Doctor's want me on Humira

[Sookie's Mom]

Hi, my doctor's are pushing for me to start Humira due to recent fistulas that are not healing. They say it will help but I'll need to stay on it, etc... I'm really scared. Has anyone out there had fistulas that were helped by Humira? And how bad are the side effects, really?? Thanks!

 

[elvie]

I've been on Humira for nearly 3 months due to multiple fistulas, and mine are healing. My gastro examined me only 3 weeks after I started Humira, and even by then he discovered that the fistulas had begun to heal.

I did have bad side effects for the first couple of weeks (severe headaches, disorientation, exhaustion, feelings of being feverish and fluey) but they have almost completely gone by now. Everyone's different with side effects - some people have a lot, some only a few and some none at all.

I definitely recommend it because it's worked for me. But again, reactions to it are very individual and ultimately you won't know until you try it how it affects you.

 

[Sookie's Mom]

Elvie, thanks so much for responding! How long have you had your fistulas and have you had any previously? This is a first for me (I have 3) and I've had them since January. I have setons in place (ugh!) but when I went to my surgeon last week he said they weren't healing and that's when he suggested the Humira. I'm going to my gastro next week for the script. Just curious as to your history with fistulas also. They are just the worst!:ymad:

 

[elvie]

Elvie, thanks so much for responding! How long have you had your fistulas and have you had any previously? This is a first for me (I have 3) and I've had them since January. I have setons in place (ugh!) but when I went to my surgeon last week he said they weren't healing and that's when he suggested the Humira. I'm going to my gastro next week for the script. Just curious as to your history with fistulas also. They are just the worst!:ymad:

I don't actually know how long my fistulas have been around. They were discovered via MRI in December last year, and the first visible sign I had of them - perianal bleeding - started about a year ago. I'm fortunate that I don't get much pain from mine - I've been told that had they been a few millimetres lower down I would be in constant excruciating pain. I was told because of their location surgery wasn't an option for me, and it was a case of trying Humira or Remicade as in the words of my gastro "we're screwed" otherwise! To answer your other question, no, I haven't had any fistulas previously.

As I said Humira did start to work quickly on mine. I'll be having another MRI later in the year to look at them in detail but it's certainly a promising start.

I wish you all the best and hope that Humira does the same for you!:smile:

 

[IAmTheWalrus]

I have two perianal fistula's and Humira has helped tremendously in that regard. No side effects bar the fact I find my seb dermatitis is harder to treat. On it 19 months now, two pens a month. Good luck!

 

[MikeinBklyn]

3 years, no side effects, fistula gone. Feel great, better than ever at 57 years old!

 

[DougUte]

On Humira for almost 2 years., after a surgery where a fistula was repaired. I have had no fistula since.

 

[JustAYoungLad]

Been on Humira about 6 months now.

It's been working fairly good for me. Slow but on the right track.

 

[lilbit]

I have been on Humira for a year. Today I had a routine colonoscopy and my doc didn't find any signs of crohn's! I guess that means I am in remission. Will definitely be sticking with it as long as it works.

 

[Scaryman]

Recently had another colonoscopy after having on humira for 24 weeks. Keep in mind last year I have bad strictures, so they recommended me for surgery so they did see a improvement with methotrexate and Humira combo. I guess they saw the improvement from inflammation.

Surgery scheduled later this month in Chicago.

 

[RissaIUP2016]

Humira helps a lot with the Crohns symptoms.. Id do it.. the pain of the injection is minimal compared to the pain of everything else with crohns.