Starting Humira

I started on Humira and Imuran 2 weeks ago. I'm more scared of the Imuran side effects than the Humira, probably because I had already been on Remicade and didn't really have any negative reaction to it and it's a similar med to Humira. Anyway, I feel like there are more adverse reactions to Imuran and 6-mp than Humira just based off all the reading I've done about them. The most common side effects of Humira are headaches and site injection reactions. I haven't had any side effects from Humira that I'm aware of. Will you even get it before your vacation? It took my doctor's office, insurance and the specialty pharmacy a while to get me my first injection. I had to be a squeaky wheel and make a lot of repeated phone calls.

Humira is about as similar to 6-mp, as parrots are to oranges. And as a parrot owner, I can tell you oranges do not scream or crap nearly as much as parrots do!

I'm on similar remicade (a sister medication to humira), have been for 7+ years, no side effects, and it has been a total game changer for me. I hope humira works as brilliantly for you. Try and remian optimistic, you have a good chance at a remission and feeling normal again. Flares bitterly suck, and having a possible way out of that mess in a a few weeks time should put a smile on your face, and help you sleep at night ;-)

Thanks - I am crossing fingers for no adverse affects because it was horrible. I did get my Humira yesterday but I have an appointment with an oral surgeon tomorrow because I have to get one of my wisdom teeth pulled so I have to wait to see what he says about beginning.

Yeah, definitely talk with both your GI and the surgeon before starting it. I find the shots really easy to do, for what its worth. Way more convenient than Remicade infusions. You can have a Humira ambassador either come to your house or talk you through the first shot over the phone, if you want.

If it was me, I'd start the humira now. Why?

1st point: Many of us have undergone surgery while on Humira and often while simultaneously on prednisone, and maybe even 6MP as well. Risks are small, no worries.

2nd point: Taking Humira today doesn't get it up to full strength today. All biologics have a loading dosage period, where you initially take the medication more frequently and at higher dosages to get your blood/humira concentration up to ideal, therapeutic (healing) range. Once that ideal range is achieved, you go to a lower maintenance doage schedule.

Let's look closer at Humira and what this means.
- Day-0 you take 4-pens. This is your 1st loading dose.
- Day-15 you take 2-pens. This is the last loading dose.
- Day-29 you are now on maintenance phase, having achieved desired concentration of Humira and maintain it at 1-pen every 2-weeks in perpetuity.

The big take way is this: Suppose you took humira today, then you will not be at full immuno-suppressing strength of Humira by Monday the 9th. Any affect of humira would be waning that initial week (you might feel good for a few days but the affect of humira will not last or be consistent, yet). On December 20th, the day of your trip, you would be taking your last loading dosage of 2-pens (at day-15). So, while on your vacation you are at full strength of Humira and will begin feeling the strongest positive improvements from Humira that last. You'll likely have a great vacation, be healing, and worry less about your bowels. It might take another month or so to achieve a full remission from Humira.