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Humira and Asthma

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/9/2019 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I was diagnosed with UC about 2 years. I tried several medications and now my colitis is well controlled on weekly Humira injections. about 6 months ago I developed a persistent cough that my primary care doctor diagnosed as asthma. I'm working hard to find the right asthma medication and get the asthma under control.

I met with my GI this week and he is wondering if the Humira is contributing to my asthma. I have an apt with a pulmonologist at the end of December. It feels like a long time to wait so I wanted to ask here -- has anyone else developed asthma or a persistent cough while on Humira?

The Humira is working very well for my colitis and I'm very nervous to switch medications, but this new asthma complication is really making things more challenging.

Thanks in advance for any input!

-Lisa
Posted 11/9/2019 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
are you on any meds for blood pressure?

Have you had an upper scope to rule out reflux?

Have you had a chest xray?

q
Posted 11/9/2019 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have not experienced or heard of this, but I take Singulair nightly for my wheezing due to cat allergies. I've taken it for about half my life and it works great. It may be a med to look into. Sorry you're having to deal with this!
Posted 11/9/2019 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I never had this happen while on Humira. I could not find asthma listed as a potential side effect for Humira, but did see that a cough is a potential. The pulmonary dr will run various tests to confirm if it's asthma or not. I would stick with the Humira for now & see what the pulmonary dr says.

Take care.
Posted 11/9/2019 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the quick responses!

Heather: No I'm not on any meds for blood pressure. I've had a chest x ray but haven't had an upper scope in over a year. Both my PCP and GI feel strongly that it's not GERD as my symptoms present as classic cough variant asthma (coughing during exercise, coughing while talking, coughing during cold weather) and I seem to be responding somewhat to inhalers. But we'll see what the pulmonologist says!

Sara: Thanks for sharing what works for you. I've read that Singulair can have depression as a side effect. I already struggle with my mood so I'm a bit worried about that. But it's good to know there are options!

Thanks again,
Lisa
Posted 11/9/2019 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I do too at times, but I've personally never experienced that side effect, for what it's worth. Good luck!
Posted 11/10/2019 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have cough variant asthma....what inhalers are you on? Singulair might help you as well (I don't use it, but I do use inhalers).

Did you have a cold around the time this started?

q
Posted 11/10/2019 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!
So far I've tried Pulmicort, Symbicort, and Flovent. It's been trial and error with all of them at different doses. The Flovent seems to work best at the highest dose. However, I'm still having symptoms and still taking albuterol (rescue inhaler) twice a day.

I don't remember having a cold when it started. When it all started I thought it was a nagging cough because my immune system was low from the Humira. I let it go on for for a few weeks and when I finally went to my PCP she told me that I was wheezing and we needed to start to check for asthma.

I know there are a lot of other inhalers/options out there, it just takes so long to get into these specialists (I'm in a major city) so I appreciate any ideas/opinions!

Thanks!
Lisa
Posted 11/10/2019 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
My only suggestion is to NOT use BREO, sigh. It worked well, but I ended up with yeast at the back of my mouth and throat daily (and Im fastidious about mouth hygeine), a severe sinus infection, 2 courses of abx, yeast down my esophagus increased by use of abx...and excruciating , unrelenting discomfort and nausea finally blasted with fluconazole 10 day course.

Consider allergy testing just because.

It's fine to take the Salbutamol 2x daily.
Ask for Oxeze....it's the same long lasting reliever med in Symbicort, but separate and can be adjusted as needed. I know the combos are suggested, but separate allow for specified adjustment.

Hope better insight at your pulmonologist appt...it's always good to have official diagnosis.

q
Posted 11/10/2019 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that allergy testing could be a good idea. I have severe wheezing if I don't take my Singulair nightly. With it, I have zero wheezing. I don't have an asthma diagnosis though. Just a very bad cat allergy and an adorable cat who is my best friend in the world. smile
Posted 11/10/2019 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the info — much appreciated!!
Posted 11/11/2019 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Just make sure you do not have an infection like bronchitis.

I have not heard of humira causing asthma, and I've been reading this and other forums for 8+ years. It;s not impossible, but it would be exceedingly rare.
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