How long did it take for Humira to work for you?

[suschex]

How long did it take for Humira to kick in for you? Was it able to get you CD into remission or just improve your disease? Was Humira used to induce your remission or just to maintain your remission?

I have steroid-refractory CD so we are hoping this will induce remission since steroids failed to do anything. I have taken the first 6 injections (4 loading and then 2 more two weeks later) but have not felt anything yet. I know it is still really early to tell anything but was wondering what other have experienced.

Look forward to hearing about others experience with Humira!

 

[zeesoo]

I have the same question
i think my case just like you i took my second dose the last week on Wednesday

 

[suschex]

Zeesoo- did you take 4 injections and then two weeks later take 2 injections? We are on almost the exact same schedule. Have you felt anything yet? I know it is too early but I am just so hopeful!!!

 

[zeesoo]

exactly
i read on humira site that it takes 4 weeks at least to start work but i was confused when i read on this forum that there is people felt remission after few days

 

[beth]

I doubt people have been in remission within days. They probably, like me, felt a difference in a few days. It took around 6 months and weekly injections to get me properly into remission.

So, in general you may feel it is starting to work in a few days of the first loading dose. However some people on here have no effect for 3 months or so. It all depends on your disease and it's severity.

 

[suschex]

Here is a link to the drug trial results...

"Adalimumab for maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease: results of the CLASSIC II trial"

I found it very helpful to look at the actual scientific results from the trails to learn more about if/when Humira works for different groups of Crohn's patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701613/?log$=activity

 

[cscnursegina]

it took about 3 months for it to kick in and have a remission for me. i'm dealing with humira fatigue, how bout you?

 

[spcwife23]

hi, i started humira not to long ago and had to stop a month after taking it because of an infection. but i just started back humira again and it took me about the 2nd shot to feel back the way i felt when i first started humira.. i have no tummy issues.. im not sure how long it takes for you to feel remission but i dont think it will be days.. i giving my self maybe 3 months to really say it, but we will see.

 

[Miss Underestimated]

I think Sus is officially in remission - it's in another thread.

here it is http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=31345

 

[suschex]

I am in remission but only 2 weeks after getting there I came down with Strep Throat that took 17 days and 3 different antibiotics to kick and now it is gone but turned into an upper resp. infection that I can't seem to get over so I am almost a month overdue for Humira injection.

Not sure about the Humira fatigue. I was still on prednisone. But I was having insanely terrible low,low lower back pain that was the worst I have ever felt for a few months and since being off Humira it has totally gone away. I am wondering if it was the humira causing the pain. An x-ray showed my back was completely healthy.

Now I am not even sure I want to go back on the Humira. I mean the back pain I can't be sure about but the constant illness is something new for me. I was never, ever sick like this and unable to get well quickly.

Anyone else dealing with this stuff?

 

[Miss Underestimated]

Oh wow! Sorry you're having troubles. Sometimes you just can't win.

 

[Cordillia16]

Is back pain a symptom!? Because I have had horrible back pain and didn't even think about relating it to the Humira!
I've been on it for 10 weeks now and I believe I noticed a tiny, itty bitty difference in my fistula, but not much else. Not sure how much longer to stay on it until I realize it's just not the drug for me... again!
Good health to all.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

How do you define remission just no pain or also no diarrje

 

[suschex]

Cordillia - I know it can take longer than 10 weeks to know how Humira will work for you. I felt the same frustration but it did eventually get me into remission after about 3 months. I don't know for certain about the back pain but I know that I have had to be off Humira (due to strep throat and upper resp. infection) for the last 4 weeks (last injection was almost 6 weeks ago) and in that time my back pain has slowly vanished completely. I have no idea if there is a connection but am calling my GI today to discuss my options. I will say though, Humira did get me to 100% remission, no symptoms of CD at all and a completely clean colonoscopy so it did work for the CD.

nogutsnoglory - according to my GI, remission should be symptom free. Not sure that all get there, seems to be great variation on that point.