Higher Dose of Humira: 2 pens at once?

[Batman]

I've been on Humira for probably close to two years now and it has recently rapidly lost effectiveness. At first the second week post-shot was a slow decline back to unmanaged symptoms but now it seems that I pretty much get 2-3 days of adequate symptom suppression and then I'm back to experiencing pain and frequent bowel movements.

I recently saw a new GI as my previous Dr. has blown off adjusting my medications entirely. The new GI instructed me to take 2 Humira self injecting pens bi-weekly. It seems like when the dose is increased most individuals move up to a weekly shot. The new GI instructed me to do two pens at once because I take 40mg of Prednisone before each shot to prevent bad swelling reactions and he did not want me taking taking additional steroids alongside the increased Humira dose. The GI has also advised that a month from now I start an injectable weekly dose of methotrexate which sounds pretty scary to me but I may try it anyway.

So my questions are:

1. Has anyone else taken a double dose of Humira in this way? (2 pens taken together on the same day)
2. Any advise for where to do the shots? Is it better to do two on one side of the stomach or spread them out? (I may try some shots in the thigh, I have only done them there once or twice as I have very thin legs and It's pretty difficult.)

I'm pretty reluctant to go onto Methotrexate due to both the potential side effects and the fact that I'm not certain exactly why that drug is being prescribed but my impression is that it helps extend the viable lifetime that Humira can successfully act on the body. (uncertain if that is true) Personally I would rather have something with less toxic side effects.

 

[Dunbar]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I havent heard of 2 at a time but every Dr and patient is different. I was bi-weekly, then weekly, back to bi-weekly (over a year and a half) and now because of a fistula weekly for a month then to 10 days after that. I`d spread them out as you are already have issues with swelling, maybe one in the thigh and one in the belly. There are a few in the forum who take another med with a biologic if one isnt enough. Look around here, you may find information and or suggestions to take to your GI. Hope youre feeling better soon.

 

[macdonald88]

Hi there I have only been on humira for 16 weeks at a few weeks back I had to take two injections at once and was told to do one in each leg so I did one and got my husband to do the other one for me. Do you normally do it in your stomach? I have only ever done it in my legs. I'm no longer on humira as I kept having an allergic reaction at the injection site and it would swell up to the size of my whole hand,I could hardly move at some point. I hope the double doze goes well