My GI just prescribed Humira, off-label, for my Ulcerative Colitis since I had a severe reaction to during my second Remicade infusion. I am sensitive to all the 5-ASAs drugs, increased Diarrhea, bleeding, more frequent BMs, etc. I have been slowly tapering prednisone with a few bumps along the way, down from 60mg/day in August to 20mg now. The plan is to taper down by 2.5mg every two weeks after my second dose of Humira. I had the initial loading dose (4 injections on 5 December) and will have the second dose (2 injections) on the 19th. Then a single dose every other week.
My current symptoms are 1-3 BMs per day, mostly soft and formed with the occasional (1-2 per week) loose stool. I tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for one month, but did not see significant changes except I lost 8 pounds. I stopped SCD on Thanksgiving and am trying to gain back the lost weight. (I am 5'9", 144 lbs). During my first flare in June 2007, I lost 40 lbs, left the hospital after 28 days at about 130 lbs. I had been hovering between 152-155 since leaving. My goal is to get to 160, but I'll be happy with minimum UC symptoms and no weight gain.
I have several questions on Humira. Are using it for UC or Chrohns? What side effects did you have? Did you see an increase in gas? How long before you saw any positive effects? Do you use the pre-filled syringes or the injector pen? I used the syringes which were not too bad, slight burning for a few seconds after injecting.
UC since April 2006; first flare May 2007, hospitalized 28 days.
Remicade infusion brought symptoms under control, but caught MRSA infection from PICC line.
2nd Remicade at 14 weeks, severe reaction, no more Remicade
currently tapering prednisone (20mg/day down from 60), will taper 2.5mg after second Humira injection, crossing fingers that Humira will help me get off the prednisone