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Short Stuff... Questions about Humira

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/26/2008 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
I'm supposed to start Humira in the next week or so. I too failed Remicade. I (and I'm sure others on this site) would like to know what your experience has been. Do the shots hurt? Is it working on your UC? Anything you can offer up will I"m sure help decrease my anxiety!


Thanks!

Becky

** Becky; I just added "Humira" to your title

Post Edited By Moderator (Loneylane) : 10/26/2008 1:48:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/26/2008 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 10/26/2008 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Humira since Jan. 1 2008. It has helped tremendously but did not put me into remission by itself. The shots do sting a little but don't bother me at all.

Posted 10/26/2008 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I just took my dose of Humira last night, been taking it for over a year and a half, it works. The shots do catch u off guard a bit if you are using the pen, but the medicine goes in fast and it only takes less than 10 seconds per shot. Humira and Imuran put me into remission, and has kept me there thankfully. My reaction to the Humira gives me a rash and a sore belly but ice helps that. I sometimes bruise, but it really isn't bad at all. Good luck on it. I'm sure you will get training on it the first dose.
Posted 10/27/2008 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry this probably won't help alleviate your anxiety, but for me the shots have been extremely painful and I have been getting it with a syringe. I've had six injections so far. They haven't let me do the injections yet and when the nurse does it, she injects it really quickly. This may be the reason why it is so painful for me, the stinging continues for like five minutes after the injection. But for me and probably for you too, a little bit of pain every other week is a small price to pay for remission. Now the good news, I failed remicade too. I had success with it at first and developed a resistance to it. Its been 2 weeks since my first round of humira injections and I'm seeing improvement. I have a long way to go before I'm in remission, but so far it looks promising. Good luck with the humira. Also, I'm just curious, how did you get on it? Did insurance pay for it? The only reason I'm on it is because I'm in a Clinical Trial.
Posted 10/27/2008 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
this wendnesday will be my first time of only having 1 shot. the first set which was 4 shots i did while i was in the hospital. My insurance at first approved the humira than after the first series they denied it. i went through a cpl different sources trying to get approved for the humira through my insurance and it was denied every time. I did appeals and everything. Finally i was told about a place that helps people without insurance to get their medicine. I called to ask questions and was told to apply even though i had insurance. I downloaded the application from the internet and had my docter fill it out then sent it in. I was approved after about a week or week and a half of waiting and they fed exed the humira to me. the second set was actually the pens. i did 2 shots or pens as it was, and this wendnesday i do the first series of only 1 shot or pen. for me the pen is a a little painful i think becouse the needle is spring loaded. so far i have reacted well to it. if i get a cut or something ive noticed it takes alot longer to heal and i get bruises occasionally from i guess banging into things at work (im a mechanic so i get alot of bruises). i still get alot of gas and cramping but so far it seems to be working the urgency went from around 10+ a day to 1 to 4 times a day and im happy to say its formed BMs. alot depends on what i eat. the website i went to for help with getting the humira is http://www.needymeds.org/    i to was on remicade for almost 2 years before it quit working. around october of 07 i was tooken off of it. dont know if any of this will help you but thats my story so far.
Posted 10/28/2008 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
  I was approved by my insurance.  I have been denied a whole bunch of times.  I just got a new job and new insurance and was so shocked because they approved it on the first try!  I'm a little worried though seeing the person on here who was approved and then denied.  Hopefully it all works out.  Today is my starter shots.  The lady is coming at 1pm! Woo hoo!

Posted 10/28/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Why in the world would three doctors I have seen tell me Humira will not work if Remicade has not fully worked. On here there are countless stories of people who have done much better on Humira than remicade...Any thoughts?
Posted 10/29/2008 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
landcruiser:

I have a friend with Crohn's she and I are with the same hospital, and she's been struggling with the meds she's been on. Her Doctors have constantly been playing with her meds. I suggested her to ask about Remicade and Humira since Humira is FDA approved for Crohn's. Her Doctor said that's for UC not Crohn's. I just think some Doctors need more training in some areas or listen better. LOL

Sorry just had to vent.

Suggestion, tell about the experiences you have read on here about Humira vs. Remicade, or find another doctor. I understand the sometimes it is frustrating since this is a scary disease.
Posted 10/29/2008 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sweetie thanks for the reply....did you try remi first or go straight to the Humira.....thaks in advance.
Posted 10/29/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I was on Remicade in the hospital, and went on my third dose out of the hospital and almost went int anaphalactic shock. So, there went the Remicade and onto the Humira.
Posted 10/29/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Did you get a response from Remicade before you had your reaction?.....how swift was the Humira to induce remission?
Posted 10/29/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
That is odd, landcruiser, but I don't think you're alone- it seems that the general consensus is what those doctors told you! But we all hear differently on the board, so.... My GI suggested us trying Humira if & when Remicade stops working- the last time we spoke (which was about 3 months ago), he still thought we could give it a try. He wasn't hopeful, but that's ok- as long as he writes the script & haggles with my insurance! If another doctor tells you that Humira won't work, bring up the whole mouse protein vs. human protein question- for that reason alone, one would think Humira has a chance of working when Remicade does not.

Posted 10/30/2008 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
landcruiser

I did get a response at first, that's what gave me the ability to get out of the hospital and eat regular food. But without me knowing because of Asthma, my second dose in the hospital I was showing a reaction. My reaction went full blown on the third dose. It ended up making me go backwards, kinda like the Asacol. Since I was heading into remission with the Remicade, I went a week without any medicine then my Doctor put me on Humira. That kept pulling me into remission and I guess I was in complete remission after the second month on it. I was so flared last year that my doctor still is keeping me on two shots every 2 weeks, he may bring me down when I see him next.
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