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Humira reaction or what??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/2/2010 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
ok I took my last shot last Monday and when I woke up on Tuesday i had a golf ball size welt around my injections site that itched. I called the humira nurse and she said i probably just hit the muscle wrong. Huh I dont know about all that but anyway need better advise. Now the last few days my legs have been hurting pretty bad at times and seems to come and go. I have never had this happen i dont think. any advise would be great. Thanks Barb
Posted 11/2/2010 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
It's possible that it's a reaction. I've never heard of one like that, but being that it is at the injection site, it sounds very possible. It's a subcu- shot, so I don't know how you would have "hit the muscle wrong". That sounds like a B.S. answer for "I don't know what to tel you." Is it only your legs that are hurting? Is it joint pain? Or muscular pain? I would call your GI and ask him what he thinks. When are you due for your next shot? I wonder if taking a benadryl before the shot would help?

Stef
Posted 11/2/2010 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard others who gave themselves injections like this getting welts with the itching. I think its kinda common. IMHO
Posted 11/2/2010 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I get "welts" or raised white circles around my injection site with Cimzia. They go away after about 3 days. They do not itch or turn red though. Are yours red? Itching would say to me injection site reaction. I'd call your GI or injection nurse. Maybe even a quick visit to your pharmacist if that's quicker?
Posted 11/2/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I get injection site reactions from the Humira. They are about as big around as a golf ball, but don't stick out that far. They are red and itchy. Couple things you can try... I will put either Hydrocortisone cream on it or an anti-itch cream. That helps some. Doesn't take the redness or swelling away, but it helps with the itch. If it's really driving you crazy, just take a benedryl tablet. I have found that if I take a benedryl tablet when I take my Humira from the fridge to warm up that I get less of a reaction. (smaller red spot and little less itchy)

Can't really address the leg pain. Haven't heard it being a reaction to Humira, but it could be a crohn's symptom.

Good luck to you!
Posted 11/2/2010 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok i talked to the doctor and he raised my dose of the humira to 40mg every week. what is the normal dose of this med?
Posted 11/3/2010 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, the welt is normal. You can also try taking Ranitidine 30 minutes before injecting. This is a prescription drug, so you will need to ask your doctor about it. It sounds weird, but the Ranitidine is a very specific antihistamine, and for some reason helps reduce the injection site reactions.

I can't remember who on HW gave me this tip, but I am eternally grateful for it :-).

40mg fortnightly is the standard dose, but it's not unusual for people to be on weekly injections.

Ivy.
Posted 11/3/2010 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have UC but I believe the normal dose is 40 mg every other week- like you I am stuck on 40 mg a week. Well, even that isn't working anymore but every other week was way too long an interval for me. The only side effect that I ever got was that the edge of my lips would get a bit inflamed and my lips would get dry and cracked. Over time this side effect has disappeared just as its effectiveness has worn off.
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