Humira weekly?

Spoke with my doctor yesterday and he is going to see if he can get approval for me to take Humira shots weekly.  Has anybody else done this?  Sounds expensive but I am hoping it will start to work.  It has been three months so far and nothing.

I was on it weekly at the end too-but I was in a trial, so it didn't cost me anything.

It also didn't help. By that time, I had started going downhill pretty quickly, and going to weekly didn't seem to have any impact at all. It had worked for me in the past though-I think by that point, my body had built up antibodies to the Humira.

I don't know-if it hasn't worked for you in 3 months, I would hesitate to think that moving to a weekly schedule would change that. My GI said that is one of the issues with Humira is that the dosing is pretty static-moving up to weekly is about the only thing they can do with it.

I'm so sorry it isn't working for you!!!

I need to take it weekly. Doesn't cost me any more other than slightly more frequent $5 co-pays. I have been taking it weekly for about a year now.

so Boxermom, you've been on Humira biweekly since Jan. 2010 & have seen NO improvement? I'm trying to place it, we both started at the same time. I have seen improvement, the first 2-3 months were great. Feb-April were really nice for me, then I did start to bleed between shots, go more, looser stools, etc. I did talk with my GI about going to once a week dosing, but we both thought it was a bit hasty. Are you really not seeing any changes? Ugh! I'm trying the steroid enemas to subdue the bleeding in between shots. It's bright red, it's coming from low in the colon/rectum. I think Hobo means he has been using Humira weekly for about a year with good results.

boxermom2,
I have been on Humira since April. Yesterday was my 8th shot and now I take it every other week. So far, it really has not made a difference and doesn't seem to be doing anything for me. I have also been on a gluten-free diet for 10 weeks and seen no improvement. I am discouraged with Humira, as you must be!

That is discouraging.... you get such high hopes for the meds, then they let you down & it just feels BAD.... I felt that way when Remicade stopped working- & while Humira is better, it's by no means great! I have had to use my port-a-pottty in the car numerous times since I started Humira, I feel like I will NEVER get rid of the urgency. That's really my main symptom, so it's not too much of a hassle on my life. but bad enough. Although I feel like I've just gotten used to the "new normal", it is a big compromise- most people don't have to pull over & poop in their car. I don't think twice about doing it... But anyway- so what's next, Boxermom- will you go to weekly shots, try any sort of diet, check out surgeons? Has your GI suggested surgery yet? Mine keeps reminding me of how that 10 year/colon cancer risk mark is rapidly approaching, & how much happier I'd be without a colon. One of these days maybe I'll give it a try.

hey, you'll get over your privacy woes if you need to use it pretty darned fast! I've gone in my car with my daughter sitting right there next to me- have not yet had that pleasure with the husband, but since we are driving to Canada this summer, he's probably in for a treat...hahaha! I hope the pred works well for you also. I have heard though, from lots of people on the ostomy forum, that once they had surgery they were much better able to care for their children, newborns or no- just more energy, being able to sleep more, not being stuck in the bathroom, etc. I can remember when my daughter was born, once we were home, I'd have to run to the bathroom at a moment's notice. I have left her in her high chair alone, left her on the living room floor alone, etc.... So..... while I can understand that surgery may not be ideal timing, sometimes I think it would beat the alternative. I have no clue though how they would handle it if you wanted surgery while pregnant, not sure how that works. It's a tough choice- many a summer I spent sitting on my back deck, unable to take my little girl to the playground, the beach, on playdates, to birthday parties, etc. I had major guilt about that. Half the time I couldn't even play in the yard with her, I had no strength & was unable to go more than 75 feet from the bathroom. Thankfully those days seem to be behind me- for now!