Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Humera?


Sat, March 06, 2010 12:12 PM

My 15 year old daughter has Crohn's.  She has been in remission for 4+ years.  We have been med free for 3+ years, only taking supplements.  She is now having what appears to be a flare: elevated sed rate, anemia, low protein, some belly pain, some loose stool, but mostly very inflammed joints, specifically the ankles.  Our Dr. is suggesting an Inlfammatory Bowel Disease clinic to learn about Humera.   When she was younger, she took Remicade for about 18 months.  That was awful.  She had an allergic reaction every time.   The infusion would take 6 hours rather than 2 because we had to push the drug so slowly and giver her lots of benadryl.  I understand Humera is a self-injected drug.  Does anyone have experience with this drug? What should I expect for her?

FPO jenni
Joined Mar 6, 2010

Mon, April 05, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for dinneweth.

I don't have any experience with humira yet, my almost 10 yr old son has been on azathioprine for 18 mnths now. He has a colonoscopy scheduled for this Friday, and even though I know that he will get through it fine, I still just wish that he did not have to deal with this! I wish that I could just take it away.

Anyway, rambling...but just wanted you to know that I completely understand your worry and fear. Sending love and support across the ocean. x

 

FPO neesie
Joined Nov 4, 2009

Sun, March 28, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for Jenni.

My 5 year old daughter is taking Humira and Methotrexate for juvenile arthritis and uveitis (eye inflammation).  Two weeks ago, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.  So... apparently the Humira isn't working to keep the UC under control and the meds alone aren't keeping her uveitis quiet either.  She has eye drops three times a day that seem to do the trick.

My daughter has been on weekly injections for nearly four years and has no issues with needles except for the Humira.  I think the auto-injector is less painful, but she's not big enough for it.  Instead, she gets a pre-filled syringe.  The medication burns as it enters her body and we've tried everything to lessen the burning, but haven't been able to find the solution.

She hasn't had any side-effects that we are aware of, and her arthritis has been quiet for more than a year.  We've been told that she might have to switch to Remicade, but will start on VSL #3 probiotics first, then Sulfasalazine, then Remicade if the other items don't work.  She will stay on the methotrexate and humira in addition to the VSL#3 and the Sulfasalazine.

FPO jamom
Joined Feb 3, 2010

Thu, March 18, 2010 8:39 PM

 Reply posted for MomofMouse.

my 8 year old was recently diagnoised w/ cd and arthritis.  his GI put him on pentasa but his rheum doc was concerned b/c his knee has been swollen for a month with pain the 2 months before the swelling.  they now want to do remicaide.  i could not subject my child to this since he loathes IV's and has been poked so much these last few month before they figured out it was cd.  he was hospitalized in jan to rule out malignancy.  we felt a wave of relief w/ this clear slate and then went right back into the scary mode when we found out his colonoscopy shows ulcers and traces of blood while the biopsies show "it's suggesting crohns". since we asked for an alternative to remicaide they suggested humira.  reading that it can increase risks for lymphoa, it's terrifying to me.  my son has improved so much with his joint pain and never went to the bathroom more than once a day until he had to prepare for his colonoscopy.  i just worry.  has anyone had a second opinion w/ their childs treatments/diagnosis and was it consistent?  does humira work? 

scared mom melanie

FPO dinneweth
Joined Mar 18, 2010

Mon, March 15, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for Jenni.

My daughter is 13 has UC and started Humira treatment last May.  She has not had any adverse reactions to the shot.  Her 14 year old girl friend is also on Humira for CD and has been for a couple of years with no problems. 

FPO momofmouse
Joined Jul 2, 2009

Related Topics

Trying to support my husb...
Author Image jessers
Joined Mar 1, 2022

Hi, My husband is 46 and was diagnosed in 2019 ....

read more

Legal system
Author Image Kimdanon1
Joined Apr 20, 2024

My son has Crohn's and is currently in jail. T....

read more