What to expect at Dr. - starting Humira

Hello! It's been a while since I've checked in.

I've been on Imuran for at least 6 months now and thought I might be close to remission. I had a small bowel follow-through a couple of weeks ago that showed (to my dismay) that I still have a lot of active Crohn's. I see my doctor Monday and it sounds like he will be starting me on Humira.

I just wanted to know what to expect at this appointment. How many shots will I have to get? I don't really mind the thought of giving myself injections (although I don't LIKE the thought either) but I'm nervous about what to expect. Do they show me how to do the injections there and then let me do one myself? I just want to make sure I'm comfy with everything before they send me on my way.

Thanks!

It's nice to know the Humira is working for you. I hope I'm that fortunate. I can't imagine letting MY husband give me a shot. He's not real sure-handed with things like that and it would make me really nervous. I'm a control-freak so I'd rather be the one inflicting pain on myself.

I've read some about the Pen vs. the Syringe. Seems lots of folks use the pen for ease of use reasons, but I hear the syringe is better since you control the flow of medication and it may not hurt as much. Which do you use?

My dr had a practice pen that she had me practice with, and then she did the first shot. I did two and my husband did one. I definitely preferred having the control of doing it myself. It is painful but at least with the pen it's over quickly- just push the button and wait a few seconds and you're done. If you let the pen warm to room temperature and ice the injection site for 10-15 before the shot, it definitely helps!

I was on Entocort and doing great and my doctor decided, out of the blue, to put me on Humira. For me the the injections are very painful. To the point of barely being able to tolerate them. I have been of Humira a full month and have not seen any improvement I have actually started to see the return of all the symptoms I had before I was diagnosed with chron's. Which were lower intestinal pain, frequent uncontrollable bowl movements, gas, mucus discharge, chest pain, shortness of breath, very tired all the time. I am very happy for those that can tolerate the Humira injections and have good results, but for me it is a big thumbs down and I will be telling my doctor this very soon.

When I went for my loading doses, I did 3 out of the four. My nurse showed me with one and I did the rest. It was tough because I hate shots. I do the pens and did them on my own for a while but for some reason, I have become a chicken and I need someone else to just push the button for me, I can do everything but push the button. I like the pen becuase there is less room for error and its quick and short. =) I have actually needed to do one and had my 9 yr old neice push the button before. (yes I am that much of a chicken)
If I didnt have someone to do it, I just wouldnt do it. After I had surgery, I am not so good with pain, especially self inflicted pain. BUT Humira has been great for me! Hope it is for you too!

I was on Humira in the past, had to come off of it due to insurance reasons, and am now back on it thankfully! My first appointment with my Dr. to start Humira I received 4 shots. That is normal for the induction dose. You will most likely get 2 in your abdomin and one in each upper thigh. I started out on the pen and realized fast that I just didn't like the feeling from it. I am now doing the syringe which gives me more control of how fast the medication is injected. The only thing I've experienced with Humira is slight injection site tenderness for 10 minutes after injections and a very small bruise. That's it! I only inject into my thigh because there just isn't enough fat on my abdomin and it hurt like heck there! There are also Humira nurses that will always be available to help you! Also I recommend looking into the Humira protection plan if you haven't yet. The medication can get costly and I was spending $65 a month at first and now I pay only $5 a month! There is a lot of help out there for this expensive medication and also a lot of nurse support. They will even come to you to help you with injections. I had a nurse come to my work for me even!

I've been on Cimzia and that medication was awful to me, my hair fell out which apparently is very rare but of course with my luck it happened to me, my joints became so painful that sitting, laying, and walking caused immense pain, and the shots themselves never got any easier, it's a very thick med and it would sit in my thigh causing a bleach white ring at the injection site that lasted 72 hours at least.

Imuran also made my hair fall out. I've been on an unthinkable list of medication and not a single one until Humira has helped. I am beyond thankful for this drug and am so happy to finally be back on it. After a year of Humira I was scheduled for a colonoscopy and my Dr. found that my intestines looked better than they had in the 8 years of my seeing him. It was great! I could eat almost anything my heart desired besides some vegetables and dairy. I really hope that Humira is as beneficial for you as it has been for me! For those it helps I think it is truly an amazing drug.

I wish you the best of luck! The shots are not that bad and you get used to them. Just remember that if the pen doesn't work for you there is another option with the syringe! And check into the Humira Protection Plan and Humira nurse support if you need it. Help is out there. Good luck!

Just read your last post and saw about the specialty pharmacy. That is true, mine is shipped to my work. Always remember to have the medication shipped somewhere where you can immediately put it into the fridge. If you let the drug warm up to room temperature for too long it is no longer good, I've had this happen. Luckily it was Walgreens fault (before the specialty pharmacy thing became manditory) and they had to dish out the $2800 for the replacement.

I'm not sure about the insurance choosing between Cimzia and Humira, that is the first I've heard of that rule because my insurance - Cigna - has now covered both the medications for me. So I think your doctor can get a prior authorization approved through your insurance for Humira if that's the drug he/she chooses for you.

I also agree (from one control freak to another) that the syringe is the way to go. You control the flow (which does sting when injected fast like from the pen) and I would never and could never have anyone else inject my medication. I believe you'll do fine with the medication. And if it is Cimzia I hope that you don't have the same issues I did with it and that it helps you!