Humira Club Support Group

Crohn's Disease Forum

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Joe - I also say that if you expect too much you might be let down. Have you have been on several drugs for several years? I have noticed that it takes several months for some and less time for others. Every Crohn's patient is different. In my experience I say try the syringe first, set it out for a good 30 minutes, warm it up with your hands and find a place on your leg that is on top about 5 fingers or so from the knee and pinch a good amount of fat, then put the needle in at an appox. 45 degree angle and it should be a less worrisome experience than the clicking of the pen, the accidental loss of the medication that can happen with the pen due to self error, breaking of the glass or just a bad pen.

Don't do what I did on a serious prednisone binge and eat everything you KNOW you shouldn't because you started Humira. Bad play on my part! Oh, but prednisone is really awful and Humira doesn't seem to affect you in a serious way at first unless you are legitimately allergic and have an anaphylactic reaction. It's like pentasa or purinethol the way it takes a few weeks, even months to start working. Prednisone is regarded as a "cure-all-miracle" drug for some doctors because of its immediate action. This is not that kind of drug.

Make a mark on the calender for when you started and even if you want, keep a diary of how much you go, how much blood comes out, and how much pain you are having in conjunction with how much you eat as well as what you ate. It helped me from becoming too excited with a medication and I could see reasonable results.

Hope this helps!
 
TeresaPro said:
had mine done today..it fricken hurt..but all is well.. easy to do
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DS uses a numbing cream prescribed by his dr and it has worked miracles with the pain. We leave it on for about an hour (not the recommended 30-45 mins) and set the humira at room temp for about 30 mins. Hope this helps!
 
Claire617,
I sometimes get leg pains. I was told it was actually the first symptom of my crohns, not a side effect. I get pain in the ankle, knee and hip on one side or the other, not both sides at the same time--weird. Yeah, pain relievers are not very effective.
Good luck.
 
Syringe or Pen

Hi everyone...Starting Humira in about a week. Does anyone have a preference using the pen vs. a syringe? I asked for syringes. I can't imagine using a pen. I have had Crohns' for 34 years. Diagnosed when I was ten years old. I'm hoping this works because all the other drugs have had little to no effect. Any advice would be great. Thanks.
 
pmbrown, I use the pen and don't enjoy it cause the needle shoots out quickly and scares me a little. After a year with the pens, I have finally asked to switch to the syringe and tomorrow will be my first try with it. I love Humira, it works wonderfully for me.. I hope it works great for you too!
 
Hi everyone, well I started Humira on Friday. It's now Monday and I finally have stopped feeling crappy. The nurse told me that I might feel cold/flu symptoms, and while I haven't, I felt like I was maybe getting it if that makes sense. Just really tired and foggy in the head.

It's not working yet, am still very gurgly, but I have high hopes! I have the syringes (thought I was getting pens) and I'm actually really happy with them. Think I'll stick with them (no pun intended!). The first dose the nurse gave was in my leg, and I swore at her! Then in the tummy it wasn't nearly as bad. I then gave one in my tummy and that was ok cause I went really slow, but as soon as I started sticking the needle in my other leg I was in agony. She let me pull it out and stick it in my tummy again. I have no issues with needles, but my legs really hurt. Guess it really is down to the person.

So I just wanted to join the club and hope that I have results with Humira. I've found that I get sick less often on 6MP, and since I'll be staying on that as well I hope that doesn't change. Will I have any immune system left at all? lol

At least I know I'm in good company with you lot!
 
Hi! I'm a crohn's patient only on humira injections every two weeks.

Last month, I had two humira pen misfires in a row. I have been taking humira for about 4 years without any problems with the pens.

As recommended, I called the distributor (pharmacy) and the manufacturer, and they said they would ship me a replacement.

This month, my first injection (about a week ago) was a mis-fire as well. I *think* I know how to use the pens, I haven't had a problem for four years with them. When I inject them now, the needle goes in, but no medicine comes out. I wait about a minute and when I pull the retractable needle/pen out the medicine shoots out over the counter/table.

