HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Starting Humira soon..any tips?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/17/2017 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in limbo waiting on insurance approval for Humira. Totally new to biologics. Entyvio was GI's first choice, insurance denied and requires me to try Humira first. Not super excited about it but it is what it is and being stuck on prednisone is not fun!

Some questions for those that have been on it:

1) Any tips that you found worked well in helping to minimize any short term, minor side effects after dose? Example, extra hydration and if so with what? Water, Gatorade, etc?

2) Vaccines - Is it common to need a slew of vaccines, including live vaccines before starting? I was a vaccinated kid. As part of the initial lab prep (TB, Hep B, etc) discovered I have no immunity to Hep B. Started that vacc series and GI now has PCP doing any potential inactivated vaccines that are indicated. I think they're up to 5 based on the last chat w/ nurse who was double checking history and helping figure out timing.

Thanks!
Posted 10/17/2017 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
1) I always did it in the evening and drank plenty of water, maybe even a Gatorade, before bed. I never had any side effects besides a bump at the ejection point the day after. Then again, the Humira never responded for me so not sure if its lack of response had something to do why it never adversely affected me symptom wise. At the end of the day, everyone is different with side effects. I believe some here have reported head aches and muscle aches. People like me had nothing. You will see how your body responds after your injection. My advice would be to take it easy the rest of the day after the injection.

2) The main thing they look for is TB. You will need to be tested for TB before you can begin the injections.

Best of luck, I hope it works for you.
Posted 10/17/2017 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
1) If the shot stings then ice that spot before doing another. It's best to do the shots where you have a little bit of fat. Straight into muscle isn't as easy.

2) It's a good idea to get an annual flu shot while on biologics but not everyone does. No other shots recommended. If ypu suspect you have an infectiin requiring antibiotics coming on then seek treatment earlier (UTIs, bronchitis, sinus infections, etc).

I hope humira is your ticket to a long remission. It's pretty fast working medication, with most people getting a response within 6 weeks
Posted 10/17/2017 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you get great results! Some tips for injecting, take it out of the fridge one to two hours prior to injecting. Make sure the alcohol has completely dried prior to injection. Always, always remember, thumb on plumb - don't want to shoot your thumb! Grab your spot, take a deep breath, inject and exhale slowly while counting to 10. The injections are easy and the sting (in the US) lasts less than a minute. I also found the stomach was easier than the thigh. If you get an injection site reaction - raised, red and itchy you can try oral Benadryl 25 mg as well as the Benadryl cream, it helps.

As for the vaccinations, I had to get tested for TB. You need to be up to date on your TDAP. I received the pneumonia vaccine a few years prior but don't think this one is recommended. I did the Hep A and B series and get a flu shot every year. Good luck!
Posted 10/17/2017 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty skinny so when I take my shot I like to prop myself up on the bed so it wrinkles my belly and I can grab hold of a chunk of flesh shocked and pinch it together while I hit the shot.

It's really not that bad after you get past the point where you have to take multiple shots in a sitting.

Post Edited (Jayhawk85) : 10/18/2017 10:26:19 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/18/2017 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply