Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications humira and nasty side effects!!

hi, i had my first dose of this drug 2 weeks ago and can feel a difference already, the problem is i have severe abdominal pains and chronic diarrhoea, approx 5-6 times a day, horrible subject i know but almost like switching on a tap worst times are between 3am and 8am.
i just wondered if anyone else had these side effects and wot u done to combat them

thanks!!!! 8-)

OMG You poor thing! I am not on that medication but hope you can find a resolution to the issue! I would call my dr for sure on this one in case it could be an allergy. Good luck

I have been taking Humira for almost 2 years now, and it has made a huge difference in my life! As far as your side effects, as we all know different people have different effects to everything; but I think that ongoing diarrhea and stomach cramps may possibly be something else going on at the same time...perhaps a stomach flu type thing? I guess the best advice is to call Humira; they have a fantastic and extensive support system for those of us who use that medication. They will even send a nurse to your house if you would like! I hope it works for you like it is working for me! God Bless you!

Hi Mick,.. Welcome to KA!

I'm not on Humira but am on the biologic Remicade and I can't recall reading about this from any others on tnf blockers. It certainly sounds like an intolerable side effect, if that is indeed what it is from... if you can, I would phone your doctors office, let them know what's going on and ask if you should continue with your next shot if this keeps up. I also think it may be (?) a coincidence and some sort of intestinal virus?

I have heard that there were a few small studies done that showed Enbrel (Humira numbers were too small at the time) was 'inducing' secondary IBS or IBD in a very small subset of individuals, but that it was very rare and no-one would really know until larger numbers from bigger databases could be analysed. I somehow doubt that it would come on this quickly, however, if that were the case.

I am glad you are noting some improvements already, otherwise.
Hope you are over this rotten stuff soon!
mig

Hi Mick
When I was on about my 3rd injection I got bad gut pain and acid and diarroea. I was injecting in my stomach and Rheumy said to try injecting in the leg instead I did and it stopped weird I just use thighs now and no problems. Hope this helps I would check with Doc though.
Kevin

I had a horrible headache that lasted a few weeks. I would take migraine meds. Or pour cold water on my head...sounds crazy but it would work for awhile. Hope it helps. With the whole stomach thing I would try rice milk with cinnamon or ginger pills.

Have you possibly been diagnosed with irritable bowel? Many of us with these spondy diseases suffer with that as well. I have horrible stomach cramps from it and I take 2 different anti-spasmodics to calm it down when it flares.

I've been on Humira for 1-1/2 years. The only real troublesome side effect from it was I had pretty bad insomnia when I first went on it.

I also was on Enbrel for 1-1/2 years. I always got a dull headache for a day or two after my Enbrel shots, doesn't happen with Humira.

I would report any unusual/persistent side effects to your rheumy.

Hi there
I hope you are feeling better by now. I had a tough time with Embrel and so have now been on Humira about 3-4 mos - memory not good.

Anyway, ive taken the injections in the arms only now as before with the Embrel I had site reations, headaches , etc..

But not with humira- I hope you hAd a passing thing and you got to talk to your dr about it...

Please let us know.

Lucy

hi again, went to my doc and he prescribed me a tablet called Loperamide for the Diarrhoea, one to be taken at night and fingers crossed it seems to be working, still get the stomach cramps though but not as bad
Bad news is though ive came down with a cold today and im due to get my next injection on monday, do u know if they will still give me it or will i have to wait another 2 weeks before i can get it?

Thanks again everyone for all advice given, im gonna ask to have it in my leg next time to see if the stomach problems reoccur

Not yet but i started yesterday and i'm sure hoping i get nothing like you. Good luck getting it under control.