Is anyone else experiencing misfires lately?
 
I had a problem with one last month but I thought it was me. I have only been giving the injections to my son since May. I was going to suggest having a nurse watch you but after 4 years you sure do not need any guidance!!
 
Abbot should take care of replacing the misfires for you. They have been good about it in the past.
 
Just gave myself my 2nd loading doses (2 injections) this afternoon. Pretended I was in a rush so I didn't have time to freak out and it was ok. Not great, but better than expected. I couldn't get the needle to go in at first, had to use more pressure than I remembered, but it hardly hurt at all. Much easier than a blood test I think.

And not working yet, but time will tell. Go Humira!
 
If you take a look at the clinical trials (there were two Classic trials run) that Abbott ran, it can actually take up to 12 weeks to work and some need to go to weekly injections. For me, it took about 8 weeks to start feeling anything at all. There are so many factors that go into how long it takes to work that there is just no "answer" that will apply to all who take Humira.

Here are some links to the clinical trial results...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16472588
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701613/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/74070.php

I hope you have a quick response and get into remission ASAP!
 
Hi all Humira-soulsisters and -brothers!

My problems are back. My bum is so sore anda pooping making it even more sore. It bleeds allso. My first few loading doses of Humira was woeking right away, like a miracle. Now when i have just one shot, problems are coming back :( Tomorrow i must call my doctor, i thinks my dose must be weekly doses instead of every other week.

This just sucks so much. If this doesnt work, there are no other drucks to try :(
 
I have been having problems with Humira not quite getting my symptoms under control. I have been having control issues with the D. Last colonoscopy showed inflammation at my surgery site that has not gone away. Budesonide was tried, did not work. So now I am on prednisone. I hope this gets me in complete remission, then Humira can maintain it for me. I think Humira has been helping a lot but I just can't get over the hump.
 
DougUte said:
I have been having problems with Humira not quite getting my symptoms under control. I have been having control issues with the D. Last colonoscopy showed inflammation at my surgery site that has not gone away. Budesonide was tried, did not work. So now I am on prednisone. I hope this gets me in complete remission, then Humira can maintain it for me. I think Humira has been helping a lot but I just can't get over the hump.
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Oh no! Were you taking it every week, or every other week?
 
Dougute, i'm sorry to hear you have these problems too. :( Now i have D too.. Havent call my GI yet, tomorrow i go to work, maybe i call from there. I am just so sick of this.
 
Believe me I am much better than I was before surgery and Humira.I really think Humira has kept my inflammation from getting worse. Before Humira was started last June I already had inflammation at my surgery site. My G I thinks the Humira has not beat down the inflammation. We are hoping the Prednisone will beat down the inflammation then Humira will maintain it.
 
I,ve had a whole day of no D, and genrally starts to feel better. And appart from a constipated afternoon a week ago (I ate a banana) with enough pain to send me looking for my tramadol pills, I have not felt any discomfort in my guts. My right side abdomen have been very sensitive to touch for months, ever since my last flare started....thats all gone.

I'll be sending in some poop for testing next week, so looking forward to the results of that :)

No off to take my methatraxeate that I forgot to take yetserday...
 
Hello all,
Reluctant member by proxy, my daughter age 14 is to start Humira tomorrow.
I'm on here as I cannot sleep due to worry. Fear, really.
I'm sure I'll be checking in here frequently.

Julie
 
Hi Julie Humira is a good med. I hope you find it helps your daughter and she gets feeling better.
 
Hugo, are you letting Humira warm up before you inject?. I found out the pain is much less if I let the med sit for an hour out of the refrigerator before I inject.
 
Can anyone give me an authoritative answer on this as I can't get in touch with my specialist at the moment.

I got my Humira-pen out of the fridge to warm up a few nights ago and put it on my desk.

