Considering humira

[nogutsnoglory]

can humira melt away scar tissue? Does it have any effect on fatigue?

 

[beth]

Scar tissue: no. Fatigue: yes.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Help or create more fatigue? Im so tired as is but have major narrowing

 

[beth]

I'd say it helps. However it can't do miracles, I noticed a big step up in my energy levels in about 4 days after the loading doses, but I still feel tired even now on weekly injections. Don't think I could quantify how much, and in any case everyone is different.

 

[tiloah]

When I was diagnosed and put on Humira, I asked if it would help with my constant fatigue. My doc told me something like - You have a lot of TNF alpha, which is what we see high levels of in cancer patients and makes you feel crappy. The Humira should bring those levels down, which should help.

In any case, I haven't noticed feeling less fatigued since starting it.
I guess it depends on the real cause of your fatigue.

It won't get rid of your scar tissue but the hope is that it will control the inflammation that causes the scar tissue so you won't get any more. Good luck.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Interesting dies can a.blood test show tnf levels?

 

[tiloah]

Interesting dies can a.blood test show tnf levels?

I don't think a blood test can. It's just that TNF alpha has been shown to be the type of inflammation present in this disease... and the anti-TNF drugs work the best (Humira, Remicade, etc.) so they assume out of control TNF is the problem.

 

[MikeinBklyn]

I agree with the above statement. TNF is not counted in a blood test. It is assumed that by having Crohn's you have high levels of TNF alpha.

That is why myself, as others here have had to increase the frequency of injections, to get the TNF black ratio correct. It worked for me going from 14 days to 10 day intervals for injections.

Good Luck