Hi, I'm new here. I have a question for anyone taking the humira injections. I started them Dec. 15 because of a stricture and other meds not working. Up until that time I felt fine but since taking the humira my energy level has bottomed out. I hardly have enough energy to get out of bed. I have been on antibodics twice for upper respiratory infection and quite honestly getting a little scared. I'm not sure if it's working for the stricture or not..suppose to have another exam in the spring. Is this a side effect of the medicine?
Humira side effects
- Thread starter debst
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Dukeis
Dynastic Overlord
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Welcome to the forum! Humira does the same thing to me. I never realized it zapped the energy out of me like it does until recently. I was taken off of Humira because of up coming surgery. I have so much more energy now that I have been off of it for a few weeks now. You want to be sure to inform your doctor about this also.
Angrybird
Moderator
Hello and welcome to the forum 
Just to confirm do you know whether the stricture is down to scarring or inflammation? Other then the above mentioned fatigue how are things with the tum itself? I agree that you need to be letting your doc know about the problems you have had since starting this med.
AB
xx
Just to confirm do you know whether the stricture is down to scarring or inflammation? Other then the above mentioned fatigue how are things with the tum itself? I agree that you need to be letting your doc know about the problems you have had since starting this med.
AB
xx
Hi, thanks for replying. No I'm not sure what's caused the stricture. It's kinda a guessing game right now..GI dr said if the humira works then the stricture would have been caused by inflammation if not then scar tissue that would have to be removed surgically. So I really don't have a choice I have to take it..didn't feel this way before starting it..I would tire out easily but this is different. This is absolute exhaustion!
Angrybird
Moderator
What testing was done that found the stricture? Also have your vitamin levels been checked?
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Hi Debst. Welcome!
Is the stricture at a place where a colonoscopy could get to it? If so, and it is scar tissue, the colonoscope can stretch out the stricture. I just had this done on mine.
I am assuming your doctor knows that but just in case it has been over looked, I thought I should mention it.
Is the stricture at a place where a colonoscopy could get to it? If so, and it is scar tissue, the colonoscope can stretch out the stricture. I just had this done on mine.
I am assuming your doctor knows that but just in case it has been over looked, I thought I should mention it.
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Along with the Ulcerative Colitis, I now had some horrible joint pains in many spots. The consensus as to what I had come down with was some type of Arthritis. This is actually interesting because Humira is normally prescribed to Arthritis patients to help that.
Hiya :bigwave:
I've been on Humira for over a year because I had a stricture and I have to be honest I have a nightmare with energy levels. At first I was told it was because I was anaemic but nothing makes me feel any better. I've even had an iron infusion and that was less than useless.
I hope you start to feel better soon and find some energy from somewhere - if I find any spare I'll be sure to pass it on :ghug:
I've been on Humira for over a year because I had a stricture and I have to be honest I have a nightmare with energy levels. At first I was told it was because I was anaemic but nothing makes me feel any better. I've even had an iron infusion and that was less than useless.
I hope you start to feel better soon and find some energy from somewhere - if I find any spare I'll be sure to pass it on :ghug:
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Hmmm got me worried... I'm about to start Humira i think (specialist appointment today). Been on the azathioprine, allopurinol, budesonide cocktail for about a year and it's not doing the job effectively. Also have iron infusions every few months.
My energy levels are bad enough as it is without further issues from Humira :ybatty:
My energy levels are bad enough as it is without further issues from Humira :ybatty:
humira
try this site i found this helpful as my doc wants to put me on it and i am not sure about it.this has other patients comments
www.askapatient.com
try this site i found this helpful as my doc wants to put me on it and i am not sure about it.this has other patients comments
www.askapatient.com
First I'd like to thank everybody for their replys. I wanted to reply to each individual post but couldn't figure out how to do that. My regular gi dr didn't do my last colonoscopy and honestly I'm not sure if she tried to use anything other than the regular scope to do the test. All she said was the scope wouldn't pass through the strictured area. I have already decided to change my dr. and thank you so much for that information. My understanding was if it was caused by scar tissue I'd have to have surgery again. Currently taking the Humira and also vitamin b12, d3, calcuim, and vitamin c. Also 10 mg. prednisone. vitamin levels have been checked and are normal. I'm sorry not trying to worry anybody..I know a lady personally that takes the Humira and it not only put her crohns in remission ...all kinds of energy. That's one of the reasons why I questioned Humira being the cause of the fatigue. I guess everybody's different you never know if something going to work for you unless you try it.
Hi debst. Even if you have scar tissue you may not necessarily need a bowel surgery. I had an illeostomy when I had a 70cm stricture, then where the bowel was rejoined I now have a 10 cm stricture. My gi told me years back, that when you have surgery, you then have scar tissue where there is stricturing. My symptoms got really bad a year or so ago, and my gi first said, if pred dosnt help, a bowel resection might be necessary. I then read about humira on this forum, and asked my gi a bunch of diff meds like pentasia etc to try, then humira. He agreed I could try humira, and see if it decreases the inflammation enough, long term, so that I don't need another bowel recsection. For the most part, my pain symptoms are much better, though I have constant D, I still figure even if I have a bowel recsection I'll just have another stricture anyway. As far as fatigue- there was a thread on here you could search 'why isn't fatigue listed as a side effect of humira'. I get fatigued too, some days like you, I just want to lay down all day and feel generally crap. But then not all people on humira say they feel the same, but if it helps your crohns symptoms and you don't need a bowel recsection, I think it's the better option long term. I personally think- if I need another rescection in 4 years- at 10-20 cm then again in 4-5 and so on, it's better then having a recsection for a small stricture. It's been 4 years since my bowel recsection, so 4-8 years between needing one- at 30, I'd rather that (feeling a bit fatigued), then needing a colostomy bag by 45 because of more frequent surgeries. So it depends on how much better your crohns is, as far as is it better to just have stricture recsected I think. Best wishes xoxo
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