I forgot all about it; it got covered with paperwork and I just found it again this morning.

Knowing that these need to be kept refrigerated will it now be useless? Can I still inject it?
 
Paul, I don't know, but I'll be watching for an answer. I did look it up online and it says you can leave it out for up to 48 hours as long as it's at room temperature. I would check with your doc first, though.
 
I know I have to let mine sit out 2hours for it to not burn with pain. It helps alot verses when I would just let it sit out for 30-45mins. Good luck!
 
new to forum

Hello everyone! I am a 40 yr. old female with Crohn's. I have been on Humira for 2 years now, and it works well for me. I have found if you ice the area you are going to inject for about 5 minutes, it hurts less and you're less likely to bruise. I still have bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain, but I have been in what my GI considers remission since I started the med. The one thing I have found is that the shots make me very tired, whixh isn't fun considering I am always battling fatigue. I adjusted my schedule so that I take the shot on the weekend so I don't have to worry about feeling sluggish on a workday. I take a 40mg injection every other week, and I inject in the stomach. I wanted to thank everyone here for sharing their experiences. This can be such an embarrasing disease to have, and it feels good to know I'm not the only one that has issues with it. Thanks all!
 
Ms. Lander said:
Hello everyone! I am a 40 yr. old female with Crohn's. I have been on Humira for 2 years now, and it works well for me. I have found if you ice the area you are going to inject for about 5 minutes, it hurts less and you're less likely to bruise. I still have bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain, but I have been in what my GI considers remission since I started the med. The one thing I have found is that the shots make me very tired, whixh isn't fun considering I am always battling fatigue. I adjusted my schedule so that I take the shot on the weekend so I don't have to worry about feeling sluggish on a workday. I take a 40mg injection every other week, and I inject in the stomach. I wanted to thank everyone here for sharing their experiences. This can be such an embarrasing disease to have, and it feels good to know I'm not the only one that has issues with it. Thanks all!
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Hello! Sounds like me and you are on the same schedule Humeria wise. I take mine every other week as well and just in my thigh. I was scared to do them in my stomach
..plus being somewhat overweight,I figured it would be maybe harder.My doctor also considers me in remission as well. Good luck on your journey, its nice to meet others that have this life problem to deal with as well. :)
 
Looks like I will be joining the Humira club Friday. Got my starter set in the mail today. I am a bit nervous though. I was diagnosed with mild Crohns colitis in 2005. I tried Remicade, which did nothing, and Enticort.
Last month I had a really bad flare and got myself back to the GI doc. At first, they just put me on Asacol and an anti-spasm pill, Lestin I think. I continued to get worse. After doing a colonoscopy, my doctor moved me from mild, to moderate to severe. He told my sister that surgery would be in my near future, but he wanted to treat this aggressively.
This past month and half has been so hard. I had gotten used to being sick and being in pain. I had gotten used to being tired. But ever since that one night, it's like something in my body changed. I have a hard time "hiding" it now. People at work know I am sick. Most never had a clue before. I have no energy at all. And to top it all off, this week has been very traumatic, stressful and emotional.
But I am very hopeful that this will work. For the first time since 05, I have a hope that I might be well again. I understand that it takes time. And everyone is different. I hate needles, but I am determined! lol. Just wanted to say hi! And say that I am glad this is here. I am reading through posts, and it's giving me comfort and hope.
 
