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Frustrated and sick- has anyone quit humira for 5asa?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/17/2014 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I posted a week ago that I've been sick (sinus uri) and having possible reaction to humira. My GI told me to keep taking humira while we figure it out. So I did and I got worse again on the second day after taking it. Short of breath, tight chest, sore throat, Hot flushing. I called GI and got no response. I went to my pcp who said I don't know if you are sick or having a reaction but gave me an antibiotic. Neither dr seems concerned enough. But I sure am and I think I want to quit humira. Regardless what my bloodwork shows-lupus or not the humira is causing something. So I'm wondering if anyone quit a biologic and went back to the first line meds and how did that work out? Any advice at all would be helpful please.
Posted 1/17/2014 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have started and stopped Cimzia several times for surgeries, colds, etc. I have one and two year gaps inbetween and managed to keep myself in remission inbetween with lialda and some natural products like bee propolis, probiotics and fish oil. When I start to flare badly, I get back on the Cimzia.
Posted 1/17/2014 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
If you're sick enough for a biologic I doubt meds like Asacol are going to much of anything for you. I started on that as well. It just wasn't doing anything for me. URI's is a side effect of those medications though, so it could be that you are having a side effect. How long have you been on the Humira? I'm on Cimzia right now. The humira gave me terrible migraines. After my last round of Cimzia shots I felt like I was coming down with a cold, but it only lasted a few days. I'm hoping it gets better the longer I'm on it.
Posted 1/17/2014 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I had a terrible reaction to Humira that was likely a serum sickness type reaction. I awoke with a low grade fever, terrible muscle aches, joint pains that made walking almost impossible, fine rash on my chest and back, and HUGE painful lymph nodes. I was given a high dose of steroids. GI said to never take Humira again.

If this has happened twice, and the second response was worse than the first, I would say in all likelihood, the next time could be much, much worse.
Posted 1/18/2014 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your replies!

Pmedic-Good to know I could at least take a break-I've got to get over whatever this is.

Jen77-I've been on Humira for 6 years with no major flares. My dr wants me to try cimzia next if I have to change meds. But since my big problem is side effects I just don't know about another biologic.

Ides-I read about your experience in an older post--extremely scary! This is actually the third time this has happened and every time has been worse. I've been sick since mid Nov but had a round of pred in Dec during which I felt great, of course.
Posted 1/18/2014 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
I had the same problems with Humira, Uti, sinus and headache with extreme fatigue. I stayed on it for nine months, all the while begging my GI to come off it. I finally did and went back to Pentasa, felt great for six weeks....obstructed and went back on Humira. Still flaring after two months. Now the symptoms I was experiencing and complaining about seem mild compared to where I am with my Crohns now. I know exactly how you feel, but be careful. I did not have chest discomfort.
Posted 1/18/2014 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Ive only had my first dose but im already ready to quit
Since the dose ive had major diarrhea i could not hold anything and i was on juices and soup for 4 days. I am so tired i can barely function. 2 days after being not too bad with diarrhea i tried eating a little chicken and avocado. I threw up and the rest went out the back door. Im due in 6 days for my next shot i cant get a hold of my GI cause hes on vacation. But i see my dr before so ill confirm what im thinking. But im ready to try something else and i guess it wont be meds cause everything makes me sick.
I know the diarrhea is not form a virus or something cause i would get the same thing from the remicade.
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