Humira

So, just last week I went to the ER due to trouble breathing, heart palpitations, fatigue and a fever. Which all this had been going on for a while but finally got to the point where I couldn't handle it anymore. I ended up in ICU due to the fact the the medicine I was on, 6mp, was causing my body to not produce blood, so I was just running on half of my blood supply. The doctors stopped that medicine and I ended up getting a blood transfusion with 3 units of blood. Now my GI is putting my on Humira. I haven't started it yet waiting for my nurse and everything to get taken care of and I was just wondering if any of who are on Humira have any bad side effects, or just any advice for a newbie getting ready to start it. Thanks (:

I was on Humira for almost 3 years and did very good until my body stopped responding due to antibody production. I gained weight and felt good to travel out of the country! The only side affect I had was hives when I was outside for long time during the hottest days of summer.
Make sure to ice injection site before and after your shot. Good luck 2 u!

Sara, I started Humira in May, after a horrible reaction to 6MP (started out as mild cold/flu-like symptoms, which over about a week progressed to extreme abdominal pain and vomiting). I was terrified (particularly since over the course of about 3 weeks my GI went from saying "you have mild/moderate Crohn's, you'll probably never need a biologic" to "You need a biologic NOW, and possibly steroids til it kicks in."

I did the four-shot loading dose in my GI's office- the nurse did the first two shots and I did the second two. I misfired a pen, because the noise and (tiny) kick startled me. They had an extra in the fridge, so it worked out.

I did the following two-pen dose at home (although they told me I could come into the office if I didn't feel comfortable yet). Shortly after the second dose I started to feel better. The nurse told me I'd see the full effect of the drug about 1 week after the third dose, and that seems about right.

I was terrified to start Humira (this is one of those times when google is not your friend) but after taking a look at the research and acknowledging how serious my condition was at the time (I believe my CRP level was at 170) I knew it was my best choice- I needed something that had been proven to work. I've had about 3 colds since May. Overall, I have few side effects. Sometimes I feel a bit tired the day after my shot. Often, about 3 days before I'm due for my shot I'll start feeling run down.

It did take me a while (I think about three shots at home) before I got used to stabbing myself with sharp things. It's scary, but it's been absolutely worth it for me. Humira took me from sleeping 10 hours a day and being exhausted all the time to actually being able to keep up with my doctoral program. I don't feel a whole lot more rested, but I'm about three times as productive as I was, sleep about 8 hours a night, and don't feel any more tired.

Sara,
I posted my Humira routine in this thread:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=2915859&g=2916331#m2916331

My abdomen was a bit sore after the first dose (four shots). I'm very thin, so there aren't a whole lot of options for injection sites on my body, unfortunately. The second dose, it took me more time than I expected to work up the nerve to do the second pen (I think I nearly cried). Maybe about the fourth or fifth dose the nerves started to wear off? Be patient with yourself- you'll get the hang of it. It also helps me to work in a treat and more self-care into my Humira days (a glass of wine, ice cream, doing my nails, a hot bath, a nap, whatever works for you).