New to Humira, looking for success stories.

[al_crohnnie]

Hi all,

I'm in a nasty flare and am dealing with a fistula (laid open by surgery) which is not healing. My GI doctor and my colorectal surgeon have campaigned hard enough for Humira that I finally bit the bullet and started it. I had my loading doses at the doctor's office yesterday afternoon. After feeling pretty well this morning, I ran some errands, but now am just straight up crashing. I feel like I've just taken a Benadryl, I'm so sleepy.

Naturally I'm concerned (terrified) of potential side effects and am already trying to talk myself out of being on Humira forever. Not the most healthy mental way to go when starting a new med, I'll admit. So basically what I'm looking for, hoping for, are accounts that are positive Humira stories. The internet is full of the scary stuff. It would be such a relief just to see someone say 'I was sick as a dog and now I'm not. thank you Humira.' Or something of that nature.

Thanks.

 

[PsychoJane]

Many do have success stories with Humira. When I started it I got extremely pleasant results quickly. I was not sick as a dog but I had tenacious fistulae. They closed within a few weeks and it was extremely relieving. Unfortunately for me, Humira lost its efficiency quite quickly but many have been in remission for years with it!

Stay optimist towards the treatment for now, try to induce remission and get better from it, then, you will see what is best suited for you. Remember to listen to your body, it's the most important thing for now!

Good luck!

 

[Scaryman]

Can't give you a success story...yet. But after consulting with one of the best GI's in the world in Chicago and a highly placed friend at NIH the tiredness exhaustion your feeling is normal. I've had problems being knocked out at work, and having to sleep it off. Looking back I was instant road kill. With anything new my body got accustomed to the drug. Humira is one of the cleaner biologics, because its a humanized protein. Also keep in mind it takes 8-12 weeks to be evaluated if Humira is working as intended. Expect your next doses to make you tired again. Try to plan around it if you can. Tough out the first two months then go from there.:ysmile: hope this helps.

 

[al_crohnnie]

Jane, thank you for responding. I'm glad that Humira helped with your fistulas. How long were you on it before you had to stop using it?

Scaryman, thank you for the words of encouragement. Fatigue just seemed to hit me out of nowhere yesterday as well. I'm back at work today, so here's hoping that I can stay strong for an entire shift.

 

[PsychoJane]

I've been on it for a year and a half. It started to fail after about 9 months. My body is not intruder friendly lol.

 

[guest78]

Hi
I was very ill with a flare about 2 years ago, I started on Humira alongside Aza. After about 2-3 weeks I began to feel more human and within 6weeks-2months was symtpom free. I stayed completely symptom free for nearly 2 years! its only been the past few months that i have begun to flare again. They have upped my dose of Humira and I am now once again becoming symptom free once more.
they arent the most pleasant thing to have to do, but they are my wonder drug and have kept me healthy, so it is definitely worth it.
xxx

 

[al_crohnnie]

G, that is so great that Humira helped you and that it did so quickly. I hope that upping the dose brings you relief again. Thank you for posting. It makes me hopeful to see that Humira really does help people.

 

[guest78]

I'm glad it's made you feel a little better! I remember reading all the horror stories which terrified me before I started using it!
Good luck with it! I hope it's your wonder drug too if you have any questions, you can always ask xxxx

 

[IAmTheWalrus]

http://medicineworld.org/cancer/lead/1-2008/drugs-used-to-treat-rheumatoid-arthritis.html

http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/risk-and-benefits-transcript.pdf

Hopefully these help, they sure did for me!!

 

[tiloah]

Humira has helped a lot of people. In my opinion the side effects of Humira are a lot less concerning than out of control Crohn's disease. One is a lot more likely to be damaging, for sure. I hope Humira is the right fit and works wonders for you.

 

[Thermo]

I have been on Humira for 2 years, if you want some peace of mind look through some of my older posts, I have previously broken down your increased risks while using Humira and I really think it would help you because it helped me. Seeing that you are 20 times higher risk for lymphoma than the general population is scary! But then putting it into perspective thats only a .6% increased risk. Oh of course it has happened before and it will continue to happen because lets face it Crohns is a rare disease, just like a diabetic you need scary medication to live. I would suggest getting something for anxiety to help transition yourself on this medication crazy stuff happens with this disease and medication and if you are in a constant state of paranoid and freak out your going to cause a problem thats not there. Good luck, hope Humira does great for you I love it!