Amberaut said:
Looks like I will be joining the Humira club Friday. Got my starter set in the mail today. I am a bit nervous though. I was diagnosed with mild Crohns colitis in 2005. I tried Remicade, which did nothing, and Enticort.
Last month I had a really bad flare and got myself back to the GI doc. At first, they just put me on Asacol and an anti-spasm pill, Lestin I think. I continued to get worse. After doing a colonoscopy, my doctor moved me from mild, to moderate to severe. He told my sister that surgery would be in my near future, but he wanted to treat this aggressively.
This past month and half has been so hard. I had gotten used to being sick and being in pain. I had gotten used to being tired. But ever since that one night, it's like something in my body changed. I have a hard time "hiding" it now. People at work know I am sick. Most never had a clue before. I have no energy at all. And to top it all off, this week has been very traumatic, stressful and emotional.
But I am very hopeful that this will work. For the first time since 05, I have a hope that I might be well again. I understand that it takes time. And everyone is different. I hate needles, but I am determined! lol. Just wanted to say hi! And say that I am glad this is here. I am reading through posts, and it's giving me comfort and hope.
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Welcome! Humeria is a life saver/best friend for much of us! I use the epi-pen and do the shots in my thighs. Not to bad. Especially if you know it is making you feel better! :) Good luck to you and keep us posted! Were here if you need any tips or advice.
 
Amberaut, I just started Humira last Friday and I too am very hopeful for remission! I use the pen and gave myself the injections in my abdomen, I have some cushion there :) It was not that bad. I hope you get the result from Humira that you are looking for and can postpone surgery.
 
Hi everyone

Help, I think I am reacting against Humira. It has been over a year now since I started with this but lately I am experiencing red hot flushed palms of hand and feet. I have more joints than normal that hurt. I was told I could have hand and foot syndrome (sometimes this occurs with patients who are taking chemotherapy drugs) Could this be the same for me on the Anti TNF. I had to come off Infiximab because I developed drug induced lupus after 10 months of starting that. Anyone heard of this? Is it serious. When Im in work my hands are on fire and painful. Your thoughts are always gratefully accepted. x
 
Did my shot yesterday. Because I have tremors in my hands my wife gives me my shots. The last the shots I am not getting all my medicine. Yesterday, it hurt sooooooo bad.We inspected the pen afterward and found the needle was bent. The two shots prior to that were not painful, but the yellow thing stopped moving in the pen. She waits about 10 seconds after it stops moving then takes it out. Some of the med comes out of the pen.Sandy says she can see the med pooling around where the needle enters the skin. I know I am getting most of the medicine, but not all of it.
 
I've switched to the syringe's, less painful IMO. However I'm a bit worried about the air that appears to be in the syringe. I inject & when the plunger hits air the needle pops out a bit. I'm not sure whether I should just inject everything or pull out & that point. I decided to inject everything on the premise of when using the pens the air in them used to go in as well.
The previous *** (syringe) I thought I'd be clever & turned it upside down & squirt the air out, all I ended up doing was squirting Humira out the end.
Have read the paperwork & cant see anything about this & would love some advice as I haven't been able to get hold of my specialist nurse over this.
Regards
Grant
 
Hey Grant, the papers with my syringes instruct that you must carefully push the air out before the injection. If you hold it with the needle pointing upward and verrrryyyy slowly push the air out of the syringe, you shouldn't lose more than a small drop of Humira!

Quick update for me: LOVING the syringes. Never going back to those god-awful pens again!
 
Tks Emily, I will reread the paperwork. Thankyou very much & thats what I will do from here on in. And yes no pain with Syringe's. I bet they are a lot cheaper as well.
Rgds
Grant
 
I've had two malfunctioning pens so far. How do you go about changing the rx? And, does the needle type last in the refrigerator as long as the pen? Or, do you get a bottle you keep in the fridge?
 
Carroll, I just had my doctor phone in a script for the syringes to the pharmacy. Then I called them and asked them to please only refill the syringe prescription, not the pen one.

Also, they are prefilled, so there's no bottle, the syringes are full and ready to go. They keep in the fridge exactly the same as the pens too. All in all, it's basically exactly the same as the pens except for you push the medicine in, instead of an automatic mechanism doing it for you.
 
New to the Humira Club 3/28/12- A Prayer of Pain-Free Days for all of us.

Just had my first loading doses. It's easier to do it sitting down, where you can grab some fatty tissue...I treated it like trying to find a wood splinter in your finger...just squeeze the tissue together on your outer thigh or side of your abs...place the pen injector and use your thumb to press the trigger.

