Crohn's, RA & Humira

countrydad

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 194

Posted 6/26/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)

So I was diagnosed last fall with Crohn's and arthritis. I have been doing ok on Methotrexate, but recently have been flaring pretty badly. My doctor is getting approval for Humira now. He is calling my arthritis serum-negative RA. I also deal with chronic neck pain from a genetic fusion which now has led to 3 bulged discs in neighboring joints. Top that all off with some anxiety and depression and I'm a hot mess. I am starting to feel overwhelmed again by the mess of pills I take; zoloft, valium as needed, robaxin as needed, relafen as needed, hydrocodone as needed, methotrexate, omeprozol, and now humira.

Just here to vent and look for input on humira. A bit anxious after reading some of the possible side effects, but trying to remind myself the likelyhood is remote. Any reassurances would be much appreciated. Having a bit of a hard time today. Thanks.

pb4

Elite Member

Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 20577

Posted 6/26/2015 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

Hi countrydad, welcome but sorry you have to join the IBD club.

I've been on Humira since February 2014 and it finally put my CD in remission, I've been dealing/suffering with crohn's for 24 years now and I was either allergic or intolerant to he oral meds used for IBD, prednisone helped the first time but less and less each time after the first until the 5th time when it did nothing for me. I developed a fistula and was finally able to get approved for Humira (which is sad cuz even without the fistula I was suffering terribly and technically should have been put on it when it was approved for IBD, but the protocol is ridiculous where I live) I don't have RA which I believe Humira was initially designed for so the fact that you have both CD and RA, Humira should be a god-send to you, fingers crossed for ya!!

I know many people are terrified of Humira (biologics in general) but the risks are very low for cancer from Humira and same with the other serious possible side effects like Humira induced Lupus. The only side effect I had so far was horrible headaches but taking an antihistamine before bed the night I do my Humira shot has aided with that thankfully. I also take it weekly not biweekly anymore and so far I still have no issues with it, I take my antihistamine so I don't get the horrid headaches and that's thankfully been working well.

Many are also afraid of the pain from the injection, it can sting pretty bad but there are tips to making it more comfortable like letting the pen sit out for at least 20 minutes (or to room temperature) before injecting cuts the sting out very well, there's usually a tiny pinch from the needle itself but it's a 10 second long shot so 10 seconds of slight pinch is nothing IMO to complain about especially when you consider the pain of having CD which is way worse than giving yourself a quick shot to make those CD pains go away when it put you in remission--a pretty good trade-off IMO.

Good luck, I hope it kicks both your CD and RA on their butts, I'm glad I was finally able to get on a medication that actually works.

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