On humira still having diarrhea

[Dinocolou]

I was diagnosed back in May with Crohn's. Tried asacol hd with no luck. Started humira in mid September. I'm not having any sort of pain, but still having bouts of diarrhea 6 to 8 times a day. Also, I'm on humira every other week. Anyone else been down this road? Thanks in advance.

My first post on here, but have been "lurking" for many months

 

[Miss Underestimated]

I take Welchol for it. It depends on what your stool looks like, really. If it's little particles of matter floating in liquid, the Welchol will probably work. The particles don't adhere together like they should, the Welchol fixes that.

There is a cheaper, similar drug, but I don't think it works as well as the Welchol. If you don't have drug coverage, I'm sure someone else here knows the name of it; I can't remember.

Also, Humira takes about 3 months to really work.

 

[theOcean]

I'm on a combination of Humira and 6mp. You could ask your doctor about combination therapy (although 6mp/Azathioprine/Methotrexate also take three months to reach therapeutic levels), or you could ask about going on prednisone to help alongside the Humira. I wouldn't give up on it just yet.

 

[David]

Another option might be reducing the duration between Humira dosages. When did your doctor last see you and what did they say about your progress?

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Having the same problem. I just finished up my loader doses 2 days ago. About every 3 days I have the diarrhea with blood and mucus. Also 9 days after my four loader doses, my hips and knees where killing me.

I see its been a while since u posted but if you have an up, I would like to hear it. Thanks

 

[Nancye50]

@pottytime! Have you recently been on steroids? I went through a lot of aches and weakness as I was getting off Pred and onto Humira. That was May of 2014. Just this weekend, my husband and I were moving wooden pallets (loaded with Girl Scout cookies) in the garage and I realized how strong I felt. Yay!!

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Still on prednisone. Been on 40 mg a day for almost 2 months.

 

[lookame]

I've been on humira for about a year (changed over from Remicade during pregnancy after a few severe allergic reactions to Remicade). I am also on 6mp and lialda and I'm still expirience bloody diarrhea several times a day. Recently it's suspected that it's because of c-diff but I don't think the c-diff is the only reason. I'm working on fixing it though...

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Well im dealing with a GI doctor that thinks prednisone is the best thing since sliced bread. Always having to hear, "I cant believe prednisone has not helped you". Im sure im not the only person prednisone has not helped. But back on point, I have not felt body aches since I have been on the steroids. Only 9 days after the first 4 shots of the humira. I also still take 4000 mg pentasa a day just because I have them. They dont work, why I went to humira

 

[Carrie]

Me too, but I was just coming off prednisone, not starting Humira. Walking for long periods of time, and climbing stairs were a huge pain.

@pottytime! Have you recently been on steroids? I went through a lot of aches and weakness as I was getting off Pred and onto Humira.

 

[POTTYTIME!]

I cant bend over right now, im so blowed up. I can only eat a few bites a day. Wondering if I have a blockage of some sort.

 

[David]

If you're worried that you have a blockage, please go to the emergency department. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Sometimes the meds can take 6 months to start working. Don't give up on Humira quite yet. My daughter added something to her diet that helped to thicken her stool. it is powder online by prescription. You add it to water. comes in orange or lemon flavor. I will look through her medical files for the name of it but it might help. If you can get over the taste it does thicken stool.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Oh I have it in my signature. Questran. ask your doc, look it help. it may help.

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Thanks. Will check it out. Alittle scared to do anything to slow it down right now. On a 3 day cycle more or less. Right now nothings moving. I ate about 5 bites of rice for lunch and I feel like I have eat at an all you can eat buffet and gorged myself. This is the worse it has been yet. If it gets any worse im going to take Davids advice and go to the er.

 

[POTTYTIME!]

I can usually eat rice. That is one thing along with fish that treats me good

 

[SupportiveMom]

I misunderstood. I thought you still have diarrhea but are concerned about a blockage potential. Try to at least add fluids to your diet to prevent dehydration. I hope you get relief soon.

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Im sorry. I know the title is misleading. Im on a cycle it seems. I will have the runs for about 3 days then stopped up for about the time frame

 

[Mercury1]

I started Humira in December. So far no major side effects. I get a little tingle in my fingers at bedtime, that's about it. I still feel bloated. I am regular, but I go a lot. However my GI told me when I had surgery the surgeon removed a valve that was basically a "yield" sign in my body. Most of the time when I go its quick and loose...and still hard to hold it in if Im on my way home.

 

[David]

Mercury,

1. Have you had your vitamin B12 level tested? A common cause of that tingling in people with Crohn's disease is B12 deficiency.

2. You had your ileocecal valve removed. Check out this thread on psyllium husk: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=13856 or talk to your doctor about utilizing Questran.