Just started humira.. hit a bit of a hurdle already!

[AdamJC]

All was going well - My consultant gave me the green light for humira before christmas, and I received my first loading up dose a week and a half ago (the nurse was amazing.. she really made me feel comfortable. She came to my house and showed me how to use the pens).

Unfortunately i've ended up with a stinking cold and my first self-injection on my own is due tomorrow... and now I've had to contact my consultant/nurse as they said if I have any chance of cold/flu/infection I must stop immediately.

My consultant called me back yesterday and said to hold off on my humira - Is this normal? Is it going to affect the treatment? getting hold of my consultant directly is a bloomin nightmare I always have to go through his office and its irritating!

Thanks guys it's like one step forward two steps back I was actually looking FORWARD to stabbing myself with a needle... didn't think id hear myself saying that!

 

[handle]

It's fairly standard to pause injections if you are infected with something. A day or two and you might be ok to continue - see how you go.
Did you notice any improvement from the first loading doses?
Good luck.

 

[AdamJC]

Ah okay thanks - I didn't notice any improvement then again I'm still on 30Mg of pred so that's probably still very much 'in my system'! :-/

 

[__JK__]

Yeah it's def common for them to pause it. I've had it paused cos I've had a cold. Had surgery 6 weeks ago and they stopped it for a month during that. All normal, hopefully you'll be jacking up again soon

 

[suschex]

It's best to hold off if that is what the doc said. Will the be doing a physical exam to check if it is an infectin or just a sniffle? I don't think holding off will make a diff other than what day you will give your next injection.

I have been on Humira 8 wks and haven't felt better yet. It seems that some can take 12 weeks and then they feel better so no worries.

Glad you had a great nurse!!!

Feel better soon!

 

[AdamJC]

I'm not sure - I'm usually the only person that DOESN'T get what's going around... I know they say all these meds are supposed to lower our defence against infection etc but I honestly *never* get coughs/colds - which is why I'm gutted I've ended up with this nasty one two days before my second flipping humira injections! (2x 40Mg - Still part of my 'loading up' dose. do you think they will just advise me to inject as *soon* as my cold or whatever it is has cleared up? I'm going on Holiday in June next year and if I could 'syncronise' my humira injections so I don't need to take one with me it would make life massively easier anyway!

And ty suzanne you too x

 

[s nunn]

I would like to know about any side effects people have had starting Humira as the dr want me to start this drug next week

 

[AdamJC]

Haven't had any side effects yet to be honest and I had a high loading dose. Although I read it can take 3 months to kick in sometimes

 

[suschex]

I haven't had any side effects at all.

 

[Fozzybaer]

Hi new to this, my doctor wants to start me on Humira and reading through your post, you all seem good on it.
I have to say I have been fighting it because of all the negative things I have heard. But at this point I think it's better than surgery. Does anyone have any advice????Much appreciated ......fozzybaer

 

[AdamJC]

Best advice is to give it a go fozzy; don't read too much into the side effects or you'll end up talking yourself out of trying something that could potentially keep you in remission for as long as necessary!

I was a bit worried but regular blood tests keep an eye on all the dangerous stuff and if you feel rough you can stop straight away and get advice anytime. Im by no means keen on injecting myself twice a week but after bein through hospital several times I'm actually quite disappointed that I've had to put off my first self injections! Weird huh