1st treatment of Adalimumab what to expect.

[CharlieChan]

Hello Folks my first post!
1st treatment of Adalimumab (4 x 40mg pens) is fast approaching and as a carer I'd like to know peoples experiences of how this will effect the patient in regards to how they will feel that day and days after. Side effects, mood swings, thirsty, hungry, not able to sleep, sleeping lots anything really. Just like as much information as possible. It seems impossible to say how it will effect the actual disease as everyone is different.
Thanks
CC

 

[katiesue1506]

I only ever had welts at the injection site. I was told this is relatively normal. They usually took a couple days to go away. Occasionally I'd get a headache but other than that no side effects.

 

[Scaryman]

If you leave out injection site problems (pain). It's important to remember that the patient will be susceptible to infections. So if he/she gets a simple cold or something call your doctor. I'm sure the Abbott nurses and doctor will go over this with you. Read the humira information on your practice pen kit so you know what to expect with drug warnings. Hope this helps. What other drugs is the patient on?



Also please read dustys post here as this is very informational.
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=29394

 

[AuntieEm]

I just started last wednesday. I was going along fine (full days schedule) until I went to bed that night. Evidently I'd drifted off to sleep when my brother called so my husband woke me (or so he thought), I have no recollection of the conversation or even being woke. I slept the next day until 5pm only waking for a second to look at the clock at 1pm. My limbs felt extremely heavy and battled a headache thru Saturday with sudden bouts of fatigue to the point if I lay down I am completely out.

Of course that was me and I began the loading doses on the downhill side of a headcold (no fever).

 

[AuntieEm]

PS... I did let pens warm up during the drive to the city.

 

[Adam1971]

I definitely noticed being wiped out after the first 2 loading dose days (day 1, day 15). After that, it diminished to the point where it does not cause any noticeable effects. The pain of injection is increasing, though.

 

[MissBG]

Just had my first dose on Monday. I was extremely tired afterwards... that might have been partly because I had been in alot of pain that day and had taken a tramadol a few hours before the shots and I was very worried so I hadn't slept well the night before. Got up the next day very tired and had a horrible migraine and the nausea that migraines bring with them.

I forced myself to eat something tuesday afternoon, took a shower and finally felt human again. Still kinda tired but I had that before so who knows whats to blame for that.

Good luck!!!

 

[CharlieChan]

Thanks for the support just an update 10 days on.
btw have updated my signature to include meds currently on (150mg Azathioprine).
Well 10 days on no real change, IBD nurse administered the 4 x 40mg pens.
No allergic reactions either to the pen site or generally physically. Developed a more regular headache though but thats not too unusual. Have suffered headaches on and off for years.
Developed a cold now but thats easing having had it for 5 days.
1000mg antibiotics per day prescribed for 10 days so 1/2 way through.
As for the Crohns no real change to report.
2 x 40mg due Friday
Have a good Christmas

CC

 

[CharlieChan]

Morning all,
Cold symptoms are hanging about, bit of a cough and sniffles.
2 dose is due (2 x 40mg pens)
Should we be injecting or waiting?
Seems to me the longer we wait the worse the crohns will get and the cold cough could take a while to shift.
Any views or experiences welcome

CC

 

[Scaryman]

Morning all,
Cold symptoms are hanging about, bit of a cough and sniffles.
2 dose is due (2 x 40mg pens)
Should we be injecting or waiting?
Seems to me the longer we wait the worse the crohns will get and the cold cough could take a while to shift.
Any views or experiences welcome

CC

I had the sniffles and took my weekly dose regardless.

 

[heisenberg]

hello charlie

were you given a checklist by the nurse on the signs of infection to look out for before giving the dose?

Is the cough productive or is it a dry one? If it is a dry one then it is ok to take the dose. If it is a productive one with lots of yellow phlegm then it is best not to take it and phone the IBD nurse. If it is a productive cough with small amounts of transparent phlegm then it is probably ok to take the dose still.

 

[darkmuse]

I experienced slight injection site issues such as light bruising and soreness. I pre-treated with Benadryl in the slightest possibility of itching. I had to discontinue treatment due to escalation in migraines.

I wish you well with this medication.

 

[DougUte]

Morning all,
Cold symptoms are hanging about, bit of a cough and sniffles.
2 dose is due (2 x 40mg pens)
Should we be injecting or waiting?
Seems to me the longer we wait the worse the crohns will get and the cold cough could take a while to shift.
Any views or experiences welcome

CC

I think it depends on how bad the cough is. If the phlegm is showing signs of infection, wait. If not, then its probably ok to go. Check with the GI nurse.