Humira - when does it work?

[Jrapp]

My son is 19 years old and has Crohn's disease.he has tried many different MEDS through the years since he was diagnosed at 6.

He did loading dose of 4 x 40 mg Humira, then 2 doses 2 weeks later, then 1 dose 40 mg every 2 weeks. After dose 4, he felt better within 24 hours. After 10 days he was getting progressively worse and did injection at 12 days. So far, 2 days later, he had had no changes. Does this mean the drug is not working? How soon after the injection should results show?

Thanks

J

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The idea is that enough drug is in the body that he should consistently feel pretty good. Id talk to the prescribing doctor but generally they say 3 months is a good time to assess the benefits of the drug.

 

[my little penguin]

It took DS about 5 months .

What does his doctor say?

 

[Maya142]

It took 5-6 months and the addition of MTX for it to work for my daughter. We also had to go to weekly injections.

 

[Jrapp]

I keep reading that it can take 3 months but is that to get into remission or to see any benefits at all? Do you see maximum benefits immediately or few days after injection? Do most people use anything besides prednisone interim - my son usually does well with Flaggyl but nobody knows why. His doctor doesn't say much so far but we are going back tomorrow....

 

[my little penguin]

I would assume benefits not remission ...
We didn't see maximum benefits after injection even now it takes 48 hours then things improve .( at. Least before he was changed to every 10 days).
We added extra meds
Asacol , probiotics , rectal cremes , you name it

 

[Jrapp]

I'm not understanding...it takes 48 hours to show any benefit and then it only lasts until 10 days?

 

[my little penguin]

Sorry ds is complicated
When he was on humira every 14 days - we would see an improvement 24-48 hours after the shot - he would go back to normal.
His frequency in dose was increased to every 10 days and added Mtx due to juvenile spondylarthritis.
Now there is no change in his crohn's symptoms from week to week -it's just normal .

 

[Jrapp]

Meaning the stability/lack of symptoms is consistent and remains throughout the week now, from one injection to the next?

 

[Lam123]

When I started humira it took 3-5 months to really kick in.

 

[my little penguin]

Pretty much gi wise
His arthritis is getting worse so far despite the increase

 

[Jrapp]

I'm sorry to hear that. Best thing is to try some swimming...in a warm pool. Great therapy! I am a physiotherapist and see great results with arthritis!

 

[my little penguin]

Thanks
He has been swimming competitvely for 5 years so spends a lot of time in the pool.
Unfortunately - swimming doesnt do much for hands.

 

[Brian'sMom]

When my son first started Humira we saw results within first few weeks. After a year and half he began to show crohn's symptoms and we shortened it to every week. Then to 10 days combined with Methotrexate. Eventually we moved to Cimzia... which we never saw anything good happen and finally off TNF drugs altogether. If your son doesn't respond to Humira.. there are other options now. Good luck and don't lose hope!

It's interesting that you mention his good response to Flagyl. That is the one drug that has always helped my son too. It makes me go HMMMM. Why is that-Its an antibiotic, right? We have been thru awful times the past few years. Recently we went on Flagyl for an abcsess and low and behold, the troubles he's been having with his rectum stopped. We went off after the 14 days... rectum trouble returned. Two days ago they put us back on Flagyl. Today... all troubles (cramps and drainage from rectum) gone again. It makes me wonder if this is a clue for us. Who knows. Our case is very complicated-I'm just thinking out loud!