Humira dosing question

[Luckystar715]

Hi all! I have been on humira since September 2012, one shot every other week. It has made me feel better but I feel fatigued still, loss of appetite, and some tummy pain. The tummy pain went a way for a while but now it's back.

For those of you that inject once a week, what were your doctors reasoning vs the every other week? I am thinking having an injection every week might get me feeling better and possibly into remission.

Thanks for the help!

 

[David]

I can't comment on the Humira side of things, but with that fatigue and loss of appetite, I wonder if they have tested your magnesium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels? People with Crohn's are commonly deficient in those which can lead to fatigue and loss of appetite. If they haven't tested you, I'd suggest you get tested and get the actual numbers and post them here as the reference ranges aren't very good and we can provide additional insight with the actual numbers.

 

[Luckystar715]

David,
Thank you for the insight! I will try and get the result from my last blood testing in Jan 2013 and be sure to post the results here! I do know that in the past I have had (and probably still have low B12). I dont have the the part of my colon where large meets small; I had surgery in 2008. I was once on vitamin B12 shots monthly. But I recently moved in the past 2 years and the new GI did not continue with the vitamin B12 shots. However, I would not be suprised if they are low again. Thank you for help!!

 

[David]

Sounds good I look forward to seeing the numbers.

 

[Luckystar715]

David, I go to the Dr again on May 1st and will get the lastest numbers for my blood count. I was curious if you knew of there are part of the intestines that are specific to absorbtion of vitamin D and magnesium. For example, where small meets large intestine is specefic to absorb vitamin B 12, are there other parts of the colon that are specific for other vitamins and minerals. Thanks for your input as always!

 

[EthanPSU]

I use to be on every other week but like you, it sort of like dwindled and stopped working as well, my doctor put me on it once a week and added aza on top of it and it has been perfect. I'm going on 3 months with 0 symptoms whatsoever, first time i've ever been like this. The reasoning he gave me for putting me on it every week is that I guess some people systems just need a higher dosage due to their own makeup (?). I just went along with it and it's been great.

 

[David]

All parts of the intestine can absorb magnesium but the terminal ileum is responsible for most of it. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and oral forms are mostly absorbed in the small intestine with the primary point being the terminal ileum as well.

 

[MikeinBklyn]

Lucky, I was taking the H every two weeks for about a year and could not get rid of symptoms and the perianal fistula that had developed. I noticed that at the ten day mark I would start sliding backwards. I discussed this with my doc and we compromised on injecting every ten days as opposed to his suggestion of every week.

It appears that one must find a balancing point with dosing. Your body may be more active in regards to inflammation than say mine.

Make sure you take vitamins. B Complex, D and Calcium. I believe the terminal ileum absorbs vit B12.

Good Luck

 

[Luckystar715]

Mike, after your humira dose increased did your perianal fistula go away? If so, do u remember how long it took for you to heal?

 

[MikeinBklyn]

Lucky, yep......after two days it as gone. The fistula disappeared, period.

Your mileage may vary, but going to every ten days (for me) did the trick.

Best of Luck!!

 

[Luckystar715]

I went to the dr today and got my old labs from Jan. Magnesium was 2.2, vitamin B 12 and vitamin D were not listed on that day. My creatine level is also 0.5 which was indicated as low if that means anything.