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Starting Humira

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/17/2017 2:39 PM (GMT -5)
UC since 1999, posted here sporadically over the years, usually when things are bad...this board is a great source of comfort, and I am thankful for that.

Concerning Humira: I find it interesting that I am on Prednisone, and it is knocking my flare out instantly per usual. However, Humira is supposed to "work" within 8 weeks or a person is to discontinue...so, if I'm on Prednisone how will I know if the Humira is working?

Is this common practice? Or has your GI Doc taken you off Prednisone as soon as you start Humira?

Although prednisone must be tapered when coming off of it...

Deacon
Posted 11/17/2017 3:08 PM (GMT -5)
You'll only know if Humira is working as you start tapering off your prednisone. Most docs will give a biologic 6-8 weeks to reach optimum therapeutic (healing) levels within your bloodstream and then start you on a pred taper. Getting off of the pred is the best sign Humira is working. Although getting to 20mgs and 10mgs of pred and remaining stable are often good signs of things to come!
Posted 11/17/2017 3:16 PM (GMT -5)
I LOVE that Pred works so well for me, but I feel it's making me somewhat crazy this time, night sweats, hunger...

Deacon
Posted 11/17/2017 5:02 PM (GMT -5)
For me, Pred was starting to be less effective and that's why I started Humira. So it was easy to tell it was the Humira doing the heavy lifting when I started getting relief from my classic UC symptoms.

Your question is a good one though. idea Unfortunately I don't know the answer. confused
Posted 11/19/2017 6:18 AM (GMT -5)
Well...still haven't started the Humira. I have a NASTY chest cold/cough, non productive, no fevers.

I'm not sure how my body is going to handle another Immunosuppressant...

I have been pretty fortunate these past 17 years (trying to be positive, it's been awful)

I'm once again reminded of just how little our attitudes have to do with the actual disease, and how much it has to do with coping with disease. When people think someone is "fighting" a disease, we are really fighting the symptoms and fighting the urge to give up.

Are any of you/us also involved in Facebook Support Groups? This is a great group, but I like to use my device, and Healing Well doesn't have an APP which links to Tapatalk, for example...

Hope you all have a Healthful day1

Deacon
Posted 11/20/2017 8:38 AM (GMT -5)
Some are involved in the Entyvio Warriors Facebook group, about the only time I hear that brought up.

More talk lately about making Healingwell at least mobile friendly (changes to site search in preparation thereof). I'll tell the site owner about Tapatalk, I hadn't heard of it but it does sound interesting. Having a single mobile app interface for multiple forum systems. Pass it along at least!
Posted 11/20/2017 4:34 PM (GMT -5)
As far as Facebook here are a few good ones:

Humira Junkies - not specific to IBD but a great resource if you have questions regarding Humira
Ulcerative Colitis
Entyvio Warriors (more for people who are on or going on Entyvio) - GI Med Student in this group as well
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Science/Evidence Based - this group has a GI Med Student as one of the admins - great info!

If you're looking into MMJ try Cannabis Awareness/Support for Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis - they are getting pickier about who can join due to a few isolated incidents from members.

Hope this helps!
Posted 11/20/2017 4:40 PM (GMT -5)
FYI Deacon Blues, I passed on the TapaTalk App reference along to the site owner (Peter) and he responded back to me. He thought it was very interesting indeed and said he'll look into it further and see what it would take to support it. No promises of course, but at least we caught him at a good time with a suggestion, when he's working on site improvements here. Thanks for the thought there!
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