Boom! Bada bing...Bada boom!

I've been diagnosed with Crohn's 15 years ago, when I ended up in and out of the hospital, for an IV drip of fluids...then back home for more serious gut pain...the kind that's a 10 on the pain scale...the kind when you are balled up on the floor in a fetal position, and don't care who see's you.
So far no resections...just trying to be pro-active in my health.

Doing lots of reading, asking lots of questions...

Going gluten free for the next month. Trying to see if gluten is killing us...

Hoping for the best for all of us with IBD...

Peace and Pain free days for all you. ;)

BAM
(Bald Asian Man)
 
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Welcome to the club, Bald Asian Man :ybiggrin: I really hope Humira starts working for you, it sounds like you've had a pretty rough journey so I hope you get some relief. Keep us posted with progress or questions and I hope you stick around the forum, it's such a good resource to have. Good luck with the gluten free diet!
 
Has anyone tried HSO's to get your gut in a good state of balanced health?
I've been reading a book...Patient Heal They Self...just doing research.

Any experience here?

Thank you in advance for any insight.

BAM ;)


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Thanks Emily! I will keep you all posted. Trying to figure out how we can be the doctors of our own bodies, and utilize the wisdom of our doctors and gastro docs to assist us. ;)
 
I've been on Humira since 2007 and have a nice love-hate relationship with the drug, haha.

I probably make it worse for myself though because I get impatient when it's time to take it and can't wait for it to warm up (also, I just want to get it done and over with till the next dose). Hate the sting so much but I always do like the fact that it disappears in like 2 minutes.
 
bjraggie, I completed my 2nd dose last Friday. I am seeing some improvement, but I don't know yet if it is the Humira or due to my Prednisone taper. Like you I am looking for for some positive results. Do you have a start date yet? I hope Humira works for you!
 
I just took my first dose (4 shots) today. It definitely stings going in, but the pain wasn't as bad as I feared it would be. I even gave myself the last two injections. Now I guess it's wait and see time (fingers crossed!)
 
Had my second dose on Friday.
Active disease around my Stoma has cleared up.
Mouth and throat ulcers all cleared up.
I feel great.
It's working pretty damn well and I'm thrilled.
 
I have been on Humira for about 10 months. So far it has worked good. I have not had any side effects that I have noticed.
 
Desiree49, that is great to hear! I will be taking my first maintenance dose this Friday and in the last week I have started to feel better. I am sure tapering the pred has helped.
 
Hey everyone! :) Hope you are all doing well.

Guess what? Meds aren't working, so I'm starting Humira next week! :( Freaking out a little.... actually a lot lol. Any advice you can give I'd love to hear. <3
 
Sunshine, I hope it finally gives you relief! Only advice I can give is to not be intimidated by the injection and doing it yourself. It'll become second nature before you know it. It is such a great drug in my opinion. Once you get over the hump of 4 in a day and then 2 in a day, it's all smooth sailing from there.
Also, I've found the syringe preferable to the pens, but it's a matter of choice. If you feel your treatment would be easier with one or the other, just ask your doctor! Switching from pens to syringes made a huge difference for me!

Keep us updated!
 
Humira is awesome....once you get past the initial doses it will all be so easy!!!!! Good Luck!!!
 
I am taking my first single injection today. I use the pens and inject into my stomach, it dose sting for a few seconds. My stomach has a lot of cushion and I think that is why I can tolerate the pens. Lol! I have not had any of the side effects. Good luck! Hopefully you will get the relief you are seeking.
 
Hey everyone I have joined the Humira club as well on Wedenday April 11th. I'm still not 100% but I'm hoping Humira starts to work soon. I'm also taking Imuran daily. This post is really long so I'm sorry if you have mentioned it before but how long did it take for some of you to start feeling better after starting Humira? Thanks so much :)
 
SunshineSmile said:
Hey everyone! :) Hope you are all doing well.

