Joining the Humira club;)

[Starla86]

Sooo Remicade has failed and apparently having surgery only 4 months ago didn't work either. I am to start Humira next week and am hoping for the best, since I dont really know what else I should do. This last visit to my GI was very uplifting.... she came up with a few options that I was hoping to avoid like tube feeding or an elemental diet or back to the hospital with a NG tube. So obviously I am really wanting Humira to have some impact. Also since ending the Remicade and getting out of the hospital I have started to have some major hair loss and was wondering if others have dealt with this when ending a biologic. Is this something that I should expect from Humira as well or??? Im only 25 and a female so I would kinda like to keep my hair Input would be great. Thanks)

 

[beth]

Sounds like loosing your hair is from the disease rather than because of ending Remicade. Humira wont make you loose your hair, or make it come back, not without fixing your guts first. And that, I'm afraid, is just going to be one of those things you'll have to see what happens.

Welcome to the Humira club, the best club in the business
Hope it works well for you.

 

[Crohns08]

You could also be anemic or in need of B12 or Folic acid. Low levels in those vitamins and minerals can result in hair loss.

 

[Starla86]

Yea I am anemic, I take B12 shots once a month. I guess I should see about increasing those if that has something to do with the hairloss. I guess I was kinda hoping that I could blame the Remicade and convince myself that its not just my body Does anyone out there with hairloss know of any shampoos or other random remedy to help it stop? Thanks for the input.

 

[Starla86]

Ok so the mail pharmacy called today to tell me that they got everything approved for insurance to cover Humira and that it will be at my door tomorrow!!! I am excited and nervous now, I have to take 4 shots tomorrow for the loading dose??? My first experience with Remicade left me flu like and very weak, is this going to happen with Humira as well? Also I have seen on here a couple times that Remicade is more powerful than Humira, so if Remicade didnt work for me will Humira?? Has anyone switched from the two and had better results??

 

[rfischer4]

Hello, I have had three Remicade infusions. They did nothing except make the pain worse and increased my fatigue. Both I and my doctor were disappointed. As soon as all the paper work gets in order I will also start Humira. If that is not successful I will have to consider exploratory surgery to see why I have been flaring for 9 months and cannot get back into remission. So I am excited for you and hope Humira works for you. I am on 40 MGs of steroid a day now till I start the Humira. I feel better than I have for months and wonder if the old fashion steroid protocol is not the correct path for me?

 

[xingfingers]

Hi. I've just switched from Remicade to Humira as well. Just finished my second loading of the Humira. I felt awful after a Remicade infusion - nauseous, extremely tired, basically wiped out for 24 hours afterwards. So far with Humira I haven't felt any better, however, I don't have the after effects like I did with Remicade so am really happy about that! My GI told me this week that it can take up to 10 weeks for the Humira to start working? My GI started me on Methotrexate in combination with the Humira to try and "encourage my body to be more accepting" of the Humira...we'll see! Good luck with your treatment!

 

[rfischer4]

Treatment

:hug:The three Remicade treatments I had increased pain and fatigue. I really declined and a little fear and depression set in YIKES! I had to get back on strong pain medication and I was not happy about that. I have not noticed hair loss. My GI started me on old fashion Prednisone. It has been great. My energy is way up and my sense of well being is in a nice place. They say a side effect of Prednisone is a false sense of well being. Why are all the good ones so bad? I will start the Humira by month’s end? I have met my co-pays and deductable so I am 100% insured till 12/31. I hope everyone finds the ‘thing’ that gets them into REMISSION for a long, long time.