Remicade Reaction... Try Humira??

I just had my second Remicade infusion on Friday and sadly, had a reaction after 30 minutes of a very slow infusion. Initially, the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet began itching, followed by red pinpoint spots all over my inner arms and tummy. Shortly after, the dots began growing together in welts (or hives) and I needed another IV injection of Benadryl (didn't help much) and Pred (helped a lot) to get the reaction under control. The doctor thinks I have a 'very strong immune system' and of course, we won't be able to continue with the Remi, which is depressing since it DID seem to help get my UC symptoms under control the first time and even this last time with just the 30 minute slow infusion, my UC symptoms have abated... for now.

 

I am very frustrated as we have gone through so many meds now, many that aren't working to keep me in any kind of remission at all since my 2004 diagnosis (Asacol, 6-MP, Endocort, Rowasa, still on Colazal), I am desperate to get off the Pred that I've been on for years now, up and down, up and down. So far, the Pred is the only med that really controls the UC. The side effects after this long of use are horrid, as many of you know.

 

On to my question:

 

I know Remicade is made with mouse-human molecule antibodies (20/80) and Humira is made with all human monoclonal antibodies. In light of the Remicade seeming to help my UC overall, I was wondering: has anyone had a reaction to the Remi but have had no reaction (and success treating the UC) with the Humira? How common is it to have a Remi reaction soley from the mouse Ab's? I know getting insurance to cover the Humira is tricky, but soley on the efficacy issue, I was wondering about your experiences.

 

Thanks!

There are some people on the Crohn's board who had the reaction with Remicade and are on Humira. I remember at least one person having sucess with Humira. I have been waiting to start Humira myself after having a delayed reaction to Remicade. I have been having a lot of trouble getting it because my insurance denied it for UC. I am concerned about having another reaction, but it's a risk I personally feel is worth taking. Plus I feel a little better about it knowing it's human proteins.

Why do some meds work for some and not for others? Unfortunately, the medical/scientific community has a long way to understand our afflictions!!!

I have been in a serious flare of UC (pancolitis) since Oct. 07. My GI doc put me on Humira (not any other biologic like Remicade) first. Started loading dose on Feb. 13, 08. Second dose just completed on Feb. 27, 08. Went from 10+ bms blood, etc. before first loading dose to 5-7 with no blood (3-4 of these are rapid fires in the morning until things are calmed down and cleared out). Very happy with results so far. My insurance covers Humira for UC even though its not FDA approved yet for UC. Study being completed April 08 that should allow Abbott, the pharmaceutical co, to get approval. My GI specifically did not want to try me on Remicade first because he was well aware of the mouse antibody issues. I have had no noticeable adverse events being on Humira so far. Make sure ahead of time that your insurance will cover the costs. You should also like the freedom of the self-administered shots.