First time

[Freddy13]

Restarting Humira?

First time post here. Been reading and seems to be a great community of people who share many of my experiences. I hope to learn from you especially about diet and alternative therapies.

I have had Crohn's since I was 12 but misdiagnosed for first 11 years. Also have Ankylosing Spondylitis since age 7 -- also misdiagnosed as juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis until age 17 when the B-27 antogen test was done.

I have had two small bowel resections (about 7 feet of small intestine left) though my large colon is basically ok. I have also had both hips and a shoulder replaced and most of my spine is fused. Related inflamatory problems have included Urethritis, Iritis, Pancreatitis, and Dermatitis.

I have been on most of NSAIDs starting with 21 asprin a day plus Darvon as a child. For Crohn's I have tried 6-MP, Azulfadine, Methotrexate, Prednisone, Remicade and now Humira.

Remicade was successaful for several years but a year ago it failed and dramatically. I started getting multiple inflamatory symptoms (pleural infusion, gall stones causing pancreatitis) each requiring emergency surgery.

Switched to Humira and have to admit have been spooked by the potential side effects. It seems somewhat beter for the spondylitis than for the Crohn's. remicade was the other way around.

Two months ago I started getting vertigo, nausea and severe headaches which now seems to be a vestibular system affected by cervical spine issues. But before diagnosed, I wasn't sure about whether Humira was the cause so I stopped taking it for two months while things were sorted out.

So my question is, has anyone stopped Humira and then restarted? Any issues side, effects? special dosing.

many thanks
Mark

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Mark and welcome to the forum, I must say you certainly have plenty to deal with. Just know you have come to the right place for lots of helpful info and support

I have not been on Humira myself so am not sure about stopping it and then restarting it but we do have a sub forum dedicated to this med so do check this out as the folks here may be able to advise: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59.

Out of interest how is the tum doing at the moment?

AB
xx

 

[David]

Hey Freddy and welcome to the community.

Wow, you've been through so much My heart goes out to you.

Definitely check out the forum that Angrybird above linked to. We have a lot of people on Humira here.

Also check out our Low Dose Naltrexone forum under the treatment section. I know it has helped people with immune problems in addition to Crohn's such as MS and it's a pretty exciting treatment option in my opinion.

Again, welcome!

 

[Thermo]

I stopped Humira at the start of July and I just restarted it on Tuesday. They say that if you stop longer than 7 weeks you have to do the loading doses again (4 injections) I was able to get out of that due to myself just having surgery and my Crohns only being very slightly active on a microscopic level. There was nothing major to report, I am one of the people that get major relief from Humira but I did notice that I felt a little bit worn down (like normal) the next day and also that it didn't feel as potent as when I usually inject (no half life buildup) Overall I would say that it was normal, now if they make you do the loading doses I would imagine its going to wipe you out all day and you should feel good due to the amount. I am interested to hear how it goes for you, good luck and I am sorry to hear about everything that is going on, the only thing you can do is keep positive thoughts.