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Humira after surgery?

Sat, September 18, 2010 1:57 PM

I am getting conflicting answers about my continued use of Humira after my colectomy and illeostomy in Feb for Crohn's. Two docs say I should use something with not so many side effects and one doc says I should stay on it to keep me in remission.

I used Humira about a year before surgery and did not have positive results...so my question is: could it still help me now, post op?

I have received some info from CCFA; contacted Abbott who makes Humira and am looking for others that are on the drug post op.

Thank you for any tips/info on this.

hillslife
Joined Sep 13, 2008

Wed, October 27, 2010 8:52 AM

Reply posted for hillslife.

I had severe crohn's disease for about 6 years and finally in May 2010 I got sick enough where surgery was my only option. I had part of my colon removed, 1 1/2 feet of my small intestine and my appendix removed. I was on steroids for a good 2 months after my surgery and after I got off the steroids my gastro put me back on Humira (injection every 2 weeks) but now I'm back to injecting every week. I haven't really had any bad reactions to Humira but I was on it for about 2 years before my surgery and it didnt seem to help but I guess once you get all the diseased part removed Humira has a better chance of helping? I still have lower right abdominal pain frequently and my joints still ache, I wish the Humira would help my joints! I would really like to see what other options I have besides Humira bc maybe something else might help better but my gastro completely avoids the subject when I bring it up. I tried not taking my Humira for about 3 weeks straight and by the 3rd week I was really suffering with the abdominal pain and the constant diarrhea. I just took a shot on Sunday and honestly I haven't felt an improvement. I wish sometimes that I could stay on prednisone forever but at the same time I hate the terrible side effects and I'd probably be 500lbs lol

laura1988
Joined Mar 30, 2008

Mon, October 11, 2010 8:44 AM

Reply posted for hillslife.

I have had an ileostomy since 1998 for Crohns of the large intestine. At that time I also had significant pain associated with rectal a fissure. I have not had any rectal issues since my surgery and have had not recurrance of my Crohns to date. I have had several ER/hospital admits for small-bowel obstructions due to scar tissue and inflammation. At the time of my surgery Remicaid and Humera were not available and I had been on Prednisone, consistantly, for over two years.

I would look at any research on Humera, post surgery. I would be reluctant to continue taking it because you won't know if you could do without! It is a significant enough medication that if it were me I would see if I could go without. Couldn't you start it again if necessary?

Good luck!

jimandkatherine
Joined Oct 11, 2010

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