How well does Humira work for you?

[tflock]

Hey everybody! First off I want to know how well Humira works for you. I have recently started weekly Humira, and have noticed some improvement over the standard every-other-week injection.

My doc is considering adding methotrexate or cyclosporine to my treatment plan if I do not end up to where he feels I need to be with weekly Humira. I would say that I am doing pretty good because I am living a comfortable life and finally able to start soccer training with my high school again!

Anyway, I wanted to know how well it is working for you, whether you are on weekly dosing or not.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[beth]

Very well, but had to go to weekly to get required improvement. Now, recently, on 10 day intervals and hoping it'll still be good.

 

[ChefShazzy]

I've been on Humira, every 2 weeks, for about 18 months, and remission for about 15 months!! (It took about 3 months for the Humira to kick in while I was weaning off pred). For the first 8 months of the Humira, I was on weekly Methotrexate, but it made me feel tired and nauseous, so my doc suggested trying to stop it, which I did, and haven't relapsed. Some docs think the combo of Humira and Methotrexate might work for some, and not for others. If you do try Methotrexate, take it on a Friday, so then if you don't feel well you can rest on the weekend. Give it a go, I hope it works out for you!!

 

[joshw2011]

Started in September every other week, added weekly methotrexate in January, stopped methotrexate in April, and just last week did 2 shots and now doing weekly, also restarted methotrexate, although 7.5 mg rather than the 25 from before. Nothing has worked for me yet, so hopefully doing it weekly will? Not looking too hopeful though, I never noticed anything even the days right after injections. But I can always hope! Glad it works for you all though!

 

[tflock]

Thanks for replying.
I would say that I am doing much better than I was a year ago, or even about 3 months ago. I am still having symptoms though and wanted to see what everyone elses experience with Humira is. I didnt know if I should be symptom free or not. For some of us I imagine that symptoms are something that just comes with everyday. I feel like I am doing good, but doctors probably wouldnt see it that way. It sounds like I really shouldnt be experiencing daily symptoms though. I have another month with trying only weekly Humira, and if I am not doing much better then methotrexate is where I will be...

 

[stevereds]

was on bi weekly for lil over 3 months, fistula's didnt improve..now for last month on weekly shots. I am starting to slowly but surely notice a difference w/ fistula and appetite too. Let's hope the Humira is finally kicking in.

 

[MikeinBklyn]

Humira every ten days does the trick for the fistula. I feel better now than I did ten years ago!

 

[Grant]

Currently on fortnightly Humira & it hasn't done a thing for me. I've got yet another stricture & Crohns right throughout my Colon. But I'm buoyed by some of the comments about weekly jabs as thats what seems likely to happen.
Rgds
Grant

1st symptoms 1983
Diagnosed 1985
1997 Right Hemicolectomy & Resection
2002 Laperotomy & Resection
2010 Laproscopic Ileocolic Resection
Currently got yet another stricture.

Been on Azathioprine & Pred
Currently on Entocort 9mg other day
Humira 40mg every two weeks
Calcichew
Pentasa 4gm daily
3mthly B12 Jabs

 

[stevereds]

weekly might help. My fistula's were very active when I started Humira. I think I am still playing 'catch up' for Humira to fully work and so I see benefits from it. It seems to be working, but not as fast as I had hope. But then again, I didn't get this sick in a week, it was months...so myabe will be months before I get better.

 

[micro1]

Hi all,
I started Humira about 2 mths ago, and so far all is going well.
Have been feeling a lot better than I had been although I still have irregular movements which have reduced in number per day, and I am trying to watch what I eat.
Have even gone back to work in a new job and generally feeling well.
I am told that Humira is now also used for arthritis and skin disorders as well, and has good comments about it. I see my Dr again in August to reaccess hows things are going.

Diagnosed mid 1980's
Past Meds, Prednisone -mid 80's fo 8 years
Imuran - April 2011 severe reaction ending up in delirious state in hosp for 2 wks.
Resection Aug 2010,
Adhesion 2002 req major op.
Resection 1995

 

[Boltmannz]

Humira Works

I have been on humira for one year now.
1 humira pen every 2 weeks and 15mg Methatrexate every week.
I went to my GE on thursday and for the first time in 3 years my bloods were all normal. So im happy that it seems to work for me.:rosette1:

 

[LindaS]

I've been on Humira since October, and haven't seen much improvement, so now I'm adding methotrexate. I hope it works for you.

 

[Boltmannz]

It seems to be working for me im on the same meds as you. Good luck LindaS regards Boltmannz

 

[DAVI]

Hi had Humira for 18 months ,it stopped working so doctor took me off it in January, he is giving me it again to see if it works before I have a colostomy to rest my bowel. I cannot have Methotrexate as 18 years ago it made me really ill. I have got used to the thought of having a bag if things don’t work out...Glad it works for people, keep on taking the Humira.

 

[maimmie]

I have been on Humira weekly for about a year and a half. I'm not sure if it has ever really worked for me or not. I ended up having a right hemicolectomy and resection in april 2010 and went into remission after that until about a month ago. I don't know if this means the humira was working and has now stopped working or if the surgery just made me better and my symptoms are just starting agian. I'm back on prednisone again now and feeling a bit better.

 

[CDNRugby]

Hey there: I'm new to the forum too, so welcome.

Currently, I'm on 9 mgs/day of Entocort, in addition to 150 mgs of Imuran, 200 mgs of Allopurinol, and double the dosage of Humira (1 40 mg injection/wk). In addition to iron, Vits D and E, potassium, and a multi-vit.

Humira started working almost immediately for about a month, then I started to have problems again. All-in-all I think it's a good drug. With the ridiculous regiment I'm on currently, I think the Humira is somewhat effective for about 5 days and then wears off. I'm currently exploring other options with my doctor, but am desperately trying to avoid surgery. Fissures are a big problem for me. Have still needed blood transfusions even while on Humira, but less frequently. For whatever reason my spirits are good even though my patience is wearing off - no pun intended. Good luck. Try icing the area before you inject for 10 mins - it may help reduce the pain of the injection.

 

[beth]

You'll be looking for the The Humira Club Thread...