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Started Humira today

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/24/2010 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I finally started Humira today.  I went to the doctor and they explained the pen to me.  I gave myself the first four injections.  I did them in my stomach and it was a little painful. The Remicade IV didn't hurt as bad.

I hope it works?  How long before I should see any results? 

Posted 2/24/2010 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Boxermum
Started today too. Hope all goes well for you.

GI told me it could take affect with in days, or it might take a few more injections.
I only had two today, 80 mg, and I will take one 40mg every two weeks.

Best of luck and I will let you know how I get on

IM
Posted 2/24/2010 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I think you may see the effects with in 2 months. I think that's when most of my symptoms went away. I started my Humira middle of May 2007, and my symptoms went away with the exception for abdomin pain, by August 2007. Hope it works for you!
Posted 2/24/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Imac Girl- I had four today and then two on day 15 and then one every other week. I also started Remicade in August. I was on double the strength and it did nothing. I tried Imuran in Dec/Jan and it made me so sick I stopped it. Good luck to you too.
Posted 2/25/2010 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to both of you. The doctor said if my next infusions of Remicade don't work then it is on to Humira. First of all he is going to try giving me the max dose of the Remicade. I don't know why he didn't do that in the first place. He is sometimes overly cautious and I suppose that is why I hold him in such high regard. Guess he wanted to make sure I had no adverse effects from the Remicade. We both were a little anxious since I tested positive on my PPD test over 40 yrs ago. However, I was retested while in the hospital two years ago and the test was negative. He tested me before beginning the Remicade again in Nov of 09 and again turned up negative...so I was good to go. He also had me get a chest xray. Had a CT scan of pelvic area on Monday because of this pain and pressure in rectal area. Started back on 40 mgm of prednisone today after only being off it for three weeks
Posted 2/25/2010 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Please keep us updated on how you are doing on this. I myself is waiting to get approved for it.
Posted 2/25/2010 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have been waiting since November for it. BCBS denied me because it is not FDA approved for UC only Chrons. I had a very hard time. Just now got it in February. I have been suffering so long and been so sick waiting. Good luck everybody I hope it works for all of us.
Posted 2/25/2010 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
ImacGirl: Curious, the normal loading dose for the first time is 4 shots.... do u know why you took half instead? What type of shots are you two on? I'm sure the pen is more popular than the syringe.
Posted 2/25/2010 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I am on the pen. The starter kit came with six pens.
Posted 2/25/2010 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
For me I felt some relief in about a week. SOME. But I was also on prednisone at the same time so I really dont know what was working. I used prednisone a couple times during Humira cause it did not quite do the trick alone for me..thats why I got off it. That and because Iwas getting too sick too often on it.
I hope it works for you all :)
Posted 2/25/2010 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! I started it in January & have finally started to see *some* results. I'm not getting my hopes up, but I think things may be taking a turn for the better. Did the usual loading dose of the pre-filled pens, 2 shots first day, 2 shots 2nd day, then 2 shots day 14. Am now on 1 pen biweekly. Yeah, Imac girl, why did they only have you do 2 of the loading doses, as opposed to 4? I hope scrapgirl chimes in- she just started it too & I'm curious as to how she's doing.
Posted 2/25/2010 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
i was told by the pharmacy that i ordered humira from (caremark) that it often takes 2 to 3 months to see any significant benefit from using it.

it's quite different from remicade in that regard - with remicade some people see same day/next day results.
Posted 2/25/2010 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I don't know that I'm any better but I'm definitely not any worse. For some reason it seems like my bms are more watery. This flare has been so weird. It's like every week my symptoms are a little different. I'm due for two more shots today so I'll see how it goes.
Posted 2/25/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure why I only got two shots to begin with, but that is what the GI prescribed. Not noticing any affect yet, but I think I have a touch of a tummy bug that the kids had, so have not been eating much, and feeling like I could be sick at any moment. Also have no energy. Not sure if it is the tummy bug or the humria. Anyone else feel like that after there first dose?
BM aren't any different, and still lots of gas,
God I hope this works. Frighten to even think of the alternative if it doesn't. Surgery with two small kids and a husband that works 12 hour days is not a option for me at the moment, so I will have to just live with it as long as I can.
Wish I had the option of toping up with prednisone but all it does for me is make me eat and put on serious weight. I put on about 30 lbs on my first and only course of prednisone, but the GI says it had no effect on me.

So here I go with the humria, and praying it works.

Will keep you updated
Posted 2/25/2010 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you should ask your doctor.... I'm thinking that the loading dose you got won't help much.... maybe he made a mistake on the loading dose.
www.humira.com is the main site that also mentions the right loading dose. Good luck!
Posted 2/26/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Imac Girl, I noticed too that I haven't had kind of a dull pain about three inches below where my bra line would be. It almost feels like a have some type of blockage. I don't know what the deal is. After I go to the bathroom and a substantial amount of stool comes out I feel so much better. Have to bring that up with by GI. When I got my 4 loading doses I did them all in my stomach so today I did the two in my legs - ouch! But just in case that pain was connected to those stomach shots I thought I should try another location. Did you get yours in your stomach?
Posted 2/26/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Boxermom- I am on my week 2 and take my two more pens tomorrow. I know medications work differently for everyone, but I was seriously feeling better within 48 hours. As it stands right now I don't have any symptoms except for a few minor cramping, but compared to before my first dose it's like day and night. I was on remicade before, and due to a possible allergic reaction did not want to administer that to me again. I hope Humira works very well for you, just be patient and hang in there, it's an amazing med.
Posted 2/26/2010 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I got mine in my stomach too, so I guess it could be from the injection rather than the bug. Think I feel a little better today, which is 48 hours plus, but afraid to say it out loud and tempt faith, but have only had 4 bms today as opposed to any where from 8 to 20.
Will let you know how i gets on
Posted 3/1/2010 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Humira for two years. It took almost a year for it to kick in for me and that was only after I started a Gluten-Free diet.

Been in remission for over a year. My only med is Humira, once every two weeks.
Posted 3/1/2010 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Well things are going well. I am down to 1 - 3 bm per day. Still a lot of cramping, pain, urgency and gas.
I have also caught a cold and throat infection which I am now on antibiotics for, but only for a week, so will be off them before my next humira injection.

Generally I do feel better. Energy is starting to return, apart from the cold and throat infection, so I hope it is just a sign of things to come.

Will keep you all informed

IG
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