Bananagirl how you doing today?

i think i will have to get the syringes. i just can't do the pens again. not sure if i can return them. i still have 3 pens in my kit.

faith, i did all the shots in my thigh. i won't even attempt my gut. if it hurts this bad in my thigh, i can't imagine having it in the spot where i get my UC pain. just pure torture. remicade was a breeze compared to this.

my home nurse was really nice though and i could tell she felt bad that i was screaming and crying so much. she was an older lady and i was her only patient that day so she was there for about 2.5 hours.

i decided to google "humira hurts" and there are TONS of the same story as mine. some people say they scream/bite into a towel. others have panic attacks and take zanax before their injections. others say they had to stop the injections because the pain is just overwhelming. i don't know why the humira people had to make such a painful med!

Not to take over your thread but just wanted to show other side in case new humira people see this and totally freak out!

I did not have any pain, no screaming , crying. I did the 4 loading doses w/ a pa at my GI's office. I did them one right after the other. It burned but that was it. I have done regular style needles before and it wasn't much different.

I was about 95 pounds at the time and had more fat on my thighs than my tummy. I did give it myself one shot in the tummy just to try it. It may of burned a teeny bit more. It was just easier for me to do the thighs. I did not have to take any xanex, or pain pills or numb the area.

Sorry not trying to downplay your experience or say that you were not in crazy pain. Just want to show other side of giving humira!

I had 3 pens left over (humira didn't work for me and I switched to remicade). I had to take them to my doctor's office and they were destroyed (ie put in the hazards box). They could not be reused. Just FYI on that.

Sorry again you had such a bad experience :( Do you think you could do a syringe? I just did 3 months of weekly mtx shots in my leg and that was easy as well.

Tried to post this last night, but my computer was acting crazy......But I spent some time on the Crohns site yesterday looking at the people taking Humira. One person said they took their shots in the butt. Said that she called the hotline and the nurse said it was ok to take them there. Maybe that would hurt less? If it helps, can you endure the pain? I would do just about anything to feel "normal" again and not be so anxious about whether or not I will make it to the bathroom!! Hang in there bananagirl!

pink, oh yeah! i understand that everyone is different with meds and some people are super sensitive. i wish my experience had been like yours. that would make taking it so much easier for me. my one friend with crohn's has been on it for a year now and takes it every 10 days with no problem.

my sister is pretty mad at me that i'm debating whether to take the next shots. she said she'd take one to prove that it's not that bad. i told her it was fine so we'll see if she actually does it. i don't think it will affect her at all since she's pretty healthy.

Wonder if they could send you the humira in syringes? I think my doctor's office will let you do either. I just did the pens b/c that's what insurance sent.

Hang in there!

Oh man. That sucks. I was so hoping this would work for you. Did you call the humira hotline? I have no idea what to tell you. Just know I am thinking about you. Hope you feel better!

hey guys. so far no positive difference in anything. very gassy, but that's it. my gut has looked pregnant for a few days. also, i can't sleep at all- keep waking up at night.

i don't have any flu like symptoms so that's good.

Did they tell you it could take 3 months to see improvement? I swear that was beat into my head when I started humira. Even the mail order pharmacist called to rattle off that stat to me.

Sorry you are not sleeping :(

pink, yeah my doctor mentioned that.

faith, my GI wanted me to stay on 6mp but i stopped that months ago (i think in october). it wasn't doing anything. humira is the only thing i take right now. i've tried all the rectal meds with no success.

Oh dear Joanna, that sounded like a panic attack you were having. Please hang tough, praying for you that the next shot goes better.

Took my second round yesterday. I have been pretty gassy too. Not to the degree that you are, but still more than normal. The shots went ok. Took them in my leg again. Wish I could find a spot on my stomach that didn't have stretch marks (the joys of giving birth to a 10# baby). They did sting, but it was over after about 15 seconds. Been feeling better. Still going 4-5 times a day, but so much better. I will take it. Hang in there banana, we are all pulling for you.

therearemiracles-I am significantly heavier than you (144), and I agree, I think this should be done by weight. Or even just one every week for like 4 weeks. Seems crazy to do 4 up front (not knowing how it will affect you). I think if this starts giving me issues, I am going to ask for Wellbutrin. Maybe that will work without all the crazy side effects.
I support you guys too! I have always said that the first sign of ridiculous side effects and I am done. It is not worth it. You trade one problem for another. Hang in there, that Vedoluzimab seems really like a great option.

Joanna how are you today? Did the stiffness in your hands go away completely? Are you able to eat? How's the gas situation?