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Do Humira Shots hurt and how is it doing it every other week?

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Posted 9/20/2007 3:39 AM (GMT -8)
I had a reaction to remicade after taking it for over 4 years.  My doctor wants me to try Humira.  I know I have to go for a tb test before I start.  Is there anything else I will have to do?  Do you have to go for a blood test every month? How is it giving these shots to yourself?  Any information on how its going for you and how it has helped or not would be great.  My crohns symptoms are acting up so I may be calling my doctor today to get things going sooner.

Thanks so much,

Kathleen :-)

Posted 9/20/2007 4:49 AM (GMT -8)
I started the Humira shots at the end of April.  The only thing I had to do before starting them was the TB test and make sure my insurance would cover them.  They are very expensive so you want to make sure they are covered.  I was petrified of the thought of giving myself a shot but it is not that bad.  I don't look forward to it every other week but it is doable. I have only used the pens.  You will hear others talk about the syringe.  It does sting going in but it only lasts about 10 secs and then your muscle in the injection area is sore for a while afterwards.  Your loading dose will be 4 shots - two in the stomach and one in each thigh most likely.  I found it hurt more in the thigh but I don't have much extra fat in my thighs.  I noticed a big improvement right away but not so much as time has gone by.  I have days where I feel great but then still some where I don't.  I am also on Imuran and Pentasa.  I have to still get bloodwork because of the Imuran so I am not sure if you need to with just Humira.  I would recommend letting the Humira get to room temperature before injecting it and icing the area where you will inject.  Those two things really helped me.  Good luck to you and feel free to ask more questions. MB

Posted 9/20/2007 6:00 AM (GMT -8)

Thanks so much  for your quick response.  Sorry to hear that Humira is not always working for you.  I'm not looking forward to the needles and also the chance that it may not help me. I also take pentesa as well. I have fistulas and I hope that it can be kept under control.  Thanks again for your email.  I will keep you in mind if I have more questions after the dr calls me back today.

Thanks again,

Kathleen

Posted 9/20/2007 9:48 AM (GMT -8)
I just did my first self-injection on Tuesday. I had to close my eyes to push the needle in, lol. It didn't really hurt that much, no more than any other injection, it was just too creepy to watch the needle go in (i can look once its in, though O.o). after that i just pushed the plunger down till it started hurting, then stopped a bit, and kept doing that till it was empty. for me, once i figured out a way past the creepiness, it wasnt too bad.
Posted 9/20/2007 9:59 AM (GMT -8)
I will probably be starting Humira soon too, just got done with my tb test.  Also not looking forward to the shots.  Have you noticed any bad side effects of Humira yet?
Posted 9/20/2007 10:35 AM (GMT -8)
The only side effect I have noticed is that I have gained about 10lbs. In my case that wasn't bad because I needed to gain weight. Otherwise I have not noticed any bad side effects at all. MB
Posted 9/20/2007 10:35 AM (GMT -8)
Not really. If there are any side-effects for me they either haven't shown up yet or are too minor for me to notice. Also, I agree with MBJOH that it hurts more in the thighs... plus its a lot more inconvenient.
Posted 9/20/2007 2:00 PM (GMT -8)
I am on humira and the only side effect's that I have is I get alittle red around the injection site and it only last a few secounds.It does sting alittle but it as well only last a few secounds.Other than that humira has helped me a great deal.
Posted 9/20/2007 3:56 PM (GMT -8)
I've been on it about 6-7 months now; I was one of those people that refused shots because I hate them so much. I thought I'd never be able to do this on my own!

The drug worked so well that it's worth the temporary freak-out I have each time.

I use the syringe so I can control the medication. The stick itself doesn't hurt at all, it's the medication that burns going on. I let it come to room temp first and then take it very slowly and that helps cut down on the pain.

I don't have any reactions or side effects at all.
Posted 9/20/2007 4:38 PM (GMT -8)
I had my first 4 shots earlier this afternoon. I used an ice pack for the first one but did not for the other 3 and did not notice much difference. As everyone else said, it stings for a few seconds going in and your abdomen is a bit sore for the rest of the afternoon (like you've done a bunch of sit-ups or like a really mild version of what your arm feels like after you get a flu shot). The person that trained me and lots of other people have said that it stings less it you take it out of the refrigerator 15-30 minutes before you do the injection. I had done the induction of the Remicade, felt a lot better but developed a lupus-like syndrome so my doctor switched me over to Humira. I hope it works as well and I have no side effects. I found the pen really easy to use.

Posted 9/20/2007 5:48 PM (GMT -8)
What about the immune suppression? Does Humira make you get sick more, and have you known anyone that has gotten serious infections from it?
Posted 9/20/2007 7:24 PM (GMT -8)
I just watched the video on using humira and am set to start in a week. we will all have to check in!
Posted 9/20/2007 7:51 PM (GMT -8)
I started Humira a week and a half ago. I went from having D several times a day for years, to being constipated today. Hoping it will even itself out, lol.

I use the pens and did all four shots in the tummy. I think I will try the thighs for my next dose, because we're supposed to rotate.

For your original question, I'll put it this way... it certainly doesn't feel good!

:-)
Posted 9/21/2007 4:36 AM (GMT -8)
As far as the immune surpress question - I have not been sick since I started Humira the end of April. I hate saying that cuz usually you get sick right after you say something like that. My job is one where I have to shake hands with people all the time and be around alot of different people and I do not seem to pick up any illnesses going around. I am also on Imuran which is an immune surpressant also. Maybe I am just lucky. MB
Posted 9/21/2007 4:47 AM (GMT -8)
I have not noticed any increase in illnesses, but I've only been on Humira for a few months. Honestly, I'd say that the chances of getting sick are probably increased slightly, but thats to be expected with an immuno-suppressant. Just wash your hands and try not to hang around sick people, you can't go wrong with that. And, I can't comment on other people getting sick from it, as I'm the only Crohnie I know personally.

There was something else I was gonna say but I went and forgot it D:
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