Initial Doses of Humira

I had all 4 on the first day the nurse at the doctors office did 2 of them and I was made to do the other 2. I had the same reactions both with the 4 in the 1 day and the 2 in one day. I think I had worse headaches with the pen since I knew that it stung lots and I had no control over the speed at which the meds went in. I am now on one dose of HUmira a week finally got it approved last week. I was still symtomatic when I did 1 every other week. I still have the fistula and it wont heal any other way now it was close before which is why they increased my dose of humira. Unfortunatly I have to have a scope, fistulagram and then my surgeon will remove the fistula and any more diseased portion of my intestine. When he reversed my ostomy all tests showed there was no active CD. Three weeks after the reversal I started with LLq pain and when I press on that area that is when feces oozes from the fistula so it didnt take too long for it to remanifest itself. I was placed on Pentasa after the pain in that area had set in prior to that I had been on no CD meds since February which was when I had 2 emergency surgeries.

I hope that after my surgery ( probably will be in January the sooner the better but I want to make sure I am home for the holidays being it will be tough this year since we lost 4 family members this year one being my grandmother) that humira will work for me. I hope that once the bad area is chopped out that the humira will keep me well even if it is just long enough so my husband and I get the okay to start a family and then have a healthy pregnancy...that is my hope and goal...granted I would love to be in remission much longer than just to have a family but I'll take what I can get at this point. So I am hoping for the best I figure all the bad luck is getting out in 2007 so 2008 better be a better year or I will scream lol.

GL with your HUmira some people have no burning sensation when the meds go in while others like myself find it burns a lot no matter how long I ice my leg before and after the injection and I actually hold the syringe iin my hand to warm it up before injection. Another tip the nurse gave me was to make absolutely sure the alcohol is dry before injecting since tht can add to the burning sensation....yes the kit even comes with the alcohol wipes. The GI office should give you a kit when you go in for them to teach you how to do the injection. I got a mini ice pack to place on the injection site, a travel kit if you must travel with the injection and that came with a mini ice pack as well. it comes with a dvd and other booklets on how to inject the pen and the syringe. It is in a gray box like thing and has the med name embroidered on the front in maroon thread. One of the booklets has a number on it so you can have the pharmacutical company send you a small sharps bucket. My GI office gave me a little sharps bucket and a paper where they locally accept the bucket and will trade you a new one.

I took 2 on a Sat night and 2 on Sun morning. I thought 4 together was a little much. I gave them to myself, and yes they do burn for a few seconds after the med goes in. More when I press on it. But I can tolerate pain fairly well. I don't ice the site, but I do let the humira come to room temp.

Thank you all so much!

I think it's funny that I can't wait to start injecting myself... what I would give for relief!

I took the first four shots at once, in the tummy. I've still yet to inject myself, though. To me, they hurt, and I don't inflict pain upon myself too well.