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Humira and UC

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/15/2011 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure there are many posts on this, but I'm going to put it out there again..

Who out there with UC is on Humira? I am supposed to be starting it soon, whenever the insurance company decides to stop fighting my doc about it, and I am just wondering what kind of experiences people have had with it.

Thanks,

aquafly79
currently on Apriso and Entocort and recovering from a UC flare
Posted 3/15/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I was on it for about three months before I stopped the injections to have j-pouch surgery, which I have been very pleased with. I don't think Humira did anything for me personally.

Posted 3/15/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on it for about 8 months now. I had to increase the frequency to every week as I was still having issues with the bi-weekly frequency.  My GI says that of his 80 patients who are on Humira, all but one are on the weekly frequency - so just something for you to be aware of.

It seems to work for me. I hate the injections but have gotten used to them.

Posted 3/15/2011 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on it about 14 months, bi-weekly injections. I do pretty well, I could probably use to bump it up to weekly, but my symptoms aren't that bad yet. The 2-3 days prior to my injection can be a bit annoying, but nothing drastic. I like it, I lost response to Remicade after a while, but so far the Humira seems to be holding it's own. I don't mind the shots too much- I do them in my abdomen, the leg hurts SO much more!!! You woudln't think so, but the abdomen is the place to do them! Have you tried Remicade yet? Most insurers won't cover Humira for UC unless you've failed on Remicade.

Posted 3/15/2011 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed originally with UC but have inflammation and aptheous ulcers in my Terminal Ileum and cecum. So now they are saying indeterminate colitis.

My insurance company would not cover Humira for Ulcerative colitis. My doctor had to write an appeal for me that stated that I have possible Crohn's and the documentation to back it up. Finally I got it approved...but my insurance company stated on there that they would not approve humira for weekly injections....only bi-weekly injections.

Anyways with all that said. I am due for my humira shot tonight. I can honestly say that I don't think its making a bit of difference. I still go to the bathroom 10 + times per day and always has tons of blood everytime I go. This will be my 8th shot ...I will try them until I go back to the GI office in April but really don't think they work for me...but nothing really has seemed to help lately.

I hope its approved and works for you well!
Posted 3/15/2011 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on it a year now, for both UC and arthritis. Honestly, I can't tell if it is working or not.
Posted 3/16/2011 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I was on weekly injections. It didn't help me. Remicade didn't either.
Posted 3/16/2011 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
I was on it and had no results. Then put on remicade. 4 treatments and improving, slower than Dr. would have like , but improving.
Posted 3/17/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info everyone. Hopefully those who have had positive experiences with Humira just don't need to post anymore :). Looks like I was approved to get Humira, it was the starter kit that the insurance was balking at, so we will see what happens. I am a little nervous about some of the side effects I have seen posted on here...My doc and I decided to try Humira before Remicade as I am a stay at home parent to two little kids and going in for the infusions would be a pain, but hopefully the side effects of Humira won't make it to hard to take care of them.
Posted 3/17/2011 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I was dx in January of 2010. Lialda worked until July when I had a horrible flare. After another scope the doctor put me on Humira for my UC and skipped 6MP and Remicade.

I have been doing great since I started Humira in August.

I was previously on Enbrel for RA and it put me into a long term remission. The reason for bringing that up is because my Humira injections are substantially more painful than Enbrel. They don't seem to get any better 6 months later and I tolerate pain well. But it's only for 15 seconds.

Good luck!
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