Humira and Asthma

Hello,
I was diagnosed with UC about 2 years. I tried several medications and now my colitis is well controlled on weekly Humira injections. about 6 months ago I developed a persistent cough that my primary care doctor diagnosed as asthma. I'm working hard to find the right asthma medication and get the asthma under control.

I met with my GI this week and he is wondering if the Humira is contributing to my asthma. I have an apt with a pulmonologist at the end of December. It feels like a long time to wait so I wanted to ask here -- has anyone else developed asthma or a persistent cough while on Humira?

The Humira is working very well for my colitis and I'm very nervous to switch medications, but this new asthma complication is really making things more challenging.

Thanks in advance for any input!

-Lisa

I have not experienced or heard of this, but I take Singulair nightly for my wheezing due to cat allergies. I've taken it for about half my life and it works great. It may be a med to look into. Sorry you're having to deal with this!

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35 years old; diagnosed UC March 2007 (couldn't get scope all the way thru).
9-29-16: chronic and active proctosigmoiditis (infectious cause). Battled reoccuring campylobacter & c diff. Oct-Dec 2016. Remission since 12/25/16 until I started smoking again in 2018 after 9 yrs quit. Re-quit smoking. Maintenance: Delzicol, 6, 2xday; Rowasa nightly. Started Remicade 7/25/19. 50 mg pred 10/29/19.

Thank you for the quick responses!

Heather: No I'm not on any meds for blood pressure. I've had a chest x ray but haven't had an upper scope in over a year. Both my PCP and GI feel strongly that it's not GERD as my symptoms present as classic cough variant asthma (coughing during exercise, coughing while talking, coughing during cold weather) and I seem to be responding somewhat to inhalers. But we'll see what the pulmonologist says!

Sara: Thanks for sharing what works for you. I've read that Singulair can have depression as a side effect. I already struggle with my mood so I'm a bit worried about that. But it's good to know there are options!

Thanks again,
Lisa

I have cough variant asthma....what inhalers are you on? Singulair might help you as well (I don't use it, but I do use inhalers).

Did you have a cold around the time this started?

q

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*Heather* I give suggestions, do with them what you will.
Status: ...Asacol 3 @ 2x daily; Salofalk enema @ 3rd night (nightly/ flares, tapered/maintenance)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~Bentylol 20mg as needed; Zantac 150mg; Pulmicort/Oxeze/Airomir (asthma); Effexor XR 75mg (depression); Rosuvastatin 10mg (cholesterol); Telemesartin 80mg (BP)
~vitamins/minerals/supplements; Probiotics....(RenewLife Ultimate Flora Critical Care + Genuine Health Advanced Gut Health 50 billion @ bedtime)
~Metamucil capsules 6 @ 2x daily with meals; Vitamin D 4500 IU
~URSO 500mg @ 2x daily for Primary Biliary Cholangitis
~Sjogren's (secondary)...symtomatic treatment
"TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!

My only suggestion is to NOT use BREO, sigh. It worked well, but I ended up with yeast at the back of my mouth and throat daily (and Im fastidious about mouth hygeine), a severe sinus infection, 2 courses of abx, yeast down my esophagus increased by use of abx...and excruciating , unrelenting discomfort and nausea finally blasted with fluconazole 10 day course.

Consider allergy testing just because.

It's fine to take the Salbutamol 2x daily.
Ask for Oxeze....it's the same long lasting reliever med in Symbicort, but separate and can be adjusted as needed. I know the combos are suggested, but separate allow for specified adjustment.

Hope better insight at your pulmonologist appt...it's always good to have official diagnosis.

q

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*Heather* I give suggestions, do with them what you will.
Status: ...Asacol 3 @ 2x daily; Salofalk enema @ 3rd night (nightly/ flares, tapered/maintenance)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~Bentylol 20mg as needed; Zantac 150mg; Pulmicort/Oxeze/Airomir (asthma); Effexor XR 75mg (depression); Rosuvastatin 10mg (cholesterol); Telemesartin 80mg (BP)
~vitamins/minerals/supplements; Probiotics....(RenewLife Ultimate Flora Critical Care + Genuine Health Advanced Gut Health 50 billion @ bedtime)
~Metamucil capsules 6 @ 2x daily with meals; Vitamin D 4500 IU
~URSO 500mg @ 2x daily for Primary Biliary Cholangitis
~Sjogren's (secondary)...symtomatic treatment
"TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!

Post Edited (quincy) : 11/11/2019 1:02:47 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks for all the info — much appreciated!!