weekly for almost a year with no side affects at all! But I read somewhere recently that the average time it works is 7-12 mon. so now I'm petrified that my Humira will soon stop working and I'll be thrown back into pain and trying to figure out what else we can do to make me better again. How long has anyone been on Humira that has Crohn's?

Aw Bookworm, the same thing happened to me - I was on 6MP after the first time I got really sick but it was really the prednisone that was helping the flare. It was a ridiculously bad flare too, so I know how serious it can get. After I went into the hospital about 3 times they put me on Remicaide and that worked great for about 2 years, then I developed antibodies and became immune to it as well. (Fyi, my doctor didn't believe me either and after countless tests, several MRI's and CT scans, blood work and stool samples (so fun), my dr said they were all normal. So I insisted on a sigmoidoscopy. Like, had to INSIST that he actually take a peek inside. When I woke up he was like, uhhhh, yeah, so you are definitely having a very bad flare. Turns out that of all my tests that came back normal then one they hadn't gotten back yet was the one to see if I had developed antibodies to the Remicaide. Sheesh......)

Anyway, they started me on Humira, and that was about 2 years ago. No one has told me there is a limit on how long you can take it, I just pray for the best. If you want my advice (this is very hard to do but it's what I work on) try to not be petrified because you can't control it - just be thankful everyday that you are healthy and well and take care of yourself (eat good whole foods, walk or run, start yoga, etc - do things that make you happy) and try to keep your stress level down. It will all be okay. :)

xo