Guess what? Meds aren't working, so I'm starting Humira next week! :( Freaking out a little.... actually a lot lol. Any advice you can give I'd love to hear. <3
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You've probably read this, but the link in my signature was a God send. It sure did put my mind at ease. Hopefully you will fell the same.

:smile:

EDIT: My sig aint showing up ... :shifty:

Here's the link.

http://www.ccfa.org/webcasts/Risk and BenefitsTranscript.pdf
 
Thank you Desiree! I go back to my GI on Friday and I'm hoping after my second dose it starts to work becuase so far none of it is working :(
 
Hi - I am about to join the club on 30 April after my colonoscopy - then I get the four jabs. We just have to get government approval - but I have recently failed methoxtrexate and azathiorpine and my current flare is severe, and I got diabetes (II) as well. I have a CT scan with barium follow through on Monday and a chest xray with my bloods. So all going good I'll be joining - I do have a humira handbag with all the trimmings, including DVD, cold pack, card for my wallet, some flash chiller storage wallet and sharps bin.
 
The joys of immunosuppressants...

I switched from Pentasa to Humira a few months ago, and while my symptoms are much less on the new drug, I'm really not enjoying what I imagine are symptoms of being on an immunosuppressant. I feel like a constantly have a light cold, especially the first couple of days after an injection. I also get sick (colds, ect) for much longer periods of time now. Does anyone else share this problem, and if so, what do you do to alleviate the issue? I don't want to go the rest of my life feeling like I have a mild head cold haha.
 
Hi, I did start today - had my first 4 jabs. They do hurt like buggery, eh? I got little welts at the site - but nothing major. So it's all good. Had colonoscopy as well, and next week I am swallowing a camera for the small bowel. We are still trying to find out the where my inflammation is as my white cell count and neutrophills are still too high. I also get an ultrasound on my ovaries as well. So it will be more Klean Prep for me...how lucky am I - it only took 11.5 hrs for it to work this time around :ywow: - Oh well, great to be here - here's hoping I get to find remission soon.
 
humira and fistula

Hi! I just found out that I have a small internal fistula. i have had crohns for 30 years (2 small bowel resections) and generally no medications except for a week of cipro here and there. My doctors strongly feel that I should start humira to help the fistula. I am so scared of humira and have heard so many negatives about side effects. Even the commercials freak me out " fatal experiences have occurred" Can ANYBODY tell me positive experiences with humira? Anybody have fistulas heal on humira? Has anybody tried LDN? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!! :ysmile::sign0085::sign0085:
 
Lisa, Humira has helped take my severe Crohns and helped beat it into submission. The disclaimer is enough to scare you to death on any med, but they are talking about the extreme exceptions, and not the rule. They use to freak me out, I finally decided not to listen to them. They include them in the ads just so they don't get sued.

Front let the disclaimers freak you out. Humira is a good med. It has helped me slot.
 
That's good to hear DougUte - next Mon is my second dose Humira x 2 - I'm on 100 mg aza and 40 mg pred. I just got the pics that shows 9 ulcers in my small bowel at the beginning and towards the end of it. Some are rather large and fissuring as well. I really am hoping that Humira will work for me, so I can get back to work. Although teaching in early childhood sounds daft when you are on Aza and Humira due to the risk of infection.
 
Hi everyone, I was on Humira for a couple of months last summer until i had to stop due to infections. I'm only just getting round to restarting it now, i had my 4x dose a fortnight ago and i had my double dose this morning. I know it's still early but i'm feeling good already! Less tiredness, better appetite, my hidradenitis sores are beginning to show signs of healing but best of all, no joint pain:ybiggrin:

I wasn't convinced by it first time round but i'm starting to think this drug is as good as i've been told:thumleft:
 
I started humira 5 weeks ago, and its the first maintenence drug I have been on for Crohn's. I was only diagnosed in March. So far, I feel much better. I really have noticed a turn around after the 1st maintenence dose (just 1 pen) last week. No pain in LRQ, no diarrhea, no upset stomach. I am also on 30 mg prednisone and tapering down 10 mg every 5 days. According to CTE, since colonoscopy in March, stricture and internal fistula are both improving. Except for what I assume is pred side effects, I am feeling better now than I have in a long time. I have found the pens no big deal, also.
 
