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Tel me about Humira

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/16/2018 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
My GI wants to start me on this or Remicade. Do the shots hurt (Honestly, after UC pain, I am not too worried about a shot)? Is it hard to give yourself a shot?

How long does the insurance pre-auth take? My GI's nurse said it is "lengthy."

Do you have side effects? How long before it kicks in?

Anything else I should know?

I dont know if it is time for me to try biologics or imuran yet, honestly. I have had UC since 2007. I had very minimal symptoms after my initial very severe flare thanks to Asacol and Rowasa. I first had to use pred in February of 2013. Since then, I have had to go on a course of pred once or twice a year (except for 2017, when I was in remission all year). So, in total, I believe I have taken 6 full courses (lasting 1-2 months) and 2 short courses, when they found out I actually had campylobactor and then c diff., and this May, when my doctor thought I was just constipated (took it for 10 days). This flare, the pred did not immediately help within days like it always has in the past, but I also started smoking, which I think probably caused this flare. I have had an extremely stressful past 4 years due to an abusive relationship. One of my flares happened after getting surgery to remove HPV anal warts, and my anal surgeon said it is common for IBDers to flare after rectum surgery and another flare happened after running a 50-mile ultramarathon. My campylobactor nightmare started after running 68 miles. So, I have had a ton of stress, in addition to putting a lot of atress on my body these last several years.
Posted 6/16/2018 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
My experience with Humira - started in November was on 25mg of predisone - was able to wean by 5mg per week after the 2nd set of shots (which really are no big deal- tummy is less painful). I got stuck at 5mg and could not wean off for awhile due to flare symptoms returning. I got off of prednisone by end of February- flared again again in May and started Remicade. Humira caused me increased anxiety and insomnia every other week. On the shot weeks I was tired and then on the following week I would get very anxious and couldn't sleep. I feel much better since I've been off of Humira for 4 weeks now. So my vote is for Remicade. I am weaning prednisone again and have only had one infusion of Remi so far- so the jury is still out on my end results though I read a gazillion posts on both drugs and I think people have had more success with Remicade. The shots are convenient at home with Humira, but when you travel you have to take them with you. Remicade is usually given 8 weeks apart so you are free in between. Good Luck!
Posted 6/16/2018 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Also I was able to start Humira pretty quickly after Doc ordered it (like 10 days) but I was persistently calling Accredo pharmacy about the order. It took 2 weeks for the infusion center to schedule me for Remicade.
Posted 6/16/2018 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am reading about Humira and Remicade at this link and it is making me really not want to take a biologic. Remission rates dont sound promising and the side effects sound scary as hell.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2014/08/best-drugs-to-treat-inflammatory-bowel-disease/index.htm
Posted 6/16/2018 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, countess. I think I would rather try Remicade first. My GI said it is harder to get insurance companies to approve it, but I have good insurance, so we will see. He told me he thinks Remicade is a little morr effective. Then his nurse called me and said she was starting the pre-auth for Humira. I never agreed to do that or even had time to decide. So I asked if she could do the pre-auth for both, but maybe that was a mistake, because if my insurance company sees two options and one is cheaper, surely they will decline the more expensive choice, right?
Posted 6/17/2018 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
I've had to recently go to weekly injections, but it is unclear if those are working very well or if I got C Diff (gave lots o' blood and poop yesterday for testing). They are also testing to see if I developed antibodies in the ~2 months I don't have a high enough level of Humira in my body. So who knows on the working side...

But in terms of injections -- meh. I am not needle adverse, so that helps. I basically take out the pen about an hour beforehand and let it get to room temp. I then ice the area for about 10 minutes. I set myself up, and then I close my eyes, and push and count to 10. The injection stings A LITTLE, and mostly that depends on where I am injection on my stomach (I tried the thigh but it hurt so much). The area is a little sore for a few hours, as well. I haven't experienced any side effects that I can identify, though I am a bit tired for the 24 hours after.

Also can't answer insurance questions -- I have Kaiser (HMO), so I don't need authorization. Abbvie has been great with my refund as well each time -- my copay is $150 and they send me $145 after I upload a receipt and the label on the box.
Posted 6/17/2018 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
Remicade has worked well for me and given me a remission. No side effects from it.

Two courses of pred a year for you means your UC is anything but well managed. That's not good!

Insurance approval can take 2, 3, 4 or so weeks. Varies.
Posted 6/17/2018 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Humira for about 9 months with no side effects and I was on weekly injections, however it did not work too well for me so my Gi has switched me to Entyvio which is working great for me.

It was nice to have the convenience of home injections which my wife who is a nurse administered to me.
I don't think you should be afraid of a biologic as from my own experience no real side effects.
Posted 6/17/2018 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! Sorry for all the spelling errors. I suck at typing on this phone.

I've flared twice one year, not every year. Most years it has been once a year. Last year I was in remission all year.

Post Edited (Sara14) : 6/17/2018 9:09:28 AM (GMT-6)

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