Increased dosage of Humira?

[xingfingers]

Hi everybody,

I had a colonoscopy yesterday which didn't go as planned. The Dr. had said it would be a quick "in and out" and he didn't think biopsies would be required. Unfortunately it wasn't "in and out" and many biopsies were taken. While I was under sedation, I remember very clearly the doctor mentioning that I may have to increase my dosage of Humira to once a week. Has anyone be prescribed this? It seems a bit over the top to me. If Humira isn't working, and Remicade didn't work and none of the conventional drugs did, what are my next options other than surgery? I don't have any of the results just yet and of course am thinking of only the "worst case" scenarios but would appreciate all feedback!

Many thanks.

 

[suschex]

I know that there are many people on this forum that take weekly injections. In fact, when clinical trials were being done prior to Humira being allowed on the market, the makers of the drug had test groups at weekly intervals. I will place the link to the clinical trial results below.

I know you must feel very conerned but hang in there and I am sure others on the forum will be by soon to give further support. I hope your results return soon and with good news!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701613/?log$=activity

 

[Mark63]

Hi,

I've been on weekly Humira for the last 8 months and things have improved. Once a fortnight was not helping a great deal. I have fistulizing, perianal Crohn's and could not tolerate Imuran or Remicade.

Regards,

Mark

 

[PsychoJane]

Weekly humira is common. I too am taking it weekly. Often they will pair another immunosuppressant drug with it in order to enhance it's benefits by reducing the anti-tnf antibodies that we built up against the humira.

 

[xingfingers]

Thanks for your responses. It certainly makes me feel better to hear that others are out there taking Humira once a week without any serious side effects.

Psycho Jane: when you say another immunosuppressant drug - does you mean in addition to the methotrexate that I'm already on?

And does anyone know if more Humira will lead to more psoriasis? That's my newest side effect that's popped up in the last 3 weeks.

 

[PsychoJane]

do you mean in addition to the methotrexate that I'm already on?

Yes, that is one of the drug I was referring to. I did not notice that you were already taking it.

And does anyone know if more Humira will lead to more psoriasis

I can't tell for sure. I was having skin issues as well which were kinda getting better towards the time I had to get the next shot so if you are actually experiencing it, maybe it could make it worst... but maybe not. Mine eventually stopped and did not come back with the one week shot... the humira is not working much anymore either though...

 

[Mark63]

I've had skin issues with Humira as well. Went I first started to take it and again when I increased the shots to weekly. I found taking an antihistamine, Fexofenadine helped a lot. Eventually, I've come off the antihistamine as I no longer need it.

I do have some other skin problems as well, so it can be difficult to tell how much impact the Humira actually has?

 

[Conor M.]

Hi everybody,

I had a colonoscopy yesterday which didn't go as planned. The Dr. had said it would be a quick "in and out" and he didn't think biopsies would be required. Unfortunately it wasn't "in and out" and many biopsies were taken. While I was under sedation, I remember very clearly the doctor mentioning that I may have to increase my dosage of Humira to once a week. Has anyone be prescribed this? It seems a bit over the top to me. If Humira isn't working, and Remicade didn't work and none of the conventional drugs did, what are my next options other than surgery? I don't have any of the results just yet and of course am thinking of only the "worst case" scenarios but would appreciate all feedback!

Many thanks.

I am a 15 years Colitis patient and I have found that virtually nothing I have been prescribed actually works for me ! I am injecting Humira every 2nd week for just over 4 months now and I am experiencing all of the usual symptoms (loose watery bowel movements, bloody mucus, cramps and almost hourly trips to the bathroom) . I initially thought Humira was helping me but I now believe that I was just experiencing a brief submission as I usually do about 4 times a year ! I am going to ask about upping my Humira dosage to weekly to see if this will improve my symptoms and I will keep you all posted every couple of weeks or so ! We are all guinea pigs for each other really ! one of us will eventually come up with a winning combination hopefully. GOOD LUCK ALL !!! Con.

 

[Mark63]

Conor,

Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

Wishing you well.

Mark

 

[theOcean]

Hello! Just wanted to chime in that I've always had Humira injections every week. So it's definitely not anything unseemly.

I actually got way more skin reactions from Remicade. With Humira I think I might've gotten a patch or two of psoriasis, but they've since gone away so I think it may have been coincidental.

 

[eleanorruby]

I'm another one of the people who injects Humira on a weekly basis. I was biweekly at first, but it just wasn't doing the trick. I've been on weekly injections for well over a year now, all through my pregnancy, and even now that I'm breastfeeding. I haven't had any adverse side-effects, unlike when I was going for Remicade treatments. Good luck.

 

[MikeinBklyn]

I went from every 14 days to every 10 days due to a fistula, boom, 2 days later it closed. It's been 4 years now. Everyone needs to find their own dosage. don't fret.

Good Luck