Adam1971
Sounds like we're in similar circumstances from timing to stricture to drugs! Hope both of us have great success with our current treatments!:dance:
 
I don't even think about giving myself shots anymore. I really hope it works as well for you as it does for me.
 
Here is an open question for everybody on Humira and particularly those who have tried Remicade too. I will post the same on the Remicade pages. I will be offered a choice between these two drugs. It has been presented to me as a simple choice of delivery (infusion vs injection) and with no other differences.

OK, so these are different drugs and will have different success rates with different people. I am planning to go for Remicade first and later I can switch to Humira for self-administartion if I choose.

However, from the guys and girls out there with experience, which is the better bet to start with? Both are recommended to me for both the Crohn's classic stuff and the extraintestinal symptoms of related arthritis.

Please share your experience with me?

Thanks
 
Iv been on humira for a month now, and so far all good. Though my gi says it's 3 months until it takes full effect, and 4 more until 6mp does.
Have any of you had fissures and Fistulas heal from humira?
 
Hi all,
I am trying to find info on the cost of Humira in Australia. My daughter (age 13) has reacted to Remicade after 18 months, and needs to go on Humira but she does not meet the requirements for the government to pay for treatment. She is under 17 so they wont pay!! Her Paed GI is trying to work something out on compassionate grounds but if it doesn't come off I would like to be prepared for the shock of the cost!!!
Also, are there any lobby groups to 'persuade' the govt to expand the criteria for who gets drugs and who doesn't?
Thanks
 
I don't know if this will be of any help, but here, one month supply at the standard posology (2 pen - 1 every 2 weeks) is around 1400$. With the initial doses and all altogether the treatment for the first year is supposed to be around 19,000$... What I am hoping, is that often, through the company, they can manage obtaining the drug for almost free or at the very least a reasonable price.

I think I would give a shot at contacting the company:
http://www.abbott.com/global/url/content/en_US/10.40.20:20/general_content/Global_Location_Profile_0025.htm

I know my mother managed to get drugs for free by contacting certain companies back in the days as she was unable to pay for her prescription and it was causing an issue to raise us so she got medication for free for a few years.
 
Just started Humira this past week. I've never been on this type of medication for my Crohn's, I'm a bit nervous because of the amounts of side effects that can occur but I'm also pretty excited. I've been flaring on and off since 2010 and I'm hoping Humira will be the thing that pushes me back into remission.
 
I've been taking it since January, and I don't have any side effects from it. After reading all the side effects, it's easy to get scared of it - anybody with a grain of sense would. However, I had to weigh the risks of the disease against the risk of the side effects of the medication. I decided that the disease was worse.

Once I made the decision, I quit thinking about side effects - I think I'll know if something starts to go wrong.
 
gabby'smum said:
Hi all,
I am trying to find info on the cost of Humira in Australia. My daughter (age 13) has reacted to Remicade after 18 months, and needs to go on Humira but she does not meet the requirements for the government to pay for treatment. She is under 17 so they wont pay!! Her Paed GI is trying to work something out on compassionate grounds but if it doesn't come off I would like to be prepared for the shock of the cost!!!
Also, are there any lobby groups to 'persuade' the govt to expand the criteria for who gets drugs and who doesn't?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi, I've been on Humira for a couple of years now. Just wondering where you see your GI? When I was referred to my GI I saw him at his private rooms the first time. I needed a new script for Budesonide which we had to pay full cost for (and then get the medicare rebate later) due to seeing him at his rooms. He suggested we see him in a public hospital's outpatients dept he visited from then on as the scripts would be cheaper to fill (PBS price $5 or so).
Anyway, when he prescribed Humira for the first 6 months or so the hospital held onto my script and was filling prescriptions for the pen for me for free from their dispensary. Now I take the scripts to the chemist. The full cost on the label is $1774.36 (2 pens).
 
