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Humira question- going to start it but afraid of side effects

Hello. I have been diagnosed with Crohns. Have had a rough year. In August I got Giardia from contaminated food at a restaurant. I suffered with that for 6 weeks until I was properly diagnosed. I ended up in the hospitals after a round of antibiotic. I have always had problems with meds and allergic reactions. Anyway, symptoms remained but now the 10-30 times of water for stool was from Crohns. Started with prednisone and lialda but still having symptoms. It’s not as bad. Only have 3-5 trips to my favorite room in the house and it’s not always water. However, my doctor wants to start me on Humira.
Can you share your experience with Humira please? I feel that if I give my body time maybe it could heal some on its own with just lialda, along with dietary changes recommended by my acupuncturist.

Thank you
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
Ds was startedon humira at 9
He stayed in it for over 5 years
No issues
Kept his Crohns good
Has to stop for surgery (non Crohns related )
The med stopped working when he restarted it a few months later

He had way more side effects from 6-mp
Good luck
 

Scipio

Well-known member
Location
San Diego
Lialda is among the weakest of medicines used to treat IBD. And there is research showing that while it works moderately well for UC, for Crohn's it's no better than placebo.

Unfortunately, serious diseases such as Crohn's usually need strong medicine. I just finally went on a biologic myself this week. By far the biggest risk that Crohn's patients face is not damage to their health from side effects of biologics like Humira, it is damage to their health from uncontrolled Crohn's.
 
My doctor recommended Humira about 1 year ago. I, like you, was resistant due to my great of the side effects. My doctor accommodated me while I tried "low dose naltrexone" for 6 months. When my digestive system backed up one day, I knew the naltrexone wasn't working for me. On the Humira, I'm doing great. I do support you on your quest to avoid the side effects. I'm attempting to track my calprotectin levels closely so that I can take only the Humira that I need. That's how I'm addressing my side effect fears at this point.
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
One thing to remember is risk vs benefit
Everyday you take risks
Docs just are putting them on paper for you to read

I have a kid with Crohns so I only know those numbers
I am sure adults are higher
Things that have risks of death for kids

Car risk 1 in 250
Drowning 1 in 1000

T cell lymphoma without Crohns or drugs 2 in 10000

T cell lymphoma with Crohns and two drugs (biologics plus imuran/6-mp-needs that combo )
6 in 10000

Tylenol is given the infants can cause liver failure , Steven Johnson syndrome , death
Antibotics (amoxicillin again given to infants ) can cause the same


So please look up your risks you take without thought
To improve quality of life it may help
 
I've been on Humira for three years and it has been a lifesaver for me. I've had absolutely no side effects and feel the best that I have in years and years. So grateful for Humira.
 
I went on humira in march. Just had a scope that showed great improvement in colon! Had two months of side effects - fevers, cough, apathy, tearfulness, and exhaustion. My body has now mostly seemed to adjust. Immune system is down so I do have a few more minor illnesses (upper resp. Inf and the like) but the rest have gotten better.
 
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