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Posted 11/20/2007 9:22 AM (GMT 0)

Just a question....

I just recently started humira and the first time i had no side effects...

just did my 2nd injections on sat. and i ended up with a couple different reactions.....

whats "normal" and for how long does it remain "normal"

confused  

Posted 11/20/2007 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
What reactions did you have?
Posted 11/20/2007 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled to start humira in about 2 weeks.. can someone tell me more about this as well. I am excited to start something that might help me beings im on entocort for almost 3 weeks and still having flairs.. I too am curious what reactions are normal and what to expect..

bckley.. what did you do to prep before taking it??  I'm really nervous about the whole injection thing..

Posted 11/20/2007 4:10 PM (GMT 0)

I  have the same question,what reactions??Local reactions are pretty normal,sometimes my legs feel tired the next day or so.

As far as advise about the shot,I HIGHLY reccomend icing the area prior to the injection,because it really burns.and bring the Humira to room temp.

Good Luck :-)

Posted 11/20/2007 5:28 PM (GMT 0)

well both injection sites got really swollen and itchy, i had horrible cramps (alot worse then normal) for a couple days after and then i was feeling really sick to my stomach.... but like i said i didnt have any of these reactions the first time..... as far as preping for the humira... i didnt really do anything to prep for it, i was scared to give myself the injections but after the first three the last ones pretty easy.... my dr reccomended taking the humira out prior to using it to give it a chance to warm up.... (something about it may sting more when its cold) for me it wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be its just the idea of not knowing what to expect the worst part for me was probably that  up to 15min after i did the injections in each spot it was really sensitive.... i also bruised the first time in one of the spots i think i may have just hit a blood vessel or something. that was over 2 weeks ago and i still have  a bruise....

Posted 11/20/2007 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
The injection site reactions are pretty normal,I'm not so sure about the cramping,I would let my GI know.As far as the itching,did you try Benadryl? I am such  a sissy,I have NEVER given myself a shot,and I'm a nurse,that is just sad,haha!! tongue
Posted 11/21/2007 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
yea my gi said the same thing and she actually did tell me to take benadryl but i thought it was strange that i didnt have any of the reactions the first time... and believe me i wouldnt give myself a shot if i didnt have to... :) not exactly my cup of tea!!
Posted 11/21/2007 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome,I am on Humira and I was takeing one shot every other week but since I have been in a bad flare my GI and my Rheumy both agreed that we needed to change the doesage so now I take a shot every week.The only side-effects that nI have noticed is it stings a little going in and it does turn red around the injection site but it only last for a few secounds and then its gone,others wise I have no problems.you have to remember that we all react differently to this disease and we all react differently to our meds as well.
Posted 11/21/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
ok so now I'm a little nervous.. I will not be giving myself the shot at first.. My husband is going to because just the click of the sample pen scares me.. (I'm needle phobic).. So how long should I leave the ice pack on?? before and after??.. Ohh reading that it stings is making me nervous.. Why can't they make in a pill form hehe...
Posted 11/21/2007 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have not had any local reactions except a little red spot at the site. Actually, mine stings /burns after the medicine goes in, for only a short time, and bothers me more when I put pressure on it. I also give it to myself at room temp, but don't ice the site. This last time, I accidentally hit the wrong side turning the pen around and it went off in the air. Now I don't know what to do, haven't told the pharmacy yet.
Posted 11/21/2007 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I did not have any reaction at first. Then I started to get the local reddness and itching. It got worse each time and the reddness got bigger and bigger - like 5 inches wide and really swollen. My doctor said that I needed to take Benadryl 1 hour prior to the shot. I still have a local reaction for about 24 hours, but now it is smaller - maybe 2 inches wide and not quite so swollen. It does itch, but I just put Cortaid on it or take more Benadryl the next day if needed. I have never had the cramping problem. You most likely hit a little blood vessel to get the bruise. My bruises last longer now that I am on Humira. But my Crohn's is in remission for the first time in 15 years!!!!
Posted 11/21/2007 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
potatoqwn --- that sounds familiar i guess we will see in 2 weeks if its worse or better. the benadryl seemed to help.... im very new to all of this so i wonder sometimes if things are going as intended ... congrats on remission bet thats been a long time comming! :-)

tinglebell --- i was amazed at how much this stuff costs!!! when i got the starter package it came with a little sheet that tells me how much my insurance saved me... i about fainted!!!! its like $1000 a pen!!! thank goodness for army benefits!!!! good luck with the pharmacy!

ddr030505 --- i made my husband come with me to the first appt. so he could learn how to give them if needed, i was really scared, but i dont think it will be as bad as you think.... im sure you will do great as far as the ice, i havent ever tried that so im not sure... and the stinging for me went away within a couple of minutes maybe just try to think of the positives.... in the end hopefully it will do more good and the little sting will be worth it.... good luck scool

curley --- how long have you been on humira? is this a lifelong med for most? i really dont know what to expect...

Posted 11/21/2007 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have started humira Oct 30.  So far had the first 4 injections last week did the 2 injections. Now one every other week. I tend to give the shot were i have the most fat.  It burns very bad. I get a funny taste in my mouth and feel nausea that day.  Usually about 45mintues to 1 hours later i m in bed sound asleep.  I get so tired and that day in bed by like 4pm.  Does anyone know how long these shots take to work?? I am steriod dependent and having problems lowering dosage from 12mg of sol medrol to 8mg.  I tried but started to flare.  I hope this humira does work dont want to give up on it too soon?? Tricia

Posted 11/22/2007 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I had really bad nausea and abdominal pain after the first two loading doeses and the first maintenance dose, but nothing after that. Like Tinglebell, I just had a tiny little spot where I did the injection. I am usually more tired the day after the shot. It has taken about 8 weeks for it to really kick in.
Posted 11/22/2007 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
What side effects are you having to the Humira?? I have yet to have any. Obviously right after the shot it is a little tender but who really cares about that. I am having some severe body aches and pains BUT I do not think that is because of the Humira. I am curious as to what side effects any of you are having from the Humira, if any?? Thanks. Britt
Posted 11/22/2007 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
The Pen actually hurts me a lot worse than the Syringe. YUCK! My boyfriend does it for me because I can't do it! I wonder if my cramps and horrible body aches are related then???
Posted 11/22/2007 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
God i seriously hope i respond to humira because dr. dont know what to do with me if i dont.  Im not sure about body aches.  I just get that funny taste right after i give shot, very very tired like 1 hours later and then just nausea.  Other than that i dont have any site reactions or no lumps under skin from were it goes in.  You cant even see were i gave myself the shot so small might itch a little but nothing i cant handle.  Body aches could be from that as well.  Never had that. 

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