I started on Humira yesterday evening. I would guess my gastro doc gave me half dose to start with as it was just two 40ml pen doses to start and will then be one every two weeks with a review after week 6. Took them in the thigh no problems.

Yes, it could be the placebo effect or hysteria or whatever, but this morning was the first time for ages that I went back to sleep after first waking. Normally somebody hits my stomach with a baseball bat around 15 seconds after waking.

I'm already dumping some of the 9 other prescription medecines I was on, including dropping pred from 20ml to 10ml and will get right off that within a few days.

You've heard it all before - but this is going to work!
 
Hi Gabby's Mum
I'll check my box the next time I pick up my Prescription to let you know what the non PBS price is - to the cent!
I know it's around $1700 per double dose - so about $850 per fortnight - which is pretty prohibitive - especially compared to $35.40 on the PBS.
That's a real bugger they won't let her have it because of her age.
Hope you can find a way around it for her.
 
Hi Paul and the Humi Club I've been on Humira now for 2 years prior to that I was on Ramicade which made me nauseous for most of the time between infusions. I've found Humira is doing the job and with less side effects. But as you say everyone is different and will be affected in different ways. Humira is less hassle it takes seconds at home whereas Ramicade takes a while plus you have to go to hospital for infusion.
Hope in some way this helps.

Chris
 
Been on Humira for 10 months, zero problems, the odd (once or twice) skin infection which clears up with some OTC cream, bloods always come back normal, it's an awesome drug.

I'm just after leaving mine out to warm up, going to do my injection in about 45 mins, and I always look forward to it, maybe I'm a sado and love the pain! Bwahaha. =]
 
First off, sorry for the long post and thank you very much to anyone who can read through it all..

I think my GI doctor wants to switch me from humira to cimzia. I haven't tried taking anything alongside the humira, upping the doses or trying to boost it though.

I am worried because I've read through thie "Cimzia club" thread and it doesn't seem like there's a single person that this drug has really helped in the long term..

Now there's really no activity in that forum, so I'm wondering if this switch too soon might be a bad idea..

I've been on Humira every two weeks since July 2010. I never had any energy and I was normally cramping most of the time(except for some random good weeks/months here and there) until I seriously changed my diet starting around january. I'm still getting flares, some that last for a looong time and some that last 3-4 days but I have a ton more energy now and feel like I can actually keep up with "normal" people on my good days.

I do go through a lot of set backs with my diet as it's still hard for me to control my cravings for things I shouldn't eat. I still have a long way to go on fine tuning the diet and barely even know what any of my trigger foods are.

I've only heard from my GI doc right after a colonoscopy so I barely remember anything he said. I showed inflamation and he couldn't get through a part with the scope. I've had the CI scan where I was only able to drink 1/3 of the berium and that showed more "Chron's" activity. I'm going in in about 2 weeks for all the results and to start talk on what to do next with a medicine change and talk about possible surgery. I'm sure I'll have more info to bring to light then.

It really seems like whenever I have gas is my really bad days. I haven't been able to find anything to help this part yet. Once it's passed I barely feel any cramping at all.


Are there any last ditch efforts in an attempt to try and see if the humira is still helping?
 
So I'm joining the club this week. Luckily my insurance approved me and a shipment is coming tomorrow.

Am I going to be able to figure out how to administer this myself, or will I need a nurse or doctor? Seems like common sense and there are instructions online. Can I just do it myself?
 
Billk
It's easy to do and I think instructions come in the box. There probably is a video on line too. All I can tell you is it hurts for about 10 sec and don't flinch when you hear the click!:thumright:
 

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