Humira concerns

[Snookums]

Hi all, Have been on 6mp for about 4 and a half years which unfortunately wasn't working alone in helping with my crohns. About 18 or so months ago I was finally after three failed attempts accepted for remicade which at the time was a life saver. I could not believe how normal it made my life seem. That was until around March of this year when I started suffering with terrible joint pain. A couple of weeks bedridden and in absolute agony had some blood tests and they came up positive for drug induced lupus. So the one thing that seemed to be helping me so well had to be completely stopped indefinitely. Was put on a high dose of steroids which im currently weaning down from and already starting to have symptoms niggling away just waiting for any opportunity to flare up into a full blown attack again. My docs rang the other day and have decided to put me on Humira. The paperwork is going through as we speak and im extremely nervous about the whole injecting myself business. Don't get me wrong when you are suffering you would do almost anything to make it better so I know its something I just have to suck up and do but im def apprehensive. I really don't know very much at all about humira and must have a good read of all the posts in this area. How quickly has it worked for others and would love to hear from anyone who has tried infliximab before who is currently being treated with humira because inflix wasn't successful. Apparently the inflix and humira are very similar so the lupus which my blood results actually indicated I was negative for at last check could return. any input would be much appreciated. x

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Humira & Remicade both belong to a class of medications called biologics. They are similar but some people will respond to one and not the other, some will have an allergic reaction or side effects to one but not the other. It can take a few weeks to notice a difference on the medication but 3 months is generally considered a good time frame in terms of testing efficacy.

http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Humira

 

[PsychoJane]

Hi Snookums,
Unfortunately, I can't directly speak from experience as I have not received Remicade prior to Humira. I did get some sort of DIL from Humira, it can happen but the way I see it is that the Humira-->Remicade is probably worst than the opposite path as humira is human monoclonal antibodies rather than chimeric (partially mouse derived) agent like Remicade.

Was there any consideration for the addition of a immunosuppresor therapy to reduce the risk of reactions? Maybe this could minimize the risk of DIL but I'm not familiar with guidelines regarding patients that have showns previous reaction to an agent.

 

[aruschmann]

I was on Remicade and 6mp for over 10 years. It was the only thing to heal my fistulas and put me in remission for about 8 years. About 3 years ago the Remicade quit working. I was put on Humira along with the 6mp and this treatment has not been working for myself. I know everyone is different. Hopefully u will respond better to the Humira/ 6 mp combination. I wanna try something other than the 6mp myself, as I dont feel its effective anymore. Ive been taking it daily for over 12 years i think. Ive had Crohns since 1997. The weekly injections sting a bit but not too bad. I used to get bloodwork and ivs so often they jokingly asked me if I wanted to draw my own blood/ do my own iv haha. Iceing the area before and letting the Humira sit at room tempature for an hour help some, but it still stings a little. I inject mine in the thigh muscle. If you have any other questions feel free to message me

 

[Deliberate1]

Snookums, I have been on Humira for about five years now. Never did Remicade so I can not speak to that experience. But Humira has worked well for me - for the most part. It kept me in remission for two years or so after I started it. Then over the course of eight months the disease came back with a vengeance. Even doubling the dose to weekly did not bring me back. Ultimately, in August, 2011 I had my first surgery in the 40 years that I have lived with Crohn's. Back on Humira again. It has been under very good control since then. Only symptoms are some unpleasant arthritis.
My dose is 40mg every other week. I self inject with pre-loaded pens. I just pinch a bit of skin around the waist line, put the end of the pen against the skin and push the button. It is pretty easy and not terribly painful. Yes, it does sting a bit. Perhaps if I let the solution warm a bit it might sting less, but I don't bother because it is not a big deal.

Aruschmann indicates in his response that he or she injects into the thigh. That would be an IM (intramuscular) injection. That necessitates a much longer needle than the sub-cutaneous (under the skin) device that I use. And more involved as well if you have to load the medicine. I know this because I do IM injections of Vitamin B12 every week. Perhaps you could speak with your doc about prescribing the pre-loaded pens if the process of self-injecting makes you uncomfortable. Not to worry. It is really no big deal. I wish you well with your new course of care and hope that it provides the relief you are looking for.

 

[aruschmann]

Sorry im a 30 year old male, not sure if it makes much difference just to clarify. I also do the pre loaded pens once a week 40mg. When I used to do the Methotrexate shots they would put that in my love handle area and it stung alot worse. Maybe cause it was kept refrigerated ? Ive been in a severe flare for the last 3 years, i did get a little better when I first started the Humira shots. I have severe Crohns disease, constant diarrhea, fistulas, rectal abscesses, fatigue, and pain. Had a temporary colostomy last year, same time as a fistula caused a tear in my small intestines. As soon as they reversed the colostomy the colo-rectal fistulas returned. I havnt been able to work in 18 months, but im pretty sure I won my case for SSD. Ive never had any reactions to drugs, they just seem to quit working after a short period of time

 

[Deliberate1]

You have had a rugged time of it. Real sorry to hear it. I started treating when I was 15 years old - 42 years ago. Back in the dark ages well before biologics. Humira seems to be doing it for me. Except when it didn't two years ago. I take my injections and just keep my fingers crossed.
I wish you well and hope that you find a path to good health.

 

[purdueCrohns]

My friends have their school/work nurse inject them. If you have something like that available to you it is an option.

Humira is theoretically less prone to allergic reactions since remicade is produced from mouse proteins and humira is effectively humanized.