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Humira here I come!!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/23/2008 5:38 PM (GMT 0)

So, my last Remi infusion did absolutely nothing to help me.  I called my GI doc yesterday - and they made me come right in.  Anyway, I am going to start Humira ASAP.  I had to go back to the clinic today to talk to 2 nurses about how to inject myself.  They are working right now with my insurance.  Doc said the medicine usually comes in within a few days.  I am anxious to get this started - but the 4 shots for the first induction make me very nervous.  The nurse said today that Humira will send a nurse to my home to help/watch me administer the shots for the first 3 times.  It is all kinda overwhelming.  I will let ya'll know how it works....

Posted 4/23/2008 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Humira for Crohn's disease and it has worked well. The nurse coming to your home must be a new thing. I did my first two rounds of shots at my docs office so I could learn how to do it and so they could watch for any reactions. But that was a year ago. A word of advice - bring it to room temperature and ice the area you are going to inject it into. I started of injecting into my stomach but have switched to my thighs because it always seemed my waistband on my pants fell where I had just given myself the shot. Good luck. MB
Posted 4/23/2008 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. I don't think I will try the stomach shots - sounds painful. I am going to try just the thigh area.
Posted 4/23/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think that the thighs hurt more than the stomach, actually! (The first four I got 2 in stomach 2 in thighs) I totally agree with MBJOH about the ice and putting them at room temp. Ice helps a lot. The medicine really burns. REALLY. I just had my second injections last Friday in my thighs. Next one I am doing in my stomach. I really don't know if I will ever be able to inject myself. The liquid burns to much, I am afraid I will toss the shot across the room. My MIL is nice enough to do them for me. I have been seeing good results except for large welts at the injection site. I take Claritin for 4 days after the injections. Make sure the alcohol is dry before putting the injection in.
Posted 4/23/2008 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
good luck! I eagerly look for your posts, as Humira is next on my list also. The remicade is ......well, not helping near as much as it should be! It seems as if many people get those welts/reactions at the injection sites... interesting!

Posted 4/24/2008 1:43 AM (GMT 0)

Princescolon,

How has the humira worked for you so far?????

Posted 4/24/2008 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I have had recent success with Humira, too, but just had my dose increased to weekly, to try and get me to remission finally.

I totally agree with the above tips, and even though I was reluctant to try injections in the stomach, they are MUCH less uncomfortable than the thighs -- more fatty tissue. Now that I have been doing this for a few months, I can handle alternating with the thighs with less discomfort.

I would recommend having someone else administer the shots for you. The burn is intense, and I think I would not be able to hold the pen in place for the full 10 seconds. It helps to have someone firmly but gently do it for you.

My experience was that while I saw nearly immediate results with Remicade, it took me 4 weeks to see results with Humira (which is exactly what the fine print reads, incidentally), so don't get despondent if it takes a while to kick in.

Best of luck -- hope you have good results!
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