Starting Humira - any tips & what about side effects

[CeeCeeGo]

Hi everyone

I am due to start Humira in the next week or so having reacted badly to most other CD meds - so I am hoping that finally I can find a med that keeps me in remission.

Any tips please about where to inject, using ice etc.

Also interested in side effects as I have suffered really badly with these on all the meds I have tried so far for CD (Aza, 6mp, Methotrexate, ASA's). The main side effects I can't cope with are nausea & sickness.

Thanks

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Good luck ceecee! It has many potential side effects but hopefully it will work nicely for you.

I used to let the syringe sit out 30 min to adjust to room temperature before injecting. You could ice before and after if it helps you.

 

[Gembug]

Evening!
I have been injecting Humira for most of this year. I like to wait till the end of the day when im nice and calm, let the injection warm up for at least 45mins, go to my room away from every thing and wait till I feel ready. There is no rush to do the injection just do it on your chosen day. I don't use ice at all but do put a plaster on over in injection site, it helps me feel better after. I hope this helps you.

 

[Sef0912]

I just had my initial loading dose of 4 shots today. The place that hurt the least for me was under my belly button (almost at my underwear line) on the left side. It really doesn't seem to hurt but the medicine does burn going in. I don't know if this is different with the auto injector pens, because I use the syringes. I have not had any side effects as of yet, except for itching at one of the injection sites. We will have to see tomorrow, as the nurse ambassador said for some they never experience side effects, but for others it takes a day or two to fully get in your system and side effects can be experienced the next day. She said the most common are headache, nausea, fatigue, and injection site reactions, which I may just not notice since I am almost always fatigued and have frequent headaches. I guess my best advice is to try to remain calm giving yourself an injection and listen to what your nurse says. I am going to try my thighs with the 2 injections in 2 weeks. The nurse stated that they hurt more for some, but icing them before injecting and letting the Humira warm up to room temperature can help take away some of the burn/sting of the medicine as it goes in. I hope this helps and welcome to the Humira club.

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Thanks to all of you for replying. Sorry I'm late in saying thanks but I haven't been able to get on this site for the last few days.

 

[my little penguin]

DS has been taking humira for over a year.
He is 10.
We add lidocaine to the humira syringe per his doctors instructions
This reduces the burning from the med during the injection.
He only injects in the thigh so his leg is sore afterwards.
He does have some fatigue the next day but otherwise no other issues.
It did take about 5 months to work though .

Good luck

 

[*yvonne*]

Just wanted to wish you luck. I've not stated mine yet so can't offer any advice but I seem to be in a similar situation to you as everything I've had before now just hasn't agreed with me and I just hope this one works well for me and you too. Let me know how you're getting on with it when you can.

 

[Plissken]

I found the first few doses of it I was really tired for about 24 hours after it. But that has subsided now. Only advice as others have said, take it out the fridge for a while before hand, it stings less. Hopefully it works well for you, it has improved my life a lot so far

 

[Liquid Bacon]

I inject into my thigh - it seemed to be the least painful area when I started. I remember the nurse wanted me to inject into my stomach: once and never again! I use the same leg every time, even though they tell my to alternate; I'm just more comfortable with the one side. I don't know if I've just gotten used to it or if my leg is full of scar tissue now, because I barely feel the shot now. 10+ years X one shot per week = over 520 needles into that thigh!

 

[CeeCeeGo]

Hi Liquid Bacon
Glad to see that it has worked for you for 10+ years. Here's hoping!
Carol :rr: