Posted 5/2/2012 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I had a similar initial reaction to Humira, which became relatively ineffective at the recommended maintenance dose.
Sept 2010: Surgery for a perianal fistula.
Healing didn't go very well. They used a fistula plug which fell out after just a few days. Area remained very inflamed and it was difficult to work full 8-hour days.
Feb 2011: Started Humira. Felt better after the first loading dose of 4 shots. Felt even better after the second loading dose of 2 shots. By the time I took my first maintenance level dose of one shot, the entire area was healed and there was no drainage and no bleeding.
April 2011: Just two weeks after the first maintenance level dose, the fistula reared it's ugly head, an abscess formed at the surface, and I spent a weekend in the ER. The regular dose of Humira just didn't cut it, and over the next 11 months I worked my way up to alternating 2 shots one week with 1 shot the next week (total of 6 shots per 4 weeks). It still wasn't cutting it, and we switched me over to Remicade in March 2012. Now I am battling that demon with trying to figure out the right dosage to give me results.