Scared about starting Humira

[Emily2]

Im starting Humira on Thursday, just wondering who out there is on it or has been on it and what theyre experience with it was. What worked best for you? Injection site? Helping with the burning sensation? Did you get sick? Side effects....anything would be helpful. Im really starting to freak out about starting this new medication.
Thanks

 

[Jennifer]

Come on over and check out our little club: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=6500

I've already finished my loading doses and one regular dose. I use the pen and inject in my stomach while laying down (doing it in my leg hurt too much but for some people it hurts less. Try both spots for yourself to see which works best for you). I also Ice the area 10 min before and leave the pen out of the fridge for about 20 min (10 min only was still a bit too painful for me). Last injection I had a mild reaction at the injection site that was itchy and red. Not too big though and went away after taking one Benadryl. Other than that I haven't had problems with it and don't seem to get anymore sick than I did while on 6MP. The mild symptoms (diarrhea, mucus, abdominal pain and joint pain) I was having have improved quite a bit already.

I was a little scared about injecting but I'm already used to it now. Hope it works well for you too!

 

[guitarjamie03]

I love injection day! I know I sound crazy, but it makes me feel soooo much better. Once I got past the loading dose and got used to it, it is not so bad. I would suggest putting it out on the counter for about 30 mins to take the edge off. Also, try to ice the area for ten minutes or so. I like legs better, but I find that harder becasue I have a lot of muscle there so it is hard to pull the skin up, but on the stomach I tend to bruse more. I would try both and see what is better for you. I also try to put on some music that I like (it kinda hypes me up so I don't think about the pain, but rather the music).

As far as side effects, after the loading dose I was really tired. Not right away, but a few hours after I injected I needed to take a long nap. Now that I am down to one pen I still get tired, but I only need to lay down for a few hours then I feel like a whole new person! I have more energy, I want to go out, etc. It's great! But remember, everyone has differnt side effects.

Good luck to you! And let us know how it goes!

 

[EthanPSU]

Hey Emily, I started it like a month or so ago and was scared at first but it's honestly not that bad. I do it everytime in the stomach and I don't feel much pain, just like a tad stinging. Also have had no bad side effects from it or anything. Hope it goes well for you, matter of fack I need to take my dose tommorrow.

 

[Emily2]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I feel better knowing that all of you have had a good experience with Humira. I will make sure I try to leave the pen out about a half an hour before injection and ice the injection site for about 20 minutes before the dose. Hopfully it will work just as good for me as it did for all of you!
Im hoping that Humira will help me live my life like I used to! Any other tips and experiences are greatly appreciated!
Emily