Finally Getting Started

[Visual Acuity]

Hi All,

Finally got approved for Humira! Finally A (son) is approved to start his treatment, it’s been so long. Monday he got his first loading dose of Humira, and the MTX shot, plus the second Hep A & B shot. 6 altogether! Both arms, 2 on the tummy and both legs. Poor thing had shots everywhere. He was so awesome! I was so proud of him. Docs thought it best to put him on both the Humira and MTX.

So far no side effects, that I can tell. So that’s good. Hard to know besides the outward ones, with him not being able to really express what’s going. So, every 2 weeks for the Humira. Once a week for the MTX. Blood work in 2 wks. Fingers crossed. Speaking of fingers crossed, I’m about to faint from nervousness of giving him the MTX shot for the first time. They said I could bring him to the local GI clinic to give it to him myself there, so I’m going to go that route, he always does so well with the nurses. And then hopefully on my own at home for the following week. How did all of you manage for the first time?

I’m really hoping this will help him. How long did it take for Humira to kick in for all of you? I think I’ve read that it takes up to 3 months for MTX to start working. Is that right? But I wasn’t sure about the Humira. Anything at this point is great to Finally get started.

I'm feeling positive for the first time since all of this started.

I hope all of you are having a healthy and wonderful holiday.

 

[pdx]

That's great news that he did so well with the shots. I hope that Humira works really well for him!

 

[Clash]

I'm glad you are feeling positive about the treatment plan! I hope the meds work quickly for A.

Mtx can work in 8 weeks. Humira can take longer. I know there a few parents on here that have kids it took 6 months or longer. C's in that boat as his recent scopes showed very active inflammation so he's moved to weekly in hopes it can help.

 

[my little penguin]

8 weeks mtx
And for ds humira about 5 months
But typically its 3 months
Ds had to up from kiddie dose 20 mg to adults dose 40 mg
Good luck

 

[Maya142]

Took 6 months for my younger daughter, and we also had to add MTX and make the shots weekly.

With my older daughter, it was closer to 3 months.

Did he think the shots were very painful or not so bad? It's sounds like he did really well!!

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Sounds like a promising plan. Before long you'll be a pro. Are you using a pen or needles and syringes? Will you add lidocaine? Here's hoping for quick and lasting remission!

 

[Visual Acuity]

Thank you for all the time frames. And the good thoughts!

Your time frames really help me a lot to know what to expect. For some reason I thought the Humira would kick in first. Maybe because it was the hardest to get approved for.

He did really well with the shots, I did have to hold his hands so he wouldn’t try to grab the pen and needles and yank them out, which he tried to do each time.

The one that hurt the worst afterwards was the MTX injection, she had a little problem getting it in, so that’s probably why. I was really worried about the swelling of that area after the shot, the bump under the skin was huge! But she said that is usual for the MTX shot, and was supposed to happen.

The Humira shots (were given with the pen) the pain did hurt, but didn’t last long, and once over he seemed okay just like everyone had said it would be. Mostly the length of time to wait for each shot to finish was worst part. The tummy ones were the least painful, which I thought would be terrible. I think that by the time we get to just one shot every 2 wks he’ll be okay. He really did do great, considering. Mostly it was the noise of the clicking pen that made him jump.

Thanks again everyone so much, with all of your help we were really prepared and knew what to expect.

 

[my little penguin]

The noise of the pen is a common problem
Not just for humira but all auto injectors

Syringe is easier
No noise and you control the rate of the injection
Never heard of swelling from mtx
Allergy shots but not mtx
I would ask your doctor specifically

 

[Maya142]

Hmmm....we have also never had swelling with MTX. Sometimes with Humira a small bump under the skin, but never swelling.

With MTX, they can prescribe a very tiny needle that would lessen the pain of the shots. My girls say that besides the poke, MTX shots don't really hurt at all. So if you can a small, thin needle, then perhaps the MTX shot will be easier.

The Simponi autoinjector is even worse than Humira - and it clicks twice ! I agree with MLP, if the clicks bother him, the syringe is the way to go. Humira is quite painful, so your kiddo did great!!

 

[ronroush7]

I hope the vest for you.

 

[ronroush7]

Best

 

[Visual Acuity]

You were right! there isn’t supposed to be a bump, it was about 1.5” around and about an .5” high, very weird. Yesterday we went to the new local GI clinic, they work with UW (University of Washington) and she said she’s never heard of it before either. Thank you for telling me, I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t told me.

The MTX shot this time really hurt, I still have to hold his hands to keep him from trying to grab at the needle, they take so long to inject, don’t they. But I’m thinking once he gets used to them he’ll let me give them without worrying about him trying to grab it. He’s being so brave though. Next week it’s the Humira 2-shot, MTX and labs.

I’m going to ask for the syringe for the Humira, it’ll help a bunch for him to not have to hear the click. Poor thing has enough to deal with.

Thank you again, you’ve helped me so much!

 

[Maya142]

Are you icing before the shot? That helps my daughters.

Also buzzy:https://buzzyhelps.com

 

[my little penguin]

Second the buzzy
And Emla cream
He won't be able t feel
The needle stick with emla cream

 

[Pilgrim]

I am posting from a phone and can't see the age of your son,but it sounds like he's young? Poor guy!
Our daughter started Humira at 4 and we found that the best way to deal with the pain was to make sure the med was out of the fridge the night before and to get it done quickly without fuss. I noticed positive results the first week! A year later and she has been moved to a weekly dose and WOW she seems to be doing great.We use the syringe and inject slow and steady.
I hope your guy has a quick positive response.