What are typical side effects of Humira loading dose?

[kateel]

Hi all,
I'm supposed to be starting Humira any day now. (as long as I can get past all the insurance hurdles...)

I am very nervous about starting, but also very excited to hopefully be off prednisone soon.

I am nervous about the side effects of the loading doses of the Humira. I have read that some people get fevers and flu like symptoms for several days. Is anyone willing to share with me what they experienced and how soon after the first dose the felt it? I'm just wondering if I should plan my first dose on a certain day of the week, so I can plan to be not feeling well on a weekend.

Thanks in advance for your replies.
Kateel

Recently taken off Asacol (1200mg 3x daily)
Currently on: 20mg prednisone (can't seem to go below 20mg without severe abdominal cramping)

 

[bobisacrohny]

It seems like the body would say hey there is something different in the blood. There should be a statistic of the reactions to the loading dose to be ethical due to the type of treatment being administered unless that is ignored or hidden.

 

[Myhappyplace]

I just felt kind of tired the day after the loading dose, but had no other symptoms. With subsequent doses, I developed a large itchy welt around the injection site that got worse each time (even when icing the site and taking Benadryl before and after) until I needed to stop and switch to Cimzia. On the plus side, the Humira def helped my GI symptoms within a couple weeks. Good luck and let us know how it goes for you!

 

[Sandi Creek]

Kateel, I just started Hurmira in October, and felt like I was heading for remission after the second set of shots. I am still having some issues, but nothing like it was before. I just joined the Humira support group on this site and one of the participants said that it could take up to 6 months to really see improvement. I look forward to the day I am finally in a remission. good luck to you and keep us posted.

 

[Scaryman]

kateel-

I posted this on another thread with someone elses' concerns with Humira and the side effects. It asks you and only YOU can answer, and givces information on my experiences and some facts about Humira. But the most important question is this:
Would you be willing to give the drug a chance for 6 months unless you have a serious side effect? Or would you rather deal with the consequences of crohns flares and the scaring intestines leaving you with possible strictures thus requiring surgery?



I had the same concerns a little over 1 year ago when I started Humira and Methotrexate combo. MTX is a cancer chemo drug that helps with human bodies natural anti-bodies. So to weaken the anti bodies it makes Humira around %30 more effective because there is nothing making it weak. Aside from that yes the FDA had put black Labels on Humira. Yes, there are possibilities of side effects some serious some not so serious.
I had to deal with Chronic fatigue - this is normal, but you will get u sed to it over time.
I had to deal with skin breaking out - Used a surgical prep soap called "Hibiclens" to clear that up in 2 weeks time.
Joint pain - this goes away with time.
Understand that Humira is a immune suppressant TNF blocker. Its a monoclonal fully humanized protein. As I stated earlier there are risks with Humira, but understand its a "clean" drug. What you have to ask yourself, and only YOU can answer. Are you willing to give the drug the 6 months it takes to properly gauge the effectiveness of the drug and deal with the side effects ( Unless they are serious)? Or would you rather deal with chronic inflammation thus leaving you with scared intestines (strictures) thus having no choice but for surgical intervention.

Please understand I'm just giving you hard facts, But I am hyper sensitive to drugs, I had a miserable time with the loading doses but everyone reacts different. Such as life with Crohns being the most Non linear disease that it is. So can you give the drug a chance? Or would you rather deal with the crohns flares. Because the way I see it that is your choice. Its got a really good handle on my flares.

Just make sure you know the possible side effects if you decide to give Humira a chance. So you know what to look out for, another thing is this scenario. since this drug suppresses the immune system lets say your going to fly some where. A passenger next to you is sneezing and coughing. Ask a flight attendant to move to another seat. Plus chronic washing of hands in public areas is another thing. Just telling you if someone around you is sick - get away from them!!!