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Thank Goodness for Humira!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/21/2013 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
After 2 long years and 3 months of battling UC without any form of remission, I think I may have finally found my 'miracle' - Humira! My latest bloods from the hospital showed everything looking normal - from liver to white cells to iron to Vitamin B12. Inflammatory markers are below 1 (0 to 5 is normal) which means there is little to no inflammation! I'm 3 full months off pred tomorrow (nearly 13 weeks!) which is my longest ever! I usually got really bad anything from 2-8 weeks off pred! My Imuran has been reduced to 100mg and hoping to reduce Mezavant in next fortnight! I've had no reactions or side-effects from Humira either. In fact, the week before I started it, I broke out in a rash and hives for a couple of days and had I started Humira before that, I probably would've blamed the Humira!

Starting Humira in early Dec I wasn't too optimistic as I had no luck with any drugs or diet modification before - and with constant pred, constant d, b and m it was hard to remain hopeful! Stayed on pred for 6 weeks whilst the Humira had time to kick in! I'm still mostly 1, sometimes 2 bms daily - no b and no m. I'm finally able to do normal things like holidays, going out and eating out which feels amazing! I'm being careful with my diet although I do have cheat days! Anyway, I just wanted to post this to all the people that may be starting Humira or are contemplating starting it but are feeling anxious about it! This could be the drug for you so stay hopeful! I'm hoping this will keep me in remission for a good while but who knows as its still early days - at the moment I'm just enjoying every day! :-D BIG thank you for the support from this forum and everyone who has listened to my worries and rants!
Posted 4/21/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
yay !!!
Posted 4/21/2013 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm very happy for you.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 4/21/2013 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Great! Glad to hear. I'm doing really good too. GI wants me to go off Balsalazide. Why I don't really know. I cut it down to 6 pills from 9.
Hope you keep doing good :)
Posted 4/21/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all! That's great Faithmac, hope I continue the way you have been doing on Humira! I was ecstatic at my last GI appointment - I nearly jumped out of my seat and hugged her! I had some popcorn yesterday for the first time in ages so I'm paying the price today ha!
Posted 4/21/2013 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Minners, are you going to stay on Imuran?
Posted 4/21/2013 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Great! I've had mostly no success for two years. I'm so glad something is working for you!
Posted 4/22/2013 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
Faithmac, they've reduced my Imuran to 100mg from 125mg. Next appointment is in June and if Im still well by then they'll reduce it further so all going well, they intend to wean me off it over the next few months! After 18 months on it, Im glad to finally be reducing it! I know how you feel Tornado6, it's awful! And so hard to keep hopeful and positive. Is the Remicade working at all? It's still early days for me but hopefully the Humira will keep me under control.
Posted 4/22/2013 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you're feeling better. Hope it continues forever.

How did you react to the popcorn? I cannot do corn either it made me bleed like crazy. And I love nachos.
Posted 4/22/2013 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! The popcorn gave me cramps, bloating and gas along with 5 urgent bms yesterday! It was buttered cinema popcorn - the worst kind! It tastes and smells so much better when you're not allowed to eat it ha. Going to try to steer clear of it for good now! How do you find the spinach and sunflower seeds?
Posted 4/22/2013 9:53 AM (GMT 0)
Spinach is giving me lose bm's but other than that I love it. In combination of my meds I stopped bleeding 2.5 weeks ago.

I basically avoid the same foods as you do.
Posted 4/22/2013 10:52 AM (GMT 0)

Minners said...
I know how you feel Tornado6, it's awful! And so hard to keep hopeful and positive. Is the Remicade working at all?

I'm not sure. I didn't think it did anything from August - January at 5mg/kg. I took a break, changed doctors (I was referred to a UC specialist by my old GI), and I just had my first 7.5mg/kg infusion last Thursday. It is so hard to tell what is happening when you're on steroids too.
Posted 4/22/2013 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
This is awesome!! My doc said for some people it's a miracle! Yeah for you!!! Go out and conquer what you put on the back burner!
Posted 4/22/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am happy you're doing so well. The idea of the shots scares me but it's a heck of a lot better than struggling with UC!
Posted 4/22/2013 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully the Remicade will build up in you system and work Tornado6! You're right, the real test is when you're off pred! Thanks therearemiracles - even leaving the house daily is a luxury! Feels so weird! Sometimes I forgot I have UC, it's great! I know what you mean notsosicklygirl, I was so terrified by starting the shots but I was so desperate I didn't think twice really. I did the first 6 myself but my boyfriend does them for me now so it's good! It's not easy to inject yourself - even if it is only a sting for a few seconds ha! The fact that its only once every two weeks makes it easier!
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